Magnesium Requirements of Poultry

Feedstuffs commonly used for poultry generally contribute 1100-2400 ppm to the ration, so typically Mg supplementation is not necessary. The National Research Council (NRC) suggests that 600 ppm Mg be provided to chicks from hatch to 8 weeks of age, and 400 ppm thereafter (National Research Council, 1977). The NRC also recommends 500 ppm dietary Mg for growing turkeys and also 500 ppm for growing ducks. 

Published data indicate that dietary magnesium levels of up to 6000 ppm can be tolerated by growing chicks. Growing turkeys are less tolerant and suffer at 2000-4000 ppm per day. However, laying hens are able to tolerate quite high levels of Mg up to 12,000 ppm. 

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