Zeolite Supplementation in Animal Nutrition

Zeolites are naturally occurring, microporous aluminosilicate minerals that have found growing use as dietary supplements across a range of livestock species. Their framework structure and high cation-exchange capacity enable adsorption of toxins, mycotoxins and ammonia, while moderating release of nutrients and minerals along the gastrointestinal tract. This dual action can slow digesta passage, promote beneficial morphological changes in the intestinal mucosa and support a balanced gut microbiota. As a result, zeolite inclusion often leads to improved growth performance, feed efficiency and nutrient digestibility. In poultry and swine, supplementation has been associated with enhanced villus height and villus-to-crypt ratios, reduced incidence of diarrhoea and improved bone strength. In ruminants, zeolites may stabilise ruminal pH and mitigate the effects of dietary imbalances. Beyond production metrics, zeolite use can contribute to lower ammonia emissions from housing and improved litter quality, reflecting both animal welfare and environmental benefits. Global interest in zeolite supplementation continues to rise as producers seek natural, non-antibiotic alternatives to support health, productivity and sustainability in modern animal systems.

Research from Nature Portfolio

A 2024 study in waterfowl demonstrated that inclusion of 1 per cent natural zeolite in the diet of male and female Cherry Valley ducks yielded significant improvements in body weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Birds receiving zeolite exhibited enhanced muscle development, with males showing increased pectoral muscle mass and females displaying greater neck and wing weights. Zeolite also influenced carcass composition by raising protein content in leg muscles, while altering water-holding capacity in breast tissue. Additionally, treated ducks presented stronger jejunal and bone tissues, indicating a broader effect on gut integrity and skeletal robustness. These findings point to sex-specific responses and suggest that low-level zeolite supplementation can be recommended as a natural feed additive to optimise production and meat quality in duck rearing.

Zeolite Supplementation in Animal Nutrition publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in zeolite supplementation in animal nutrition across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Zeolite: A crystalline, microporous aluminosilicate mineral with high cation-exchange and adsorption capacities, used as a feed additive.

Clinoptilolite: A naturally occurring zeolite subtype rich in exchangeable cations, commonly studied for animal nutrition applications.

Feed conversion ratio: The amount of feed required to produce a unit of body weight gain in livestock, an indicator of efficiency.

Villus-to-crypt depth ratio: A morphometric index of intestinal health, calculated by dividing the height of mucosal villi by the depth of crypts; higher ratios reflect improved absorptive capacity.

References

1. Growth performance, meat quality, strength of jejunum and leg bones of both sexes Cherry Valley ducks fed with zeolite. Scientific Reports (2024).
2. Clays as dietary supplements for swine: A review. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology (2015).
3. Effects of Dietary Zeolite Supplementation as an Antibiotic Alternative on Growth Performance, Intestinal Integrity, and Cecal Antibiotic Resistance Genes Abundances of Broilers. Animals (2019).
4. Wheat litter and feed with aluminosilicates for improved growth and meat quality in broiler chickens. PeerJ (2021).