Studied Benefits in Poultry Production
Studies have evaluated its use in broilers and laying hens
Performance Preserved
With 2% natural clinoptilolite in the diet, no adverse effect on broiler performance up to 42 days (Wu et al., 2013)
Excreta Moisture
Lower excreta moisture in broilers with 0.5% clinoptilolite in the feed (Schneider et al., 2017)
Ammonia Control
Reduced ammonia by 28% and nitrous oxide by 34% with clinoptilolite on the litter (broiler breeder house; Pereira et al., 2019)
Broiler Growth
With 2% in the feed and/or 2 kg/m² on the litter, broilers grew more than the control (Karamanlis et al., 2008); with 2% and 3% in the feed, gain and feed conversion improved (Nikolakakis et al., 2013). Results diverge: with 2%, another study found no effect on performance (Wu et al., 2013), and in another, performance worsened above 1% (Valadares et al., 2026)
Intestinal Integrity
With 2% natural clinoptilolite, taller intestinal villi, less E. coli and more lactobacilli, with no change in performance (Wu et al., 2013)
Poultry Production Applications
Solutions for animal nutrition and environmental control
Feed Additive - Broilers
Inclusion in broiler feed. With 2% natural clinoptilolite, no adverse effect on performance and lower lipid peroxidation (Wu et al., 2013).
Feed Additive - Laying Hens
Inclusion in laying hen diets. Results diverge between studies: with 5% clinoptilolite (dose tested in the study, above the 1% of feed limit evaluated by EFSA), there was a significant effect on eggs per hen, shell thickness and droppings moisture (Olver, 1997); other studies found no consistent effect on the shell.
Environmental Control - Poultry Litter
The powder is applied over poultry litter. It retains ammonia by cation exchange and contributes to drier litter: with 100 g/kg clinoptilolite in the litter, moisture, pH and ammonia fell over 3 flocks, while 0.5% in the feed alone did not maintain litter quality (Schneider et al., 2016). Applied over the litter, the powder also increased dust (Nakaue et al., 1981).
* Reference doses. They may be reviewed by qualified professionals, such as veterinarians, agronomists, animal scientists, chemists and food engineers, among others, since professional titles and qualifications vary between countries; local regulatory bodies may also set their own limits.
Technical Specifications for Poultry Production
| Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) | 150-200 meq/100g |
| Mechanism of Action | Cation exchange (NH₄⁺) + aflatoxin B1 adsorption |
| Dosage — Broilers | 0.5-2.0% of the diet* |
| Dosage — Laying Hens | 1.0-3.0% of feed* |
| Dosage — Poultry Litter | 0.5-1.0 kg/m²* |
| Administration Method | Mixed into the diet or applied to litter |
| Safety | Anticaking agent and adsorbent used as a feed additive — check local regulations |
* Reference doses. They may be reviewed by qualified professionals, such as veterinarians, agronomists, animal scientists, chemists and food engineers, among others, since professional titles and qualifications vary between countries; local regulatory bodies may also set their own limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
* Reference doses. They may be reviewed by qualified professionals, such as veterinarians, agronomists, animal scientists, chemists and food engineers, among others, since professional titles and qualifications vary between countries; local regulatory bodies may also set their own limits.