The object of the invention is a feed additive for farm animals, in particular, for poultry, swine and cattle. In addition, the object of this invention is also the application of this feed additive.

Feed additives constitute an indispensible nutritive component of farm animal feeding in each and every modern farmstead. Their application is associated with numerous benefits and allows elimination of many pathological symptoms. Feed additives in the form of mixtures or preparations contain mineral compounds and vitamins whose absence in standard feeding may result in developmental disorders as well as numerous diseases, illnesses and even lead to symptoms of cannibalism. Some feed additives may also contribute to improvement of zoohy- gienic conditions in animal buildings.

From the Polish application description of the P.392957 invention: "Preparation containing a zoohygienic additive which improves zoohy- gienic conditions in farm buildings and the utilisation of the preparation" we know a preparation which reduces ammonium and hydrogen sulphide emissions in animal buildings, decreases seeding and proliferation of pathogenic and conditionally-pathogenic bacteria, reduces emissions of mycotoxins and which constitutes a zoohygienic additive that distinguishes itself by the fact that it contains a mixture of citric acid, preferably, at the quantity of 1 mg/g, extract from Yucca Schidi- ger, preferably at the quantity of 10 mg/g of a preparation with glycol- silicate (haloysite) in the amount of 1 g. So far, charcoal has been hardly appreciated and utilised in animal breeding.

Charcoal obtained as a result of a thermal decomposition process of broad-leaved or coniferous wood conducted by subjecting it to the action of high temperature but without access to oxygen as well as other oxidising agents (so called wood dry distillation or pyrolysis) has been known since ancient times. Until the beginning of the 20 ^th century, the basic method of manufacturing wood coal was to "burn" it in piles covered tightly by earth. For over one hundred years now, this process has been carried out in retorts - large, steel furnaces.

Due to its properties, for many centuries charcoal found a wide range of diverse applications. Since it is characterised by approximately three times greater energy efficiency in comparison with wood, charcoal is a very good fuel. At the present time, it is used mainly as popular fuel both in untreated and treated (briquettes) forms in facilities used for thermal treatment of food products (grills). Generally speaking, for the above-mentioned purposes, charcoal obtained from coniferous tree species (pine or spruce) as well as from broad-leaved species (most frequently oak, beech, hornbeam) is used. Because of relatively low quantities of tar substances, wood coal belongs to solid fuels generating the lowest amounts of contamination.

Since medieval times, charcoal has been also used as one of three constituents of black powder (gunpowder) employed also today for production of fireworks, in replicas of black powder weapons or in model rocket engines.

Already ancient people discovered that charcoal contained mineral constituents which trees absorbed from the environment in the course of vegetation. That is why they recognised beneficial influence of charcoal using it as a therapeutic agent to treat many kinds of diseases, especially various ailments of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, it was employed as a disinfecting agent and to treat infected wounds which gave unexpectedly good results not only preventing unpleasant smell but, first and foremost, accelerating wound healing (this fact is mentioned in scientific works already by Hypocrites - an ancient Greek physician, one of the preeminent precursors of contemporary medicine widely considered as "the father of medicine") . Similar treatments using charcoal are employed even today by Aborigines in Australia, many African tribes, Indians in both Americas as well as Eskimos in Greenland.

In contemporary times, due to its unique, universal therapeutic properties, risk-free for the organism and, at the same time, because of easy access to the raw material, active wood coal is widely employed in human medicine as medicinal carbon (Latin pharmaceutical name: carbo medicinalis). It is an exceptionally powerful agent assisting the system of cleansing human organism. It can be administered orally, by inhalation, applied on skin either in the form of compresses or as powder. It is applied most commonly in a compressed for either in the form of tablets or capsules (also known as therapeutic or medicinal carbon) in the treatment of diarrhoea and food poisoning as well as to prevent and treat indigestion and flatulence and as an anti-vomiting agent. After oral administration, active carbon binds substances occurring in the gastrointestinal tract and intensifies gut peristalsis and, by doing so, it increases water infiltration into the intestinal lumen. Active carbon removes from the organism bacterial toxins, bacteria, saprogenic products, intestinal gases, toxic substances etc.

In addition, charcoal is also used to treat venomous bites and stings. Applied in the form of lavages as well as various compresses, it controls throat and ear illnesses, eye inflammatory conditions as well as rheumatic diseases. It reduces swellings and alleviates pain associated with sustained injuries such as: pulled tendons, dislocations, bruising and haematomas. It is applied with equal success to treat jaundice in infants, anaemia in cancer patients; it also eliminates halitosis, renal and hepatic failures, female illnesses caused by infection of reproductive organs and in inflammatory conditions. It was observed that wood coal absorbs, among others, such noxious substances as: pesticides (insecticides), carbon dioxide, arsenic, strychnine, cyanide, morphine, nicotine, sleep-inducing drugs, opium, amphetamine, cocaine, lead, mercury chloride, silver, quinine, penicillin, aspirin (acetyl - salicylic acid), paracetamol, barbiturates, radioactive elements, benzene, phenol, potassium permanganate or poisonous mushrooms.

What is quite interesting - in European medicine, charcoal manufactured nearly exclusively from lime wood (small-leaved and broad- leaved lime - Tilia cordata, Tilia plathyphyllos) is used.

Because charcoal is porous - it possesses countless cracks, small fractures and crevices - it absorbs and binds particles of matter, gas- ses, alien proteins and chemical substances and, at the same time, it does not dissolve in water and acids. It was considered that wood coal possesses well-developed adsorption surface and can be employed as an adsorbent in water and gas filters due to its capability to absorb liquids, gasses and unpleasant smells.

In addition, charcoal is frequently used in plastic art where it is employed to create drawings and sketches. It also finds application as a dye in production of concentrated fruit juices, jams, gels, vegetable sauces, liquorice sweets as well as other confectionaries.

Charcoal manufactured from broad-leaved trees, especially from lime, is also used in agriculture. For over 10 years now, scientists from the Department of Poultry Science of Warmia-Mazury University in Olsztyn have been carrying out experiments focusing on the application of charcoal obtained from broad-leaved trees as an additive to broiler feeds as a substitute for silica grit. Several-year-long trials in this field conducted on broiler turkeys and chickens as well as laying hens fed feeds supplemented with charcoal yielded satisfactory results since it was found that charcoal supplied birds with essential microelements and affected their overall resistance. It also exhibited detoxifying and absorptive effect regulating intestinal reaction and absorbing toxins (it was particularly effective in preventing feed infection with harmful compounds from the species of mycotoxins). The problem of feed contamination is currently considered as a global issue. It is estimated that 25 up to 80% of world cereal production is contaminated by mould fungi which secrete mycotoxins in the course of metabolic transformations. It should be stressed that fungi develop already during plant vegetation and, periodically, also during storage in specific layers of the silo or prism. Mycotoxins occur in very high quantities exceeding allowable standards in years with \vet harvests' or in grain stored in untight silos or stored on the attic floor without vapour isolation. Through bakery and animal products, mycotoxins can find their way into human organisms where they can exhibit allergic or can- cerogenic activities destroying kidneys and causing many other ailments.

Naturally, the most effective method of reducing quantities of mycotoxins in cereals is appropriate storage of grain, removing chaff and soil particles from grain and drying, if its moisture content exceeds acceptable standards. It was demonstrated that some minerals such as silica, zeolites (alumino silicates) as well as active charcoal act as effective fungicide preparations to be used in feeds contaminated by fungi. In addition, they simultaneously improve general zoohygienic conditions in farm buildings.

One of the most popular broad-leaved tree species occurring in Poland is willow {Salix).

Salix genus comprises approximately 400 willow species growing on all continents except Australia and the Antarctic. Since times immemorial, exceptional properties of willow bark have been known as a strengthening, antipyretic, blood purifying, muscle and joint pain-relieving agent. Ancient Romans prepared infusions of willow bark which were believed to strengthen general condition of the organism. Moreover, infusions from willow bark were also used successfully as a drink for birds, especially as a drink for breeding pigeons. Natural salicylates contained in such infusions have bacteriostatic, anti-inflammatory as well as cooling properties. Ease of access of this raw material causes that willow trees have been known for ages for their wide application in different areas and fields of economy, e.g. as a natural fuel material, in apiary - as a melliferous plant; in wicker industry - as a plant used to manufacture handicraft as well as utility articles (baskets, containers, furniture, fences, balloon baskets, toys, cricket bats etc.); in medicine - as a medicinal plant (disinfecting agent in the form of salicylic acid and antipyretic agent); in forestry - as a pioneer species suitable for management of unforested areas such as idle farmland, post-industry areas, areas with destroyed plant cover as a result of fires and human activity (e.g. forest clear cuts) or in order to prevent soil erosion. Willow is also employed for open-landscape tree plantings in parks and residential districts. Willow trees are also used for needs of hunting economy where naturalists and hunters plant them on small areas neighbouring forests or on mid-forest meadows and clearings and in this way provide wild animals, especially of the deer family (red deer, roe deer, fallow deer and elk) with the so called chewing willow.

Several years ago, as a result of crossing and selection of some willow species, scientists succeeded in creating the so called basket willow (Salix viminalis). The obtained tree species is characterised by exceptional properties. To begin with, it is a fast-renewable species (harvest - every 3-4 years) characterised by very large increments of wood material, approximately 14 times greater in comparison with a naturally- growing forest. It is possible to harvest annually 30 to 40 tons of wood material from 1 ha of plantation. It is a perennial plant which can grow for 25 to 30 years. In addition, it is carrier of highly active silica and has high calorific value. Charcoal obtained from it exceeds several times all other charcoal types with respect to absorbability and, therefore, it neutralises very many toxins. At the same time, basket willow or bush willow is characterised by low soil requirements.

Basket willow is utilised, among others, in paper industry to manufacture cellulose, in furniture industry to produce furniture components, fibreboards, chipboards, plywood, garden furniture, garden sheds or in pharmaceutical industry to produce salicylic acid.

However, the most important problem facing breeders of farm animals is to ensure optimal feeding of reared farm animals. It is critical to apply appropriate feed additives which will supply animal organisms with essential chemical elements necessary for proper growth and development and, at the same time, exert a regulatory influence on the entire gastrointestinal system and, simultaneously, have a detoxicating, sterilising, emulsifying and thermoregulatory effect on all kinds of bacteria and mycotoxins.

Another serious problem for breeders is to ensure appropriate zoohy- gienic conditions for animals leading to better health conditions and resistance of the reared animals as well as their improved welfare guaranteeing proper hygiene in animal buildings, in particular, appropriate litter conditions, floor, animal stands as well as utilisation of animal faeces and disposal of harmful methane fermentation gases, etc.

The feed additive for animals having the form of charcoal obtained from broad-leaved wood in the process of pyrolysis in accordance with the invention is charcoal manufactured from wood of preferably 3-year- old bush willow (Salix viminalis).

The application of the feed additive in accordance with the invention consists in that it is added in dry, comminuted form ready for absorption in the amount ranging from 0.2% to 0.7% in relation to the remaining feed constituents; it is added to the feed in the course of its preparation at the shortest possible time before administration either in a ground form or as coarser fraction, preferably from 0.5 to 5 mm particles.

The feed additive in accordance with the invention can be added to dry grain feed, meal feed, pelleted feed, expanded feed, extruded feed or feed flakes together with commonly applied additives, especially with fats, amino acids, mineral substances and microelements as well as with vitamins and odorants.

The additive is added: to poultry feed - in the amount of, preferably, 0.3% in relation to remaining constituents; to swine feed and/or cattle - in the amount of, preferably, 0.5% in relation to remaining constituents; and for milk cows - optimally from 100 to 120 grams /animal /day depending on the size or milk yield of the cow.

The feed additive for animals in accordance with the invention gets rid of a number of problems associated with assuring proper growth and development of breeding animals and leads to a significant improvement in zoohygienic and sanitary conditions in animal buildings. Furthermore, it was observed that the application of the feed additive in accordance with the invention also improved animal welfare.

It turned out that charcoal obtained from basket willow (Salix viminalis) was also: a surprisingly effective detoxicant which is exceptionally important bearing in mind the current tendency for agriculture chemisa- tion, a neutraliser of very many toxins, an exceptional ammonia absorber and, simultaneously, a pro-salubrious, strengthening, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agent, a tool cleansing the organism and relieving muscle and joint pain (due to high levels of salicylates and highly active silica).

The performed analyses of the feed additive in accordance with the invention revealed that it contained from 80 to 96% of elementary carbon as well as 0.20 - 0.23% silica which, according to the performed studies, turned out to be a much higher indicator of both elements in comparison with the content of carbon and silica in charcoals obtained from other broad-leaved trees. In addition, the feed additive, in accordance with the invention, contained approximately: 1.24% calcium, 0.3% magnesium, 0.14% phosphorus which, together with vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus and other chemical elements contained in other feed constituents are growth stimulators, i.e. they precondition activation of enzymes, hormones, vitamins and antibodies which, in turn, de- termine growth, development and resistance of the organism assuring proper bone development and in poultry - also development of feather and eggshells. Since the mineral constituents found in charcoal derived from willow occur in the form of so called bioelements, in other words, are easily available and are found in quantities and proportions specific for nature, there is no need to worry that they will be supplied in access and could be excreted from the organism and become toxic.

Apart from supplying animals with mineral elements essential for proper functioning of their organisms, charcoal derived from willow also prevents various diseases or alimentary intoxications, i.e. colonisation of the gastrointestinal tract by pathogenic bacteria. It also reduces pH by acidification of the alimentary tract chyme, prevents bloating as it binds alimentary gases (hydrogen sulphide, ammonia) as well as putrescent products, bacterial and fungal toxins, toxic products of metabolism. Moreover, the feed additive in accordance with the invention is characterised by emulsifying properties and, therefore, it assists the liver, protects the gastrointestinal system, and prevents possible diarrhoea caused by intestinal infection. By regulating the activity of gastrointestinal bacterial flora and detoxifying the organism, the feed additive prevents depletion of vitamin A, E and B.

The feed additive in the form of wood coal obtained from basket willow {Salix viminalis) is exceptionally cost-effective due to periodical renovation of the plantation of this willow species conducted under constant control of its ecological quality guaranteeing regular harvest every 3 to 4 years which assures sustained and mass application of the end-product in the form of wicker charcoal. This is extremely important bearing in mind the fact that willow is a plant characterised by very high production potentials, whereas charcoal production from other broad-leaved trees (for example: line, poplar, hazel, oak or hornbeam) is not so cost-effective. It takes approximately 20-25 years from initial investment, i.e. tree planting, to the first harvest and obtaining the first raw material. In addition, the felled trees do not regenerate and the entire plantations need to be restored.

The object of the invention is described in more detail in the examples presented below.

Example 1

A poultry breeder applied the feed additive which constituted charcoal derived from wood of 3 -year-old basket willow (Salix viminalis) in accordance with the invention in feeding broiler chickens. It was used systematically, at several days' intervals (every 4 days) as a feed additive given to birds from the first day of their life. Charcoal derived from basket willow stored in a dry farm facility in closed paper bags, comminuted directly before application to ground form was added in the amount of 0.3% in relation to the remaining feed constituents of the mash feed, i.e. 3 kg per one ton of feed. Therefore, the farmer added charcoal to the feeding tray with feed directly before delivery.

After seven weeks, on the termination of chicken rearing, the farmer conducted control weighing.

It was found that the application of the feed additive in the form of charcoal derived from willow caused body weight increase of 7-week-old broiler chickens by about 5% in comparison with the results recorded earlier without the addition of the feed additive. In addition, the breeder recorded 100% survivability of chickens. The application of charcoal was also found to influence excellent meat taste.

Example 2

A breeder of laying hens applied charcoal obtained from 3 -year-old basket willow {Salix viminalis) adding it to the feed in ground form in the amount of 0.2% directly before feeding. In the course of 40 weeks of the experiment, the farmer recorded 12.5% more eggs per layer than before and feed consumption per 1 egg dropped by 10%. High egg- laying reduced slightly egg weight; however the addition of charcoal im- proved significantly their quality and increased egg nutritive value. Eggshell was thicker and more resistant. Egg yolks of layers which were fed diets supplemented with charcoal derived from willow wood were found to contain higher levels of vitamin A - by 48%, vitamin E - by even up to 74% (hens fed charcoal did not utilise both of these vitamins for immunological protection of their own organisms) and by approximately 35% lower levels of cholesterol.

Example 3

A swine breeder applied feed additive in the form of charcoal obtained from 3-year-old basket willow (Salix viminalis) administered pro- filactically at several days' intervals (every 3 days). Willow charcoal was stored in a dry farm facility in closed paper bags and was comminuted directly before application. It was added to the diet in the form of coarser, about 5 mm fraction in the amount of 0.5% in relation to the remaining feed constituents, i.e. 5 kg per one ton of feed. Charcoal was added to the diet directly in the course of its preparation at the shortest possible time prior to its administration.

Already after one week, the breeder observed a significant improvement of zoohygienic conditions in the pighouse as well as improved welfare of animals.

Example 4

A breeder of laying hens, owner of two henhouses was struggling with problems caused by the contamination of the feed mixture by my- cotoxins - natural strain of Aspergillus ochraceus mould fungus. The content of the fungus reached 1.15xl0 ⁸ ufc/g, while that of its toxins - ochratoxin A - was determined at the level of 39.14 ppb. The laying index of hens fed contaminated feed decreased by 20% and deaths of birds reached even 40%. Fearing intensification of flock disease incidence, in particular infection of the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems of birds, the breeder decided to apply feed additives in the form of adsorbents. In one chicken house, he employed silica grit as the my- cotoxin absorbent, while in the second one - inspired by a wicker- weaver friend - he applied as a feed additive charcoal derived from basket willow. Willow charcoal earlier stored in a dry place in paper bags was ground directly before application and added to diets in the amount of 0.4% in relation to the remaining feed constituents, i.e. 4 kg per 1 ton of mycotoxin infested feed. Following three weeks of systematic application, the farmer estimated that in the henhouse in which the birds were fed diets supplemented with the willow charcoal feed additive, egg productivity decreased to only 7% and birds' death rate dropped to 16%.

The results in the other henhouse where the farmer used commercially available lime-tree charcoal were less satisfactory. Laying rate was estimated at 10% and the death rate of birds dropped to 20%.

Therefore, it can be concluded that the applied feed additive in the form of pulverised charcoal derived from Salix viminalis willow turned out to be an excellent detoxicant which reduced significantly harmfulness of the fungus by absorbing toxins.

Example 5

The owner of an ecological agrotouristic farm in which he reared, among others, goats, poultry, horses, pigs as well as cattle applied charcoal derived from 3 -year-old basket willow [Salix viminalis) as a feed additive for poultry and animals. He used it in a comminuted form in the amount of 0.3% in relation to the remaining feed constituents, i.e. 3 kg per 1 ton in the case of poultry and 0.5%, i.e. 5 kg per 1 ton - in the case of swine and cattle.

It turned out that this measure improved considerably zoohygienic conditions on his farm.

Feed supplementation with charcoal obtained from bush willow resulted in a significant reduction of development of various kinds of pathogenic bacteria which created risks of occurrence of various poultry diseases, milk contamination in cows during milking or contamina- tion of pork and beef meat. At the same time, litter and site conditions for animals became optimal. In particular, accumulation of noxious gases in animal buildings produced from animal faeces causing unpleasant smell and during the fermentation process creating danger of explosion was minimised. The achieved improvement of zoohygienic conditions on the farm resulted in a considerable decrease of mortality of farm animals, especially chickens, which have a very sensitive respiratory system.

Example 6

An owner of a dairy-cow farm was struggling with health problems of his herd. Several times a month, he was forced to use help and expertise of veterinary services. Veterinary doctors administered sick cows series of antibiotics which resulted in long periods of quarantine frequently extending to the whole period of lactation. Performed controls revealed very high somatic cell counts, sometimes exceeding a million somatic cells in 1 ml of sampled milk. Milk somatic cell count is a measure of animal health condition. The acceptable level is 400,000 somatic cells in 1 ml.

Understandably, the dairy stopped collecting milk from the farmer's herd and the breeder sustained considerable financial losses both due to the refusal of the dairy to buy his milk and costs of veterinary treatment of cows.

Apart from the above-described predicament, the same breeder had to deal with another problem connected with heifers which, for the period of 2-3 weeks after calving, had painful swellings of udders. The pain was so acute that the animals refused to be milked, touched or even for the farmer to come close to them. The farmer tried to alleviate symptoms of udder inflammation using well-known treatments, among others, rubbing their udders with different ointments but it was all to little avail. On the advice of a wicker-weaver friend, owner of ecological basket willow (Salix viminalis) plantation - he applied the feed additive in accordance with the invention which he added to the feed in pulverised form every day to each feeding in the amount of 0.7% (i.e. 7 kg of charcoal to 1 ton of feed) for the period of 3 weeks and next - in the amount of 0.5% (i.e. 5 kg of charcoal to 1 ton of feed) during the remaining period.

Already after 3 months of application of the feed additive in accordance with the invention, inflammatory symptoms subsided completely and the somatic cell count dropped to 200,000. After another 2 months, numbers of somatic cells in milk declined to 84,000 so that at the present time, milk produced on this farm is assessed to be of the best quality.

The above-given examples do not use up all possibilities of the application of the feed additive in accordance with the invention. Equally successfully and with positive results it can also be employed in feeding or feed-supplementing of domestic animals, animals in zoological gardens as well as forest animals.