Critical vitamin supplementation of broiler diets high in alfalfa juice protein.
Three trials were conducted to identify the critical vitamins in the diets of broiler-strain chicks fed alfalfa juice protein concentrate (AJPC) corn-soy diets from 0 to 3 wk of age. Vitamin supplements were added to AJPC diets. Diets were formulated to contain, parts 30/121, 40/128, 50/135, and 60/142 parts AJPC/parts total diet. Parts were used to permit usage of wet materials and still maintain about 90% dry matter. All diets were formulated to contain 20% crude protein, .93% total sulfur-containing amino acids, and 2,940 kcal metabolizable energy/kg diet. Propionic acid was added at .2% to all diets. Feeds were refrigerated (7 C) and fed out daily. The addition of choline, riboflavin, vitamin B12, vitamin A or E, folic acid, or biotin did not increase weight gains. Addition of 3 mg/kg vitamin B6 completely overcame the growth depression caused by the 50-parts AJPC diet and significant (P less than .05) growth increases (13 to 29%) were achieved with vitamin-B6 supplementation to the 60-parts AJPC diet. Depressed immune responses were completely prevented by the addition of 3 mg/kg of vitamin B6. The significant (P less than .05) increases in leg deformities observed in birds fed the 60-parts AJPC diet were also brought back to more typical values in birds fed the diet supplemented with 3 mg/kg vitamin B6. Vitamin K supplementation (.53 mg/kg) to the 60-parts AJPC diet resulted in significant decreases from 15 min in blood clotting times to 3 to 5 min.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Tsiagbe
V K
VK
Department of Poultry Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706.
Straub
R J
RJ
Cook
M E
ME
Harper
A E
AE
Sunde
M L
ML
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000455:Medicago sativa; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D004044:Dietary Proteins; D014815:Vitamins