Vitamin Deficiencies in Poultry: Causes, Signs & Treatments

Just like humans, chickens, and other poultry species require a balanced and nutritious diet to thrive. Among the essential nutrients necessary for their growth, development, and overall health, vitamins play a critical role. Vitamins are organic compounds that are vital for various physiological processes in poultry, including the normal functioning of bodily systems, maintenance of immunity, and prevention of diseases.

In this blog post, we will explore the significance of vitamins in poultry nutrition, focusing on the essential vitamins A, D, E, K, C, and B complex. We will delve into the clinical signs, postmortem lesions, prevention, and treatment of deficiencies in these key vitamins, highlighting their impact on poultry health and productivity. By understanding the importance of these vitamins and implementing proper nutritional strategies, poultry farmers can ensure the well-being and profitability of their flocks.

Avitaminosis A (Vitamin A deficiency)

Vitamin A, which is essential for the normal development and repair of epithelial structures and bones, as well as for maintaining the "first line of defense" against diseases, has a precursor called Carotene. However, Vitamin A and its precursors, α, β-carotene, and cryptoxanthin, are relatively unstable, and feeds stored for an extended period may lose a significant portion of their vitamin A activity, especially if they contain sources of unsaturated fats.

Clinical Signs of Vitamin A Deficiency in Poultry:

When young chickens are fed a diet deficient in Vitamin A, their growth becomes subnormal after three weeks and rapidly declines. Symptoms include hydrocephalus, skeletal abnormalities, droopiness, ataxia, and ruffled feathers. Some chicks may also develop swelling around the eyes and a sticky exudate beneath the eyelids.

If the diet is not deficient, signs can appear between four and six weeks and a large proportion of chicks may develop eye lesions and exhibit nervous behavior. These signs are more pronounced in poultry. In mature birds, pronounced inflammation of the nose and eyes, as well as low egg production and hatchability, may occur.

Postmortem Lesions of Vitamin A Deficiency in Poultry:

Lesions resembling pustules can be found in the mouth, pharynx, and esophagus of mature birds.

In poultry, white urate deposits are a common sight in the kidney. These deposits can also be found in the heart, liver, and spleen.

Keratinization of epithelial cells can occur in the olfactory, respiratory, upper gastrointestinal, and urinary tracts.

In cases of marked deficiency, there is an increased accumulation of uric acid in the blood and deposits in the ureters due to the failure of the repair process in the epithelial structures, particularly in the kidney.

Prevention and Treatment of Vitamin A Deficiency in Poultry:

Naturally occurring Vitamin A precursors tend to be unstable and can oxidize in stored feeds. To prevent this, most feed manufacturers add an antioxidant.

Stabilized and dry Vitamin A supplements are also available for use. When added to clean drinking water, affected birds show a fast recovery.

It is recommended to always provide maize and green plant material to the birds.

Vitamin D Deficiency in Poultry

Vitamin D is essential for the normal absorption and metabolism of calcium and phosphorus. Its deficiency can cause various problems, such as rickets, osteoporosis, or poor eggshell quality in laying hens, even when the diet contains sufficient quantities of calcium and phosphorus.

Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency in Poultry:

Cases of Rickets and osteoporosis in poultry are attributed to a lack of Vitamin D. Poultry raised in strict confinement require a higher level of Vitamin D in their diet compared to those that have access to sunlight.

The presence of mycotoxins in feed and litter can cause Vitamin D deficiency by hindering the absorption of the vitamin and other fat-soluble vitamins.

Clinical Signs in Birds:

1. The first signs are a tendency to rest frequently in a squatting position, disinclination to walk, and stiff gait.
2. Ruffled feathers (as in many nutritional cases).
3. In laying hens, thinning of egg shells.
4. In marked deficiency, there is a reduction in egg production and hatchability.

Postmortem Lesions of Vitamin D Deficiency in Birds:

Bones are soft. Epiphyses of long bones enlarge.

Treatment:

1. Give Vitamin D X3 normal doses for about 3 weeks.
2. Remove feeds with mycotoxins.

Vitamin E Deficiency

Vitamin E is crucial for normal reproductive performance in hens and fertility in mature males. Failure to have adequate Vitamin E in the diet can result in the manifestation of disorders such as encephalomalacia, a degenerative disease of the brain, exudate diathesis or "crazy chick disease," and muscular dystrophy.

Clinical Signs of Vitamin E Deficiency in Poultry:

Encephalomalacia, also known as "crazy chick disease," is a condition where chicks are unable to walk and fall to their sides. They have legs that are stretched and toes that are flexed, a swollen head, and retraction of the head. At post-mortem, there are brown areas on the surface of the cerebellum and swelling.

In exudative diathesis, a severe form of edema is produced by an increase in capillary permeability. In broilers, this can lead to a reduction in meat quality due to yellow staining of the thighs caused by plasma leakage into the subcutaneous tissue.

In many laying chickens, there is a marked reduction in hatchability. In breeders, there may also be the death of the embryo on the third or fourth day of incubation.

Prevention and Treatment:

1. If feeds are to be stored for more than 2 weeks, add antioxidants.
2. High ambient temperatures and high humidity accelerate the destruction of Vitamin E (so proper ventilation in the store is necessary).
3. For sick birds, supplementation with Vitamin E  by oral administration.
4. Dietary selenium contains saturation and Vitamin E and acts synergistically to protect tissues from oxidative damage.
5. The presence of high levels of unsaturated fatty acids (polyunsaturated fats) increases the Vitamin E requirement. It, therefore, acts as an antioxidant.

Vitamin K Deficiency:

It is rare for animals to need to supplement their diet with Vitamin K because they can produce this vitamin in their digestive tract. The vitamin is crucial for blood clotting and reduces the amount of prothrombin, a protein produced by the liver, in the bloodstream. One food source for Vitamin K is Alfalfa grass, which can be added to animal diets.

Stress factors such as coccidiosis and other intestinal parasitic diseases can increase the need for Vitamin K.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

It has not been recorded in animals. Most animals are capable of synthesizing their own supply.

Vitamin B Complex

At least nine substances make up this Vitamin B complex. These include the B12 complex (Cyanocobalamin), B1 complex (Thiamine, aneuvine), B2 complex (Riboflavin), B3 complex (Nicotinic acid, niacin), B6 complex (Pyridoxine), Pantothenic acid, Folic acid, Choline, and Biotin.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency:

 The requirement for Vitamin B12 in poultry is very low, as it is produced by various bacteria and is present in the feedstuffs of animals. A deficiency of Vitamin B12 can lead to poor growth, low feed efficiency, and reduced hatchability. Additionally, the element cobalt is an essential component of Vitamin B12.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine Deficiency):

It is rare in cereal-fed animals.

Riboflavin Vitamin B2

Not many poultry feedstuffs are capable of providing adequate nutrients to meet the needs of young, growing chicks. It is necessary to add supplements when formulating their feed.

Clinical Signs of Vitamin B Complex Deficiency in Poultry:

1. Curled toe paralysis (fist-like appearance) is a characteristic sign in chicks.
2. They are weak and grow slowly, and the birds also have diarrhea.
3. In growing chicken (poults), dermatitis, retarded growth, and the vent becomes encrusted and inflamed.
4. In layers, there is low egg production and hatchability, and embryonic mortality during the day.

Treatment of Vitamin B Deficiency in Poultry:

Supplementation with the above vitamin D complexes;

Vitamin E Deficiency

Vitamin E is essential for normal reproductive performance in hens and fertility in mature males. Sources of this vitamin include wheat and maize, germ oils, and green plant materials. The active form of vitamin E is alpha-tocopherol.

However, these compounds are prone to oxidation by atmospheric oxygen or unsaturated fatty acids, which are produced when the feed goes rancid (having a stale, decaying fat or butter smell or taste). Fish oils and vegetable oils also contain high levels of unsaturated fatty acids.

Vitamin E deficiency can occur if maize and soya are grown on selenium-deficient soils, if the feed contains unsaturated fats, or if the feed lacks sulfur-containing amino acids.

Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant. A deficiency of vitamin E and Selenium lead to tissue damage due to necrosis and degeneration of cells.

Clinical Signs of Vitamin E Deficiency in Poultry:

The first-degree effect in all cases is a membrane effect. This leads to reduced hatchability of eggs, which is caused by embryo mortality on the third or fourth day of incubation.

Encephalomalacia, also known as crazy chick disease, is a degenerative disease of the brain that causes chicks to appear crazy and fall to their sides. They have swollen heads, legs stretched, toes flexed, and a retraction of the head.

At postmortem, there are brown areas on the cerebellum surface and a swollen brain. In exudate diathesis, there is severe edema of the skin, resulting in a weeping appearance. In broilers, the quality of meat is reduced due to yellow staining of the thighs, which is caused by the leakage of plasma into the subcutaneous tissue.

Prevention and Treatment:

If the feed is going to be stored for more than two weeks, it is important to add an antioxidant. The high ambient temperature and high humidity can speed up the destruction of Vitamin E, so proper ventilation in the storage area is crucial. For sick birds, supplementation of Vitamin E is recommended and should be given through oral administration. It is important not to use old feed with a noticeable rancid odor. The feed should contain adequate levels of Vitamins E and Selenium.

Key Points For Profitable Broiler Production

(i) Chick Quality:

The source of day-old chicks should have uniformity, alertness, and no obvious deformities.

(ii) Environment:

The broiler house environment should have uniform conditions with temperature and gaseous environment controlled to the optimum levels. Effective ventilation at the floor level is also important.

(iii) Stocking Density:

Overstocking is one of the biggest influences on broiler production, affecting feed space availability, access to water, the gaseous environment (buildup of noxious gases), and downgrading due to restricted movement. The growth rate in the first 14 days of broiler life is closely tied to the final weight at processing.

(iv) Nutrition:

Feed accounts for 70% of the total cost of production. Proper nutrition is key to successful broiler growth, and the nutritional requirements change over time. Incorrect nutrition can result in reduced growth rate from 35 days onwards, excess abdominal fat at processing, excess late mortality (ascites), and hock burn. Hock burn is pressure necrosis that forms brown or black marks on the skin's surface.

Hock burns and breast blisters are closely related to litter quality.

hock burn and blisters

Water consumption:-

Sudden increases in demand can be early indicators of stress, disease, and suspect feed quality. The water requirement increases by approximately 6.5% per degree Celsius. Water that is either very cold or very warm, over 21 degrees Celsius, will lower the intake and growth.

(v). Air quality:

The main contaminants in the air are dust, ammonia, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and water (humidity). These gases reduce the uptake of oxygen and can lead to ascites.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Vitamins A, D, and E are essential vitamins that are important for the normal growth, development, and maintenance of poultry health. The clinical signs, postmortem lesions, and treatment of deficiencies in these vitamins have been discussed.

To prevent and treat deficiencies in these vitamins, it is important to provide a balanced diet that includes sources of these vitamins and use stabilized and dry supplements. Proper storage and management of feeds and the addition of antioxidants can also help prevent deficiencies.

Maintaining proper ventilation and avoiding high levels of unsaturated fatty acids can also help prevent and treat these deficiencies. It is important for poultry farmers to understand the importance of these vitamins and take necessary measures to prevent and treat deficiencies to ensure the health and productivity of their birds.