Importance of Vitamins in Poultry Production
Vitamins are a group of organic compounds that poultry only require in small quantities, but they are essential for normal body functions, growth, and reproduction, deficiency of one or more vitamins can lead to a number of diseases or syndromes. Vitamins are divided into two categories: fat-soluble and water-soluble. The fat-soluble vitamins are A, D, E, and K. The water-soluble vitamins include vitamin C and the B vitamins. Poultry can make vitamin C, so there is no dietary requirement established for this vitamin. Vitamin C supplementation is useful when birds are in stress. Vitamin A is required for normal growth, reproduction and maintenance of epithelial cells in good condition (skin and the linings of the digestive, reproductive, and respiratory tracts). Deficiency causes nutritional roup, characterised by conjunctivitis, oculo-nasal discharge, and eyelids stuck together with thick exudates. In advanced cases necrosis and keratinisation of mucosa of alimentary and respiratory
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