Biotin and Early Poult Growth

Biotin and Early Poult Growth K. K. KRUEGER, R. L. ATKINSON, J. R. COUCH AND W. F . KRUEGER

Department of Poultry Science, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas A&M University System, College Station, Texas 77843 (Received for publication January 29, 1975)

POULTRY SCIENCE 55: 497-501,

INTRODUCTION

A

BIOTIN deficiency syndrome was first described for turkey poults by Patrick et al. (1941, 1942, 1943) as lesions on the feet, encrustation of the eyes, and perosis. These workers found that both chickens and turkeys developed biotin deficiency symptoms on a simplified diet, but only turkeys developed the deficiency symptoms on practical type rations. This work also indicated that not all naturally occurring biotin was available. Thus the turkey, with a relatively high requirement, could develop the deficiency on a commercial turkey starter. Robblee and Clandinin (1953) reported a disorder in turkey poults characterized by poor growth, high mortality, broken feathers, dermatitis, perosis and diarrhea. The severity of the symptoms increased in late season hatched poults. When calcium pantothenate and biotin were added to the diet, the symptoms were prevented. Richardson and Wilgus (1967) and Marusich et al. (1970) reported on biotin deficiencies in young turkeys and indicated that the deficiencies might be due to the breeder diets being low in biotin or 497

1976

to the low bio-availability of biotin in some of the feed ingredients. Sullivan and Platter (1969) obtained no response when a corn-soybean type turkey starter was supplemented with biotin. However, severe biotin deficiency symptoms did develop in poults fed a wheat, casein, gelatin and soybean meal ration. Turkey poults responded to biotin supplementation when rations containing these ingredients were used. Johnson (1967) and Wilson (1967) evaluated turkey flocks during field outbreaks of biotin deficiencies. In all cases, the birds responded to supplemental biotin. Balloun et al. (1968) and Waibel et al. (1969) found no advantage when practical turkey starters, made up primarily of soybean meal and corn, were supplemented with biotin. Jensen and Martinson (1969) also demonstrated the need of the young turkey for biotin. These workers also reported that the requirement could be as critical during later growth (8-24 weeks) as in the early developmental period (0-8 weeks), since turkeys during the 8-24 week period were shown to respond to supplemental biotin. Dobson (1970) formulated a semi-purified

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ABSTRACT Commercial Broad Breasted White male poults were fed either a soybean and milo ration, or similar rations containing 7.5% or 20% animal protein, for a period of 0-8 weeks. Three groups of 48 birds each were fed each of the three rations which were isocaloric (2926 M.E. Cal./Kg. of ration) but differed slightly in protein content. Other groups were fed identical rations supplemented with biotin at a level of 220 meg./kg. When the growth data were analyzed by analysis of variance, highly significant differences were noted for treatment (P ^s 0.01). Biotin supplementation of the soybean-milo ration gave no response, but supplementation of the rations containing animal protein with biotin gave excellent growth responses. When the data were combined so that the effect of biotin could be evaluated, a highly significant (P < 0.005) improvement in growth was obtained by supplementing the rations with biotin. Feed efficiency was found to be closely related to growth rate. Mortality did not appear to be related to diet, with the differences being non-significant statistically.

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EXPERIMENTAL A commercial strain of Broad Breasted White male poults was used, with 18 pens of 48 birds each making up the experiment. The birds were wing-banded at one day of age and randomly assigned to each group. The groups were not randomly assigned to pens in the brooder house but were placed as such a way that one pen from each treatment would be in each of three primary locations within the house; namely, the north end, south end, and west side. This was done since earlier experiments had shown that slight differences might be expected with somewhat better growth obtained in the two ends of the house as compared to the west side. Each pen was approximately 3.4 m. x 2.3 m. in size and was equipped with an infrared gas brooder and one Johnson cup waterer. The floor was covered with wood shavings to a depth of 7.5 cm. Heat was provided, at a level at which the birds appeared comfortable, for a period of 4 weeks. The poults were given feed and water, ad libitum, from two small feeders (7.6 cm. x 91.4 cm.) and two can waterers (7.6 liters). At three weeks of age, the small feeders were replaced by two larger feeders (10.2 cm. x 121.9 cm.) and the can waterers removed, at which time the Johnson cup waterers were being used by a majority of the birds.

Three groups of 48 birds were fed each of the three rations shown in Table 1. Nine other pens were fed identical rations supplemented with biotin at a level of 220 meg./kg. of ration. These rations were isocaloric but differed slightly in protein level. The calculated and analyzed biotin levels are shown in Table 2. The birds were weighed initially and every two weeks during the 8 week experimental period, at which time body weight and feed efficiency were determined. Mortality was noted as it occurred in order that a more accurate feed efficiency could be determined. Body weight data were analyzed by analysis of variance as outlined by Snedecor (1967) with the means separated by the LSD method of Snedecor (1967). Mortality data was analyzed by Chi-square according to the method of Snedecor (1967). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Excellent growth rates and feed efficiencies were obtained with all experimental rations as shown in Table 3. A statistically significant improvement in growth (P s 0.01) was obtained when Basal 2 and Basal 3, which contained sources of animal protein, were supplemented with biotin. Supplementation of the soybean-milo ration with biotin (Basal 1) did not significantly improve growth over the unsupplemented ration. This resulted in a type basal x biotin interaction which was highly significant. Differences due to primary locations (replications) alluded to earlier were statistically significant, but only at the 5 percent level of probability. This was not surprising since earlier experiments had shown that slight differences might be expected with somewhat better growth obtained in the two ends of the house as compared to the west side. Since the interaction effects of locations (replications) with type of basal ration and with biotin were not significant, replications were com-

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diet to study the biotin requirement of young turkeys. The requirement was determined to be between 275 and 325 meg./kg. of ration. According to Dobson (1970) this was somewhat higher than had been reported by earlier workers. The present study was conducted in an effort to determine the effect of supplemental biotin in rations made up largely of soybean meal and milo and with additions of two sources of animal protein to the soybean-milo ration.

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BIOTIN AND EARLY POULT GROWTH TABLE 1.—Experimental rations

Ingredients

(%)

49.400 38.850

Basal 2

(%)

.530 .050 .235 .060 3.150 4.250 .250 .175 .550 2.500

41.000 42.000 2.500 5.000 .530 .050 .235 .060 2.400 2.850 .250 .125 .500 2.500

100.000

100.000

— —

Basal 3

(%)

26.000 48.975 10.000 10.000 .530 .050 .235 .060 .900

—

.250 .050 .450 2.500 100.000

Calculations: 30.560 Protein (%) 29.790 29.240 Energy (Cal. M.E./kg.) 2926.000 2926.000 2926.000 Ca (total %) 1.330 1.330 1.330 Phos. (avail. %) 0.740 0.740 0.740 Arginine (%) 1.880 1.960 2.000 Lysine (%) 1.760 1.690 1.660 Methionine (%) .570 .580 .660 Cystine + methionine (%) 1.070 1.040 1.040 Threonine (%) 1.130 1.130 1.130 *The vitamin mix provided the following per kilogram of feed: vitamin A, 13,200 U.S.P. units; vitamin D 3 , 4,400 I.C. units; riboflavin, 6.6 mg.; d-calcium pantothenate, 17.6 mg.; niacin, 33.0 mg.; choline chloride, 880 mg.; vitamin B, 2 , 22 meg.; vitamin E, 11 I. units; menadione sodium bisulfite, 4.4 mg.; ethoxyquin, 125.4 mg.; folic acid, 2.2 mg.; bacitracin, 27.5 mg.; and pyridoxine, 11 mg. **The trace mineral mix provided the following per kilogram of feed: manganese, 119.7 mg., zinc, 89.8 mg.; iron, 40.0 mg.; copper, 4.5 mg.; iodine, 2.5 mg.; and cobalt, 1.00 mg. All birds received aureomycin (220 mg./kg.) for the first 454 gms. of feed per bird (21.8 kg./group).

bined as shown in Table 3. There was no tangible evidence that treatment differences were associated with location in the house. The calculated and analyzed levels of biotin in the rations are shown in Table 2, with the calculated values being shown both as total and available biotin. A drop in the available biotin was observed when animal protein was added to the rations. This drop was from 340 meg. /kg. of Basal ration 1 to 250 meg. /kg. of Basal ration 3, containing the highest level of animal protein (20%). Work by Dobson (1970) has indicated that the poult requirement for biotin is approximately 325 meg./kg. of ration. Our results would tend to substantiate the work of Dob-

son (1970) since no added response was obtained from biotin supplementation of the soybean-milo ration which was calculated to contain 340 meg./kg. of available biotin, while a growth response was obtained by biotin supplementation of the other two rations which were calculated to contain 310 and 250 meg. /kg. of available biotin, respectively (Table 3). Microbiological analyses of the rations (Table 2) indicated that the rations contained levels of biotin somewhat higher than the calculated total levels, and were above the requirement of 325 meg./kg. as indicated by Dobson (1970). The response from supplemental biotin in the Basal 2 and 3 diets can only be explained by the unavail-

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Soybean meal (50% protein) Ground grain sorghum Fish meal (60% protein) Poultry by-product meal (58% protein) Vitamin mix* Trace mineral mix** NaCl Sulfaquinoxaline premix (40%) Polyphos(18%P, 32% Ca) Vegefat Erythromycin fermentation residue Methionine Oyster shell flour Distillers dried solubles Total

Basal 1

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KRUEGER, ATKINSON, COUCH AND KRUEGER

TABLE 2.—Biotin values of rations, both calculated and analyzed by microbiological analysis

(%)

(meg./kg.)

Analyzed 4 microbiological (meg./kg.)

114 102 78

340 310 250 560 530 470

350 350 330 580 600 520

Calculated

Basal Basal Basal Basal Basal Basal

Ration

Total' (meg./kg.)

1 2 3 1 + biotin 2 + biotin 3 + biotin

300 300 320 5203 520 540

Available 2

— — —

T A B L E 3.

-Effect of biotin supplementation on 8-week body weight, feed efficiency and mortality of Broad Breasted White turkey poults

Treatment Basal 1 Basal 1 + biotin 1 Basal 2 Basal 2 + biotin Basal 3 Basal 3 + biotin - Biotin + Biotin

8-week body weight (gms.)

Feed efficiency (feed/gain)

Mortality

2976c2 2974c 2944c 3098b 2966c 3205a 2962y' 3092x

1.86 1.90 1.85 1.80 1.84 1.76 1.85 1.82

4.2 7.6 8.3 8.3 6.3 9.5 6.3 8.5

(%)

1 Biotin added at a level of 220 meg./kg. 2 Means with different letters (a,b) differ 3

of ration. significantly (P < 0.01). Means with different letters (x,y) differ significantly (P < 0.005).

ability of biotin in the animal protein. When the data (Table 3) were combined so that biotin supplementation could be evaluated generally, a statistically significant difference favoring biotin supplementation was noted (P s 0.005) even though no response was obtained by supplementing the soybeanmilo ration (Basal 1) with biotin. Feed efficiency was related to growth rate. Slight improvements in feed efficiency were noted where biotin was added to the rations containing animal protein. The differences in feed efficiencies were small and were not thought to be significant. Mortality was somewhat higher than normal . Two periods of mortal ity were observed.

One to 2 percent occurred the first week of brooding and was attributed to dehydration and subsequent starve-outs. The second period of high mortality from 6 to 8 weeks of age and was caused by fighting one another in the brooder pens. The reason for the latter losses was not apparent. The mortality data were analyzed by Chi-square and found not to be significant statistically.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The authors wish to express appreciation of Hoffmann-La Roche who supplied the biotin, vitamin mix and trace mineral mix used in these investigations, and who did the

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'Scheiner and DeRitter (1975), Personal communication. (1970), Poultry Sci. 49: 569-578. of 220 meg./kg. of ration. Analyzed by Hoffmann-LaRoche, Nutley, New Jersey.

2 Anderson and Warnick 3 Biotin added at a level 4

BIOTIN AND EARLY POULT GROWTH

biotin calculations and biotin microbiological analyses in the rations.

REFERENCES

tis in turkey poults. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 48: 456-458. Patrick, H., R. V. Boucher, R. A. Dutcher and H. C. Knandel, 1942. The nutritional significance of biotin in chick and poult nutrition. Poultry Sci. 21: 476. Patrick, H., R. V. Boucher, R. A. Dutcher and H. C. Knandel, 1943. Prevention of perosis and dermatitis in turkey poults. J. Nutrition, 26: 197-204. Richardson, C. E., and H. S. Wilgus, 1967. Biotin—a limiting factor in turkey rations. Feedstuff s, 39 (32): 52-54. Robblee, A. R., and D. R. Clandinin, 1953. The use of calcium pantothenate and biotin in practical poult starters. Poultry Sci. 32: 579-592. Scheiner, J., and E. DeRitter, 1975. Personal communication. Snedecor, G. W., 1967. Statistical Methods, 6th Edition, The Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa. Sullivan, T. W., and P. D. Platter, 1969. Studies on the biotin requirement of young turkeys. Poultry Sci. 48: 1880-1881. Waibel, P. E., L. M. Krista, R. L. Arnold, L. G. Blaylock and L. M. Neagle, 1969. Effect of supplementary biotin on performance of turkeys fed cornsoybean meal diets. Poultry Sci. 48: 1979-1985. Wilson, K. C , 1967. Biotin deficiency found in commercial turkey flocks. Feedstuffs, 39 (16): 62-63.

NEWS AND NOTES SALMONELLA ADVISORY COMMITTEE The first meeting of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Salmonella Advisory Committee was held in Washington, D.C. on February 25. The purpose of the Advisory Committee is to advise and make recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture regarding ways to reduce the incidence of salmonella organisms in livestock and poultry and in the meat and poultry products derived from them. The Committee Chairman is Richard L. Feltner. Assistant Secretary for Marketing and Consumer Services. Vice Chairman is Francis J. Mulhern, Administrator of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Executive Secretary is William H. Dubbert, Chief. Systems Development and Sanitation Staff, Meat and Poultry Inspection Program, A.P.H.I.S. Other Committee Members are: William B. Bixler, Chief, Medicated Feed Branch, Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Rockville. MD; Harold J. Buyens, Director of Operations, Swift and Co., Chicago, 1L;

Morris S. Cover, Director, Veterinary Services and Regulatory Department, Ralston Purina Co., St. Louis, MO; Robert C. deBaca, Consultant, Livestock Program Development, Ames, IA; William M. Dungan, Director of Veterinary Medicine, Nicholas Turkey Breeding Farms, Inc., Sonoma, CA; Harry W. Hays, Staff Scientist, Marketing, Nutrition, and Engineering, Agricultural Research Service, U.S.D.A., Beltsville, MD; W. M. Hill, Food Microbiologist, Armour Foods. Oakbrook, IL; Margarest Huston, Scientific Director, Poultry and Egg Institute of America, Chicago, IL; Edward T. Mallinson, Chief, Poultry Health Division, Bureau of Animal Industry, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg, PA; Kenneth N. May, Vice President for Corporate Research and Quality Assurance, Holly Farms, Wilkesboro, NC; William P. Williams, General Production Manager, Cargill Inc., Minneapolis, MN; George Wilson, Corporate Director for Manufacturing Services, Hygrade Food Products Corporation, Southfield, MI; and George E. York. Food Technologist, University of California, Davis, CA.

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Anderson, J. O., and R. E. Warnick. 1970. Studies of the need for supplemental biotin in chick rations. Poultry Sci. 49: 569-578. Balloun, S. L., D. L. Miller and G. M. Spears, 1968. Biotin, yeasts, and distillers solubles in poult rations. Poultry Sci. 47: 1653. Dobson, D. C , 1970. Biotin requirement of turkey poults. Poultry Sci. 49: 546-553. Jensen, L. S., and R. Martinson, 1969. Requirement of turkey poults for biotin and effect of deficiency on incidence of leg weakness in developing turkeys. Poultry Sci. 48: 222-230. Johnson, C. W., 1967. Field evaluation of d-biotin supplementation for biotin deficient poults and older turkeys. Poultry Sci. 46: 1276-1277. Marusich, W. L., E. F. Ogrinz, M. Brand and M. Mitrovic, 1970. Induction, prevention, and therapy of biotin deficiency in turkey poults on semipurified and commercial type diets. Poultry Sci. 49: 412-421. Patrick, H., R. V. Boucher, R. A. Dutcher and H. C. Knandel, 1941. Biotin and prevention of dermati-

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