Vitamin

[Jeffery Escobar]

Lameness in birds caused by vitamin or mineral deficiency is unlikely if the animals are consuming a properly mixed feed that contains adequate levels of vitamins and minerals. Most commercial feeds should contain enough supplemented vitamins and minerals to avoid deficiencies. Lameness can be cause by management or housing conditions. Most modern birds can suffer from bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (also known as tibial or femoral head necrosis) due to intestinal permeability failure, excessive walking between the feeder and waterer, incline surfaces, floor obstacles, presence of immunosuppressive virus, microfractures in the growth plate of the femur or tibia accompanied by rapid growth rate.

[Md Ahidul Islam]

Thanks

[Muhammad Zeeshan Asghar]

Yes, birds can become lame during the growing phase due to vitamin deficiencies. Here are some key points regarding this issue:

1. Vitamin D Deficiency:

• Calcium Absorption: A lack of vitamin D can impair calcium absorption, leading to weak bones and skeletal deformities, which can cause lameness.

2. Vitamin E Deficiency:

• Muscle Health: Vitamin E is crucial for muscle health and immune function. Deficiency can lead to muscular dystrophy and lameness.

3. B Vitamins:

• Nervous System Health: Deficiencies in B vitamins (like B1, B2, and B12) can affect nerve function, potentially leading to coordination issues and lameness.

4. Vitamin A Deficiency:

• Bone Development: Insufficient vitamin A can affect bone growth and maintenance, leading to structural issues affecting mobility.

5. Prevention:

• Balanced Diet: Providing a well-balanced diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals is crucial to prevent deficiencies.
• Regular Monitoring: Keeping track of bird health and growth rates can help identify potential deficiencies early.

Ensuring proper nutrition during growth is vital to prevent lameness and ensure overall flock health.

[Asia Community Manager]

IS THERE A POSSIBILITY OF BIRDS BECOMING LAME DURING GROWING TIME IF THERE IS A VITAMIN DEFICIENCY?

The following is provided “as is,” and should be considered as general information; however, you should always seek professional advice, specific to your individual circumstances.

Yes, vitamin deficiencies can cause leg weakness and lameness in poultry. Several vitamins are critical for proper bone development, muscle function, and overall leg health:

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) Deficiency – has been directly linked to leg weakness, lameness, and deformities such as curled-toe paralysis and peripheral nerve degeneration in broilers.

Vitamin D3 Deficiency – leads to poor calcium absorption, resulting in retarded growth, soft bones, tibial dyschondroplasia, and leg deformities. Supplementation with vitamin D or its active form (25-hydroxycholecalciferol) reduces leg abnormalities and improves bone mineralization, especially under harsh environmental conditions.

Vitamin B6 And Other B-Complex Vitamins – deficiencies are associated with stunted bone growth and leg abnormalities.

Vitamin A Deficiency – can cause poor bone calcification and development, contributing to leg problems.

Vitamin E Deficiency – increases leg abnormalities and muscular dystrophy, impairing mobility.

Vitamin C – plays a role in collagen synthesis and helps prevent leg abnormalities and lameness.

In addition to vitamin deficiencies, leg weakness and lameness can stem from various factors, including other nutritional deficiencies, diseases, and environmental conditions. It’s crucial to identify the underlying cause to implement appropriate treatment and prevention strategies.

For further information:

Leg Health: a compendium of influencing factors https://aviagen.com/assets/Tech_Center/Broiler_Breeder_Tech_Articles/English/AviagenTechnicalBooklet_Leg-Health_24_EN.pdf

Lameness disorders in poultry https://www.uoguelph.ca/ahl/lameness-disorders-poultry