Folacin Requirements of Turkey Breeder Hens

Abstract

FIELD observations of folacin-deficient poults during the past few years stimulated interest in re-evaluating the folacin requirements of the turkey breeder hen (Lee et al., 1965). Schweigert et al. (1948) reported no detrimental effects on egg production, hatchability or general appearance when turkey breeder hens were fed a low-folacin diet. However, the poult requirement for folacin was influenced by the folacin content of the maternal diet. Ferguson et al. (1961) observed no reduction in hatchability of turkey eggs when turkey breeder hens were fed a purified diet without supplemental folacin. Kratzer et al. (1956) reported that the optimum folacin requirement for hatchability of turkey eggs was 0.7 mg. of folacin per kg. of diet. Lower dietary concentrations of folacin reduced egg hatchability and increased embryo abnormalities. Lillie et al. (1950) reported a higher incidence of poor growth, poor feathering, abnormal feather pigmentation and mortality in chicks produced by dams fed .