Reassessment of Pantothenic Acid Requirement for Single Comb White Leghorn Pullets from 0 to 6 Weeks of Age and Its Subsequent Effect on Sexual Maturity

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted using a total of 288 Hy-Line W-36 day-old pullets in each experiment. The pullets were randomly assigned to one of the six dietary treatments that consisted 0, .3, .6, .9, 1.8, or 3.6 mg supplemental pantothenic acid/kg of a corn and soybean meal basal diet (4.8 mg/kg). Six replicates of eight pullets per replicate were used per treatment in each experiment. Feed and water were provided for ad libitum access. The pullets were housed in battery brooder pens with raised wire floors. Body weight, body weight gain, average feed consumption per day, total feed consumption, and feed conversion were determined at 3 and 6 wk of age (WOA). The birds were observed for any signs of pantothenic acid deficiency. At the end of a 6-wk experimental period, the pullets previously receiving the diets containing either 0 or 3.6 mg supplemental pantothenic acid/kg of diet were raised to sexual maturity and their age at sexual maturity, body weight at 24 WOA, and average number of eggs per pullet through 32 WOA were measured in both of the experiments.No differences (P>.05) in total body weight, body weight gain, average feed consumption per day, total feed consumption, and feed conversion were observed in any of the supplemental pantothenic acid treatments from 0 to 3 and 3 to 6 WOA. None of birds during the experimental period showed any signs of deficiency. No differences were observed in the subsequent age at sexual maturity, number of eggs laid, and the body weight at 24 WOA. It was concluded from these experiments that Single Comb White Leghorn pullets require at least a total of 4.8 mg/kg pantothenic acid based in a corn-soybean meal diet from 0 to 6 WOA and at subsequent sexual maturity for optimum performance.