Turkeys Require Vitamin B12 and Choline

Abstract

THE vitamin B12 and choline requirements of chicks have been studied by numerous investigators but little information is available regarding the vitamin B12 requirements of turkeys as affected by choline additions to the diet. Patrick (1951) reported that Beltsville Small White turkeys did not respond to crystalline vitamin B12. Reports by McGinnis (1951) and Sherwood and Briggs (1951) indicated a slight response of Broad Breasted Bronze turkeys to the feeding of vitamin B12. A similar response was reported by Branion and Hill (1951) with crystalline vitamin B12. The work of Gartley et al. (1951) indicated that added dietary choline was not required by poults fed a vegetable protein ration. Couch and Atkinson (1950) reported that the growing turkey receiving an all-vegetable protein ration does not require added vitamin B12 unless antibiotics are also fed.The present investigation was initiated to determine whether poults would respond to vitamin B12 and whether …