Non-Infectious Diseases / Disorders
Nutritional Disorders A well-balanced diet is essential for maximum growth, production and health of a poultry flock. The components of a diet are energy, protein, vitamins and minerals. They must be present in the correct proportions. Nutritional problems occur when the overall dietary amount is inadequate, or when the components of the diet are not balanced.
Feed is used by the bird first for maintenance( normal body functions) and second for growth and / or production( i. e. meat or eggs). An inadequate diet will lead to a decline in growth of young birds or a drop in egg production in laying hens.
Dietary requirements vary with age, sex and laying status. For instance, a six-week-old chick requires
1 % calcium and 20 % protein whereas a layer requires 3.6 % calcium and 16 % protein. Protein: The protein component in a diet can come from an animal source, such as meat meal or fish meal, or a plant source, such as soybean meal. Dietary protein is used by the bird to build its own protein( muscle) and / or egg protein. A protein-deficient diet will lead to poor growth and low egg production. Energy: The most common sources of energy in poultry diets are cereal grains, such as maize, wheat or sorghum, which are high energy foods. An energy-deficient diet will result in depressed production and a loss of condition. A diet excessively high in energy will cause birds to become fat and will reduce their feed intake. When feed intake decreases, birds may suffer from a deficiency of protein and vitamins, which complicates the problem. Vitamin deficiencies: Vitamins are required only in small amounts but are essential for growth and production. All good quality commercial feeds will contain the required amount of vitamins and this will be stated on the label. However, vitamins can be destroyed by the action of heat and water, and may break down during prolonged storage. Feed should, therefore, be stored in a cool, dry shed and bought in small amounts to avoid long storage. Soluble vitamin supplements are available, which can be added to the drinking water to correct deficiencies. Alternatively, food rich in a particular vitamin can be provided. In tropical climates, where birds tend to eat less, it may be necessary to increase the vitamin content of the diet.
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