Biotin and Prevention of Dermatitis in Turkey Poultsu. ∗

Abstract

During attempts to determine the riboflavin requirement of poults, in which both simplified and commercial type rations were used, dermatitis occurred regardless of the riboflavin intake. Jukes 1 reported that riboflavin prevented dermatitis in poults. Recently, Hegsted, et al., 2 reported a dermatitis in chicks distinct from pantothenic acid deficiency and apparently unrelated to riboflavin. Since the dermatitis observed by us in turkeys appeared to be similar to that described by Hegsted, et al., the essential rôle of biotin in turkey nutrition was investigated.

The basal ration had the following percentage composition: corn starch, 32.8; purified casein, 30; purified wheat bran, 20; polished rice, 5; soybean oil, 5; cod liver oil (400 D), 1; wheat germ oil, 2; mineral mixture, 4; choline, 0.2; thiamin, 0.0005. and pyridoxin, 0.0005. Day-old Bronze turkey poults were used throughout the experiment. They were kept in electrically heated brooders, equipped with hardware cloth floors. The experimental ration and water were always available.

The results recorded in Table I are typical of those secured in experiments involving more than 1000 poults. Incipient lesions appeared at 2 to 3 weeks of age. The areas between the toes, on the bottoms of the feet and at the proximal-dorsal portion of the upper beak showed definite lesions. The feet became completely encrusted and hemorrhagic cracks appeared as the manifestation of the deficiency progressed. The toes, in severe cases, became necrotic and sloughed off while the shank became calloused. The eyes became encrusted and eventually closed due apparently to an exudate. It is felt that this eye disorder is not necessarily an accompanying feature of the dermatitis since its severity did not parallel the incidence of dermatitis on the feet and beak.

Crystalline riboflavin, varying from none to 0.0005%, did not protect the turkeys from dermatitis.