METABOLISM AND NUTRITION Critical Vitamin Supplementation of Broiler Diets High in Alfalfa Juice Protein1

ABSTRACT Three trials were conducted to identify the critical vitamins in the diets of broiler-strain chicks fed alfalfa juice protein concentrate (AJPC) corn-soy diets from 0 to 3 wk of age. Vitamin supplements were added to AJPC diets. Diets were formulated to contain, parts 30/121, 40/128, 50/135, and 60/142 parts AJPC/parts total diet. Parts were used to permit useage of wet materials and still maintain about 90% dry matter. All diets were formulated to contain 20 % crude protein,.93 % total sulfur-containing amino acids, and 2,940 kcal metabolizable energy/kg diet. Propionic acid was added at.2 % to all diets. Feeds were refrigerated (7 C) and fed out daily. The addition of choline, riboflavin, vitamin B,2, vitamin A or E, folic acid, or biotin did not increase weight gains. Addition of 3 mg/kg vitamin B6 completely overcame the growth depression caused by the 50-parts AJPC diet and significant (P<.05) growth increases (13 to 29%) were achieved with vitamin-B6 supplementation to the 60-parts AJPC diet. Depressed immune responses were completely prevented by the addition of 3 mg/kg of vitamin B6. The significant (P<.05) increases in leg deformities observed in birds fed the 60-parts AJPC diet were also brought back to more typical values in birds fed the diet supplemented with 3 mg/kg vitamin B6. Vitamin K supplementation (.53 mg/kg) to the 60-parts AJPC diet resulted in significant decreases from 15 min in blood clotting times to 3 to 5 min. Vitamin B12 addition to the 40-part