Vitamins for Poultry

Vitamins are chemical substances essential for the maintenance of life, growth, and reproduction. Their effects are out of proportion to the relatively small amounts required. Fortunately, most of these essentials are widely distributed in nature, and an adequate ration can nearly always be provided by using logical combinations of common feedstuffs. Under certain conditions, owever, the use of vitamin-containing concentrates may be desirable. In planning practical rations, it should be recognized that the plant leaf is the source of most vitamins. Milk and meat products make important vitamin contributions to the diet in addition to their proteins and minerals. Direct sunshine must also be recognized as the basic source of vitamin D, the rickets-preventing essential