Biotin and early poult growth

Commerical Broad Breasted White male poults were fed either a soybean and milo ration, or similar rations containing 7.5% or 20% animal protein, for a period of 0-8 weeks. Three groups of 48 birds each were fed each of the three rations which were isocaloric (2926 M.E. Cal. /Kg. of ration) but differed slightly in protein content. Other groups were fed identical rations supplemented with biotin at a level of 220 mcg/kg. When the growth data were analyzed by analysis of variance, highly significant differences noted for treatment (P less than or equal to 0.01). Biotin supplementation of the soybean-milo ration gave no response, but supplementation of the rations containing animal protein with biotin gave excellent growth responses. When the data were combined so that the effect of biotin could be evaluated, a highly significant (P less than or equal to 0.005) improvement in growth was obtained by supplementing the rations with biotin. Feed efficiency was found to be closely related to growth rate. Mortality did not appear to be related to diet, with the differences being non-significant statistically.