VITAMIN B6

National Conference on Scientific and technological development for Welfare of Humanity-5th and 6th April 2018.pp 61-67

Dietary Effect of Vitamin B6 on Growth Performance and Behaviours of Broiler

Chicken

J.P. Arockiam1, I. Jayaseelan1, S.Samson1 and M. Muruganandam2

1. Integrated Fish culture unit. Dept. of Zoology, St. Xavier's College, Palaymkottai-

627002

2. Dept. of Zoology Syed Ammal Arts and Science College, Ramanathapuram

Email- vaccine [email protected]

Abstract

Different level of vitamin B6 was provided to broiler chicken, at the end of the experiment

growth performance was analyzed. In each treatment ten birds were maintained. In every end

of the week, weight, food consumption and behaviours were recorded. After seven weeks

growth performance were completely analyzed. Based on this experiment, it is concluded that

the commonly available local feed have sufficient vitamin B6. If add more than that limit

leads to negative growth rate. So the supplementary vitamin B6 for local feed is not necessary

for better growth and survival of broiler chicken.

Keywords: Vitamin B6, Broiler chicken, growth performance, Behaviours.

Introduction:

The poultry industry serves as a very important part in converting grains and other products

into eggs and poultry meat for the nutritional benefit of mankind. The poultry industry has

been divided into two segments, such as layers and the broilers. The present work come

under on the broiler production. The world most intensive commercial broiler area has its

beginnings in 1923 in the Delmara peninsula, which embraces the adjoining countries of

Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. By 1927 broilers were produced extensively in Benton,

country Asia for shortage of fresh. Among all the domesticated animals feed conversion is

superior in broiler that 200kg of feed protein is converted to 100 kg of broiler flesh.

The broiler is a young chicken of either below 7 to 9 week of age wit 1.5 to 2 kg of body

weight. Broiler meat is soft, smooth textured , delicate and its maturity is earlier. The

feathering of birds easier for broilers transportation during marketing leads to stress and will

be responsible for loss of weight. Growths of male birds are slightly higher than female. Food

cosmopolitan of the birds increases with increase of body weight. The food conversion is

more efficient in male.

The broiler industry gives profit within 2 to 21/2 months and occasionally experiences crop

failure due to unfavourable environmental conditions. To compensate this rare phenomenon

of crop failure, mixed farming practice will stabilize the farm income. The broiler farming

offer opportunities for full time employment particularly for women and unemployed youth.

Another salient feature of poultry farming is, its nitrogen rich organic excretory waste. This is

use as organic manure; it substitutes to reduce the burden of chemical manure in agricultural


practices. The poultry droppings are superior fertilizers when compare to the organic sources

like cow dung because of its nitrate, phosphorous and potassium contents.

The vitamin B6 is a water soluble vitamin, involved in protein, lipid and carbohydrate

metabolism. It functions as a co-enzyme in many phases of amino acids in transamination

and deamination. A pyridoxine deficiency in chicks results in a nervous disorder and sudden

death. Most grains and protein concentrates the good sources of pyridoxine. The cereal

grains, soybean meal, yeast and animal proteins are good sources. (Petrick and Schaible,

1980). In the present attempt, dietary effect of vitamin B6 on growth and behaviours of

broiler chicks observed

Materials and Methods

The day old chicks of Vencop strain were purchased from commercial hatchery, Tirunelveli,

and to the young chicks, glucose water was given to overcome the journey tiredness. Vitamin

B complex liquids was given to chicks along with water. The brooding chicks were not

directly released over the paddy husk, mainly to avoid excess consumption of fibrous stuff, so

the chicks were stocked in brooder pan and vaccinated with F- vaccine through eyes and

nostrils on 7th day to present Raniket disease.

The setup was shows with 30 cm height and 50 cm diameter. The floor of brooders pan was

covered by paper. Light and heat was provided with 60w bulb. The temperature of brooder

pan was regulated with the help of thermometer. After acclimatization the chicks were

transferred to the experimental compartments.

The housing was divided into six compartments of 0.9 m length, 0.5m breadth and 0.5m

height. Each compartment was provided with cardboards in order to avoid the penetration of

light. The floor of the compartment was covered with paddy husk. The litter was stirred daily

and replaced once in a week to avoid its contamination. Each compartment was provided

with feeding trough and waters.

Long feed troughs and waters were readily available in the market. The chicks were provided

with locally available commercial poultry feed with different level of supplementary vitamin

B6 (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg/kg). The feed composition was shown in Table 1.

Every week all the chicks were weighed, water, water intake and feed intake were also

calculated. The increase in weight, FCR, SGR, and food consumption was calculated. By

using be following formulas.

1. Weight gain (gm) = Final weight- Initial weight

2. Food conversion ratio (FCR) = Food intake (gm) / body weight gain (gm)

3. Specific growth rate (SGR) = In - Final weight- Initial weight / duration

4. Average daily growth (gm/ day) = Final weight - Initial weight / Duration


To study the behaviours of broilers activities were monitored continuously for 24 hours. The

parameters such as feeding, drinking standing, moving and magnetic sensitivity were

observed.

Table 1. Approximate feed composition of locally available commercial poultry feed

S.

no.

Ingredients Starter feed (Kg) Finisher feed (Kg)

1. Maize 300 340

2. Wheat flour 70 70

3. Combu 70 70

4. Broken rice / Wheat 80 100

5. Sunflower oil cake 100 100

6. De oiled ground nut oil cake 100 80

7. Soybean meal 160 130

8. Dry fish 95 85

9. Mineral mixture 25 25

10. Ultra proplus 500-750gm 500-750gm

11. Common salt - 50

12. Ultra tip / UTPP 250gm 250gm

13. Liverfit - Vitamin 150gm 200gm

14. Vitamin C 300gm 300gm

15. Folic acid 25gm 25gm

Results

In the first week and third week, maximum body weight were observed in 5th diet. During

second and fourth week, maximum values were observed in control diet. But in the final time,

the maximum body (1344.5gm) and average daily growth (36.99 gm) were observed in 2nd

diet. The body weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, average daily growth were slowly

decreased. When increasing level of vitamin B6 in diet and the feed conversion ratio was also

increased. So the supplementary vitamin B6 was not useful for better growth of Broiler

chicks.

The maximum body weight (1344. 5gm), average daily growth (36.99 gm), weight gain

(1294.5 gm) and specific growth rate (9.40) and minimum FCR (2.8) were observed in 2nd

dietary treatment. In 12 am to 11 am, the feeding behaviours were slowly decreased when

increased level of supplementary vitamin B6. There is no remarkable changes in moving

behavior. But the alertness behavior was slowly decreased. The standing and drinking

behaviours was not much differences in all the treatments.

In 12 pm to 11 pm, the feeding and drinking behaviours were slightly increased and after that

it will decreased. The moving, drinking and standing behaviours were more or less same


range in all the treatments. The rest behaviours was slowly decreased were more or less same

range in all the treatments. The rest behaviours was slowly decreased when increased level of

vitamin B6 in diet. Based on this study, it is concluded that, during Am and Pm time, the

feeding and drinking behaviours are decreased when increased level of vitamin B6 in diet. In

this attempt, compared to four directions birds were selected north directions during the rest

time. Because the geomagnetic field influence the magnetic sensitivity of broiler chicks.

Among the north - west, north - east, south - west and south - east directions. The south west

direction has more influence on birds. The supplementary vitamin B6 slightly after the

geomagnetic sensitivity of birds.

Discussion:

The vitamin B6 involves in the synthesis of messenger RNA which determines aminoacid

sequences polypeptide synthesis. This is also involved in fat metabolism, especially of the

essential fatty acids (Halver, 1980). In this study, graded levels of supplementary vitamin B6

was provided to broiler chicks and growth performance were anlaysed. In all the treatments,

vitamin C (300mg / kg) and folic acid (25 mg / kg) were added, except first control diet.

Because previous our lab experiment proves above said vitamin C and folic acid induce

maximum growth to broilers. In this attempt, vitamin B6 not much induce any remarkable

changes in behaviours.

The exact role of ascorbic acid in cellular physiology is not completely known. It is clear that

vitamin C is necessary for the production and maintenance of intracellular substances, and it

also involved in wound repair. (Pinkerton, 1977, Lim an Lovell, 1978, Jancy et al., 1985). It

is also involved in maturation of erythrocytes for maintenance of normal blood haematology

(Johnson et al., 1971). Vitamin C act as biological reducing agent in hydrogen transport. It is

involved in many enzyme systems for hydroxylation. (Halver, 1980).

The feed ingredients and supplements are generally provided enough folic acid to the

broilers. Bur1-1.5 mg/ kg folic acid supplementation was recommended by the Roche

Scientific Corporation, for better growth and survival of broiler chicken. The folic acid plays

an important role in cell divisions (Huenne Kena et al., 1975) and also involved in the

pryrimidine synthesis for the base of nucleotides DNA and RNA (Hartman and Buchanden,

1959, Stokst an Kech, 1967)

In this attempt, increased level of vitamin B6 induce negative growth performance to broiler

chicks. So the already used practical diet has on off vitamin B6. So if increase the

concentration of folic acid leads to reduce the growth performance. Based on this study, te

supplementary vitamin B6 is not necessary for best growth and survival of broiler chicks.


Table 2 : Body weight of broiler chicken fed experiment diets with various

levels of Vitamin B6

Table 3 : Average daily gain of broiler chicks fed experimental diets with various levels of

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6

(mg)

Week

I II III IV V

0 17.79 32.21 49.93 49.30 42.21

0 17.21 29.85 48.25 37.79 51.74

5 17.61 32.07 50.86 44.71 36.00

10 17.64 30.82 49.58 37.96 35.43

15 19.71 29.29 51.93 39.76 28.14

20 18.36 15.28 61.86 41.88 30.50

Table 4 : Growth performance of Broiler chicks fed experimental diets with various levels of

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6

(mg)

Initial

weight

(gm)

Final

weight

(gm)

Weight

gain (gm)

ADG (g /

day)

SGR FCR

0 50 1331.5 1281.5 36.61 9.38 2.8

0 50 1344.5 1294.5 36.99 9.40 2.8

5 50 1319.0 1269.0 36.26 9.35 2.9

10 50 1250.0 1200.0 34.29 9.20 2.9

15 50 1231.0 1181.0 33.74 9.15 2.9

20 50 1225.0 115.0 33.57 9.14 3.1

S.

No.

Supplementary

Vitamin B6

(mg/ kg) in

diet

Week

I II III IV V

1. 0 174.5±14.90 400±21.21 749.5±42.69 1036±67.89 1331.5±84.14

2. 0 170.5±16.03 379.5±20.61 717.27±39.39 981.82±52.15 1344±61.58

3. 5 173.5±17.61 398±28.91 754±43.35 1067±42.23 1319±59.40

4. 10 173.5±16.60 389.25±23.20 736.31±45.94 1002.78±52.97 1250±55.24

5. 15 188±16.91 393±24.61 756.5±47.12 10.34.5±65.93 1231±58.40

6. 20 178.5±20.5 285.5±118.02 718.5±98.51 1011.5±129.31 1225±54.80


Table 5: Behaviours (12pm to 11pm)of Broiler chicks fed experimental diets with various

level of Vitamin B6

Vitamin

B6

(mg)

Feeding Drinking Moving Alertness Standing Leisure

0 2.15±0.86 1.80 ± 0.89 1.08±0.80 1.27±0.96 0.58±0.06 2.20±0.20

0 2.00±0.82 1.80±0.14 0.83±0.99 1.41±0.13 0.91±0.08 3.00±0.15

5 2.17±0.13 1.60±0.70 1.00±0.81 0.91±0.70 0.83±0.07 3.41±0.16

10 2.50±0.13 1.17±0.10 0.91±0.10 1.08±0.95 0.58±0.06 2.80±0.02

15 1.80±0.12 1.58±0.11 0.91±0.08 1.08±0.12 1.41±0.12 2.75±0.15

20 1.90±0.95 1.58±0.049 1.17±0.10 1.08±0.12 1.08±0.01 2.33±0.17

Table 6: Behaviours of Broiler chicks (12pm to 11pm) fed experimental diets with various

level of Vitamin B6

Vitamin

B6

(mg)

Feeding Drinking Moving Alertness Standing Leisure

0 2.33±0.92 1.50 ± 0.11 0.66±0.80 1.16±0.11 2.80±0.19 1.06±0.12

0 1.50±0.86 1.30±0.91 1.80±0.12 1.90±0.11 3.25±0.19 0.80±0.09

5 1.83±0.10 1.83±0.10 1.08±0.90 1.30.±0.11 2.60±0.18 1.18±0.80

10 1.67±0.11 1.08±0.40 1.12±0.11 1.58±0.13 3.00±0.18 1.00±0.70

15 1.60±0.60 1.50±0.12 1.25±0.92 1.91±0.13 2.90±0.17 0.81±0.08

20 1.50±0.99 1.30±0.94 0.50±0.70 2.10±0.15 1.90±0.17 0.90±0.60

Table 7: Geomagnetic sensitivity(12pm to 11pm) of Broiler fed experimental diets with

various level of Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6

(mg)

N S W E NW NE SW S

E

0 2.25±

0.80

1.00±

0.09

1.00±0.

10

1.60±0.09 0.75±0.0

4

0.91±0.0

6

0.90±0

.06

0.75±0.05

0 2.07±

0.10

1.16±

0.09

1.16±0.

09

1.08±0.12 1.00±0.0

8

1.50±0.0

1

1.08±0

.07

0.91±0.06

5 1.75±

0.10

1.50±

0.12

1.30±0.

10

1.58.±0.86 1.08±0.0

9

1.08±0.0

6

0.90±0

.07

1.00±0.70

10 1.75±

0.10

1.50±

0.12

1.16±0.

12

1.50±0.76 0.75±0.0

7

0.91±0.0

7

1.09±0

.70

0.35±0.04

15 1.80±

0.11

1.16±

0.89

1.08±0.

08

1.25±0.10 0.91±0.1

2

1..50±0.

08

1.15±0

.70

0.91±0.75

20 1.75±

0.70

0.36±

0.06

1.50±0.

09

0.41±0.06 1.16±0.1

1

0.80±0.0

9

1.30±0

.70

0.58±0.06

4


Table 8: Geomagnetic sensitivity(12pm to 11pm) of Broiler fed experimental diets with

various level of Vitamin B6

Vitamin

B6

(mg)

N S W E NW NE SW SE

0 2.08±0.70 0.75±0.08 1.16±0.0

9

1.16±0.1

0

1.16±0.1

0

0.83±0.3

7

1.41±0.4

0

0.66±0.06

0 1.92±0.70 1.40±0.10 1.50±0.1

2

1.00±0.1

1

1.00±0.1

1

1.16±0.8

0

1.16±0.7

0

1.00±0.07

5 1.53±0.90 1.25±0.01 1.16±0.1

1

0.90.±0.0

1

0.90±0.1

1

1.00±0.8

0

1.25±0.7

0

0.80±0.05

10 1.60±0.60 0.80±0.08 1.25±0.1

0

0.66±0.0

7

1.16±0.1

2

1.00±0.9

0

1.30±0.7

0

0.83±0.06

15 1.91±0.90 1.25±0.12 0.80±0.0

8

1.50±0.1

5

0.80±0.0

8

1..25±0.

10

0.91±0.7

0

1.08±0.07

20 1.70±0.80 1.16±0.11 1.25±0.8

0

0.714±0.

4

1.00±0.9

0

0.83±0.6

0

1.08±0.7

0

0.41±0.49

N= North W= West NW= North West SW= South West S= South E= East NE= North East

SE= South East

Reference:

1. Halver, J. E. The vitamins, Lectures presented at the FAO / UNDP Training course in

fish feed Technology, FAO, Rome.

2. Hartman. S.H. and Bucharan, J.M. (1959). Ann. Rev. Biochem. 28. 365.

3. Huennekens, F.M., Hatefi, Y. and Kay, C.D. (1957). J. Biochem. 224-235.

4. Jancey, K., Soliman, A and Roberks, R.J. (1985). Ascorbic acid required in relation

to wound healing in the cultural tilapia Orechromis niloticus (Trewares), Aquacul.

Fish management, 16: 139-149.

5. Limi, C and Lowell, R (1978). Pathology of vitamin C deficiency syndrome in

channel catfish. J. Nutr., 103: 1, 134-138.

6. Patrick, H and Schaible, P.J. (980). Poultry feeds and nutrition, 2nd edition, Ad. Pub.

Company Inc. Westport, USA.

7. Pinkerton, H (1977) Vitamins and deficiency diseases (In: WA.D. Andreson and .M.

Kissare eds) Pathology CV., mos by Co., St. Louis, Missouri, pp. 623-639.

8. Stock stand, E.L.R. and Koch, J. (1967). Folic acid metabolism, physio. Rev. 47: 83-

116.

VITAMIN B6

Science

Transcript of VITAMIN B6