Vitamin E
What is it and what does it do for chickens?
DISCLAMIER: Im not an expert, this gatherd text comes from my experience, my research and why I think its important to know about this.
My faschination for understanding Vitamin E have come with the wry neck episodes in my girl Bartok. I wanted to understand why the deficency caused these symtoms, so I took on the task to research: What is Vitamin E?
What is Vitamin E and what does it do?
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that has the main purpose of hunting down whats known as loose electrons "free radicals".
The free radicals damage the cells within a body, with that causes diffrent type of illness. Produced energy from the metabolic process produces unstable fragments of oxygen molecules, these unstable fragments are missing an electron. Vitamin E as an antioxidants are organic chemicals that takes care of these electrons that are missing an electron.
But like in everything, balance is the key. Some radicals can be benefital, while to many can be harmful.
Another purpose of Vitamin E is that in enhances immune function. There for it is easy to say that if you lack vitamin E its easier to get sick.
What does Vitamin E do for chickens?
It is reported that with a correct amount of Vitamin E can make them more tolorate impact of heat stress and they will have a better immune response, this include things bacteria like E Coli .They will have a bigger hatch, their laying will improve and fertility will improve.
What are the symtoms of a Vitamin E deficincy in chickens?
Like said, Vitamin E is very important for chickens. A deficincy in this vitamin has a huge impact on their bodies, there for the list of symtoms is long, but some of them are.
- Wry Neck
- Musclar Dysfunction
- Paralysis
- Crazy chick disease (encephalomalacia)
- Hemorrhages
- Decreased laying .
Like I said before balance is everything. A quality everyday diet is the key, but remember that most feeds do not have enough vitamins for your chickens so a supplement of multivitamins can be very benefitial to have to their diet.
and also do not forget quality fruit, greens or nuts!
Vitamin E rich foods:
Sunflowerseeds
Pumpkin
Red bell pepper
Mangoes
Beet greens and collard greens
Spinach
Feeds high in antioxidants will help your chickens live a long and happy life!