The Vitamin A Requirements of Chicks with Observations on the Comparative Efficiency of Carotene and Vitamin A

Abstract

ALTHOUGH the literature contains numerous reports which show that the chicken requires vitamin A, there is little data available on the minimum requirements of this factor by the chick. Hauge, Carrick, and Prange (1926–1927) reported that 25 percent of yellow corn in the ration appeared to meet the vitamin A requirements of chicks to 10 weeks of age and that 50 percent of yellow corn appeared to supply sufficient vitamin A for the development of pullets to the laying stage. Smith (1933) also reported normal growth and viability in chicks up to 12 weeks of age when 25 percent or more of the total ration was made up of yellow corn. Kline, Schultze, and Hart (1932) found that 0.03 mg. of carotene daily was not sufficient as a sole source of vitamin A when chicks reached an age of seven to eight weeks. The same investigators reported that chicks . . .