Introduction
Biotin deficiency has occured in turkeys and chickens in many countries but is now rare in birds consuming properly formulated feeds. Reduced feed intake and blood sugar can precipitate fatty liver and kidney syndrome.
Signs
- Poor growth.
- Leg weakness.
- Scabs around eyes and beak.
- Thickened skin under foot pad, in embryos, webbing between toes.
- Chondrodystrophy.
- Sudden deaths in fatty liver and kidney syndrome.
Post-mortem lesions
- See signs.
- Pale livers and kidneys in fatty liver and kidney syndrome.
Diagnosis
Signs, lesions, response to treatment/prevention. Differentiate from pantothenic acid deficiency (skin lesions).
Treatment
Addition of biotin in feed or water.
Prevention
Supplementation of diets with biotin – naturally present in many raw materials, has very low bioavailability.