Methods of Using Vitamin C in Poultry Farming
VC, a vitamin-class drug. In the body, vitamin C and dehydrovitamin C form a reversible redox system, which plays an important role in biological redox reactions and cellular respiration. Vitamin C participates in amino acid metabolism and the synthesis of neurotransmitters, collagen and intercellular matrix. It can reduce capillary permeability, promote the absorption of iron in the intestinal tract, enhance the body's resistance to infection, and strengthen the liver's detoxification capacity.
After oral administration, vitamin C is easily absorbed in the small intestine and widely distributed throughout the body tissues; its plasma protein binding rate is about 25%, and it is metabolized in the liver. Vitamin C is mainly excreted in urine in its original form, and when in excess it is metabolized into oxalic acid (ethanedioic acid).
Indications: Used for vitamin C deficiency, fever, chronic wasting diseases, etc.
Dosage and Administration: Calculated as this product. Drinking water: mix 100 grams with 1000 jin of water, for free drinking; mixing with feed: mix 100 grams with 500 jin of feed, for 5 consecutive days.
Vitamin C participates in a variety of metabolic processes in the body, participates in folate metabolism, participates in detoxification functions, etc. Based on the pharmacological functions of vitamin C, using vitamin C as a feed additive for chickens has been proven through years of trials to indeed strengthen the body, prevent disease, and improve production performance, among other effects. It is described below:
1. Vitamin C can improve the immunity of the flock
During periods of stress, the immune function of the flock declines. Supplementation with vitamin C will improve the effect of stress factors on chicken immunity. Vitamin C, as an oxidizing agent, causes damage to cell membranes through free radicals, thereby protecting lymphocytes (which produce antibodies). In addition, supplementing VC will inhibit the excessive secretion of adrenal steroids and reduce the immune response. When vaccinating a flock, in order to enable the flock to produce the best specific immune response and to minimize the adverse reactions of non-specific immunosuppression, vitamin C can be added to the feed or drinking water 2-3 days before using the vaccine. When an infectious disease has already occurred in the flock, adding vitamin C can improve the flock's resistance to the infectious disease.
2. Vitamin C can alleviate the stress response of the flock
Adding VC at the preventive dose 24 hours before stress occurs can reduce the different effects suffered by chickens under different stress states such as high temperature, high humidity, vaccination, disease, molting, catching, noise, and moving to another house.
3. Vitamin C can improve eggshell quality
If the feed lacks vitamin C, laying hens will produce soft-shelled eggs and broken eggs. Adding vitamin C to the feed can greatly improve the quality of eggshells.
4. Vitamin C can improve the reproductive performance of the flock
Adding 150 grams of vitamin C per ton of feed can reduce embryo mortality, increase the hatchability rate and the survival rate of chicks, and enable breeding hens to maintain the highest reproductive rate.
5. Vitamin C also has a detoxification function
Supplementing vitamin C can increase the activity of various enzymes in the liver and enhance the liver's metabolism of various harmful substances, such as lead, arsenic, benzene, and some viruses, bacterial toxins, etc.
6. Preventing feather-pecking vice in chickens
Adding an appropriate amount of vitamin C to the feed can greatly reduce feather pecking in chickens and accelerate wound healing.
7. Improving deworming effectiveness
When preventing and treating intestinal parasites in chickens, adding vitamin C can enhance the deworming effect of the drug and the chicken body's tolerance to antiparasitic drugs, helping the chicken's constitution recover faster.
8. Assisting in the prevention and treatment of diseases
When chickens suffer from diseases such as colds, adding vitamin C to the therapeutic drugs can enhance the efficacy of the drugs, assist the chicken body in overcoming the disease, and help the disease heal earlier.
9. Vitamin C helps bone formation
Because broiler chickens grow too fast but their bones develop more slowly, this often causes leg weakness and incomplete development in broilers, especially obvious in chicks. Adding VC to the feed can improve the calcium-binding protein capacity of the duodenum and help bone development.