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Minerals - Functions and deficiency symptoms
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Important functions
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Deficiency symptoms
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Calcium
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Formation of bone, blood clotting, heart function, egg production
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Poor growth, soft bones, thin shelled/shell-less eggs, poor egg production
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Phosphorous
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Bone development, egg production, utilisation of carbohydrates
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Poor growth, soft bones
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Magnesium
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Several vital metabolic functions
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Slow growth, lethargy, loss of appetite, spasms
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Sodium and Potassium
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Constituents of blood, bile and body fluids, for growth, digestion, acid-base balance
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Poor growth of muscles (excess: loose droppings, reduced production)
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Manganese
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Bone formation and utilization of phosphorous
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Staggering gait, enlargement of joints
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Zinc
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Activation of several body enzyme
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Poor growth and feathering, shortening of leg bones
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Iron & Copper
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Blood pigment formation
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Anaemia
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Iodine
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Body activity, constituent of thyroid
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Impaired body response, lowered activity
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Selenium
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Muscular functions, immunity development
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Muscular dystrophy, poor immune response
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Cobalt
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Constituent of Vitamin B12
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Poor growth
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- The role of different vitamins in poultry production are enlisted in the Table
Vitamins – Functions and deficiency symptoms
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Vitamin
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Important Functions
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Deficiency Symptoms
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A
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Growth, health of eye and moist surfaces of the body
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Poor growth, respiratory symptoms
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B1 (Thiamin)
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Maintains appetite, helps in digestion, preserves health of nerves
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Poor growth, nervous symptoms
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B2 (Riboflavin)
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Promotes growth
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Poor growth, Curled-toe paralysis
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Pyridoxine
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Promotes growth
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Poor growth, convulsions
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Pantothenic acid
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Healthy skin, growth
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Crustations at corners of mouth and feet, fatty liver, kidneys.
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Biotin
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Promotes growth
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Crustations at the bottom of feet
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Folic acid
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Promotes growth, feather development
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Poor growth and feather development, paralysis, sitting on hock (perosis)
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B12
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Normal growth and feathering
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Very poor growth
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D3
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Utilises calcium and phosphorous in bone development, egg shell formation
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Poor growth, curved legs, leg weakness, thin shelled eggs, reduced egg production
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E
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Maintains brain structure, anti-oxidant
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Crazy chick disease, muscular weakness
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K
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Blood clotting mechanism
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Haemorrhages
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Participants