Observations on the Choline Requirements of Hens

Abstract FEW reports concerning the choline requirements of hens have appeared in the literature. McCollum, Halpin and Drescher (1912) using a diet consisting of 70 parts of ground polished rice which had been extracted with hot alcohol, and 30 parts of dried skimmilk, found that large amounts of lecithin were synthesized by laying hens. These authors noted that the ration was readily consumed and the hens remained in good production during the experiment. Abbot and DeMasters (1940) used the basal mixture of McCollum et al. but supplemented it with vitamins A, D and B1, and a B-complex preparation. This diet would not support good production or maintain body weight. A large number of aborted yolks occurred, and the livers were somewhat more fatty than those of control hens fed a commercial laying mash. Additions of choline increased production, prevented weight loss and abortion of yolks, and reduced liver fat. The magnitudes . . .