A Toe Deformity in the Progeny of Linoleic Acid Deficient Hens

Abstract DURING the course of our investigations on the linoleic acid (18:2) requirement of the hen for reproduction, a malformation of the toes of newly-hatched chicks was observed. This deformity ascribed to a deficiency of 18:2 was first reported by Menge (1968a). The purpose of this paper is to present detailed observations on the percentage of incidence and the different classes of the severity of the toe abnormality. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE In the first experiment 18:2 deficient Leghorn hens were distributed into 7 groups of 28 hens each. The groups received a low-fat isolated soy protein diet described by Menge (1968b) supplemented with 18:21 as follows: zero 0.125. 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4% respectively. Hatching data from this experiment were collected from 20 consecutive weekly hatches (Table 1). The second experiment comprised 12 groups of 15 hens each. Groups 1 through 11, deficient in 18:2, received the isolated soy protein diet. . .