What it looks like
Poor growth and stunting — Chicks and pullets fail to grow at normal rate; appear undersized and weak
Leg weakness and incoordination — Difficulty walking, splayed legs, or twisted legs (perosis); birds may stumble or be unable to stand
Enlarged hock joint — Hock joint appears swollen or deformed; indicates cartilage and bone defects
Reduced feed conversion — Birds eat more but grow poorly; feed efficiency is reduced
Fatty liver (at necropsy) — Liver appears pale, enlarged, and fatty; visible during post-mortem exam
Reduced egg production and poor egg quality — Hens lay fewer eggs; shells are thin or soft; egg yolks are pale
Poor feathering — Feathers appear thin, dull, or poorly developed
Likely causes
- Inadequate dietary choline (vitamin-like nutrient essential for fat transport and metabolism)
- Feed formulation error or use of low-quality ingredients lacking choline
- Increased choline requirements in young growing birds or high-producing layers
- Reduced feed intake limiting overall nutrient consumption
- Interaction with other nutrient deficiencies (manganese, vitamin B12, methionine)
What to do
Switch immediately to a commercial poultry feed meeting NRC nutrient requirements (contains 1200+ mg/kg choline for growers, 400+ mg/kg for layers). If formulating your own feed, ensure adequate choline supplementation. Affected birds recover quickly once proper diet is provided. Provide clean water and optimal housing conditions to support recovery.
When to see a vet
See a vet if your bird shows severe signs or doesn’t improve within a few days of treatment.
Prevention
Use high-quality commercial feeds formulated for your bird type (starter, grower, layer) that meet established nutrient standards. If mixing your own feed, include a vitamin premix containing choline or add choline chloride supplement. Maintain proper feed storage to prevent nutrient degradation. Monitor bird growth and productivity to detect deficiencies early.
Frequently asked questions
What does choline do in chickens?
Choline is essential for fat metabolism (preventing fatty liver), formation of myelin (nerve insulation), and production of acetylcholine (neurotransmitter). Without adequate choline, birds develop poor growth, leg problems, and reduced productivity.
What are good sources of choline in chicken feed?
Choline is found in fish meal, soybean meal, sunflower meal, and synthetic choline chloride supplement. Commercial poultry feeds include adequate choline; deficiency usually occurs only with poorly formulated home-mixed feeds.
Can choline deficiency cause leg problems?
Yes, choline deficiency can cause perosis (twisted or slipped tendon in hock joint) and leg weakness. These problems are compounded if manganese is also deficient. Both nutrients must be adequate for proper skeletal development.
How quickly does the diet fix choline deficiency?
Signs improve within days of switching to a properly formulated feed. Growth accelerates and leg problems resolve in mild cases. Severely affected birds may have permanent deformities.
Do I need to supplement choline if I feed quality commercial feed?
No, quality commercial feeds contain adequate choline. Only home-mixed or poorly formulated feeds need supplementation. Check the feed label or consult a nutritionist if you’re formulating your own diet.