FEEDING RECOMMENDATIONS CHOLINE CHLORIDE

A choline deficiency has been produced in several species of animals. In poultry, the deficiency is characterized
by a fatty degeneration of the liver, a reduced rate of growth, perosis and, in mature birds, a decrease in egg
production and hatchability. In swine, a deficiency results in a reduced rate of growth, uncoordinated movements,
reduced number of total and live pigs per litter, fatty degeneration of the liver and kidney damage.

Corn and other grains are poor sources of this vitamin. For this reason, practical diets for poultry and swine must
be supplemented with choline. The most common source of choline for poultry and swine diets is choline chloride
which, on a pure basis, contains 86.79% choline.

The dietary requirement of poultry and swine for choline depends upon such factors as the rate of growth, rate of
egg production, nutrient composition of the diet, environmental factors and daily feed intake. Commonly used
levels of choline in practical diets are shown below. A range is given to allow for differences due to age, type of
diet, etc. Add to animal feed according to the recommendations of a nutritionist.

Type of Animal Added Choline

gms. per ton of feed

Broilers .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400-800
Replacement birds
(Starting) .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400-600
(Growing and developing). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250-400
Layers
(Normal) .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250-300
(W ith fatty liver syndrome). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300-350
Breeders (Chickens). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300-500
Turkeys
(Starting) .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 600-800
(Growing and finishing). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400-600
(Breeders) .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300-600
Swine
(Starting) .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300-450
(Growing and finishing). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100-300
Breeding swine
(Gestation) .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 600-800
(Lactation) .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400-500
Ducks
(Market) .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 900-1100
(Breeding) .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1000-1400
Ruminants
(Veal) .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 600-1000
(Feedlot-high concentrate). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300-500
(Dairy-high production). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250-350
Horses .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150-350
Dogs .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400-1000
Cats
(Cereal based diets). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400-1000
(Meat based diets). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1200-2200

Balchem Corporation
P.O. Box 600
New Hampton, NY 10958
www.balchem.com
Phone: 845-326-5600 / Fax: 845–326–5742
anh@balchem.com
8/14/01 “The information contained herein is based on technical data and tests which are reliable to the best of our knowledge. The information is intended for use by persons
having technical skill, at their own discretion and risk. Since conditions of use are outside BCP Ingredients Inc. control, we make no warranties or representations with respect to
the information and we can assume no liability for results obtained or damages incurred through use thereof. We assume no liability for a customer’s violations of patents or other
rights. No chemical should be used as, in, or on a food, feed, drug or cosmetic until the safety and legality of its use has been determined.”