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Vitamin A
 Reputable feed manufacturers will include a full range of vitamins in their feeds, which when fed at the correct amounts should meet the birds needs. It is important to remember that while mineral deficiencies can be harmful to the bird, overdosing on vitamins does not necessarily mean that they will benefit the bird any further, in fact it can be equally as harmful.
Starting at the beginning we will look at vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential to ensure good growth and is also involved in disease resistance. Vitamin A can be synthesised by the bird from carotene found in green vegetables, grass and yellow maize or it can be provided in the form of a supplement.
Although deficiency of vitamin A is uncommon in birds kept outside, it is characterised by loss of condition and egg production, the bird becomes much more prone to infections, particularly of the eyes and mouth. In chicks vitamin A deficiency causes them to be depressed and lethargic, the feathers will be ragged and of poor quality and eye infections are common.
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