Essential Fatty Acid and Amino Acid for Poultry

Correct Answer: Linoleic acid & Glycine

For poultry, the essential fatty acid is Linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid, 18:2) and the essential amino acid is Glycine.

Why Linoleic Acid?

• Linoleic acid cannot be synthesized by poultry and must be supplied in the diet.
• Requirement for laying hens for maximum egg size: 1% of the diet.
• As per BIS 2007, minimum linoleic acid in layer feed = 1.0 g/100g feed.
• Deficiency causes reduced egg size, poor hatchability, and fatty liver.

Why Glycine?

• Glycine is conditionally essential for poultry — birds cannot synthesize it at rates adequate for maximum growth.
• It is required in large amounts for feather protein (keratin) synthesis and as a conjugate for uric acid excretion (birds excrete nitrogen as uric acid, unlike mammals).
• Glycine + Serine are together considered essential for optimal poultry performance.

Why Other Options Are Wrong

• Arachidonic acid — essential for cats, not poultry.
• Lysine — important amino acid for poultry but it is the first limiting amino acid in cereal-based diets, not the designated 'essential' amino acid in this context.
• Linolenic acid (18:3, omega-3) — not the primary essential FA for poultry.