Antagonistic relationship between dietary cadmium and zinc.

The growth of chicks decreased, and specific abnormalities of hocks and feathers increased, when cadmium was added to a zinc-deficient diet. Supplementation of the diet with zinc prevented the adverse effect of cadmium on hock and feather development and partially offset the effect on growth. Changes in the gizzard lining, also resulting from cadmium ingestion, were partially prevented by increase in the zinc intake.