Comparing the biological efficiency of dry DL-Methionine and Liquid HMTBa in male and female broiler chickens
The efficiency of the two methionine sources was investigated in two studies, one in male broilers and one in female broilers, to assess whether the 65% concept is applicable regardless of gender. Diets containing dry DL-methionine at 65% equivalency relative to liquid HMTBa maintained growth performance and feed efficiency comparable to or superior to those obtained with other dietary treatments, while offering significant cost savings.
The collaborative study compares the efficacy of 65 parts of DL-Methionine (99%) and 100 parts HMTBa on the performance of commercial male and female broiler. The inclusion of both genders was a specific request from the local broiler integrator to re-confirm whether the 65% concept is equally effective in both.
Location: Animal Research Centre, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
Project team leaders: Dr. Yuwares Ruangpanit Kasetsart University (Kamphaeng Saen Campus)
| Animals | 1,080 Ross 308 male broiler chicks |
| Design | Treatment 1: Treatment 2: Treatment 3: Treatment 4: |
| Housing | |
| Diets | Experimental diets were formulated to meet the nutrient requirements of Ross 308 broilers in accordance with the Aviagen Ross 308 Broiler Nutrition Specifications (2022) |
| Feeding | Male broilers were fed in 4 phases:
|
| Parameters | Body weight gain, Feed intake, Feed conversion ratio, Mortality rate, Culling rate, Feed conversion ratio (mortality-corrected) |
| Duration | 40 days |
Location: Animal Research Centre, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
Project team leaders: Dr. Yuwares Ruangpanit Kasetsart University (Kamphaeng Saen Campus)
| Animals | 1,152 Ross 308 female broiler chicks |
| Design | Treatment 5: Treatment 6: Treatment 7: Treatment 8: |
| Housing | |
| Diets | Experimental diets were formulated to meet the nutrient requirements of Ross 308 broilers in accordance with the Aviagen Ross 308 Broiler Nutrition Specifications (2022) |
| Feeding | Female broilers were fed in 4 phases:
|
| Parameters | Body weight gain, Feed intake, Feed conversion ratio, Mortality rate, Culling rate, Feed conversion ratio (mortality-corrected) |
| Duration | 40 days |
Trial results
Trial I: Animal performance in male broilers
- During the starter period (0–21 days of age) and grower period (22–33 days of age), dietary treatments significantly affected final body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), Birds fed Treatment 2 exhibited the highest final body weight and weight gain (P < 0.05). Feed conversion ratio was significantly improved in Treatment 2 compared with the other treatments (Table 1; P < 0.05).
- During the finisher period (34–40 days of age), dietary treatments significantly affected final body weight (Table 1; P < 0.05). Birds receiving Treatment 2 had greater final body weight than Treatments 1 and 3, whereas Treatment 4 showed intermediate values and did not differ from the other treatments.
- Over the entire experimental period (0–40 days of age), overall body weight gain was significantly affected by dietary treatments (P < 0.05). Birds fed Treatment 2 achieved greater body weight gain.
Trial II: Animal performance in female broilers
- During the starter period (0–21 days of age) and grower period (22–33 days of age), dietary treatments significantly affected final body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), Birds fed Treatment 6 exhibited the highest final body weight and weight gain (P < 0.05). Feed conversion ratio was significantly improved in Treatment 6 compared with the other treatments (Table 2; P < 0.05).
- Over the entire experimental period (0–42 days of age), dietary treatments significantly affected overall FCR and production index based on mortality (PI [M]) (Table 2; P < 0.05).
- Birds fed Treatment 6 exhibited improved feed efficiency compared with Treatment 7, while Treatments 5 and 8 showed intermediate values and did not differ from either Treatment 6 or Treatment 7.
Economic savings
- The local broiler integrator currently uses 1,200 MT of HMTBa per year.
- Switching to DL-Methionine would result in annual savings of €450,000, equivalent to an 18.75% reduction in methionine cost (Table 3).
