Effects of methionine sources on growth performance and slaughter parameters of ducks
65% DL-methionine (DL-Met) replacing 100% MHA showed no significant differences in growth performance and slaughter parameters of Cherry Valley ducks in two consecutive feeding trials. However, the feed cost of 65% DL-Met treatment was reduced by 5-7 RMB/t. Accordingly, the production cost for meat was lowered between 25 and 62 RMB/t. The nutritional value of 65% for MHA-FA compared to DL-Met was confirmed for meat-type ducks in these trials.
65% DL-methionine can replace 100% MHA-FA in ducks and reduce diet cost. The customer was convinced by the outcome of these scientific studies and replaced all MHA-FA by DL-Met in feed.
Business Manager, Evonik China
The objective of two consecutive trials was to challenge the recommended 65% bioefficacy for MHA-FA relative to DL-methionine on performance of meat-type Cherry Valley ducks.
Location: Customer’s trial farm in Anhui Province, China
Project team leaders: Daniel Gao, Dr. Brian Wang
| Animals | Total 1,152 Cherry Valley ducks, as hatched |
| Design | Two consecutive trials were conducted at a customer’s trial farm. For each trial (trial 1 and trial 2), a total of 576 ducks were assigned to two dietary treatments, with 12 replicates and 24 ducks per replicate. |
| Housing | Raised-net floor pen facilities |
| Diets | The trial period started at day 16 (16 d-out), while during the starter phase, the ducks received the same feed. MHA-FA treatment: Ducks received feed added with MHA-FA 65% DL-Met treatment: Ducks received feed with 65% DL-Met |
| Feeding | Birds had ad libitum access to feed and water |
| Parameters | Trial 1: Trial 2: |
| Duration | 16-37 d in trial 1 16-36 d in trial 2 |
Trial results
- Compared with the MHA-FA treatment, the 65% DL-Met treatment (65% DL-Met replacing 100% MHA-FA) showed no significant differences in growth performance (e.g. body weight, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio) in both trials (Figures 1 and 2).
- Compared with the MHA-FA treatment, the 65% DL-Met treatment showed no significant differences in slaughter parameters (including breast muscle rate, leg muscle rate, and feather yield) in trial 1 (Figure 3).
- The feed cost of the 65% DL-Met treatment was reduced by 7 RMB/t in trial 1 and 5 RMB/t in trial 2, respectively, compared with the MHA-FA treatment.
- According to the customer, the cost per ton of duck meat production was reduced by 62 RMB/t in trial 1 and by 25 RMB/t in trial 2 for the 65% DL-Met treatment compared with the MHA-FA treatment.
