Effects of methionine sources on performance and productivity in commercial broiler breeder flocks
The trial showed that 100 units of MHA-Ca can be replaced with 65 units of DL-methionine (65DLM) in Cobb 500 broiler breeder hens from 28 to 48 weeks of age without affecting performance, reproduction, egg quality, and potentially reducing the severity of feather loss in the back/rump area. The economic analysis demonstrates a significant financial advantage in using DL-methionine compared to MHA-Ca in broiler breeder operations.
This was the first experiment conducted on broiler breeders to evaluate the impact of substituting 100 parts of MHA with 65 parts of MetAMINO® in their feed. The results demonstrated no significant differences in breeder performance parameters between the two treatments.
Senior Technical Service Manager, Evonik North America
The objective of this study was to validate the 65% relative bioavailability value (RBV) of MHA-Ca in Cobb 500 broiler breeders raised from 28-48 weeks of age. The trial was conducted at the North Carolina State University Research Center, USA, and looked into performance parameters, as well as fertility and feathering coverage.
Location: North Carolina State University Research Center, USA
Project team leaders: James Wen, Victor D. Naranjo, Dr. Andreas Lemme
| Animals | 824 24-week-old fast feather broiler breeder hens (Cobb® 500) and 80 roosters (Cobb® Male) |
| Design | Completely randomized block design, 2 treatments, 8 replicates of 50-52 birds each |
| Housing | Floor pens containing nests. House management based on Cobb broiler breeder guidelines for lighting and temperature. Male to female ratio of 1:10 |
| Diets | 24-28 weeks of age: 28-48 weeks of age: |
| Feeding | Feed was provided once a day (7 am) on a daily lb per bird basis. Amounts calculated based on the average body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), and weekly egg production of the entire flock to determine the daily caloric requirement at the beginning of each production week. Water was provided freely for the 9h-period following feeding |
| Parameters | Performance (body weight, uniformity, egg production, egg mass), Egg quality (egg weight, shell strength, albumen quality, vitellin membrane strength), Reproduction (fertility and hatchability), Feathering |
| Duration | 20 weeks |
| Statistics | Data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA using JMP 17.0. Differences were considered significant if P < 0.05 |
Trial results
- No significant differences (P > 0.05) were seen between MHA-Ca and 65DLM for body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), flock coefficient of variation (CV), and mortality throughout the study.
- Regarding egg production and egg mass, no statistical differences were seen between the two treatments (P > 0.05, Fig. 1). However, a consistent numerical increase in both parameters was found when 65DLM was used from weeks 36 onwards. On average, the breeders fed 65DLM had 3.4%-points higher egg production and 2.1 g/hen/day more egg mass than the MHA-Ca group.
- The reproduction/fertility parameters were similar between the treatments (P > 0.05, Fig. 2). However, a numerical improvement of biological and economic relevance in the total hatch, hatch of fertile, and chicks per hen housed was seen when 65DLM was used. 65DLM-fed breeders had 1.6%-points higher total hatch, 6%-points higher hatch of fertile, and 3 extra chicks per hen housed compared to the MHA-Ca group.
- The severity of feathering loss in the back/rump area was significantly reduced with 65DLM (P < 0.05). The feathering coverage in the legs was significantly improved with MHA-Ca (P<0.05).
- The income for marketable day-old-chick and income over feed cost were US$1.50 higher in birds fed 65DLM than MHA-Ca (Fig. 3).
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