Effect of Two Types of Methionine Supplement on Performance of Finisher Broiler.

Abstract

An experiment was carried out to determine the effect of two types of synthetic
methionine supplement (Dl methionine and MHA FA; Methionine Hydroxyl
Analogue Free Acid, also known as Alimet) on performance of finisher broiler. Two
hundred and thirty four (234) day old Hubbard Flex broilerschicks were allotted to
six dietary treatments and replicated three times using a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement
in a complete randomized design which lasted four weeks for the starter. A diet
devoid of methionine was formulated with subsequent addition of three graded levels
(0.15, 0.20 and 0.25 %) of each type of synthetic methionine to constitute the
following dietary treatment: 0.15% DL methionine (T1), 0.20% DL methionine (T2),
0.25% DL methionine (T3), 0.15% MHA FA (T4), 0.20%MHA FA (T5) and
0.25%MHA FA(T6). Parameters measured included body weight gain and feed
intake. Also, blood samples were collected from the wings for blood chemical
analysis. Result obtained from this study shows that methionine type had significant
(P<0.05) effect on growth performance parameters. On the other hand, methionine
levels had no significant (P>0.05) effect on growth performance and blood
chemistry. There was no interaction between methionine type and level of
methionine during the study. It was concluded that, birds fed MHA FA diets had
improved growth performance. Birds fed MHAFAat 0.25% level of inclusion had the
best result for weight gain. Although, feeding DL methionine at 0.15% gave higher
feed efficiency economical. Broiler birds can be fed with diets up to 0.25% MHA FA
supplements