Interactive effects of dietary betaine and saline water on carcass traits of broiler chicks

Abstract

The effect of saline water and dietary betaine on growth performance of 576 male broiler chicks from first to 42 days and on carcass composition (include: percentages of carcass, sartorial, breast, liver, abdominal fat and heart) of a sub sample of 96 birds was studied in a CRD experiment. Three levels of total dissolved solids (375,1375 and 2375 mg L-1) and 4 levels of dietary betaine supplementation (0.000, 0.075, 0.150 and 0.225%) were used in this trial. Feed was provided ad libitum and water was in free access. Data showed that betaine supplementation increased BW and improved FCR. Water salinity promoted BW at whole period, increased feed intake (11 to 21 and 29 to 42 days) and also improved FCR in grower and finisher periods (p<0.01). Breast weight was increased by consuming higher levels of total dissolved solids in water (p<0.01). The data imply that betaine supplementation maybe improved digestion and absorption conditions of the gastrointestinal tract and amended the usage of nutrients. These observations corresponded with results of FCR. It shows that betaine maybe involved in protection of intestinal epithelium against osmotic disturbance (saline water). © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information.