The Effect of Methionine on Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Gut Morphology of Finisher Broilers under Tropical Environment Conditions

Abstract

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of DL- and L-methionine on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and gut morphology during the finisher phase in the tropical environment. A total of 560 one-day-old broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were purchased and raised for 35 days. The chicks were divided into four dietary treatments with seven replicates (20 birds per replicate). The basal diet was offered to the chickens during the starter and finisher phases. The DL-methionine was supplemented to the finisher diet as at 0.260% (T1) and 0.179% (T2). Correspondingly, the L-methionine was supplemented to the finisher diet with the same ratios; 0.260% (T3) and 0.179% (T4). The findings revealed no significant differences in growth performance between the two forms of methionine. The obtained results indicated no significant differences in carcass characteristics, the villi heights and crypt depth among the dietary treatments. In conclusion, DL-methionine can be used in broiler nutrition as substitute for L- methionine which is more expensive in poultry industry.