betaine hydrochloride on broiler chickens

Betaine hydrochloride (HCl) was fed in diets which were reduced in methionine, choline and energy (oil) in three replicated broiler trials. The PC (Positive Control) was a high specification corn- soybean meal diet. Levels of standardised ileal digestible (SID) lysine and methionine+cysteine were 1.20 and 0.84% in the starter (1-18 days) and 1.10 and 0.803% respectively in the grower (17-38 days). ME levels were in the range of 12.55-12.97 MJ/kg. The NC (Negative Control) was as PC with removal of 1.05 kg/t dl methionine, all added choline and 10 kg/t oil (0.209 MJ/kg). These modifications were achieved by a least cost formulation with lower levels of digestible methionine, digestible m+c, choline and ME. Betaine HCl was added to the NC in amounts of 1-2.5 kg/t. The NC plus betaine HCl diets were about $10/t lower cost than the PC and gave live performance equal to or slightly better than the PC. Measurements of carcass yield were taken and are shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Effect of betaine HCl on carcass yield (%) in three trials

A consistent finding in the 3 trials was reduced carcass yield in the NC, and then followed by improved carcass yield with added betaine HCl. The clearest effect was seen in Trial 3 which used Ross 308 strain (Figure 1). In all trials, carcass yield with the highest level of added betaine HCl was higher than in the PC. The reduced carcass yield in the NC would be due to a nutrient deficient diet giving a heavier viscera (Neoh and Ng, 2004). Addition of betaine HCl produced a lighter viscera. The osmolyte effect of betaine HCl allows for maintenance of ion and water balance in cells at a lower energy cost, reducing the energy cost of maintaining the digestive tract, leading to a lighter intestinal tract.

Figure 1. Effect of betaine HCl on carcass yield (%)

In summary, betaine HCl appears to be an economic way of improving carcass yield.

Neoh SB, Ng LE (2004) Proc. of Aust. Poult. Science Symp. 16, 75.