Effect of dietary methionine concentration on performance of Vanaraja chicks

An experiment was conducted to find out optimum requirement of methionine (Met) for Vanaraja chicks during 1 to 42d of age in diets containing constant levels of crude protein (CP) and other nutrients. A basal diet containing 19% CP and 0.31% Met was prepared. Synthetic DL-Met was added to basal diet to get 0.33, 0.36, 0.40, 0.43, 0.47 and 0.50% Met. Diet containing each level of Met was allotted to 10 replicates containing six birds and fed ad libitum from 2 to 42 days of age. Body weight gain at 14, 28 and 42 days of age and feed efficiency at 14 and 42d of age were not affected by the concentrations of Met in diet. But, feed efficiency at 28d of age improved significantly (P<0.01) with increase in concentration of Met from 0.33 to 0.40%. Further increase in Met concentration did not show any improvement in feed efficiency. Cost of feed required to produce a kg live weight gain was highest and lowest, respectively in groups fed 0.43 and 0.47% Met. Slaughter variables studied i.e. ready to cook yield, abdominal fat deposition and relative weights of liver, bursa and spleen were not affected by the levels of Met in diet. Lack of response in weight gain and feed efficiency at the end of experiment might be due to slow growth rate of birds. Based on the results, it could be concluded that Vanaraja chicks does not require more than 0.33% Met in diet containing 19% CP and 2600 kcal ME/kg for optimum performance during 1-42d of age.