Effect of Replacement of Synthetic Choline with Herbal Choline on Growth Performance of Broilers

A broiler trial was conducted for a period of 42 days to assess the efficacy of the natural herbal choline on the performance of broilers. A total of 144 commercial broiler (Vencobb 400) day old chicks were divided into three treatment groups namely T₁, T₂ and T₃ each group with six replicates of 8 birds per replicate. T₁ group birds are fed with feed devoid of choline (Control), T₂ group birds fed with synthetic choline (1kg/ton of feed) and T₃ group birds fed with natural choline (1 kg/ton of feed). The feed intake, mortality, weekly weight gain and feed efficiency were recorded throughout the experimental period. At the end of the trial, six birds were slaughtered from each treatment group to study the dressing percentage and organ weights. The cost of feed per unit gain in weight in different groups were calculated and compared. The body weight of T₂ and T₃ birds did not differ significantly during pre-starter, starter and finisher phases However, the body weight of control group birds was significantly (P<0.05) less as compared to T₂ group and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) did not differ in all the treatment groups during all phases. The feed cost per kg live weight in T₁, T₂ and T₃ was Rs.36.41, Rs.36.34 and Rs.36.33, respectively and did not vary significantly. From the present study, it can be concluded that supplementation of natural choline @1.0 kg/ton in broiler diet may be replaced without affecting body weight gain and FCR.