Response of supplemental methionine and choline chloride on carcass quality traits, gut microbial count and cost economics of broiler chickens

A six weeks (0-6wks) feeding trial was conducted on broiler chicks (n=360) involving three levels of methionine (100%, 90% and 80% ofNRC, 1994) each with three levels of choline (100%, 110% and 120% ofNRC,1994) through 3x3 factorial experiments. Choline supplementation of had significant linear increase (P<0.01) in dressed and eviscerated yield but decreased the abdominal fat deposition in chicks. The digestive organs weight and cut-up parts yield did not differ significantly due to dietary treatments. The gut microbiology in terms of total coliforms count (E coli) and lactobacillus spp. count in caecum also did not change significantly due to the dietary treatments. The feed cost/kg meat yield and feed cost/kg eviscerated yield were found to be comparable in dietary combination of 90% Methionine and 120% choline to that of control group. Based on the results it was concluded that a dietary concentration of 90% methionine (0.45 and 0.34% during starting and finishing, respectively) with 120% choline (1560 and 1200mg/kg during starting and finishing, respectively) was optimum for broiler chicken without affecting their carcass quality traits, organs weight, cut-up parts yield, gut microbiology and cost of meat production.