Effect of Partial Replacement of Dietary DL-methionine with Herbal Methionine Replacers on the Growth and Performance of Broilers

Increases in the cost of chemically produced DL-methionine and preference for organic alternatives are pressing for herbal methionine replacers. Here, we report the effects of partial replacement of dietary DL-methionine with herbal methionine replacers upon the growth and performance of broilers. One hundred and sixty Vencobb broilers, fed a corn-soy based diet, were divided into four groups i.e. (T₁) control, deficient in methionine; (T₂) 0.2% DL-methionine; (T₃) DL-methionine 0.1% + herbal methionine powder 0.1%; and (T₄) DL-Methionine 0.1% + liquid herbal methionine at 5 ml/day/100 birds till 21 days, 10 ml/day/100 birds from 21 to 35 days, and 20 ml/day/100 birds during 35 to 42 days of age. Body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, carcass characteristics, and serum biochemical parameters were studied. Partial replacement of DL-methionine with herbal methionine allowed greater body weight gain, better feed conversion ratio, higher dressing percentage, and lesser stress in broilers. It could be concluded that partial replacement of at least half, if not more, of the dietary DL-methionine requirement with herbal methionine can be practiced for improving broiler growth and performance.