The growth, carcass yield traits, viability, meat quality and internal organ development of broiler fed betaine-supplemented diet

Abstract

The study was undertaken to appraise the productive performance of broilers raised on a betaine-fed ration. A number of broilers (Cobb500, n=280) were taken as research materials and distributed randomly into 4 treatments in a CRD. D₀ (Control), D₁ (0.15 % betaine), D₂ (0.20 % betaine), and D₃ (0.25% betaine) were considered as treatments. Ten birds were assigned per replication, with seven replications per treatment.  A battery cage was used to rear the chicks from d1-33. Starter diet was used from d1-14, then formulated diets were fed to the chicks from d15-33. Similar energy content and protein (%) were used for all the formulated diets.  The results showed that feed intake, live weight, and feed conversion ratio were affected (P<0.05) by treatment. The live weight of the birds fed the D₃ diet was heavier (P<0.05) in the birds fed the D₃ diet than that of the other treatments.  There was no difference (P>0.05) found in the survivability and intestinal organ weights. Meat yield traits were insignificant (P>0.05) except for dressing % and thigh weight. Broilers fed the D₃ diet had a greater (P<0.05) dressing % and thigh weight % than those of other groups.  It can be concluded that better growth performance and higher profit can be obtained by rearing broilers with a betaine-supplemented diet.