Adding Methionine and Lysine to Broiler Breeder Diets to Lower Feed Costs

Abstract

Five experiments were conducted to study the use of supplemental Met and Lys in diets for broiler breeders. Control diets were fed using only corn and soybean meal to furnish the requirement for amino acids. Other diets were fed in which the protein level of the diet was reduced and supplemental Met and Lys were used. Performance of hens was not affected in four of five experiments when the protein level of the diets was reduced and amino acids were added. However, in Experiment 3 performance of hens was reduced when supplemental amino acids were used. That one exception was attributed to the use of a higher Trp analysis for diet formulation than the ingredients actually contained.