Inclusion of High Methionine Corn in Pullet Diets

Abstract

ABSTRACT Synthetic methionine (SM) is routinely added to conventional pullet diets to allow for the formulation of balanced diets. Synthetic methionine, however, is not allowed in organic poultry diets. When SM is not used, diets must be formulated to higher CP levels to achieve the required level of methionine. This study compared inclusion of a commonly used organic corn in pullet starter, grower, and developer diets with a new non-genetically modified high methionine (HM) corn. There were no significant differences in BW gain. The average BW for the pullets on the control and HM corn diets was 1,349 and 1,386 g, respectively. Feed was controlled for most of the study; there were no significant differences in feed consumption or feed efficiency. The results of this study, therefore, indicate that this new HM corn variety is a suitable substitute for organically grown conventional corn varieties in organic pullet diets. The inclusion of HM corn eliminates the need for SM in pullet starter, grower, and developer diets fed to floor-reared Bovan Brown pullets.