Effect of lysine and methionine supplementation on body weight gain in broilers

Introduction

India's poultry sector is one of the fastest-growing areas in agriculture, outpacing crop production with an annual growth rate of 8-10% in eggs and broilers. India ranks fifth in global egg production and eighteenth in broiler output, driven by rising incomes, urbanization, and affordable poultry prices. The sector is also benefiting from vertically integrated operations that enhance efficiency and reduce consumer costs. Poultry production is one of the fastest-growing sectors in India's agricultural economy, significantly outpacing the growth of traditional crop production. This rapid expansion is driven by rising per capita income, increasing urbanization, and the affordability of poultry products. Among poultry species, broilers are especially important due to their ability to efficiently convert feed into high-quality meat. To meet the increasing demand for animal protein and improve the growth rate of broilers, optimizing the nutritional composition of feed is crucial. However, regional disparities remain states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and West Bengal dominate production, while eastern and central regions lag in both output and consumption. To meet nutritional recommendations, broiler meat production must rise significantly, which calls for better bird performance through high-quality, cost-effective diets. With growing demand and investment, India's poultry market is projected to grow from INR 1,750 billion in 2018 to INR 4,340 billion by 2024, at a CAGR of 16.2%. It is widely recognized that the interaction between crude protein and Lysine plays a crucial role in influencing the growth performance and carcass quality of poultry. Therefore, the dietary need for crude protein primarily reflects the requirement for the Lysine it provides (Rezae et al. 2004) [8] .

Materials and Methodology

The experiment was conducted at the Poultry Farm, Dr. Sharadchandra Pawar College of Agriculture, Baramati. A total of 160 day-old Vencobb 300 broiler chicks were procured from a local hatchery, weighed individually upon arrival, and randomly distributed into four dietary treatment groups with 40 chicks per treatment. Each group was replicated four times. Birds were reared in a floor pen system for six weeks and fed a standard basal diet formulated using locally available ingredients, tailored to three growth phases: Pre-starter (0-10 days), starter (11-21 days), and finisher (22-42 days). Feed and water were provided ad libitum. In total, the study involved four treatments, with 160 birds per group. The experiment was replicated four times and utilized a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The treatment groups included a control group receiving only the basal diet, and three experimental groups supplementation percentages of lysine and methionine with basal diet at 0.25%, 0.50% and 0.75%, respectively.

Results and Discussion

Body weight

The mean initial body weight (g) of day-old broilers chicks were 41.75, 42.12, 42, 41.82 for treatment T 0 , T 1 , T 2 and T 3 respectively. The average cumulative body weights (g) at 1 st week of age for T 0 , T 1 , T 2 and T 3 were 115.35, 124.25, 136.75, 155.32 respectively. The highest body weight (g) was observed in T 3 (155.32) followed by T 2 , T 1 and T 0 . The body weight of broilers in treatment T 3 was highly significantly (p<0.01) higher over other treatments and none of the treatments were at par with each other. The average cumulative body weights (g) of broilers at 2 nd week of age for T 0 , T 1 , T 2 and T 3 were 256.87, 318.25, 324.25, 372.07 respectively. The highest body weight (g) was observed in T 3 (372.07) followed by T 2 , T 1 and lowest in T 0 . The broilers in treatment T 3 was had significantly (p<0.01) higher weight over other treatment. The body weights of broilers in various treatments differ significantly from each other. The average cumulative body weights (g) of birds at 3 rd week of age for T 0 , T 1 , T 2 and T 3 were 537.12, 613.75, 707.25, 800.82 respectively. The highest body weight (g) of broilers was observed in T 3 (800.82) followed by T 2 , T 1 and lowest in T 0 . The body weights broilers in treatment T 3 was significantly (p<0.01) higher over other treatments and none of the treatments were at par with each other. The average cumulative body weights (g) of broilers at 4 th week of age for T 0 , T 1 , T 2 and T 3 were 899.00, 978.00, 1116.30, 1243.57 respectively. The highest body weight (g) was observed in T 3 (1243.57) followed by T 2 , T 1 and lowest in T 0 . The body weight in treatment T 3 was significantly (p<0.01) higher over other treatments. The body weights of broilers under different treatment differed from each other. The average cumulative body weights (g) of broilers at 5 th week of age for T 0 , T 1 , T 2 and T 3 were 1295.87, 1381.00, 1620.50, 1825.82 respectively. The highest body weight (g) was observed in T 3 (1825.82) followed by T 2 , T 1 and lowest in T 0 . The body weight in treatment T 3 was significantly (p<0.01) higher over other treatments and body weights of birds in on none of the par with each other. The average cumulative body weights (g) of broilers at 6 th week of age for T 0 , T 1 , T 2 and T 3 were 1862.12, 1985.50, 2291.50, 2535.82 respectively. The body weights of broilers under various treatments differed significantly from each other highest in T 3 followed by T 2 , T 1 and T0. The analysis of growth performance in broiler chicken revealed that the highest body weight was achieved by the group fed a 0.75% lysine and methionine with 98.50% basal diet (T 3 ). Reaching a total weight of 2535.82 g. This group was closely followed by those receiving a 50% lysine and methionine (T 2 ), with a body weight of 2291.50 g, and the 0.25% lysine and methionine (T 1 ), which reached 1985.50 g. The control group (T 0 ) recorded the lowest weight at 1862.12 g. These results highlight the positive impact of supplementation of lysine and methionine in broiler diets, suggesting that higher supplementation level may enhance growth performance. However, it is crucial to recognize that the study focused only on 0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75% supplementation levels, leaving the optimal level open for further research. (See Figure 1). The observed growth pattern underscores the advantageous effect of adding Lysine and Methionine in the diet. Based on the data, an inclusion level of 0.75% Lysine and 0.75% Methionine appears to be the most effective among the tested levels. Kheiri et al. (2016) [5] found that effect of different levels of Lysine and threonine on growth performance of broilers chicks and concluded that by increasing Lysine level (120%), and different levels of threonine (interaction Lysine and Threonine) was related to the highest body weight gain. According to the result of this study, an improvement in, growth performance.

Body weight gain

By the end of the 1 st week of the experimental period, the mean body weights gains of broilers were 73.60 g, 82.35 g, 94.75 g, and 113.50 g for T 0 , T 1 , T 2 , and T 3 , respectively. The highest weight gain was noted in T 3 (113.5 g), followed by T 2 , T 1 , and the lowest gain was in T 0 . In the 2 nd week of experimental period, the mean body weights (g) of broilers gains were 141.52 g, 194.00 g, 197.50 g, and 216.62 g for T 0 , T 1 , T 2 , and T 3 , respectively. The highest weight gain was noted in T 3 (216.61 g), followed by T 2 , T 1 , and lowest gain in T 0 . At the end of 3 rd week experimental period, the mean body weight gains were 280.25 g, 295.50 g, 373.00 g, 428.75 g, for T 0 , T 1 , T 2 , and T 3 , respectively. The highest weight gain was noted in T 3 (428.75 g), followed by T 2 , T 1 and the lowest gain in T 0 . This trend persisted in the 4 th week of the experimental period, the mean body weight (g) of broilers gains were 361.88 g, 364.25 g, 408.30 g, and 442.75 g for T 0 , T 1 , T 2 , and T 3 , respectively. The greatest weight gain was noticed in T 3 (442.75 g), followed by T 2 , T 1 , and the lowest gain was in T 0 . At the end of 5 th week of experimental period, the mean body weight gains of broilers were 396.87 g, 403.00 g, 504.20 g, and 582.25 g for T 0 , T 1 , T 2 , and T 3 , respectively. The highest weight gain was noted in T 3 (582.25 g), followed by T 2 , T 1 , and the lowest gain was in T 0 . By the end of 6 th week of experimental period, the mean body weight gains (g) of broilers were 566.25 g, 604.50 g, 671.00 g, and 710.00 g for T 0 , T 1 , T 2 , and T 3 , respectively. The highest weight gain was noted in T 3 (710 g), followed by T 2 , T 1 , and lowest gain was in T 0 . The gain in body weights of broilers in various treatments differed significantly from each other. Pirzado et al. (2016) [6] found that markedly high (p<0.05) in broilers fed with Lysine 12 g/kg (1457.1±15.72g/bird) compared to that of broilers with level of 13 g/kg (1346.6±29.56g/bird), 14 g/kg (1301.3±30.00 g/bird) and 10 g/kg (1263.3±13.48g/bird) respectively. Overall, these findings underscore the benefits of supplementation of lysine and methionine into poultry diets, especially in promoting growth and improving feed efficiency. Further studies are needed to determine optimal supplementation rates and their long term impacts on growth performance and gut health in poultry (See Figure 2).

Conclusion

The findings of the present study clearly demonstrate that dietary supplementation with lysine and methionine significantly improves growth performance in broiler chickens. The highest body weight was recorded in birds administered 0.75% lysine and methionine, indicating the effectiveness of this supplementation level. The consistent superiority of the T₃ treatment group across the experimental duration emphasizes the potential of these essential amino acids in enhancing broiler productivity. The observed progressive increase in body weight across all treatment groups confirms a positive correlation between the inclusion level of lysine and methionine and key growth parameters. Statistically significant differences noted at each assessment interval suggest that elevated supplementation levels not only facilitate greater weight gain but may also contribute to improved feed conversion efficiency. Thus, the incorporation of lysine and methionine in broiler diets represents a promising nutritional strategy for optimizing growth performance and promoting sustainable poultry production systems.

Acknowledgement

The authors express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Sharadchandra Pawar College of Agriculture, Baramati, for providing the essential facilities required for conducting this research. Special thanks are extended to AR Bhoyar for their invaluable guidance and support throughout the research process. I would like to thank my parents for all the life lessons.

Conflict of Interest Not available

Financial Support

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