Can Betaine Replace Supplemental DL-Methionine in Broiler Diets?

This paper reports the results of a growth study with subsequent carcass analysis to investigate the potential of betaine to replace DL-methionine as an essential amino acid supplement in broiler diets. Starter and grower diets were formulated to be deficient in sulfur amino acids, then supplemented with various combinations of DL-methionine and betaine. All diets were supplemented with choline chloride to ensure adequate methyl group supply. Growth, feed conversion, and breast meat yield were significantly improved by added DL-methionine, but not be betaine. There was no evidence that betaine can reduce the need for supplemental methionine in broiler diets deficient in sulfur amino acids.