Effects of betaine on performance, carcass, bone and blood characteristics of broilers during natural summer temperatures

This experiment was conducted to determine the dietary supplementations of betaine on performance carcass, bone and blood traits of broilers in natural summer condition. A total of 180 broilers were divided into three experimental groups. The experimental diets were; Control, without any dietary addition, dietary supplemental betaine (Betafin®) 1 g kg-1 and (3) 2 g kg-1. The experimental diets were offered to respective broiler chicks for 6 weeks. Additional betaine decreased body weight at 6 weeks and body weight gain 3-6 and 0 to weeks (p<0.01). Feed intake and feed conversion ratio were not affected by treatments (p<0.05). Dietary betaine supplementation did not affect carcass weight and composition, breast and thigh meat pigmentation and pH value of thigh the broilers. Tibia width was decreased by 1 g kg-1 betaine (p<0.05), but shank and tibia measurements were not affected by betaine. Serum alanin aminotransferase levels were reduced by both 1 and 2 g kg-1 supplementation of betaine (p<0.05), but other blood constituents were not affected. © Medwell Journals, 2008