Effect of betaine hydrochloride on nutrient metabolizability and egg production parameters in layers

Abstract

The present study was conducted on 160 layer birds to assess the effect of betaine hydrochloride supplementation on nutrient metabolizability and different egg production parameters in layers. The birds were randomly divided into five treatment groups namely B0.0, B0.5, B1.0, B1.5 and B2.0 and each group had 4 replicates of 8 birds in each. Group B0.0 served as the control and while B0.5, B1.0, B1.5 and B2.0 received 0.50, 1.00, 1.50 and 2.00 g betaine hydrochloride/kg feed, respectively. The percent mean values of dry matter metabolizability, gross energy metabolizabilty and nitrogen retention were all significantly higher due to betaine feeding in comparison to control diet and the highest nutrient metabolizabilty was observed in B2.0 group. The egg production indices like egg weight, hen day egg production and egg mass production were all significantly increased in betaine fed groups in comparison to control, with the highest value recorded in group B2.0 supplemented with betaine @ 2g/kg feed followed by B1.5, B1.0, B0.5 and B0.0. This study found that 2g betaine per kg feed was most advantageous in increasing nutrient metabolizability and egg production parameters among all graded levels of betaine when compared to the control diet.