Vol. 12, Special Issue 12 (2023)

Author(s):
Shubhnish, Sajjan Sihag, Sushil Kumar, Meetu, Ritu and Shabnam

Abstract:
The present study was planned to assess the effect of different doses of betaine hydrochloride on the growth parameters and nutrient metabolizability of broilers. A total of 200 birds were allocated into five different treatment groups each having four replicates of ten birds in each. T₁ was taken as control while T₂, T_3, T₄, and T₅ were supplemented with 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 mg/kg betaine hydrochloride in basal feed. A significant increase in body weight gain was observed during the 42 days trial in all betaine supplemented groups in comparison to control. The maximum body weight gain was found in group T₅ which received 2000 mg/kg betaine and differed significantly (p<0.05) from all other groups. The feed conversion efficiency of birds was most efficient in T₅ group among all treatment groups. The dry matter and nitrogen metabolizability was highest in group T₅ and differed significantly (p<0.05) from all other treatment groups. Similarly the gross energy metabolizability also significantly increased in all betaine supplemeted groups in comparison to control and was found to be highest in T₅ group. It was evident from this study that betaine supplementation @ 2000 mg/kg had the most profound effects on body growth and nutrient absorption rate of broilers.