Effect of supplementary choline on the performance of broiler breeders fed on different energy sources

Abstract 1. Laying performance, egg quality, fertility and hatchability, and fat deposition in liver and abdomen were recorded in broiler breeders (29 to 48 weeks of age) fed on diets containing perarl millet ( Pennisetum typhoides ) (PM), broken rice (BR) or yellow maize (YM) (600 g/kg diet). Constant ratios of metabolisable energy (ME) to other nutrients were maintained in all the diets. Food grade choline chloride (50%) was added to the diets at 3 concentrations (0, 760 and 1520 mg/kg). Each diet was offered to 3 replicate groups of 15 birds (12 hens and 3 cockerels), maintained in deep litter pens, to provide 1.46 MJ ME/bird/d. 2. Neither the source of energy nor dietary choline content had any influence on hen-d egg production, fertility or hatchability. Food efficiency and egg weight were significantly reduced in BR-fed groups compared to those fed on the other energy sources. 3. The efficiency of energy and protein utilisation increased and liver fat content was decreased significantly by dietary choline supplementation. 4. Haugh unit score, egg shell weight, liver weight and intestinal weight were not influenced by either supplementary choline or the source of energy. However, the yolk colour index was significantly reduced in PM- or BRfed groups compared to those fed on the maize-based diet. 5. Deposition of abdominal fat was significantly greater in BR-fed birds compared to those fed on the YM-based diet, while liver fat content was significantly greater in the birds fed on the PM-or BR-based diets than those based on YM. Although supplementation of the diet with choline had no influence on abdominal fat deposition, liver fat content was significantly reduced in birds given diet containing 760 mg supplemental choline/kg diet. 6. The present study indicates that PM or BR can be used as principal energy sources in place of YM in broiler breeder diets without affecting egg production, fertility or hatchability. Liver fat content can be reduced by adding choline at 760 mg/kg to diets based on different energy sources.

[1]  M. R. Reddy,et al.  Laying Performance of Broiler Breeder Chickens Fed Various Millets or Broken Rice as a Source of Energy at a Constant Nutrient Intake , 2000, Tropical Animal Health and Production.

[2]  M. R. Purushothaman,et al.  Replacing maize with millets in grower and layer diets , 1995 .

[3]  R. Gous,et al.  The response of broiler breeder hens to dietary lysine and methionine. , 1991, British poultry science.

[4]  H. Jeroch,et al.  Influence of choline supply on reproductive performance of layer breeder hens , 1991 .

[5]  A. Kumar,et al.  Utilisation of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) for egg production. , 1991, British poultry science.

[6]  J. Wiseman,et al.  European reference method for the in vivo determination of metabolisable energy with adult cockerels: reproducibility, effect of food intake and comparison with individual laboratory methods. , 1990, British poultry science.

[7]  W. Smith,et al.  Performance of laying hens fed on low sulphur amino acids diets supplemented with choline and methionine , 1988 .

[8]  R. D. Miles,et al.  Response of laying hens to choline when fed practical diets devoid of supplemental sulfur amino acids. , 1986, Poultry science.

[9]  R. D. Miles,et al.  Choline, Methionine and Sulphate Interrelationships in Poultry Nutrition1—A Review , 1983 .

[10]  V. Sadagopan,et al.  Utilisation of different cereals in broiler diets , 1979 .

[11]  M. Griffith,et al.  Liver fat and egg production of laying hens as influenced by choline and other nutrients. , 1973, Poultry science.

[12]  A. Olinde,et al.  Effect of Choline, Methionine and Vitamin B12 on Liver Fat, Egg Production and Egg Weight in Hens , 1969 .

[13]  I. Bartov,et al.  Studies on egg yolk pigmentation. I. A comparison between visual scoring of yolk color and colorimetric assay of yolk carotenoids. , 1966, Poultry science.

[14]  L. S. Jensen,et al.  Accelerated Increase in Egg Weight of Young Pullets Fed Practical Diets Supplemented with Corn Oil , 1962 .

[15]  D. B. Duncan.  MULTIPLE RANGE AND MULTIPLE F TESTS , 1955 .

[16]  M. R. Purushothaman,et al.  Replacement of maize with rice waste in layers , 1997 .

[17]  P. Tyagi,et al.  Effect of Dietary rice Kani on the Laying Performance of Hens , 1994 .

[18]  Kenneth Helrick,et al.  Official methods of analysis , 1990 .

[19]  K. Keshavarz,et al.  An investigation concerning the possibility of replacing supplemental methionine with choline in practical laying rations , 1985 .

[20]  C. Whitehead.  The response of egg weight to the inclusion of different amounts of vegetable oil and linoleic acid in the diet of laying hens , 1981 .

[21]  C. Gopalan,et al.  Nutritive value of Indian foods , 1971 .