Methionine supplementation of low protein diets for broiler chicks in the tropics

1. In the first experiment, diets containing 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 or 24% protein with no methionine supplementation were tested, while in the second experiment diets containing 16, 18 and 20% supplemented with methionine to give 90, 100 or 110% of the recommended N.R.C. levels were compared with an unsupplemented 24% protein diet.

2. Methionine supplementation of the low protein diets stimulated faster gains than the unsupplemented diets but not enough to surpass the response to the 24% protein control diet.

3. It was concluded that a high protein diet unsupplemented with methionine was more economical to feed to broilers than supplemented low protein diets.