Effectiveness of liquid DL-methionine hydroxy analogue-free acid (DL-MHA-FA) compared to DL-methionine on performance of laying hens

A two-factorial experiment was conducted to compare the effect of supplemented DL-methionine (DL-Met) or liquid DL-methionine hydroxy analogue-free acid (DL-MHA-FA) on performance in laying hens. The calculated methionine- and Met + Cys-content of the basal diet were 0.23% and 0.51%, respectively. Three graded levels of DL-Met were supplemented in a way that the complementary inclusion level of DL-Met (0.05, 0.10, 0.15%) corresponded to 65% of that of liquid DL-MHA-FA. The experimental period was 24 weeks, from 22-45 weeks of age. The relative effectiveness of liquid DL-MHA-FA compared to DL-Met was found to be 67% and 69% respectively with regard to daily egg mass and feed conversion ratio. In addition results provide evidence that methionine deficiency deteriorates plumage condition and increases mortality particularly by cannibalism.