DL-Methionine and DL-Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Free Acid in Broiler Diets

The liquid methionine supplement, DL-methionine hydroxy analogue free acid (DL-MHA-FA), was tested for its biological DL-methionine activity in broilers. This was done in two experiments by using a practical diet deficient in sulfur amino acids. The DL-MHA-FA was found to be less efficiently utilized than DL-methionine, efficiency being evaluated by nonlinear modification of the slope-ratio technique. On an equimolar basis, an efficiency of 72%, corresponding to 63% on a weight basis, was calculated for DL-MHA-FA.