Using crystalline amino acids to supplement broiler chicken requirements in reduced protein diets

The first experiment investigated the role of the non-essential amino acid, glycine, in broiler performance when fed reduced protein wheat-based diets. An industry-standard protein diet and three reduced protein diets with and without glycine supplementation were fed to male broilers from day 10 of age. Glycine was supplemented to equal that in the standard protein diet at 0.712 and 0.648% in grower and finisher diets respectively. Performance, water intake and amino acid digestibility were measured. Reducing crude protein reduced performance and water intake and increased nitrogen digestibility. Glycine supplementation increased performance and water intake, however, no effect was observed on nitrogen digestibility. When fed reduced protein diets, crystalline amino acids, including glycine, can be supplemented to maintain performance like that observed in standard protein diets.