May 18, 2005

Trials underline betaine's role in reducing the effects of heat stress in poultry

Supplementing broiler diets with betaine, a naturally occurring plant extract, can greatly reduce the effects of heat stress in poultry according to a series of 6 studies conducted by Danisco Animal Nutrition in the USA, Egypt, Thailand, Israel and Malaysia. The trials clearly demonstrated that in conditions where heat stress is likely to adversely impact bird performance, supplementing diets with Betafin (Danisco Animal Nutrition) produces more consistent bird performance and improves feed conversion by up to 7%.

The trial conducted in Thailand showed that the feed conversion of poultry taken to a final bodyweight of 1.8kg improved by 7 points, from 1.80 to 1.73 where Betafin was included in the feed, approximately equivalent to the average FCR improvement achieved across all 6 studies. This represents an average reduction in feed use of around 4%. Based on a feed cost of US$230 per tonne, Betafin produced a financial saving of around US$9.00 per tonne of feed.

Explaining the reasons for the improvements Dr Milan Hruby, Technical Services Manager for Danisco Animal Nutrition, commented:

"Birds become heat stressed when they have difficulty in achieving the correct balance between body heat production and loss. A broiler's normal body temperature is 41º, but when the environmental temperature exceeds 35º the bird is likely to experience heat stress that can ultimately lead to death. Between 20-30º feed intake is reduced by 1-1.5% for every 1ºrise in temperature and by 5% above 32º. The bird's own mechanisms to combat heat stress consume large amounts of energy, reducing the energy available for growth.

"Betaine's osmolytic properties help the bird maintain the correct cellular water balance. Betafin can enter cells and hold water very effectively, thereby reducing the bird's energy requirement for water regulation. Including betaine in poultry diets undoubtedly offers significant benefits in terms of maintaining bird performance under high ambient temperatures. The level of response will depend on the extent of the environmental challenge, but where heat stress is likely to be a problem the use of betaine should be considered as part of an overall strategy alongside proven housing and management practices."

Danisco Animal Nutrition, a division of leading global food ingredient specialist Danisco A/S (Denmark), pioneered the development and use of enzymes and betaine in animal nutrition. Its products are now widely used by poultry and pig producers throughout the world. The company's mission is to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions that increase efficiency and safety of the food production chain in an environmentally responsible way. Further details are available at www.danisco.com/animalnutrition.