The sparing action of inorganic sulphate on sulphur amino acids in practical broiler diets: Preliminary trials with young chicks¹

Contribution from The Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel. 1975 Series, no. 266E.

1. In three trials marked responses to Na₂SO₄ were obtained, both in terms of growth rate and of food/gain ratio. In a fourth trial the chicks responded to graded additions of synthetic methionine but not to inorganic sulphate.

2. The response of the chicks to Na₂SO₄ depended on the amount of sulphur amino acids in the diets, being absent or difficult to demonstrate in severely deficient diets or in those adequately supplemented, respectively.

3. Sodium sulphate cannot replace more than about 005% supplementary methionine.

4. Usually the efficacy of Na₂SO₄ in improving performance appeared to range from 40% to 60% that of synthetic methionine.

Notes

Contribution from The Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel. 1975 Series, no. 266E.