Blood Profile of Finisher Broilers Fed Varying Levels of Synthetic Methionine Replacement

Background and Objective: Methionine is an essential amino acid in poultry nutrition, acting as a fortifier against disease and a key component in protein synthesis. It is the first limiting amino acid in broiler diets, and synthetic methionine is often supplemented to enhance growth and health. This study aimed to evaluate the blood profile of finisher broiler birds fed varying replacement levels of synthetic methionine with Naturally Compounded Materials (NCM). Materials and Methods: A total of 150 Ross 308 broiler birds, aged four weeks, were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Each treatment contained 30 birds, with three replicates of 10 birds each. Diets were formulated to include NCM at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% replacement levels for synthetic methionine. Feed and water were provided ad libitum for 28 days. Blood samples were collected from one bird per replicate via the jugular vein. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, and significant means were separated with Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at a 5% level of significance. Results: Haematological parameters differed significantly across treatments, with treatment 4 showing the highest values for packed cell volume (33.40%), haemoglobin (12.16 g/dL), red blood cell (4.11×10¹²/L), and white blood cell (10.09×10¹/L). Serum biochemical parameters were also significantly influenced, except for creatinine, which showed no statistical difference, though treatment 4 was numerically higher. Total protein (4.09 g/dL), albumin (2.15 g/dL), and globulin (1.94 g/dL) were highest in treatment 4. Conclusion: The replacement of synthetic methionine with NCM did not negatively affect broiler birds, as most blood and serum parameters remained within recommended ranges, confirming its potential as a viable dietary alternative.