Effects of different levels of L-carnitine and additional levels of Lysine-Methionine mixed on performance, cecal microflora and blood antioxidant indices of broiler chick

This experiment was conducted with 270 male Ross broiler chickens (308) to evaluate the effect of L-carnitine and additional levels of Lysine-Methionine mixed on performance, cecal microflora of broiler chick. Experiment was based on 3×3 completely randomized factorial design with nine groups (ten broilers per replicate and three replicates per treatment) during three starter (0-21days), grower (22-35 days) and finisher (35-42 days) periods. Different levels of L-carnitine (0 mg/kg, 75 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg) and additional lysine-methionine mixed levels 0, 15 and 30% more than recommended by Ross 308 broiler chickens  manual were used. The highest feed consumption and lowest weight gain was observed for broiler fed diet supplemented with 150 mg/kg L-carnitine with 15% additional lysine-methionine mixed and the lowest feed consumption and highest weight gain was observed for broiler fed diet supplemented with 150 mg/kg L-carnitine with 30% additional lysine-methionine mixed respectively (P<0.05). Furthermore, the highest and lowest lactobacilli population were observed in diet supplemented with 75, 150 mg/kg L-carnitine with 15% additional lysine-methionine mixed and 150 mg/kg L-carnitine with 30% additional lysine-methionine mixed respectively (P<0.05). In conclusion, result of this study showed that consumption of 150 mg/kg L-carnitine and 15% Lys -Met mix can increase production and health indices related to the broiler.