title: The effect of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate on growth, mortality, and carcass qualities of broiler chickens.
abstract: Experiments were conducted to determine whether the leucine catabolite beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) could influence protein metabolism in broilers. In Experiment 1, HMB was fed at either .01 or .05% of the diet. beta-Hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate did not improve feed conversion or BW gain; however, broilers fed HMB at .01% in a diet formulated to meet NRC (1984) recommendations had no mortality (P < .03) from 0 to 21 d of age. In Experiment 2, HMB fed at .003, .01, .03, and .09% of the diet had no significant affect on growth or carcass yield of the broilers when compared with control-fed broilers. In Experiment 3, HMB fed at .001, .003, and .01% of the diet had no effect on broiler growth. In Experiment 4, HMB was fed at .01% of the diet in combination with an antibiotic and coccidiostat (GP). Use of GP increased (P < .01) BW, feed conversion, and carcass yield when compared with the control broilers. In Experiment 5, HMB was fed at .1% of the diet, and effects of sex and GP were examined. beta-Hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate decreased (P < .01) mortality by 72% in the male broilers. In a combined analysis, HMB fed at .01% of the diet (Experiments 1, 2, and 3) increased breast yield (P < .05) and reduced mortality by 56% (P < .04) from 0 to 21 d of age. In a combined analysis, HMB fed at .003% of the diet (Experiments 2 and 3) increased 42-d BW (P < .02) and hot (P < .04) and chilled (P < .05) carcass yields. In conclusion, across all HMB dosages mortality of male broilers was decreased from 6.37 to 4.39% (-31%, P < .04) by feeding HMB, with the pattern of death suggesting that HMB decreased the incidence of sudden death syndrome in these broilers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames 50011.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nissen
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Fuller
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sell
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Ferket
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Rives
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001414:Bacitracin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002645:Chickens / Q000254:growth & development*; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D008297:Male; D008985:Monensin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009026:Mortality; D011897:Random Allocation; D014631:Valerates / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D014631:Valerates; D001414:Bacitracin; C004961:beta-hydroxyisovaleric acid; D008985:Monensin