The effect of sodium sulphate and methionine on the utilisation of non‐protein nitrogen by laying hens

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Abstract
1. The response of layers to adding diammonium citrate (DAC), sodium sulphate or methionine to a basal diet containing 136–3 g protein/kg was determined. 2. Supplementing the diet with DAC equivalent to 25 g protein/kg did not improve egg production, the efficiency of food utilisation, egg weight, nitrogen retention or the apparent absorption of lysine and methionine; increases in food intake and in the concentration of methionine in the serum and liver were observed. 3. Adding sodium sulphate, alone or with DAC, did not affect the variables noted above. 4. Supplementation of the basal diet with methionine increased egg production, egg weight, food intake and the concentrations of lysine in the serum and liver. 5. It is concluded that the supplemental NPN was used only in serum protein synthesis.
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