Overview
Arginine is a strictly essential amino acid for poultry because birds lack a functional urea cycle and cannot synthesize it internally. It plays a critical role in growth, immunity, and mitigating metabolic issues like breast myopathies in modern high-yield broiler breeds.
Key Benefits
- Protein & muscle synthesis — vital for rapid muscle deposition and feathering in broilers.
- Immune response — precursor for nitric oxide (NO), a key molecule that helps birds fight infections and inflammation.
- Heat-stress mitigation — supplementing extra arginine helps birds dissipate heat and maintain performance during high temperatures.
- Metabolic health — higher levels reduce the occurrence of Wooden Breast and White Striping in modern high-yield broilers.
Recommended Inclusion Rates
| Starter (0–3 weeks) | 1.25% – 1.35% |
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| Grower (3–6 weeks) | 1.10% – 1.25% |
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| Finisher (6+ weeks) | 1.00% (maintain Arg:Lys ~1.08) |
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Arginine-Lysine Balance
| Ideal Ratio | Digestible Arg:Lys ratio of 1.05–1.15 is recommended for broilers for optimal growth and FCR. |
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| Competition | High lysine increases the activity of arginase, which destroys arginine in the bird's body. |
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| Deficiency Impact | A low Arg:Lys ratio (excess lysine) causes stunted growth and poor feed intake. |
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