Choline is a key nutrient that supports the liver and overall health of egg-laying hens, while also helping them produce eggs efficiently. Traditionally, poultry diets include use of synthetic choline chloride. In this study, we tested a novel, organic form of choline called choline propionate to assess if it could work similar or better than choline chloride. Over 500 hens were divided into two experiments. In the first, we tested how different levels of choline propionate compared to choline chloride in a diet lacking choline. The second experiment investigated whether choline propionate could reduce the need for another important nutrient, methionine. The results showed that both types of choline improved egg production and quality. Notably, organic choline propionate led to enhanced egg yolk color and signs of improved liver health. Even when methionine was reduced, hens that received choline maintained quality egg production. Birds fed choline had normal liver morphology, while those without it showed signs of fatty liver. In summary, choline propionate in this study supports egg production and keeps laying hens healthy, offering an alternative to the commonly used choline chloride.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.