ARTICLE 82 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE August 2025 Historically, nutritionists have used formulating ratios for digestible arginine to digestible lysine (dArg:dLys) between 103% and 107% for broilers. However, recent research has reported that ratios above 107% can have beneficial impacts on performance, health and stress. Benefits include additional body weight gain, efficiency and carcass yield by increasing the dArg:d Lys ratio to 112-115%. Additionally, elevated levels of dArg:dLys demonstrated improvements in intestinal function and integrity during an enteric challenge, as well as performance during protozoal and bacterial infections. The functional properties of arginine have also shown to assist the health and well-being of poultry when reared in elevated temperatures. Increasing arginine concentration above historical norms appears to better meet the nutritional requirement of poultry and prevents growth performance losses due to prioritization of this important nutrient to metabolic pathways other than growth. ARGININE IS A FUNCTIONAL AMINO ACID Arginine is an essential amino acid for broilers, known for its direct influence on growth (Kidd et al., 2001), immunity (Collier and Vallance, 1989), tissue healing (Efron and Barbul, 1998), and carcass traits (Corzo et al., 2003). Arginine is the most versatile amino acid and is involved in numerous physiological functions, serving as a substrate for the biosynthesis of nitric oxide, Digestible arginine requirements in broilers have traditionally focused on specific ratios to lysine, but emerging research highlights benefits of exceeding historical norms. Higher ratios have shown positive effects on growth, immunity, gut health, and even resilience during heat stress and enteric challenges. The article explores how arginine's multifunctional roles may be more critical than previously assumed— especially under stress conditions. NEW INSIGHTS ON DIGESTIBLE ARGININE REQUIREMENTS IN BROILERS By Dr. Chance Williams, Director of Nutrition, Wayne Sanderson Farms Inc. Dr. Jason Lee, Product Development Director, CJ Bio America Image by wirestock on Freepik
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