Chickens gathering around a glowing amino acid molecule, symbolizing enhanced health and immunity through targeted nutrition.

Is Your Chicken Getting Enough? The Truth About Methionine, Threonine, and Poultry Health

Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how optimizing amino acid levels in your chicken's diet can boost immunity, growth, and overall well-being. Are you unknowingly shortchanging your flock?"

For chicken keepers, ensuring the health and productivity of their flock is paramount. Optimal nutrition plays a pivotal role, and two amino acids, methionine and threonine, are particularly crucial. These building blocks of protein are essential for growth, immunity, and overall well-being. But what happens when chickens don't receive enough of these vital nutrients? Are standard recommendations always sufficient, especially when birds face health challenges?

A 2010 study published in the American Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences sheds light on this very question. Researchers investigated the impact of varying levels of methionine and threonine supplementation on broiler chickens challenged with infectious bursal disease (IBD), also known as Gumboro disease. IBD is a highly contagious viral disease that compromises the immune system, making chickens more susceptible to other infections. This research aimed to determine if increasing methionine and threonine beyond standard recommendations could improve growth performance and liver function in chickens facing this immune challenge.

The study's findings offer valuable insights for poultry owners seeking to optimize their flock's health and resilience. By understanding the roles of methionine and threonine, and how their requirements may shift under different conditions, chicken keepers can make informed decisions about feed supplementation and management practices. Let's dive into the details of the study and explore its implications for your flock.

Methionine and Threonine: The Dynamic Duo of Chicken Health

Chickens gathering around a glowing amino acid molecule, symbolizing enhanced health and immunity through targeted nutrition.

Methionine and threonine aren't just any amino acids; they're often the first and third limiting amino acids in corn-soybean meal diets, which form the basis of many commercial chicken feeds. 'Limiting' means they're most likely to be in short supply, hindering the bird's ability to utilize other nutrients effectively. Without adequate methionine and threonine, chickens can't reach their full growth potential, and their immune systems may suffer.

These amino acids are fundamental to numerous physiological processes:

Growth and Development: Methionine and threonine are vital for protein synthesis, supporting muscle development, feather growth, and overall body mass.
Immune Function: They play a key role in producing antibodies and cytokines, which are essential for fighting off infections.
Liver Health: Methionine is involved in detoxification processes within the liver, helping to remove harmful substances from the body.

When chickens face immune challenges like IBD, their bodies require even more of these amino acids to mount an effective defense. This is where the study's investigation into higher-than-recommended levels of methionine and threonine becomes particularly relevant. The National Research Council (NRC) publishes nutrient requirements for poultry, but these recommendations are often based on healthy birds in ideal conditions. Real-world environments, with their inherent stressors and disease risks, may necessitate a different approach.

Beyond the Basics: Tailoring Nutrition for a Healthy Flock

The 2010 study underscores the importance of considering individual flock needs when it comes to nutrition. While NRC recommendations provide a solid foundation, they may not always be sufficient for chickens facing immune challenges or other stressors. By carefully monitoring your flock's health, consulting with a veterinarian or poultry nutritionist, and understanding the roles of key nutrients like methionine and threonine, you can create a feeding program that truly supports their well-being and maximizes their potential.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3844/ajavsp.2010.20.26, Alternate LINK

Title: Change In Growth Performance And Liver Function Enzymes Of Broiler Chickens Challenged With Infectious Bursal Disease Virus To Dietary Supplementation Of Methionine And Threonine

Subject: General Veterinary

Journal: American Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences

Publisher: Science Publications

Authors: Maroufyan

Published: 2010-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

Why are methionine and threonine considered so important in a chicken's diet?

Methionine and threonine are vital because they're often the first and third limiting amino acids in common corn-soybean meal diets used for chickens. This means chickens may not get enough of them. Adequate methionine and threonine are crucial for protein synthesis, which supports growth, muscle development, feather growth, immune function through antibody and cytokine production, and liver health by aiding detoxification.

What are the consequences if chickens don't get enough methionine and threonine in their feed?

If chickens don't receive sufficient methionine and threonine, their growth can be stunted, and their immune systems can be weakened. Methionine and threonine deficiency can also affect liver function, potentially leading to a buildup of harmful substances. Ensuring adequate levels supports overall well-being and optimal physiological function.

How does Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) or Gumboro disease affect a chicken's nutritional needs, specifically for methionine and threonine?

Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD), also known as Gumboro disease, compromises a chicken's immune system. When chickens are fighting IBD, their bodies need more methionine and threonine to produce antibodies and cytokines necessary to combat the infection. This means standard dietary recommendations might not be enough, and increased supplementation may be necessary.

The National Research Council (NRC) provides nutrient recommendations for poultry, but are these always sufficient for my flock?

While the National Research Council (NRC) provides a solid baseline for nutrient requirements, these recommendations are often based on ideal conditions and healthy birds. Real-world environments often include stressors and disease risks that can increase the need for nutrients like methionine and threonine. Therefore, it's important to monitor your flock's health and consider individual needs, consulting with a veterinarian or poultry nutritionist to ensure optimal nutrition.

Besides growth and immunity, what other specific roles do methionine and threonine play in maintaining chicken health?

Beyond growth and immune support, methionine is specifically involved in detoxification processes within the liver, helping to remove harmful substances. Both methionine and threonine contribute to the synthesis of essential proteins, which are critical for various bodily functions including feather development and overall body mass. The balance and availability of methionine and threonine directly impact the efficiency of nutrient utilization and overall metabolic health.