Futuristic poultry farm with chickens thriving on Biocholine™-enriched feed.

Unlock Better Broiler Growth: Is Biocholine the Future of Poultry Feed?

Beau Callahan in Tech & Innovation August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how innovative choline sources like Biocholine™ can optimize broiler diets, reduce costs, and support sustainable organic farming."

Choline is a critical nutrient for broilers, playing a vital role in cell structure, fat metabolism, and nerve function. Traditionally, choline chloride has been the go-to supplement in poultry diets to ensure adequate choline levels. However, choline chloride is highly hygroscopic, leading to vitamin losses and operational challenges in feed mills. This has spurred the search for alternative, more efficient choline sources.

Recent research has focused on phosphatidylcholine sources like Biocholine™ as a potential game-changer. Biocholine™ offers a low-hygroscopicity plant extract which presents itself as a natural substitute for choline chloride, potentially improving feed conversion and overall broiler health. Understanding the bioequivalence of these sources is crucial for optimizing broiler diets and reducing production costs.

This article delves into a study comparing Biocholine™ and choline chloride in broiler diets, examining their impact on growth performance, feed efficiency, and the prevention of metabolic disorders such as perosis and fatty liver. We’ll explore how these findings can inform better feeding strategies for poultry farmers, particularly those interested in organic and sustainable practices.

Biocholine™ vs. Choline Chloride: What the Research Says

Futuristic poultry farm with chickens thriving on Biocholine™-enriched feed.

A study was conducted to evaluate the bioequivalence of Biocholine™ compared to choline chloride in broiler diets. Researchers examined growth performance, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and overall health in broilers fed varying levels of each choline source. The study involved two experiments:

Experiment I: 672 broilers were fed four levels of Biocholine™ (0, 100, 200, or 300 mg/kg) and three levels of choline chloride (200, 400, or 600 mg/kg) between 4 and 28 days of age.

Experiment II: 462 broilers received diets supplemented with 0, 200, 400, 600, or 800 mg/kg choline as choline chloride.
Diets were based on white rice, soybean meal, and corn gluten in both experiments.
The study aimed to determine if Biocholine™ could effectively replace choline chloride and meet the choline requirements of fast-growing broilers.

The results indicated that birds fed choline chloride had higher feed intake than those fed Biocholine™ in Experiment I. Both choline supplements linearly improved FCR between 15 and 28 days, but the curves presented different slopes, indicating that one unit of Biocholine™ was equivalent to 2.52 units of choline chloride. In Experiment II, choline supplementation had a quadratic effect on weight gain but did not affect FCR. Choline requirements for weight gain were determined as 778, 632, and 645 mg/kg for 1-7, 1-35, and 1-42 days of age, respectively.

The Future of Choline in Poultry Diets

The study's findings suggest that Biocholine™ is a viable alternative to choline chloride in broiler diets, particularly for those seeking organic-compliant options. The bioequivalence ratio of 1:2.52 between Biocholine™ and choline chloride provides valuable information for feed formulation.

Moreover, the research highlights the dynamic choline requirements of broilers at different growth stages. Optimizing choline levels based on these requirements can lead to improved weight gain and feed efficiency, reducing production costs and promoting healthier broiler growth.

As the poultry industry continues to evolve, innovative feed solutions like Biocholine™ will play an increasingly important role in sustainable and efficient broiler production. Further research and practical application will refine our understanding and maximize the benefits of these alternative choline sources.

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: 10.1590/1089-6891v18e-37633, Alternate LINK

Title: Performance Of Broilers Fed Different Dietary Choline Sources And Levels

Subject: General Veterinary

Journal: Ciência Animal Brasileira

Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

Authors: Giovani Farina, Alexandre De Mello Kessler, Patrícia Diniz Ebling, Fábio Ritter Marx, Ricardo César, Andréa Machado Leal Ribeiro

Published: 2017-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

Why is choline so important in broiler diets?

Choline is essential for broilers due to its involvement in critical functions like cell structure maintenance, fat metabolism, and nerve function. Supplementing broiler diets with adequate choline ensures optimal growth and prevents metabolic disorders. While choline chloride has been the traditional source, alternatives such as Biocholine™ are being explored to improve efficiency and reduce operational challenges. The importance of choline underscores the need for poultry farmers to understand the bioequivalence of different choline sources for effective feed formulation and broiler health.

What exactly is Biocholine™, and how does it differ from choline chloride?

Biocholine™ is a plant extract derived from phosphatidylcholine, presenting itself as a natural alternative to traditional choline chloride in broiler diets. The key benefit of Biocholine™ lies in its low hygroscopicity compared to choline chloride, reducing vitamin losses and improving handling in feed mills. Research suggests that Biocholine™ can effectively support broiler growth and feed efficiency, making it a viable option for poultry farmers, especially those seeking organic-compliant feed solutions.

Can Biocholine™ really replace choline chloride in feeding broilers? What does the research say?

Research indicates that Biocholine™ can effectively replace choline chloride in broiler diets. A study involving broilers fed different levels of Biocholine™ and choline chloride demonstrated that while broilers fed choline chloride had higher feed intake, both supplements improved feed conversion ratio. Notably, the study established a bioequivalence ratio of 1:2.52 between Biocholine™ and choline chloride, meaning one unit of Biocholine™ is equivalent to 2.52 units of choline chloride. This finding helps inform precise feed formulations using Biocholine™.

What does the bioequivalence ratio of 1:2.52 between Biocholine™ and choline chloride actually mean for poultry farmers?

The bioequivalence ratio of 1:2.52 between Biocholine™ and choline chloride signifies that one unit of Biocholine™ provides the same choline effectiveness as 2.52 units of choline chloride in broiler diets. This ratio is crucial for poultry nutritionists and feed formulators because it allows them to accurately calculate and adjust the amount of Biocholine™ needed to meet the choline requirements of broilers, ensuring optimal growth, feed efficiency, and overall health, while also considering cost-effectiveness and organic compliance.

How do the research findings on Biocholine™ change poultry feeding practices?

The findings suggest a move towards more sustainable and efficient poultry feeding strategies. By using alternatives like Biocholine™, poultry farmers can reduce their reliance on synthetic additives and better align with organic farming practices. Furthermore, understanding the precise bioequivalence of different choline sources ensures that broilers receive the necessary nutrients for optimal growth and health, contributing to more sustainable and economically viable poultry production.