Dietary betaine improves bone strength in laying hens

Betaine is a widely used feed additive in the poultry industry, mainly due to its ability to reduce heat stress. New research by the University of Edinburgh has unveiled a twist in the use of betaine – its role in improving bone strength in laying hens. Bone fractures and other forms of skeletal damage are a challenge for laying hens; the fractures are usually the result of progressive osteoporosis. Osteoporosis in hens is ultimately the result of the physiological changes that occur becaus