PROTEIN AND ENERGY IN BROILER STARTER DIETS: EFFECTS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND NUTRIENT UTILIZATION

Abstract

The effect of varying energy and protein concentration on performance and nutrient utilization of broiler chicks in the humid tropics was investigated in a 3 x 3 factorially designed experiment with three levels of energy (10.46, 12.13 and 13.81 MJME/kg diet) and three levels of crude protein (12, 24 and 27%) giving a total of 9 diets. A total of 180 seven - dy old Hubbard chicks into nine equal treatments of 20 birds, replicated twice, were used in the study which lasted 21 days. Percent nitrogen retained and fat and crude fibre ‘digested’ differed significantly (P 0.05) as the percent dietary protein increased from 21 – 27% while birds fed 13.81 MJME diet had depressed body weight. Feed consumed also decreased, though not significantly (P > 0.05) with increased dietary protein in the first 2 groups of diets but birds on 13.81 MJME diets followed no definite tread. Birds fed 12.13 MJME/kg and 24% r 27%CP gave the best feed/gain rations, though the 2 values were not different (P > 0.05) from each other. Feeding up to 27% protein had no further advantage over 24% protein hance 12.13 MJME/kg and 24%CP with Calorie: Protein ration of 118.46 seem the best combination for optimal performance of broiler chicks in the tropics.