Full Length Research Paper

High and low dietary energy and protein levels for broiler chickens

F. A. S. Dairo¹, A. O. K. Adesehinwa²*, T. A. Oluwasola¹ and J. A. Oluyemi³

¹Department of Animal Production and Health Sciences, University of Ado-Ekiti,

P. M. B. 5363, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.

²Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria.

³The University of Education, Ikere-Ekiti, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: aokadesehinwa@yahoo.com.

Accepted 9 July, 2010

 Abstract

This experiment was carried out to ascertain the effect of feeding combination of high and low calorie and protein on the performance and carcass values of broiler chickens. Four diets having four different combinations of calorie and protein namely; normal energy and normal protein (NENP), high energy and low protein (HELP), low energy and high protein (LEHP) and low energy and low protein (LELP) were fed to broiler chickens of Archer Abor breed for a period of 56 days. Results indicated a significantly (p < 0.05) reduced feed intake as the energy content of feed decreased with LELP having the lowest value while the final live weight were similar for birds on NENP and LELP. The dressing percentage was significantly (p < 0.05) better for birds fed NENP and had similar live weight as LELP. The study showed that low energy and low protein diets could be fed to broilers chicken as long as the energy:protein ratio is maintained which will be of advantage especially as the poultry industry is facing feed crisis as a result of use of cereals for biofuel.

Key words: Dietary energy, protein levels, performance, carcass, broiler chicken.