Effects of amino acid and energy density on growth performance and processing yield of mixed-sex Cobb 700 × MV broiler chickens

Abstract

Summary The overall cost of feed is influenced largely by the nutritional requirements that are specified in its formulation and the ingredients that are used to meet those nutrient specifications. To meet the demand for breast meat and further processed products, heavy broiler chickens are grown to body weights exceeding 3.5 kg. In this study, we evaluated the effects of altering AA density and AME content of the diets over the last 3 feeding phases (grower: 12–26 D, finisher: 26–36 D, and withdrawal: 36–49 D) on the growth performance and processing yield of mixed-sex Cobb 700 × MV broilers. Broilers were fed a common starter diet followed by a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of diets with 3 levels of AA density (low, medium, and high) and 2 levels of energy (low and high) beginning with the grower period. Broilers fed the high AA diet were heavier as compared with those fed the low AA diet, and FCR was observed to decrease incrementally when AA density and energy level were increased independently. Skinless-boneless breast yield increased incrementally with AA density, whereas fat pad yield increased as AA density of the diet decreased. Overall, our results demonstrate that the performance and meat yield of mixed-sex Cobb 700 × MV broilers responded positively to a higher density of AA and energy.