Effects of Early Dietary Energy and Protein Dilution on Growth Performance, Nutrient Utilization and Internal Organs of Broilers

Abstract

This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of early dietary energy and protein dilution on growth performance, nutrient utilization and internal organs of broilers. Of Arbor Acres, 1200 day-old male chicks were selected and randomly distributed to 16 experimental groups with factorial arrangement (4×4) including 4 levels of energy dilution and 4 of protein dilution (8 to 14 d of age). Birds were fed the same diets during the other period. Experiment of nutrient utilization was carried out 11 to 14 d of age. At 14 d, 1 bird/pen was slaughtered to determine internal organs. From 8 to 14 d, average daily feed intake (ADFI) of treatments protein diluted 10% was significantly less than of treatments protein diluted 20% (P<0.05). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) of treatments protein diluted 30% and energy diluted 15% was significantly less than other treatments (P<0.05). From 15 to 42 d, ADFI of treatments protein diluted 20% was significantly less than of treatments protein diluted 0 and 10% (P<0.05). At 42 d, body weight (BW) of treatments energy diluted 10% was more than of treatments energy diluted 0 and 15% (P<0.05). The FCR of treatments protein diluted 20% was significantly less than of treatments protein diluted 0 and 10%, and that of treatments energy diluted 15% was significantly more than other treatments (P<0.05). Data indicated that early dietary energy and protein dilution affected BW, ADFI and FCR, and the optimum treatment was 10% of dietary energy and protein dilution from 8 to 14 d.