Growth Performance of Single Comb White Leghorn Chicks Fed Diets Containing Blood Meal Supplemented with Isoleucine

Abstract

The suitability of blood meal supplemented with isoleucine as protein source for Single Comb White Leghorn (SCWL) chicks was evaluated. In four replicates, four hundred and eighty SCWL chicks were fed diets containing blood meal with supplemental isoleucine from day-old to 10 weeks of age (WOA). The experimental diets were corn-based with the protein sources being 100% soybean meal (control), 100% blood meal (BM), 50% soybean meal+50% blood meal (SMBM), and 50% alfalfa meal+50% blood meal (AMBM). Blood meal comprised 16.8%, 11.0% and 14.3% of the total ration in BM, SMBM, and AMBM diets, respectively. Experimental birds were provided a 23 hr light regimen and feed and water were provided at free choice. Feed consumption (FC) and body weights (BW), from which feed conversion ratios (FCR) and body weight gains (BWG) were calculated, were measured weekly. Shank lengths (SL) were measured weekly and mortality was recorded as it occurred. Birds fed the BM diet exhibited significantly lower (P SMBM>AMBM>Control. Based on this study, substitution of up to 50 percent of soybean meal with blood meal supplemented with isoleucine in corn-soy based diets did not adversely affect growth performance of SCWL chicks from day-old to 10 WOA.