Nutritional Requirements For Gimmizah Males: 1- Protein and Metabolizable Energy

Abstract

This research aimed to determine protein and energy requirements for Gimmizah cocks and their effects on productive, reproductive, some physiological and immunological traits. Seventy two, 26-weeks old Gimmizah cocks with similar body weights were individually caged in a naturally ventilated poultry house. Cocks were divided into three groups each of 24 cocks according to dietary protein level (12, 13 and 14%), then, each group was sub-divided into two subgroups according to dietary ME level (2600 and 2700 kcal/kg). The experimental period lasted for 16 weeks. Body weight change and feed intake were calculated. Semen physical characteristics, Newcastle disease virus (NDV) titre, some blood constituents and hematological indices were estimated. Results indicated that BW changes, plasma levels of total protein, albumin, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and HDL, as well as activity of liver enzymes (AST and ALT) increased significantly (P>0.05) with increasing protein level in diets, while, blood MCH and MCHC were decreased. On the other side, dietary protein level had no significant effect on all semen characteristics. Cocks fed 13% protein (daily CP intake of 17.80 g) achieved significantly (P>0.01) the highest NDV titre and plasma globulin concentration. Energy level had significant (P>0.01) effects on feed intake, NDV titre, fertility, semen pH, some blood indices (MCH and MCHC), and plasma LDL and uric acid. Cocks fed the diet with 2600 kcal/kg (daily ME intake 358.60 kcal) displayed higher in feed intake, NDV titre, MCH and MCHC, while, cocks fed the diet with 2700 kcal/kg (daily ME intake 365.68 kcal) recorded the higher fertility percentage, semen pH, plasma uric acid and LDL levels. Feeding cocks the diet containing 14% protein and 2700 kcal/kg (daily CP intake 18.96 g and daily ME intake 362.44 kcal) exhibited significantly (P>0.01) higher body weight, plasma levels of total protein, albumin, uric acid, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides and activity of AST and ALT the lowest feed intake. On the other side, feeding cocks the diet containing 12% protein with 2600 kcal/kg (daily CP intake 16.65 g and daily ME intake 361.18 kcal) displayed significantly (P>0.01) higher feed intake, MCH, MCHC and NDV titre than those fed 13% CP and 2600 kcal/kg diet. Conclusively, it can be concluded that feeding diets with 13% or 14% crude protein and ME 2700 kcal/kg (daily CP intake 17.84 g or 18.96 and daily ME intake 368.73 or 362.44 kcal) can positively affect body weight, feed intake, and fertility percentage of Gimmizah cocks. Alternatively, NDV titre recorded its highest value in cocks fed the diet with 13% CP and 2600 kcal/kg, compared to other levels.