The effect of calorie to protein ratio of practical diets on performance and carcass quality of broiler chickens

Abstract

One hundred and ninety two sexed broiler finisher chickens were utilized in a completely randomized design to test the dietary effects of calorie: protein ratio on the performance and carcass quality of Broilers raised 10-63 days of age. Sixteen birds (8 males and 8 females) per pen and 48 per diet were Assigned at random to 12 homogenous pens, each measuring 3.5 x 1.75m? in an open sided poultry house. Feed and water were offered ad libitum. Al the end of the feeding trial, 2 birds of each sex (4 birds/pen and 12/diet), which had their weighis close to the pen average, were selected for carcass evaluation. Processed birds had their abdominal and gizzard fats recovered and weighed. Results showed that calorie: protein ratio had no significant effect on all the performance traits measured. However, statistical analysis of mean values for feed intake and feed: gain ratio was close to attaining significant level at P<0.05. Carcass traits (final body weight, fat weight, and percentage fat) were however significantly (P < 0.05) affected by calorie: protein ratio. The study gives an indication that calorie: protein ratio as wide as 178:7 can be gainfully utilized in this country for finishing broilers to market weight > 2.0kg) in 63 days.