The response of male broiler chickens to diets with various protein contents during the grower and finisher phases |
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| Authors: | G M Pesti D L Fletcher |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Poultry Science , University of Poultry Science , Athens , Georgia , 30602 , USA;2. Department of Poultry Science , University of Georgia , Athens , Georgia , 30602 , USA |
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| Abstract: | 1. In two trials, each using 960 male broilers from 21 to 42 d of age increasing dietary protein from 175 to 220 g/kg at equal ME increased body‐weight gain from 986 to 1090 g and gain:food ratio from 0·439 to 0·499, while abdominal fat pad weights (40·7 to 35·2 g) and total carcass fat content (140 to 118 g/kg) decreased. 2. From 42 to 49 d gain: food ratio increased with increasing protein content, while body‐weight gain and abdominal fat were not affected. 3. Broilers fed on the lower‐protein diet from 21 to 42 d showed compensatory growth during the finisher phase (371 versus 331 g gained) and utilised food more efficiently (0·383 versus 0·340 g gained/g food consumed). 4. Decisions regarding nutrient concentrations during grower and finisher phases should take into account compensatory growth and food utilisation as well as body‐weight gain, food consumption and carcass composition. |
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