A comparison of a new net energy system with the metabolisable energy system in broiler diet formulation,performance and profitability 1

Two trials were conducted with unsexed broilers to compare a net energy (NE) system and a metabolisable energy (ME) system on least‐cost broiler diet formulation, broiler performance and economic efficiency. Both energy systems were compared in the range of 3000 (2161) to 3400 kcal ME/kg (2560 kcal NE/kg) using rations with increasing energy concentration of about 100 kcal/kg food.

The two different energetic evaluation systems had considerable effect on dietary composition, the penalty cost of rejected ingredients, the marginal profit of some limiting constraints and the position of the least‐cost nutrient concentration. The starter and finisher rations, based on NE values, were on average 4.77 and 2.43 BF²/100 kg cheaper, respectively than those based on ME values. For equal NE contents, they contained 50 to 70 kcal less ME/kg and 1% less crude protein.

The broiler performances were on average better on the NE‐diets. The mean difference of 20 to 30 g in body weight was significant at 4 and 6 weeks (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05).

Regression analysis indicated no significant effect of rising energy concentration on food intake with the ME‐diets, but a significant (P < 0.05) linear decrease with the NE‐diets of 1.16 ± 0.34 and 1.72 ± 0.37 g/chick d at 6 and 8 weeks respectively for every 100 kcal/kg rise in the NE content of the ration. As a result body weight at 6 weeks improved linearly per increment of 100 kcal NE/kg with 37.2 ± 3.2 g (P < 0.05) on the ME‐diets and with 18.8 ± 6.8 g (P = 0.08) on the NE‐diets.

The efficiency of food utilisation, although slightly better on the NE‐diets, was not significantly affected by the energy systems. As expected, linear improvements (P < 0.001) of respectively 58 ± 6 and 62 ± 11 g food/kg weight gain at 6 and 8 weeks were noted for every increment of 100 kcal NE/kg diet.

Returns over food costs were for the whole energy range higher on the NE‐diets (average 0.66 BF/chick, variation 1.01 to 0.23 BF/chick). Gross profit increased with rising nutrient density from 16.33 to 17.97 BF/chick on the ME‐diets and from 17.34 to 18.23 BF/chick on the NE‐diets. The data illustrate that the economical efficiency of broiler production can be considerably improved by taking into account the effect of both energy content and energy system.