Optimum levels of crude protein and metabolizable energy in diet as well as sexual effect on performance and carcass of Thai Native Crossbred Chicken (Pradu Hang Dam x Hubbard JA 57 Ki) during 1–13 weeks of age

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the optimum dietary levels of CP, ME and sexual effect on performance of Pradu Hang Dam x Hubbard JA 57 Ki. The experiment had 3 phases, namely 1–5, 6–10 and 11–13 weeks of the birds’ age, using 1,440 oneday old chicks with equal number of males and females in separate pens. Each sex was randomly allotted to 6 groups of 3 replicates, containing 40 birds/rep. The diets for the 3 phases contained 21, 19, 17 vs 19, 17, 15% CP, respectively. Each CP level contained 3 ME levels (3.2, 2.9 and 2.6 kcal/g) according to a 2x3 Factorial in Randomized Complete Block design, having sex as a block. The results showed that high CP diets gave higher BWG, lower FI, better FCR, FCG, with higher percentage of carcass and drumstick (P<0.05). Higher ME diets (3.2 and 2.9 kcal ME/g) gave significantly higher BWG, lower FI, better FCR, FCG, higher percentage of carcass, drumstick and abdominal fat than the 2.6 kcal ME/g diet (P<0.05). Males had significantly higher BWG and FI than females. The optimum rations for this crossbreed during the 3 phases were 21, 19 and 17% CP respectively with 3.2 kcal ME/g.

Keywords

• crossbred native chicken
• growth performance
• metabolizable energy
• protein
• sex