Effect of metabolizable energy levels and conditioning temperatures on broiler performance, processing yield, footpad lesions, and nutrient digestibility from 1 to 42 d of age

Abstract

SUMMARY: This study evaluated the main effects and interactions of 2 ME levels and 3 conditioning temperatures on broiler performance, processing yield, footpad lesions, tibia ash, and nutrient digestibility from 1 to 42 d of age. A total of 1,350 d-old YPM x Ross 708 male broilers were randomly distributed in 54 floor pens and assigned to 6 treatments (9 replicates/treatment). Diets were formulated to contain 2 ME levels (standard energy [SE] and -130 kcal/kg reduced energy [RE]) in all feeding phases. Basal diets for each ME level were manufactured using 3 conditioning temperatures (80, 84, and 88°C). Feed intake (FI), BW, and FCR were determined at 14, 28, 35, and 42 d of age. On d 42, ileal digesta (5 birds/pen) was collected for nutrient digestibility analysis and broilers were processed on d 43. Data were analyzed as a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS and means separated using Tukey's test. Broilers fed SE had improved FCR (P 0.05) by conditioning temperatures. Apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of fat and energy was higher (P < 0.05) in broilers fed SE compared to broilers fed RE. Broilers fed diets conditioned to 88°C had lower (P < 0.05) AID of Ca and P compared to broilers fed diets conditioned to 80 and 84°C. Overall, most performance parameters were unaffected by conditioning temperatures, but broilers fed SE diets had improved performance and AID of fat and energy compared to broilers fed RE diets.

Keywords

• metabolizable energy
• conditioning temperature
• broiler performance
• nutrient digestibility