EFFECT OF FEEDING LOW DIETARY ENERGY LEVELS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKENS DURING THE FINISHER PERIOD

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the effect of low dietary energy on growth performance of broiler chickens at finisher stage. Two hundred and twenty five, four weeks old Amok broiler chicks were weighed and allotted to three dietary treatments containing 2 400 ME Kcal/Kg, 2 600 ME Kcal/Kg and 2 800 ME Kcal/Kg designated as A, B and C, respectively. Each treatment was replicated three times with twenty-five birds per replicate. Results showed that feed in take decreases as the energy value of the feed increases. There was statistical significance (P<0.05) in feed in take between birds fed diets A, B and C. The weight gain values of birds fed diets B and C were statistically similar which differs with birds fed diet A. There were no statistical differences between the treatments in terms of final live weight and feed conversion ratio. The study recommended that low energy diets should be formulated for poultry so as to minimize the accumulation of cholesterol in between the muscle fibres and on visceral organs which can consequently affects the physiological and metabolic functions of the birds, organoleptic characteristics, marketability of the products and health status of the consumer.