Effects of energy levels of diets on performance and carcass yelds of broiler chickens

Abstract

Indian River chicks were fed from 0 to 8 weeks of age, with diets containing high (3,200 kcal ME/kgl and low (2,900 kcal ME/kg) levels o f energy and 3 levels of protein (23%: 1-21 days: 21%: 22-42 days; 19% 43-56 days). At the end of the experimental period, birds fed high energy diet showed the best results of live weight and feed efficiency even though no differences in feed consumption were found between both levels of dietetic energy. Chickens fed high ME diet produced carcass weights and carcass yelds significantly higher than those obtained from birds fed the low energy diet. The percentage of bleeding and dressing losses, and moisture pick-up during the chilling operation, were significantly greater in females than males. Eviscerated carcasses obtained from birds fed low energy diet picked up more moisture during chilling than those from chickens fed the high energy diet.