Effect of initial chick body weight and diet on the growth performance of broiler chicks [electronic resouce].

Includes references.

A total number of 216 unsexed one –day old Hubbard chicks were distributed into three 3 main groups (72 chicks each) according to initial chick body weight (39, 44 and 49 gm). Each main group was randomly divided into three subgroups (24 chicks each) and each subgroup contained three replicates (8 chicks each). Chicks in the first sub group were fed on starter and grower diets which formulated to meet the nutrient requirements of broiler chicks (control diet). Chicks in the second and the third subgroups were fed on starter and grower diets which formulated to have 2% less protein (low P diet) and 200 Kcal metabolizable energy (low E diet), respectively than the control group. Results of this experiment could be summarized as follows: The effect of initial chick body weight on final body weight, daily gain, feed consumption, feed conversion and carcass traits of broilers was not significant. Chicks fed on Low P or Low E diets showed significantly lighter body weight than those fed on control diets at 3, 5, 6 and 7 weeks of age. Chicks fed on low P or low E diets had significantly lower daily gain compared with those fed on control diet at 2-3 and 4-5 weeks of age, while chicks fed on low P diet had significantly higher daily gain than those fed on control or low E diets thereafter up to 7 weeks of age. Chicks fed on low P diet concumed significantly lower feed than those fed on low E or control diets at differet age intervals from 4 up to 7 weeks of age. Feed conversion of chicks fed on low P or low E diets tend to be better than those fed on control diet, but the effect of level of protein or energy on cacass traits was not significant.

Summary in Arabic.

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