Dietary crude protein optimization for enhanced growth performance in indigenous chickens during the starter phase
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26832/24566632.2025.1002015Keywords:
Feed efficiency, Local chickens, Poultry intensification, Precision feedingAbstract
Formulating diets that meet the nutrient requirements of indigenous chickens during the starter phase is essential for optimal growth, feed efficiency, profitability, and sustainability in poultry production. This study aimed to evaluate the growth response of indigenous chickens to varying crude protein (CP) concentrations in starter diets and to determine the optimal CP requirement during this phase. A total of 240 days-old chicks were randomly assigned to four iso-caloric starter diets containing 16%, 18%, 20%, and 22% CP, with three replicates per treatment. The birds were housed in deep-litter floor pens with 20 birds per pen, provided ad libitum access to feed and water, and monitored for eight weeks. Weekly data collection included body weight (BW) and feed intake, from which average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. Results showed that increasing dietary CP significantly improved growth performance. Final body weight, feed intake, and ADG increased with higher CP levels, with the 22% CP diet yielding the highest final weight (380.8 g) and ADG (12.3 g/day). However, the lowest performance was observed with the 16% CP diet. Feed intake peaked at 1300.9 g for the 22% CP diet, and FCR decreased with increasing CP content. Regression analysis suggested that FCR was optimized at 20.5% CP. These findings highlight the importance of precise CP formulations to enhance growth efficiency and profitability in intensive indigenous chicken production systems.
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