EFFECT OF PROTEIN-ENERGY FEEDING SYSTEM ON THE PERFORMANCE OF TWO LOCAL CHICKEN STRAINS

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted at El-Sabahia Poultry Breeding Research Station, Alexandria Governorate, Animal Production Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, during the period between April 1999 and February 2000. The objective of the• study was to investigate the effect of protein-energy feeding systems on the performance of the two local chicken strains (Gimmizah and Golden Montazah). Feeding Trial:

A-Brooding period (from 2 to 6 weeks of age):

A total number of 450 two weeks old chicks from each strain were used. The. chicks were distributed into three dietary treatments using three protein levels (14, 16 and 18% CP) and• one energy level (2800 kcal ME/kg). Each treatment consisted of three replicates of 50 chicks. During this period, data on body weight, body weight gain, growth rate, feed consumption, feed conversion, protein efficiency, blood constituents and mortality percentage as affected by protein level wee estimated. B-Rearing period (from 6 to 12 weeks of age):

During this period, three di,ets were used with the same levelof energy (2800 Kcal ME/kg). Protein sequence in the first treatment chicks fed increased protein level from 14 to 16 % CP (SUP). In the second treatment chicks, fed constant protein level of 16% CP (CONSP). While, in the third treatment fed decreased protein level from IS to 16 % CP (SDP), to evaluate on body weight, body weight gain, growth rate, feed consumption, feed conversion, protein efficiency, blood constituents and mortality percentage as affected by protein sequence. C-Growing period (from 12 to 18 weeks of age):

For the previous three protein sequences, three sequences of energy were used with each level of protein sequence so nine diets were used. These sequence were high energy (SUE) (31 00 kcal ME/kg), constant energy (CONSE) (2800 kcal ME/kg) or low energy (SDE) (2500 kcal ME/kg).