Energy and protein requirements for growth of the local domestic fowl(<i>Gallus domestic</i>).

Abstract

Energy and protein requirements of thirty-six local fowls at 2 weeks old were determined in chick and grower phases. Two levels of energy and three levels of protein tested in each phase. Six dietary treatments were employed and each treatment had three replicates of two birds each. In the chick starter phase, energy and protein combinations included: diet 1, 2,700kcal ME / Kg and 18% CP; diet 2, 2700kcal ME / Kg and 20% CP; diet 3, 2,700kcal ME / Kg and 22% CP; diet 4, 3,000kcal ME / Kg and 18% CP; diet 5, 3,000kcal ME /Kg and 20% CP and diet 6 (control), 3,000kcal ME /Kg and 22% CP. The energy and protein level combinations in the grower phase included the following; diet 1, 2,700kcal ME/ Kg and 13% CP; diet 2, 2,700kcal ME/ Kg and 15% CP; diet 3, 2,700kcal ME / Kg and 17% CP; diet 4, 3,000kcal ME/ Kg and 13% CP; diet 5, 3,000kcal ME/ Kg and 15% CP and diet 6 (control), 3,000kcal ME/ Kg and 17% CP. The experiment lasted 7 weeks for the chick starter phase and 7 to 20 weeks for the grower phase. The chicks were randomly distributed to the diets in a completely randomized design. In all the parameters measured in both phases, the control diet promoted growth of the birds better than others. For the control diet at the chick starter phase, the average feed intake (API) (g/day) was 20.20 while the efficiency of feed utilization (EFU), metabolisable energy intake (kcal/kg/day), average body weight (g/bird/wk) and average body weight gain (g/bird/day) were 0.22, 75.60, 124.40, and 4.48 respectively. The corresponding values for the grower phase were 48.80, 0.11, 91.27, 769.70 and 5.41 in that order. The values for API and average body weight per bird were not significantly different (P> 0.05) at the chick starter phase but differences were significant (P< 0.05) «it the grower phase. The diet 3 in the grower phase improved growth with the highest EFU, 0.12, and was better utilized by the birds than in the chick starter phase where it was least utilized. High energy, high protein diet enhanced growth while low energy, high protein diet did not support maximum growth especially in the chick starter phase. The control diet produced birds with the heaviest carcass and best body conformation.

 Keywords: Energy, requirement, protein, local fowl, growth, phase.