INFLUENCE OF VARYING LOW DIETARY ENERGY LEVELS ON CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF BROILER CHICKENS

Résumé

Two hundred and seventy day old Amok Broiler Chicks with an average initial weight of 40.45g were used in a feeding trial to determine the carcass characteristics of the finisher broilers fed low dietary energy levels. Three isonitrogenous (24% CP) diets containing 2 400, 2 600 and 2 800 ME Kcal/Kg were used in a completely randomized design. Results showed that the Live Weight, Slaughtered Weight, Plucked Weight, Carcass Weight and Dressing Percentage of birds fed the three diets were statistically similar. The wing as express in percentage Live Weight was significantly higher (p<0.05) for broilers fed 2 400 and 2 600 ME Kcal/Kg. The Drumstick and Liver as expressed in percentage Live Weight Followed similar trend. The study recommended that low energy diets should be formulated for poultry so as to minimize the accumulation of cholesterol in between the muscle fibres and on visceral organs which can consequently affects the physiological and metabolic functions of the birds, organoleptic characteristics, marketability of the products and health status of the consumer.