Effects of variation in dietary energy concentration of starter and finisher diets on broiler production

Abstract

Least-cost starter and finisher broiler diets at five levels of metabolizable energy (ME) concentration were formulated. The diets were fed in selected combinations of starter and finisher energy concentration to batches of broiler chickens to 1650 g. Performance data were recorded and it was found that best biological efficiency was obtained by feeding starter-finisher diets with ME concentrations in the range 12.6 to 13.8 MJ kg-1. However, best economic results were obtained from diets with energy concentrations somewhat below these levels, at approximately 12.2 to 12.5 MJ kg-1. There was no evidence that ME of the starter diet influenced the ME concentration of the finisher diet required for optimal performance.