Abdominal fat in broiler chickens 3. Effect of metabolizable energy and energy to protein ratio of the diet.

Abstract

Two experiments using 360 sexed broiler chicks in each one were carried out to evaluate the effect of energy level and energy to protein ratio of the diet during the finishing period (29 to 56 days of age). in the experiment 1, the levels of 2800, 2900, 3000, 3100 and 3200 kcal/kg, with an energy to protein ratio of 155, were compared. The same levels of metabolizable energy were compared in the experiment 2, but the protein level was constant (20%), changing the energy to protein ratio that was 140, 145, 150, 155 and 160. To both experiments The abdominal fat increased (P<0.1) as the energy level of the diet increased and the temaes presented higher (PC0. 1) abdominal fat than the males.