Energy and protein levels in initial diets for guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

Abstract

An experiment involving 168 one day old Guinea fowls from a commercial crossing was carried out to study the effects of energy and protein levels on the performance of these birds during the initial growth period. Twelve diets containing three levels of energy (2,800; 3,000 and 3,200 kcal ME/kg) and four levels of crude protein (20, 22, 24 and 26%) based on com and soybean meal were furnished to birds alloted in individual wire cages. The experimental design was a factorial 3 (energy levels) x 4 (protein levels) and birds were distributed in a randomized block design with 14 birds per treatment. The parameters studied were: weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion. Results showed that birds fed with diets containing high levels of energy (3,000 and 3,200 kcal ME/kg) and protein (24 and 26%) showed a significantly (P < 0,05) higher weight gain and feed conversion than those fed with low-energy (2,800 kcal ME/kg) and low-protein (20 and 22%) diets. Environmental conditions were 25 to 31ºC and 78% relative humidity.