Effect of low protein diets supplemented with different levels of synthetic methionine and lysine on performance of broiler chickens in semi-arid environment

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of low protein intake supplemented with lysine and methionine on performance of broiler chickens. One hundred and thirty two (132) unsexed day old broiler chicks were randomly allocated into four (4) experimental diet groups in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) for a period of six (6) weeks. Each treatment consists of thirty three (33) birds and was replicated three (3) times with eleven (11) birds per replicate. The treatments were; T1 (Control), T2 (low CP supplemented with 0.40g/100kg lysine and 0.50g/100kg methionine), T3 (low CP supplemented with 0.60g/100kg lysine and 0.75g/100kg methionine), T4 (low CP supplemented with 0.80g/100kg lysine and 1.00g/100kg methionine). Feed and water was given ad-libitum. The results showed that chickens on the control diet had significantly (P<0.05) higher feed intake and FCR compared to other groups. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in the blood and carcass parameters measured. It was concluded that dietary low protein diets supplemented with amino acids had no adverse effect on performance of broiler chickens.