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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mississippi State, Mississippi » Poultry Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #178012
Title: GROWTH RESPONSES, PLASMA METABOLITES, NITROGEN EXCRETION, AND AMMONIA PRODUCTION OF MALE BROILERS PROVIDED DIETS VARYING IN AMINO ACID DENSITY

Author
item Dozier Iii, William
item KIDD, M - MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV
item CORZO, A - MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV
item Miles, Dana
item Branton, Scott

Submitted to: Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2005
Publication Date: 9/1/2005
Citation: Dozier, III, W.A., Kidd, M.T., Corzo, A., Miles, D.M., Branton, S.L. 2005. Growth responses, plasma metabolites, nitrogen excretion, and ammonia production of male broilers provided diets varying in amino acid density [abstract]. Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract. p.42

Interpretive Summary: No summary required, abstract only.

Technical Abstract: Increasing amino acid density early in life has shown to increase subsequent growth performance and breast meat yield. However, reducing nutrient density as birds reach market weight will decrease nitrogen content of excreta and may reduce ammonia production as well as allow for growth comparable to a higher CP regimen. This study examined growth performance, plasma metabolites, nitrogen excretion, and ammonia production of male broilers during a 35 d production period. Two-hundred and forty Ross x Ross 708 male broilers were randomly assigned into Petersime batteries having raised wire floors (5 birds/cage) at one d of age. Dietary treatments consisted of four feeding regimens formulated to moderate (M) or high (H) amino acid density based on an ideal amino acid pattern. Diets were fed from 1 to 7, 8 to 19, and 20 to 35 d. Feeding regimen treatments were 1) HHH; 2) HHM; 3) HMM; 4) MMM. Each treatment was represented by 12 replicate pens. At d 26, blood was collected from one bird/pen for the determination of plasma total protein and uric acid concentrations. A 48 h total excreta collection period (33 to 35 d) was conducted to assess nitrogen excretion and ammonia production. Broilers fed the HHH regimen had improved (P'0.03) cumulative BW gain and feed conversion, but feed consumption and mortality were unaffected. Feeding the H amino acid density diet until 19 d of age improved (P'0.02) BW gain. Plasma total protein and uric acid were similar among the treatments. From 33 to 35 d, increasing amino acid density increased (P'0.04) nitrogen excretion and ammonia production. We conclude that reducing amino acid density during the final phase of growth decreased nitrogen excretion and ammonia production but cumulative feed conversion was compromised.