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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #141915
Title: ISOLEUCINE NEEDS OF ROSS MALE BROILERS

Author
item KIDD, M - MISSISSIPPI STATE
item BARBER, S - MISSISSIPPI STATE
item ZUMWALT, C - MISSISSIPPI STATE
item BURNHAM, D - AJINOMOTO HEARTLAND
item Kerr, Brian

Submitted to: Poultry Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/20/2003
Publication Date: 1/20/2003
Citation: Kidd, M.T., Barber, S.J., Zumwalt, C.D., Burnham, D.J., Kerr, B.J. 2003. Isoleucine needs of ross male broilers. Poultry Science. 81(Suppl. 1):116.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Isoleucine (Ile) needs of growing and finishing Ross x Ross 308 male broilers were measured by evaluating growth performance and processing attributes in six floor pen experiments. The degree of deficiency of the mash Ile test diet (corn, soybean meal, and blood meal based) and the ability of it to support growth equal to that of a mash diet based on corn and soybean meal containing surfeit Ile was measured in Experiments 1, 2, and 3 from Days 18 to 30, 30 to 42, and 42 to 56, respectively. In all time periods, the Ile deficient test diets (31% lower than the 1994 NRC Ile recommendations) reduced (P < 0.05) growth and carcass weights of birds and the test diet containing surfeit Ile restored growth and carcass weights (P > 0.05) equal to that of birds receiving the corn and soybean meal diets. Because the Ile response was validated, the Ile need (95% of the asymptote from the quadratic model) was measured for growth and carcass needs from Days 18 to 30, 30 to 42, and 42 to 56 in Experiments 4, 5, and 6, respectively. Recommended needs for Ile are expressed as total percentage of diet and the digestible Ile coefficient is 90.4%. The Ile needs from Days 18 to 30 for BW gain and feed:gain were 0.68 and 0.71%, respectively. From Days 30 to 42, BW gain and feed:gain Ile needs were 0.64 and 0.66%, respectively. Significant, quadratic carcass responses for this period did not occur. From Days 42 to 56, Ile needs for BW gain, breast meat weight, and breast meat yield were 0.55, 0.60, and 0.63% of diet, respectively. Dietary Ile needs for live performance in Ross male broilers were well below published values (NRC, 1994). The Ile minimums can be used in feed formulation to reduce protein while taking advantage of commercially available feed grade amino acids and minimizing dietary amino acid excesses.