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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mississippi State, Mississippi » Poultry Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #214174
Title: Valine Nutrient Recommendations for Ross × Ross 308 Broilers

Author
item CORZO, A - MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV
item DOZIER III, WILLIAM
item KIDD, M - MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV

Submitted to: Poultry Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/7/2007
Publication Date: 3/15/2008
Citation: Corzo, A., Dozier III, W.A., Kidd, M.T. 2008. Valine Nutrient Recommendations for Ross × Ross 308 Broilers. Poultry Science 87:335-338.

Interpretive Summary: Feed cost represents 65% of the total live production cost for broiler chickens that supports an industry that produces 8 billion birds annually. Feed cost approximates 65% of the total cost for producing broilers. Large percentage of the cost of the diet is protein/amino acid contributing ingredients. Valine is the fourth limiting amino acid for broiler chickens fed corn-soybean meal based diets. The valine requirement was evaluated with Ross × Ross 708 broilers from 0 to 42 days of age. Total valine requirements were 1.00% for the starter, 0.95% for the grower and 0.85% total Val for the finisher period.

Technical Abstract: Studies delineating dietary Val needs of modern commercial broilers are sparse. Three studies were conducted to determine the dietary Val nutrient minimum of Ross × Ross 308 male broilers. Three time periods were evaluated independently, 0 to 14 d (starter), 14 to 28 d (grower) and 28 to 42 d (finisher) of age. Corn-peanut meal based diets for each feeding phase served to titrate the Val dose-response levels. Dietary Val (total basis) was supplied from 0.75% up to 1.15% at 0.08% increments for the starter phase; from 0.73% up to 1.08% at 0.07% increments for the grower phase; and from 0.64% up to 0.99% at 0.07% increments for the finisher phase. Valine nutrient minumums were obtained for all periods evaluated. These estimates were 1.00% for the starter, 0.95% for the grower and 0.85% total Val for the finisher period. Overall data regarding dietary Val evaluation followed a natural and synchronized decline with age. Minimum total dietary Val values of 1.00, 0.95 and 0.85% for the starter, grower and finisher phase, respectively, should provide nutritionists with a guide for these nutrient minimums, particularly in the use of Ross × Ross 308 broilers. These values translate into calculated apparent digestible Val recommendations of 0.91, 0.86 and 0.78% for the starter, grower and finisher feeding phases, respectively.