Effect of Graded Level of Dietary Energy and Protein on the Growth Performance of Cockerels

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different protein and energy levels on the growth performance of growing cockerels. A total of 270 day-old commercial broiler chicks were equally and randomly divided into nine experimental groups and fed diets having three levels each of crude protein (16, 19 and 22%) and metabolizable energy (2500, 2700 and 2900 Kcal/kg) for eight weeks of age. Body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio and performance index was significantly (P<0.05) affected by dietary protein and energy levels. The highest weight gain, feed efficiency and performance index was observed in the dietary treatment having 22% crude protein and 2900 Kcal/kg metabolisable energy. Among all, ration having 22% crude protein and 2900 Kcal metabolizable energy/kg diet was the most economical in terms of feed cost per kg weight gain. Based on the present study it can be concluded that 22% crude protein and 2900 Kcal metabolizable energy per kg diet is adequate for optimum growth performance of cockerels.