Dietary Energy and Protein Requirements of Egg Type (CARI Sonali) Starting Chicks

Six experimental diets with two energy levels (2600 and 2800 kcal ME/kg) and three protein levels (18, 20, 22% CP) were formulated. Day-old CARI Sonali male and female chicks (n=288) were divided into 12 groups of 12 chicks each (12 x 12 x 2 sexes). Each dietary treatment was allotted with four groups of chicks i.e. two groups each of male and female. Feed intake and body weight changes were recorded weekly upto 8th week of age. A metabolism trial comprising of three days collection period was conducted at 8th week of age involving all the birds. Results indicated that body weight was significantly (P < 0.05) more on high-energy diet (2800 kcal ME/kg) at 8th week of age. However, protein levels had significant effect throughout the developing phase. Body weight increased vis-a-vis increase in protein level from 18 to 20 per cent CP but no further increase in weight was observed by increasing protein level (22%) in the diet. Total feed intake (P < 0.01) and feed conversion ratio (FCR, P < 0.05) were higher in low energy diet. Body weight, feed intake and FCR were statistically similar between male and female chicks. The birds under low energy group consumed more protein per unit gain in body weight, while protein efficiency decreased linearly with decrease in protein level. Energetic efficiency did not differ either due to dietary energy or protein level. It is concluded that the optimum energy and protein requirements for CARI Sonali chicks is 2800 kcal ME/kg and 18 per cent CP with 1.0 per cent lysine and 0.38 per cent methionine for the starting phase.