Effect of Energy Level of Feeds on Feed Intake, Nutrient Utilization and Growth Performance of Indigenous Pullets of Assam

An experiment of twelve week duration with 12 week old indigenous birds was conducted with three experimental diets each having 16% dietary protein and 2500Kcal, 2700Kcal and 2900 (Kcal) Metabolisable energy (ME)/kg diet to know the effect of energy content of diet on feed consumption, nutrient utilization and growth performance of indigenous pullet. The feed intake of the birds of the three groups was inversely proportional to the energy contend of the diet. The result of this study indicated that during 12–24^th week of growth phase, indigenous chicken required metabolizable energy level of approximately 2700 (KcalME/kg) in their diet for optimum feed intake and growth rate. The best calorie protein ratio was found to be 167.77: 1 having 16% crude protein and 2500 (KcalME/kg diet) for indigenous poultry.