The aim of the study was to optimize the nutrient requirement for Dahlem Red (DR) birds. In experiment-I, a total of 240 DR layers (31 weeks old) were selected and divided into 5 groups, each having 8 replicates of 6 birds each. For this, five diets were formulated i.e. one basal diet (BD) with optimum (100%) nutrients, two diets with lower (97.5% and 95%) and two diets with higher (102.5% and 105%) nutrient density. The experiment was continued up to 50 weeks. The egg production was higher (P<0.05) among the birds fed diet containing higher nutrient density (102.5% and 105%) compared to those birds fed lower nutrient density diets (97.5% and 95%) during 31–38 weeks. Similarly, feed efficiency was better (P<0.05) among the groups fed diet containing higher nutrient density compared to those groups fed lower nutrient density diets during the 35–38 weeks. However, hatchability, egg weight, stress and immune parameters did not differ among the groups throughout the experimental period. In experiment-II, a total of 45 DR roosters (39 weeks) were randomly divided into five groups in individual cages in an open-sided house. An experimental male breeder diet was prepared to contain optimum (100%), lower (95% and 97.5%) and higher (102.5% and 105%) nutrient density. Semen from all the roosters was collected at 4th and 8th weeks and semen quality parameters (volume, motility, sperm concentration, live and abnormal sperms) were similar in all the treatments. It was concluded that the diet with 102.5% nutrients was more remunerative because of higher egg production and better feed efficiency. Altering the nutrient in the diets up to 5% higher or lower to the basal breeder diet did not influence the semen quality parameters in Dalham red birds.
Egg production, Nutrient density, Semen quality, Dahlem red
