Performance of broilers on various levels of dietary protein and energy in summer under hot humid condition

Five hundred forty day-old synthetic female line broiler chicks were randomly divided into 9 dietary treatments with three replicates having 20 chicks in each replicate. During starter period the birds were fed three protein levels (22, 23 & 24%) and three energy levels (2700, 2800 and 2900 Kcal/kg) in a 3 x 3 factorial design. Weekly body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency and economics of production were studied for four weeks of starter period. At the end of fourth week the group fed with feed containing CP 24% and energy 2800 Kcal/Kg had the highest body weight and was not statistically (P>0.05) different from 23% CP and 2800 Kcal/kg ME. The body weight increased as the energy and protein levels increased in the diet upto 2800 Kcal/kg and 24% CP, respectively and beyond which no further increase was recorded. The feed efficiency of birds at the end of fourth week of age in CP 23%, 2900 Kcal and CP 24%, 2900 Kcal ME was same and were significantly different with other treatments. The cost of production per kg live weight was lowest in birds fed diet containing CP 23% and ME 2800 K cal/Kg. Considering the body weight, feed efficiency and economics, the CP 23% and ME 2800 Kcal/kg may be considered optimum for broiler starter period during summer in hot and humid climate.