Substitution of normal maize with quality protein maize on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of substitution of normal maize (NM) with quality protein maize (QPM) on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. A control broiler diet based on maizesoybean meal was prepared to meet all the nutrients requirement except lysine. Another diet was prepared by substituting NM with QPM at 100% level. The third diet was similar to control but supplemented with synthetic lysine to meet the requirement as per standard. Each diet was fed at random to 10 replicates of six chicks each throughout the experimental period. The lowest body weight gain and poor feed conversion ratio was observed in the control diet containing NM both at 3 and 6 weeks of age. Dietary substitution of QPM with NM or supplementing lysine to NM diet significantly (P<0.05) increased the body weight gain and improved the feed conversion ratio. The retention of protein and Ca also significantly (P<0.05) increased by replacing NM with QPM compared to NM based diet. The concentrations of protein and Ca were significantly higher in the QPM and lysine supplemented group compared to NM diet. Dietary replacement of NM with QPM or supplemental lysine to the NM diet had no influence on dressed meat yield and giblet weight. However, the abdominal fat content decreased and breast meat yield increased by either substitution of NM with QPM or supplementing lysine to NM diet. It is concluded that the nutritional value of QPM is higher than NM and dietary substitution of NM by QPM needs no extra lysine supplementation in broiler strain of moderate growth for eliciting optimum performance.