Effect of starch and amino acid levels on growth performance and blood parameters of broiler chicks

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between starch and amino acid levels of broiler diets on growth performance and feed efficiency. In this study, 240 day old chicks were distributed into 6 treatments using a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. Three treatments were fed with high starch and three others were fed with low starch. Both type of diets were formulated as isocaloric with three levels of total lysine, varying from 1.34, 1.43 and 1.48% for starter period (0-18 days) and 1.18, 1.3 and 1.35% for finisher period (19-35 days). The result showed that high starch level increased body weight gain (p<0.01) and feed intake at 35 days (p<0.05). No interaction between starch level and amino acid level was observed for body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio at 35 days. There was no difference for blood parameter glucose. Uric acid and insulin was affected by starch and amino acid level. Significant interaction between starch level and amino acid was observed for uric acid. Ratio starch and amino acid were positively correlated with weight gain and feed consumption (r = 0.573, p<0.05). It was concluded that feeding high starch level based on corn soya diet increased body weight gain and feed intake. Starch level has relationship with blood glucose, insulin and utilization of protein and energy in broiler. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2014.