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Apparent Metabolizable Energy Needs of Broiler Chicks Subjected to Diverse Ambient Temperature Regimens¹

W. A. Dozier, III^*,2, A. Corzo and M. T. Kidd

^* USDA, Agriculture Research Service, Poultry Research Unit, PO Box 5367, Mississippi State, MS 39762-5367; and Department of Poultry Science, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State 39762

Correspondence: ² Corresponding author: Bill.Dozier{at}ars.usda.gov

Early chick performance is adversely affected by inadequate ambient temperatures. Increasing AME_n may help alleviate poor performance with chicks subjected to low brooding temperatures. This study examined the effects on subsequent growth and meat yield responses in broiler chicks provided diets formulated to either 3,040 or 3,140 kcal of AME_n/kg when subjected to diverse ambient temperatures from 0 to 15 d. Two experiments were conducted. In experiment 1, ambient temperature was considered optimum and was held constant, with set points of 34°C from placement (0 d) to 4 d, 32°C from 5 to 9 d, and 29°C from 10 to 15 d. In experiment 2, suboptimal ambient temperatures (held constant) were 29°C from placement to 3 d, 28°C from 4 to 6 d, 26°C from 7 to 11 d, and 25°C from 12 to 15 d. In both experiments, diet and temperature were common from 16 to 40 d. Energy consumption per unit of gain from 0 to 15 d was improved with chicks fed the moderate AME_n (3,040 kcal of AME_n/kg; 1,553 kcal of AME_n intake) diet compared with chicks fed the high AME_n (3,140 kcal of AME_n/kg; 1,614 kcal of AME_n intake) diet in experiment 1. From 0 to 15 d, feed conversion was improved with chicks provided the high AME_n diet (3,140 kcal of AME_n/kg; 1,689 kcal of AME_n intake) over that of chicks fed the moderate AME_n diet (3,040 kcal of AME_n/kg; 1,678 kcal of AME_n intake) in experiment 2. In both experiments, dietary treatments did not influence final BW gain, cumulative feed conversion, or breast meat yield. Providing chicks with a diet containing moderate AME_n (3,040 kcal of AME_n/kg) when subjected to diverse brooding temperatures was adequate to support cumulative growth responses.

Key Words: broiler • metabolizable energy • temperature

¹ Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the USDA.