The Effect of Dietary Crude Protein on Growth, Ammonia Concentration, and Litter Composition in Broilers

N. S. Ferguson, R. S. Gates, J. L. Taraba, A. H. Cantor, A. J. Pescatore, M. J. Ford, D. J. Burnham

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of diets with reduced CP and supplemental amino acids on broiler performance, N excretion, litter characteristics, and equilibrium NH3 gas concentration. Results suggest that reducing CP (and lysine) below 241 g/kg (13.7 g/kg lysine) in the diets fed during the first 3 wk may slightly increase feed:gain and therefore may not be advisable. During the period 22 to 43 d of age there were no significant differences in weight gain and BW at 6 wk of age when reducing CP from 215 g/kg (11.5 g/kg lysine) to 196 g/kg (11.3 g/kg lysine), but feed intake and feed:gain ratio increased. However, reducing CP did cause equilibrium NH3 gas concentration and litter N to decline by 31 and 16.5%, respectively. Both of these advantages will improve air quality within the housing facility and possibly reduce heating costs during winter associated with higher ventilation rates required to reduce elevated NH3 gas concentrations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1481-1487
Number of pages7
JournalPoultry science
Volume77
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1998
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Ammonia
  • Broiler
  • Crude protein
  • Litter composition

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Animal Science and Zoology

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