Effect of metabolizable energy and crude protein levels on performance, fertility, hatchability and egg quality of Rajasri breeder birds

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of different levels of dietary energy and crude protein on productive performance, egg quality, and reproductive parameters in Rajasri breeder birds during a 12-week period between 25 to 36 weeks of age. A total of 648 birds were divided into nine dietary treatments, each with eight replicates, following a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of three dietary metabolizable energy levels (2400, 2500, and 2600 kcal ME/kg) and three crude protein levels (14, 15, and 16%). The results of the study indicated that metabolizable energy had a significant effect on feed intake, egg weight, body weight, yolk colour, and shell thickness. However, there was no significant effect of energy on egg production and feed efficiency. An increase in egg weight was observed as crude protein levels increased in the diet, but there was no significant difference in albumin quality, yolk index, and shape index. Yolk colour was higher in the 2600 kcal ME/kg fed group. Furthermore, the study found that there was no significant effect of ME and CP levels on the percentage of shell, but shell thickness decreased as energy increased. There was also no significant effect on density and shell breaking strength, fertility, hatchability on total eggs set (TES), and hatchability on fertile eggs set (FES). Based on the findings, concluded that the Rajasri breeder birds require a diet containing 2400 kcal ME/kg and 14% CP for optimal productive and reproductive performance.