Protein Requirement of Medium Egg-type Chick In Hot Arid Conditions

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine protein requirement of Medium egg
type chick during the starting growing period. Average daily temperature was 33ºC with 
30 relative humidity. Three diets based on sorghum grains with protein supplements made 
of fish meal, sesame and peanut meals were formulated to contain 18, 20 and 22% crude 
protein. All diets had similar amino acids and ME content (2850 Keal/kg). 
Chick fed 18% protein diet consumed more feed than the other two groups 
(P<0.05). There was no difference in body weight gain and feed conversion ratio between 
treatments. Feed intake was 1594. 1569 and 1561 g/bird whereas average body weight was 
376, 377 and 391 g/bird for the three diets respectively. 
In second experiment, three diets containing 15, 17 and 19% CP were fed from 6
14 weeks of age. All diets were similar in amino acids content and (2850 kcal/kg). Feed 
consumption and average body weight at 14 weeks of age for the three groups were 5077, 
5072 and 5062 g/bird, 1043, 973 and 972 g/bird respectively. Suggested protein 
requirements are 18 and 15% CP for 0-6 and 6-14 weeks of age respectively.