F&F Poultry No. 15178 Dietary nitrogen reduction did not compromise performance under commercial conditions but improved nitrogen balance

Conclusions

• Comparedto commercial standard feeds fed to control birds (Treatment 1: n = 210,000; 5barns), dietary crude protein levels were moderately reduced in grower I (-0.7 %-pts), grower II (-0.5 %-pts) and finisher feeds (-0.5 %-pts) (Treatment 2: n= 210,000; 5 barns).
• Dietary crude protein reduction …
  • … did not affect growth performance and feed conversion ratio.
  • … decreased water intake by 4 % and litter weight by 12 %.
  • … improved footpad health.
  • … decreased nitrogen excretions by 9 % and improved nitrogen utilization from 61 to 63 %.