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Protein and vitamin E levels for broiler breed hens. 1. Effects on broiler breed performance, egg composition and performance of their progeny

Protein and vitamin E levels for broiler breed hens. 1. Effects on broiler breed performance, egg composition and performance of their progeny

BARRETO, S.L.T., FERREIRA, W.M. and GONCALVES, T.M.

Abstract : This study was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effects of supplementation of two levels of crude protein (14 and 16% CP) and vitamin E (25 and 250mg VE/kg) in the diet on the performance and egg composition of broiler breed hens and on the performance of their progeny during the laying period (24-to-54 weeks of age). Thus 480 female and 48 male Ross breeder 18-week-old birds were randomly distributed in 16 floor pens, with 30 females and three males in each one. The diets were based on corn and soybean meal, and all them were isoenergetics (2750kcal ME/kg). The experimental design was a complete randomized block and the treatments were arranged in 2 ´ 2 factorial (CP ´ VE levels) with two repetitions each. Egg production/hen/day, egg weight, egg number/hen housed, viability, final female body weight and egg yolk percentage were not affected (P>0.05) by the treatments, and no interaction between CP and VE was observed. Hens fed diet with 16% CP, supplemented with 25 or 250mg VE/kg, had smaller egg shell and greater albumen percentage (P
Keywords : Broiler breed hen; protein; vitamin E; egg production; egg composition.

Arq. Bras. Med. Vet. Zootec., Apr. 1999, vol.51, no.2, p.183-192. Full text in Portuguese.