Evaluation of the varying inclusion levels of lysine supplement on the growth performance and carcass yield of broiler finisher chickens

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of varying levels of dietary lysine supplement on growth performance and carcass yield of broiler finisher chickens. One hundred and fifty (150) 4 weeks old broiler chickens were divided into 5 groups of 30 birds. Each group was further divided into 3 replicates of 10 birds in a Completely Randomized Design. The 5 groups were randomly assigned to five isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets containing lysine supplement with inclusion levels of 0.125, 0.100 (control), 0.075, 0.050 and 0.025 %. The experimental diets and drinking water were given to the birds ad libitum for a period of 4 weeks (28 days) during which average initial weights, feed intake, weight gains and final weights at the end of the study period were taken. In evaluating carcass yield, two birds with weights closest to the average of each replicate from each treatment were selected, slaughtered, scalded, plucked, eviscerated and dissected. The dressed carcass, carcass components and internal organs were weighed and expressed as percentage of live weights. Statistical analyses of data obtained revealed significant differences (P < 0.05) in all growth performance indices between treatments. Also, dressing percentages and proportions of breasts, drumsticks, hearts and gizzards differed significantly (P < 0.05) between treatments. It was concluded that reduction of dietary lysine supplement to as low as 25 % of recommended level did not have any adverse effect on growth performance and carcass yield of broiler finisher chickens.