Apparent metabolizable energy and feeding value of high lysine maize (Nityashree) in broiler chickens

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to determine the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and feeding value of high
lysine maize, Nityashree hybrid (NHM) vis-à-vis normal maize (NM) in broiler chickens. The AME values were measured
by the European reference method utilizing 18 adult White Leghorn cockerels (28 wk). The feeding value of NHM visà-vis
NM was evaluated utilizing day-old broiler chicks for 6 weeks. Day-old-male broiler (250) chicks were equally distributed into 5 treatment groups. A standard control broiler diet based on maize soybean meal was prepared. Four more test diets were prepared by substituting normal maize with NHM at 25, 50, 75 and 100% level. All the diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous and had the same levels of lysine. Each diet was offered to 10 replicates of 5 chicks each up to 6 weeks of age. The results of energy bioassay revealed that AME content of NHM (3326 kcal/kg) was comparable to that of NM (3352 kcal/kg). The growth performance of chicks fed diet containing NM or NHM with respect to body weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio did not differ statistically either during starter or finisher phases. The serum biochemical parameters measured in terms of protein, Ca, P, total and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and activity of enzyme alkaline phosphatase was comparable between NM and NHM group. None of the carcass attributes varied significantly by dietary replacement of NM with NHM either partially or completely except the giblet weight. It may be concluded that the apparent metabolizable energy and feeding value of Nityashree hybrid maize for broiler chicks were similar to normal maize.