Studies on Energy Levels in Poultry Rations. 1. The Effect of Calorie-Protein Ratio of the Ration on Growth, Nutrient Utilization and Body Composition of Chicks

Abstract

FOLLOWING the work of Scott et al. (1947), it was demonstrated repeatedly that rations high in energy content tended to promote more rapid growth and better feed conversion in chickens than rations of lower energy content. The recent availability of stabilized fats and greases for use in poultry feeds, permitting even higher energy levels, led to a study of the relationship between energy and protein level of the ration (Combs and Romoser, 1955; Leong et al., 1955; Matterson et al., 1955; and Donaldson et al., 1955). These studies showed in general that as the energy content of the ration increased, the percent of protein required also increased. Baldini and Rosenberg (1955) also showed that the methionine requirement of chicks increased as the energy level of the ration was raised. Hill and Dansky (1950) found that growth was reduced when a high energy and low protein ration was fed, but that…