China Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Medicine ›› 2025, Vol. 52 ›› Issue (9): 4057-4068.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2025.09.005

• Nutrition and Feed • Previous Articles    

Effects of Different Energy and Protein Levels Diets on the Growth Performance of Offspring of Snowy Mountain Chicken Breeder Hens

CHEN Wanhong1, YANG Wenpeng2, HUANG Shaohua1, ZHU Peiji3, JIA Daihan3, ZHAO Minmeng1, ZHANG Jun1,4, LI Jun3, GONG Daoqing1   

  1. 1. College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China;
    2. Shanghai Farm Jiangsu Zhengyang Poultry Co., Ltd., Yancheng 224100, China;
    3. Jiangsu Lihua Husbandry Co., Ltd., Changzhou 213100, China;
    4. Xuzhou Polytechnic College of Bioengineering, Xuzhou 221006, China
  • Received:2025-01-10 Published:2025-08-29

Abstract: 【Objective】 The aim of this experiment was to study the effects of feeding Snowy Mountain chicken breeder hens with different energy and protein nutrient levels of rations on their offspring’s average daily gain (ADG),feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) and body size traits. 【Method】 Breeding hens were randomly divided into 9 groups according to a 3×3 two-factor experimental design,with 3 energy levels (11.09,11.51,11.92 MJ/kg) and 3 protein levels (14.50%,15.50%,16.50%).Breeding eggs were collected and incubated at 35 weeks of age, 2 700 1-day-old chicks were selected after hatching,and were grouped according to the breeders,1 350 males and 1 350 females,housed separately.The experimental period was 91 d.Daily weight gain and feed consumption were counted during the experimental period,and body size traits were measured at the end of the experiment. 【Result】 ① Dietary energy level had a significant effect on ADG and F/G of the male chickens at 50-70 days of age (P<0.05),and with the increase of energy level,ADG was decreased while F/G was increased (P<0.05).Dietary protein level had a significant effect on ADG of the male chickens at 1-14 days of age (P<0.05),it was significantly higher in high protein group than that in medium protein group.Energy and protein levels had an extremely significant interaction on the newborn weight (P<0.01),and significant interaction on ADG at 50-70 days of age (P<0.05) of male chickens.② Dietary energy level had significant effects on F/G of female chickens at 71-91 days of age (P<0.05),it was significantly higher in high energy group than that in medium energy group.Dietary protein level had significant effects on F/G at 71-91 days of age,ADG and body weights at 1-91 days of age,and body weights at 91 days of age of female chickens (P<0.05),the high protein group exhibited a significantly higher F/G compared to the low protein group during the 71-91 days of age,while the medium protein group demonstrated markedly lower body weight at 91 days of age than both the low and high protein groups.③ Dietary energy and protein levels exhibited no significant effects on body size traits of male chickens (P>0.05),however,pectoral depth in male chickens demonstrated a tendency to increase with elevated dietary energy levels (P=0.085).④ Dietary energy levels significantly affected breast width in female chickens (P<0.05),the medium energy group exhibited significantly higher values than the low and high energy groups (P<0.05),tibial circumference demonstrated a quadratic tendency with increasing dietary energy levels (P=0.053).Dietary protein levels exerted significant effects on tibial circumference,pectoral depth (P<0.05).Tibial circumference in the low protein group was significantly greater than that in the medium and high protein groups (P<0.05).Both low and high protein groups exhibited significantly greater pectoral depth compared to the medium protein group,with maximum keel length observed at a protein level of 16.50%. 【Conclusion】 Based on a comprehensive evaluation of offspring growth performance parameters,the recommended dietary energy and protein levels for Snow Mountain breeding hens during the laying period were 11.51 MJ/kg and 16.50%,respectively.

Key words: dietary energy level; dietary protein level; Snow Mountain chicken offspring; growth performance; body size traits

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