Lysine supplementation of low-protein diets for broiler breeder males.

Two experiments were conducted to assess the impact of supplemental L-lysine HCl on N balance in broiler breeder males fed 8% CP corn-based diets (3,220 kcal MEn/kg; .15% supplemental DL-methionine; .24% basal lysine).

Cup versus tray excreta collections in metabolizable energy assays.

A cup-and-harness excreta collection device was compared with a traditional tray-type excreta collection method in an ME study. The AME and AMEn were determined for two different diets (12% CP, 3,160 kcal ME/kg, and 23% CP, 3,160 kcal/kg). Twenty-four broiler breeder males were used with methods and diets arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial design.

Performance of broiler breeder males given low protein feed.

One hundred and eight 24-wk-old broiler breeder males were arranged into 18 groups of six birds of equal average BW. Six groups were killed for carcass evaluation at 24 wk of age; the other 12 groups were divided between two dietary treatments. One treatment was a typical breeder-recommended male broiler breeder ration (standard, or ST; 12% CP, 3,160 kcal ME/kg), whereas the other was a low-protein, corn-based diet (all corn, or AC; 8% CP, 3,220 kcal ME/kg) formulated to approximate minimum amino acid requirements for positive nitrogen balance.