Evaluation of Bone Growth of 0-6 Week Old Native Chicken with Different Levels of Dietary Protein and Lysine Supplementation in the Ration

Abstract

This research aimed to study the effect of protein level and lysine supplementation on bone growth of native chicken by the age of 6 weeks. The materials used were unsexed DOC of native chicken with average body weight 25.2 ± 1.0 g. Research was carried out in 2 x 3 factorial arrangement  according to completely randomized design. There were 4 replications for each treatment combination with 10 chickens for each experimental unit. The treatments  were  P1L1 (17% protein  +  0.6% lysine of the ration ), P1L2 (17% protein + 0.7% lysine of the ration), P1L3 (17% protein + 0.8% lysine of the ration ), P2L1 (14% protein + 0.6% lysine of the ration), P2L2 (14% protein + 0.7% lysine of the ration), P2L3 (14% protein + 0.8% lysine the ration). Treatments were applied  starting from the age of  day 1 to 6 weeks of age. Parameters measured were femur length, femur weight and femur bone strength. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance followed by Duncan’s multiple range test at 5% probability level if there was a significant effect of treatment on the parameters. There was a significant interaction (P <0.05) between the level of protein and lysine supplementation affecting the femur length and femur bone weight, but there was no  interaction (P> 0.05) effects on the femur bone strength. Based on these results, it was concluded that the optimal growth of native chicken bones were obtained from the ration containing  17% protein and 0.8% lysine supplementation.