Using different levels of energy in the diet of chicken slow-growing strain of rustic French Pedrês (Barre Gris Cou Nu)

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the energy levels on growth performance and yield of the broilers Caipira French Pedrês, slaughtered at 77, 84 and 90 days old. We used 192 day old chicks, mixed, reared under intensive birds/m2 density of 6.4. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications of three treatments, the experimental unit being a box of 16 birds. Treatments were defined by the energy levels of the diets in the initial phase (1-28 days) and fattening (29 to 91 days) were: T1 - 3.000/3.100 kcal / kg, T2 –3.100/3.200 kcal / kg and T3 -3.200/3.300 kcal / kg. The variables studied were average weight, feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion efficiency, protein efficiency ratio, carcass yield, prime cuts (breast, thigh on thigh),wings, back, head + neck and feet. The birds showed better growth performance and carcass yield and cuts when fed diets containing 3,000 kcal / kg of the initial phase and 3,100 kcal / kg in the final stage, can be slaughtered at 77 days old.