Edi Erwan (2018) Supplementation of Caloric- and Protein-restricted Diets with L-leucine Stimulates Food Intake and Improves Carcass Characteristics in Broiler Chickens. International Journal of Poultry Science. pp. 28-33. ISSN 1682-8356

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Abstract

Background and Objective: As one of branch chain amino acids (BCCA), L-leucine may have potential as a regulator of feed intake in broiler chickens. This study aimed to evaluate dietary supplementation of low-protein and low-energy diets with L-leucine to improve the growth performance, body composition and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. Materials and Methods: About 80 days old broiler chicks (Cobb) were randomly distributed in a completely randomized design consisting of 4 treatments, each group had 4 replicates, with 5 birds/replicate pen in a battery brooder. The birds were fed a starter diet until the 21st day of age and from day 21-42, they were fed experimental diets that had restricted protein and calorie contents (18% and 3,000 kcal kgG 1 , respectively). Chickens were fed diets supplemented with different levels of L-leucine (0, 0.42, 0.5 and 0.75% kgG 1 ). Results: Supplementation with different doses of L-leucine strongly and dose-dependently increased feed intake and body weight gain and decreased the feed conversion ratio. Dietary L-leucine supplementation also increased live weight, carcass percentage and breast meat as well as the loss of body fat. Conclusion: Supplementing protein and energy-restricted diets with L-leucine can be used to improve growth performance, body composition and carcass characteristics in broiler chickens.

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