METABOLIZABLE ENERGY AND CRUDE PROTEIN REQUIREMENTS IN NATIVE CHICKENS IN TROPICAL LOWLAND AREAS

Abstract

This research investigates the metabolic energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) requirements of native chickens in tropical lowland areas, focusing on their feed intake, energy, and protein needs for optimal growth. Using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), the study assessed four different feed treatments with varying ME and CP contents. The treatments in this study were: native chickens that received feed with a metabolizable energy (ME) content of 2700 kcal/kg and crude protein (CP) 14% (A), ME 2800 kcal/kg and CP 15% (B), ME 2900 kcal/kg CP16% (C), ME 3000 kcal/kg and CP 17% (D). Feed treatment with different metabolized energy and crude protein content did not significantly influence the variables of air temperature, relative humidity and temperature humidity index.  The metabolic energy requirements for native chickens aged 0-8 weeks in tropical lowlands range from 47.76 kcal/head/day to 64.63 kcal/head/day. The crude protein requirement ranges from 2.25 g/day to 3.84 g/day. Average feed consumption per bird is 20.48 g/day. The study concludes that varying feed treatments do not impact the cage microclimate, and native chickens in the tropical lowlands require feed with metabolic energy content 2656.25 kcal/kg and 14.36% crude protein.

Key words: native chicken, cage microclimate, energy metabolism, crude protein