TY  - JOUR
AU  - Erwan, E. 
AU  - Alimon, A. R. 
AU  - Sazili, A. Q. 
AU  - Yaakub, H. 
AU  - Hilmi, M. 
PY  - 2009
TI  - Effect of L-Leucine Supplementation on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Grower-Broiler Chickens Fed Low Protein Diets
JF  - American Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
VL  - 4
IS  - 4
DO  - 10.3844/ajavsp.2009.95.100
UR  - https://thescipub.com/abstract/ajavsp.2009.95.100
AB  - Problem statement: Supplementation of broiler diets with cristalline amino acids (i.e. lysine, ethionine and threonine) may support equal broiler growth and improve overall amino acids balance and enable a reduction in CP level of diets. Approach:   A trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplemental L-leucine in diets containing recommended levels and low crude protein (20 and 18%, respectively) with constant metabolizable energy (3200 kcal kg-1) for broilers from 21-42 day of age. Six experimental diets were formulated with three levels of supplemental L-leucine, 0, 0.5 and 0.67% and two levels of crude protein. A total of 180 1 day-old Cobb broiler chickens were randomly divided into 36 experimental pens, 5 chickens in each pen, with each diet replicated 6 times. The dietary treatments were offered from 21-42 days of age. Feed intake, body weight gain and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were measured on a weekly basis. At the end of the feeding trial the birds were slaughtered and carcass analyses conducted. Results: Feed intake, weight gain and FCR were not affected by increasing levels of L-leucine supplementation. Weight gain was significantly reduced (p