Two experiments (EXP) were carried out to investigate the metabolizable energy:crude protein ratios (ME:CP) and threonine addition (Thr) in high-energy (H) (3.200kcal ME/kg) and low-energy (L) (2.900kcal ME/kg) diets, on the performance and carcass composition of male broiler chickens. The ME:CP ratios were: 139 and 160kcal/% for starter diets (1 to 21 days of age) (EXP 1) and 160 and 181kcal/% for grower diets (22 to 40 days)(EXP 2), in both energy levels, keeping Met + Cys and Lys constant. Thr was supplemented to equalize its level to the lower EM:PB ratio. All birds received a unique diet after (EXP 1) or before (EXP 2) been fed with the experimental diets. In both EXP feeding H diets resulted in better performance -weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion (FC) (p<0,01) at the end of each experimental period. However, in EXP 1, birds fed with L diets during the starter period had better caloric conversion (kcal/kg) (CC) in the total period (1 to 40 days), as an indicative of accelerated growth. The lower levels of Thr (0.74 and 0.69% for H and L diets, respectively) were not limiting for birds' performance. On EXP 2, the 181 ME:CP decreased WG (p<0.08) and increased FC (p<0.01) in both energy levels. Thr was not a limiting amino acid in initial practical diets (1 to 21 days of age). On the other hand, Thr supplementation improved performance of birds at 181 E:CP (22 to 40 days) (EXP2). Thr addition did not influence carcass composition in both EXP.
broilers; carcass composition; energy: protein ratio; threonine
