This experiment was carried out in order to evaluate performance, nitrogen and dry matter balance and morfometrical measures of broilers raised with different levels of protein and energy on pre-starter phase (1 to 7 days of age). In a completely randomized design, 336 one-day old chicks were allotted in a completely randomized design in a factorial scheme 2 x 3 (metabolizable energy 2,850 and 3,000 kcal/kg and crude protein - 20, 23 and 26%) with four replicates with 14 birds each. The digestibility trial occurred in the first week, and the total excreta collection method was used from 4 to 7 days of age. The results indicated that feed intake and feed conversion from 1 to 7 days, and feed intake from 1 to 21 days, showing that the 23% and 26% CP gave the best results for pre-starter phase in this experiment. The metabolizable energy levels did not affect the performance neither nutritional balances of dry matter and nitrogen.
broiler; feeding program; pre-starter ration; performance
