The experiment was carried out to determine the optimum inclusion level of dried egg powder (DEGG) in the pre-initial and growing rations of broilers. Male Cobb-500 chicks (n= 1,152) with initial live weight of 43.46 ± 0.23 g were housed in cages of 1,0 × 1,5 m. A completely randomized design with four rations 0, (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% of DEGG), each one with 18 replications of 16 birds. Isoproteic and isoenergetic rations were used, with 21.9% CP and 2,950 kcal AMEn from 1 to 7 days old and 20.9% CP and 3,000 kcal AMEn from 8 to 21 days old. Egg contents were dried at 55ºC for 72 hours and were negative for Salmonella spp. Dried egg powder inclusion levels showed a quadratic effect on feed intake, live weight, weight gain and feed conversion. Weight gain was obtained with the use of 0.53% dried egg powder in the ration in the pre-starter and 0.73% in the initial growth phase.
cracked eggs; egg nutritive value; performance
