The performance of male ducklings given starter diets with different concentrations of energy and protein

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Abstract
1. Male ducklings were fed for 14, 21 or 28 d on diets containing 180, 200, 220 or 240 g of protein and 10.88 or 12.55 MJ of metabolisable energy (ME) per kg, followed by a common finisher diet until 56 d of age. 2. Birds given starter diets with 220 or 240 g of protein per kg were significantly heavier at 14 d than those given diets with 180 or 200 g protein per kg. 3. There was no significant benefit in feeding diets with protein levels greater than 180 g/kg for more than 14 d. 4. Diets with only 10.88 MJ of ME per kg produced significantly lighter birds at 28 and 56 d of age and significantly reduced food conversion efficiency up to 14 d.