Effect of dietary protein and environmental temperature on growth performance and water consumption of male broiler chickens

1. Male broilers were reared in individual cages from 23 to 44 d of age. The effect of 2 temperatures (22 degrees and 32 degrees C) and 2 crude protein (CP) levels (160 and 200 g/kg) were studied. The low protein diet was supplemented with lysine, methionine, arginine, threonine and valine in order to meet requirements. 2. At 22 degrees C, a reduced CP content did not affect growth rate and breast muscle but slightly increased adiposity and food to gain ratio (FCR). Water consumption was reduced. 3. High temperature reduced growth rate and absolute and proportional breast muscle weight, and increased adiposity and FCR. These effects were more pronounced with the low CP diet. Water consumption was also reduced. 4. It was concluded that reducing CP content did not seem a good way to help broilers to withstand hot conditions. This experiment suggests that amino acids other than lysine, methionine and cystine are probably involved in the detrimental effect of high temperature.