Nonprotein nitrogen for growing chickens

Area of Science:

• Animal Nutrition
• Poultry Science
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Nitrogen sources are crucial for poultry growth and development.
• Diammonium citrate (DAC) and urea are potential nitrogen supplements.
• Understanding their efficacy in young chicks is important for feed formulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of diammonium citrate (DAC) and urea as dietary nitrogen sources for young chicks.
• To determine the impact of DAC and urea on growth performance, feed efficiency, and nitrogen utilization.

Main Methods:

• Young chicks were fed low-protein diets supplemented with varying levels of urea or DAC.
• Growth performance (weight gain, feed efficiency) was measured.
• Nitrogen absorption and retention were assessed.

Main Results:

• Urea supplementation did not significantly affect chick growth or feed efficiency.
• Diammonium citrate (DAC) supplementation at 2.85% and 5.70% significantly depressed growth and feed efficiency.
• DAC decreased nitrogen intake absorption and retention percentages.
• Even with amino acid balancing, DAC still reduced nitrogen retention.

Conclusions:

• Diammonium citrate (DAC) and urea are not beneficial nitrogen sources for young chicks.
• High dietary levels of DAC negatively impact chick growth and nitrogen utilization.
• Further research may be needed to understand the mechanisms behind DAC's negative effects.