Amino-Acid-Balanced Low-Protein Diets Reduce Nitrogen Excretion Without Affecting Growth Performance in Broilers

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Environmental Science
• Agricultural Science

Background:

• Greenhouse gas emissions from livestock, particularly nitrous oxide (N2O) from poultry manure, are a significant environmental concern.
• Nitrous oxide emissions are closely linked to the nitrogen content in animal manure.
• Mitigating these emissions is crucial for addressing climate change.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of amino-acid-balanced low-crude-protein (AALP) diets in reducing nitrogen excretion in broilers.
• To determine if AALP diets impact broiler growth performance and organ weights.
• To assess the potential of AALP diets for sustainable poultry production and climate change mitigation.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-six male broiler chicks were fed either a control diet or an AALP diet for 50 days.
• Nitrogen excretion was measured using chromic oxide as an indigestible marker.
• Model-based integration was used to estimate cumulative nitrogen reduction.

Main Results:

• Broilers fed AALP diets showed significantly reduced nitrogen excretion at most time points, with a cumulative reduction of 31.1% compared to controls.
• Growth performance was maintained in the AALP group, with an improved feed conversion ratio during the grower phase.
• Organ weights were largely unaffected, though liver weight showed a tendency to increase.

Conclusions:

• AALP diets effectively reduce nitrogen excretion in broilers without compromising growth performance.
• This dietary strategy offers a viable method for sustainable poultry production.
• Implementing AALP diets can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving national climate goals.