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Poult Sci 2008. 87:335-338. doi:10.3382/ps.2007-00307
© 2008 Poultry Science Association
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METABOLISM AND NUTRITION: Research Notes

Valine Nutrient Recommendations for Ross x Ross 308 Broilers1

A. Corzo*,2, W. A. Dozier, III{dagger} and M. T. Kidd*

* Department of Poultry Science, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State 39762; and {dagger} USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Mississippi State, MS 39762

2 Corresponding author: acorzo{at}poultry.msstate.edu


   ABSTRACT
TOP
 ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 REFERENCES
 
Studies delineating the dietary Val needs of modern commercial broilers are sparse. Three studies were conducted to determine the dietary Val nutrient needs of Ross x Ross 308 male broilers. Three time periods were evaluated independently, 0 to 14 d (starter), 14 to 28 d (grower), and 28 to 42 d (finisher) of age. Corn- and peanut meal-based diets for each feeding phase served to titrate the Val dose-response levels. Dietary Val (total basis) was supplied from 0.75% up to 1.15% in 0.08% increments for the starter phase; from 0.73% up to 1.08% in 0.07% increments for the grower phase; and from 0.64% up to 0.99% in 0.07% increments for the finisher phase. Regression analysis was used to calculate the Val nutrient recommendations. These estimates were 1.00% for the starter, 0.95% for the grower, and 0.85% total Val for the finisher period. Dietary Val data obtained for all the feeding periods evaluated exhibited the expected decline with age, characteristic of all amino acids and most nutrients. Total dietary Val needs of 1.00, 0.95, and 0.85% for the starter, grower, and finisher phase, respectively, should provide nutritionists with a guide for nutrient minimums, particularly for their use in Ross x Ross 308 broilers. These values translate into calculated true digestible Val needs of 0.91, 0.86, and 0.78% for the starter, grower, and finisher feeding phases, respectively.

Key Words: valine • lysine • broiler


   INTRODUCTION
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 REFERENCES
 
Dietary protein is often the most expensive component of a broiler diet. Reducing it in an effort to decrease production costs can be accomplished via supplementation with L-Lys, DL-Met, and L-Thr. If the cost of dietary protein is less of a pressure point than other nutritional characteristics of a diet, then the balance of critical amino acids becomes secondary, and less of the limiting amino acids, such as Val, can be satisfied simply by imposing a CP minimum during feed formulation. In either case, dietary Val should be adequate to minimize amino acid excesses and provide a diet that closely meets the needs of the birds. This is particularly true in diets in which CP is being reduced, and an adequate dietary Val nutrient minimum is critical for supporting optimal growth, feed conversion, and carcass traits.

Data addressing the Val needs of broilers are sparse. The NRC (1994) dietary Val needs, based on the most recent sources, were obtained from Farran and Thomas (1990), Mendoca and Jensen (1989), and D’Mello (1974). Since then, Baker et al. (1996) estimated Val requirements for maintenance, Corzo et al. (2004) estimated the overall Val needs of male broilers from 42 to 56 d of age, and Thornton et al. (2006) estimated the overall Val needs of male and female broilers for growth and immunity from 21 to 42 d of age. However, the modern commercial broiler continues to change, and with it its dietary needs. The objective of this research was to determine the dietary Val needs of Ross x Ross 308 broilers throughout a 6-wk production period.


   MATERIALS AND METHODS
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 REFERENCES
 
Treatments
Three studies were conducted to evaluate the dietary Val needs of the Ross x Ross 308 broiler male. Each experimental phase was evaluated independently. The 0- to 14-d feeding phase (starter) was evaluated first, followed by the 14- to 28-d (grower) and the 28- to 42-d phase (finisher). Experimental feeds for the starter phase study were provided in crumble form. The birds that were used to evaluate the grower feeding phase all received a common corn-soybean meal diet from placement to 14 d of age, formulated to meet or exceed nutrient recommendations (NRC, 1994). For those birds used to evaluate the finisher feeding phase, common starter (crumbles) and grower (pellets) corn- and soybean meal-based diets were provided from placement until 28 d of age. Calculated total and true digestible amino acid values (based on conventional and cecectomized precision-fed rooster assays) of feed ingredients used in all feeding phases were obtained from Ajinomoto Heartland LLC (2001). Composite samples of dietary treatments were obtained and analyzed for protein-bound and supplemental crystalline L-Val (Llames and Fontaine, 1994) to ensure that the calculated and analyzed total amino acid values were in agreement. The experimental diets used in the 3 feeding phases were all corn- and peanut meal-based diets (Table 1Go). When properly supplemented with amino acids, particularly Met, the use of peanut meal as a major ingredient has been shown to adequately support the growth of broilers when compared with other conventional types of diets (Kidd et al., 1999).


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  		Table 1. Composition of experimental diets (%, as-is)
 
L-Valine was supplemented at the expense of an inert filler in all 3 studies. For the evaluation of the starter phase, total dietary Val ranged from 0.75 up to 1.15% (0.66 to 1.06% digestible Val), and was supplemented in 0.08% increments for a total of 6 dietary levels, each replicated 8 times (48 pens total). During the evaluation of the grower phase, total dietary Val ranged from 0.73 up to 1.08% (0.64 to 0.99% digestible Val), and was supplemented in 0.07% increments for a total of 6 dietary levels, each replicated 8 times (48 pens total). For the evaluation of the final feeding phase (finisher), total dietary Val ranged from 0.64 up to 0.99% (0.57 to 0.92% digestible Val), and was supplemented in 0.07% increments for a total of 6 dietary levels, each replicated 8 times (48 pens total).

Bird Husbandry
All birds were randomly distributed into floor pens in a closed-sided house equipped with thermostatically controlled heating. Built-up litter was used in all pens, and the pens were equipped with a nipple drinker line (3 nipples/pen) and a hanging feeder (22.5-kg capacity). Feed and water were offered for ad libitum consumption. The lighting program consisted of 23 h of light and 1 h of dark. Tunnel ventilation was accomplished by negative air pressure from two 48-in. (122 cm or 1.22 m) fans, cool cells, and air inlets. Chicks were vaccinated for Marek’s disease (via in ovo administration at d 18) and Newcastle disease and infectious bronchitis (via coarse spray at hatch). Stocking densities of 15 birds/pen (0.07 m2/bird) for the starter phase and 12 birds/pen (0.09 m2/bird) for the grower and finisher feeding phases were used. All animal procedures were approved by the Mississippi State University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.

Measurements
The mean bird weight of all pens was recorded at the initiation and termination of each experimental phase. Feed consumption and mortality were recorded daily. Feed conversion was corrected for mortality and represent grams of feed consumed by all birds in a pen divided by grams of BW gain per pen, plus the BW of the birds that died. In addition to growth parameters, in the finisher phase study 6 birds from each pen were randomly selected for processing. Their live weights were recorded and birds were cooped 12 h before processing. Carcass and abdominal fat weights were obtained and recorded. Carcasses were chilled for 4 h and the breast muscles (boneless-skinless), wings, drumsticks, and thighs were manually deboned, weighed, and recorded.

Statistics
Each study was composed of a randomized complete block design. Pen was used as the experimental unit for analysis. Percentage data for mortality were transformed to the arcsine square root percentage for analysis. All data were analyzed by the GLM procedure of SAS (SAS Institute, 2006). Data were evaluated for linear, quadratic, or cubic responses. Only linear and quadratic effects are displayed because significance (P > 0.05) of higher order polynomials was not observed. Regression analysis was used to estimate Val optimization (95% of the maximum or minimum response) whenever a significant quadratic response (P < 0.05) was observed.


   RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
REFERENCES
 
The study evaluating the starter phase showed quadratic responses for BW gain and feed conversion (Table 2Go). Feed consumption and mortality displayed quadratic trends (P = 0.06); thus, an optimization point was also calculated for these. Optimization of total dietary Val was achieved at 1.00, 0.98, and 0.99% for BW gain, feed consumption, and feed conversion, respectively, closely narrowing the dietary Val needs for this 0- to 14-d feeding phase. Mortality was minimal when dietary Val reached a level of 0.94%. The values obtained herein were higher than those recommended by Farran and Thomas (1990) and the NRC (1994) of 0.90% dietary Val for the first 21 d of age. Differences in dietary Val needs between previous and current research may be due to the extended evaluation period conducted in previous research and to differences in growth rate and nutrient needs of the broiler strains used.


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  		Table 2. Valine needs of Ross x Ross 308 male broilers
 
Evaluation of dietary Val needs during the grower phase also resulted in quadratic responses. Body weight gain for this period between 14 and 28 d of age resulted in total dietary Val needs of 0.95 and 0.94% for BW gain and feed conversion, respectively (Table 2Go). As in the starter phase, the dietary Val optimization values were clustered. Although this period overlaps both the starter and grower feeding phases described by the NRC (1994) and used by Farran and Thomas (1990) and Mendoca and Jensen (1989), recommendations from the present study differ from those previously reported by these other researchers. It should be noted that Mendoca and Jensen (1989) recommended a dietary Val level of 0.72% for a feeding phase between 21 and 42 d of age. However, Mendoca and Jensen (1989) failed to report the strain cross used in their study; therefore, the vast discrepancy between the report by Mendoca and Jensen (1989) and in our study may be due mostly to the difference in bird age and strain cross. During this grower feeding phase, feed consumption failed to display a quadratic response (P = 0.09), but as expected from the formulation, Val intake resulted in a strong linear response (P = 0.001; data not shown).

The final feeding phase evaluated in this study was composed of the period between 28 and 42 d of age. In this phase, in addition to live performance, carcass traits were evaluated for dietary Val needs. Quadratic responses were observed for BW gain, feed consumption, and feed conversion, optimizing at 0.84, 0.85, and 0.84% total dietary Val, respectively (Table 2Go). Mortality, as observed during the starter phase, showed a Val response. However, the trend was linear instead of quadratic, whereby mortality was decreased as dietary Val was supplemented (P = 0.03; data not shown). After the birds were processed, linear increases were observed for thigh (P = 0.005) and wing weights (P = 0.007) with Val supplementation (data not shown). Quadratic responses were observed for some carcass traits. The absolute weights of carcass, total boneless-skinless breast meat, and drumsticks were maximized when total dietary Val was supplemented at 0.82, 0.82, and 0.83%, respectively. No responses were observed for abdominal fat or the yield of any carcass trait. In the finisher phase, dietary Val needs ranged from 0.82 and 0.85%, which resembled the clustering observed in the previous feeding phases evaluated. A total dietary Val need of 0.85% is significantly higher than that reported by Mendoca and Jensen (1989) of 0.72% or the 0.70% reported by the NRC (1994), both of these addressing the 21- to 42-d period. It is also higher than that reported by Thornton et al. (2006) of 0.73% total Val obtained in Ross x Ross 508 male broilers. Taken together, these data closely agree with previously reported values for the 42- to 56-d feeding phase (Corzo et al., 2004). Corzo et al. (2004) recommended a total dietary Val of 0.73% for the same strain cross and gender as in the present study. To our knowledge, dietary Val needs of female broilers have not been evaluated in formal experimentation and are in need of such. In conclusion, total dietary Val values of 1.00% (0.91% true calculated digestible), 0.95% (0.86% true calculated digestible), and 0.85% (0.78% true calculated digestible) are recommended as the nutrient needs of male broilers for the feeding phases corresponding to 0 to 14, 14 to 28, and 28 to 42 d of age, respectively.


   ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
 
The authors would like to thank Ajinomoto Heartland for the analysis of the experimental diets.


   FOOTNOTES
 
1 This is journal article number J11136 from the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, supported by MIS-322220. Use of trade names in this publication does not imply endorsement by the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station and USDA-Agriculture Research Service of the products, nor of similar ones not mentioned. Back

Received for publication July 23, 2007. Accepted for publication November 7, 2007.


   REFERENCES
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 REFERENCES
 
Ajinomoto Heartland LLC. 2001. True digestibility of essential amino acids for poultry. Chicago, IL.

Baker, D. H., S. R. Fernandez, C. M. Parsons, H. M. Edwards III, J. L. Emmert, and D. M. Webel. 1996. Maintenance requirement for valine and efficiency of its use above maintenance for accretion of whole body valine and protein in young chicks. J. Nutr. 126:1844–1851.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

Corzo, A., E. T. Moran Jr., and D. Hoehler. 2004. Valine needs of male broilers from 42 to 56 days of age. Poult. Sci. 83:946–951.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

D’Mello, J. P. F. 1974. Plasma concentrations and dietary requirements of leucine, isoleucine and valine: Studies with the young chick. J. Sci. Food Agric. 25:187–196.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]

Farran, M. T., and O. P. Thomas. 1990. Dietary requirements of leucine, isoleucine, and valine in male broilers during the starter period. Poult. Sci. 69:757–762.[Web of Science][Medline]

Kidd, M. T., S. P. Lerner, J. P. Allard, S. K. Rao, and J. T. Halley. 1999. Threonine needs of finishing broilers: Growth, carcass, and economic responses. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 8:160–169.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

Llames, C. R., and J. Fontaine. 1994. Determination of amino acids in feeds. Collaborative study. J. AOAC Int. 77:1362–1402.[Web of Science]

Mendoca, C. X., and L. S. Jensen. 1989. Influence of valine level on performance of older broilers fed a low protein diet supplemented with amino acids. Nutr. Rep. Int. 40:247–252.[Web of Science]

NRC. 1994. Nutrient Requirements of Poultry. 9th rev. ed. Natl. Acad. Press, Washington, DC.

SAS Institute. 2006. SAS Proprietary Software. Release 9.1. SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC.

Thornton, S. A., A. Corzo, G. T. Pharr, W. A. Dozier III, D. M. Miles, and M. T. Kidd. 2006. Valine requirements for immune and growth responses in broilers from 3 to 6 weeks of age. Br. Poult. Sci. 47:190–199.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline]




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