Objective

. To evaluate the reduction of crude protein levels, without altering the ratio of essential amino acids, of free-range chickens, of one at 42 days old.

Materials and methods.

Two trials were performed comprising the initial phase (one to 21 days) and growth (22 to 42 days). A total of 630 chicks of the Redbro line of one day old, were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and six replicates of 21 birds each, totaling 30 experimental units consisting of a shelter area and corrals. The levels reduced of crude protein for the initial phase were: 21.5, 21.0, 20.5, 20.0 and 19.5% and for the growth phase: 19.0, 18.5, 18.0, 17.5 and 17.0%. In all the treatments were maintained the minimum ratio between essential amino acids and lysine. The performance characteristics evaluated were: weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion.

Results.

There was no effect (p>0.05) of the crude protein reduction for any of the variables in all phases, except for feed conversion (p<0.05) that improved with 18.20% in the growth phase.

Conclusions.

Crude protein levels for chickens of the Redbro line, can be reduced to 19.5% and 18.2% for the initial and growth phases, respectively, provided that the ideal amino acid ratios are maintained with digestible lysine and meet the requirements of limiting amino acids.

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