Studies On Digestibility And Utilization Of Diet Of Blue Peafowl

Three experiments were conducted to investigate digestive and utilizable performance of dietary nutritional matter in blue peafowl, and studied on the feasible protein and energy content in blue peafowl diet.Experiment 1: Comparative study on digestive and utilizable performance of CP, AME, CEE and fibers of diet in blue peafowl, turkeys and CocksThe study compared the difference of digestive and utilizable performance of DM, CP, AME, EE, CF, NDF and ADF of diet in 5 and 7-month old blue peafowl ,the same old turkeys and adult cocks. The results showed that feed intake, excretion and digestion of DM, CP, AME, EE, CF, NDF and ADF in blue peafowl was equal to those of cocks, but both were less than those of turkeys(P<0.05). In both months, the CP and EE digestibility in blue peafowl was significantly less than those in cocks and turkeys (P<0.05), but the DM digestibility and AME metabolic ratio were significantly higher than cocks and turkeys (.P<0.05). It was concluded that the DM digestibility and AME metabolic ratio of blue peafowl was highest in three animals because of higher dietary fibers digestibility of blue peafowl and its fibers degradation product supplied part of energy which was used in growth and maintenance. If cocks and turkeys' feeding standard were applied in feed of blue peafowl, it may be underestimated in energy and DM utilizable performance and overrated in CP digestive performance, therefore, CP requirement of blue peafowl should be higher than those of cocks and turkeys.Experiment 2: Studies on the digestive and utilizable performance of dietary protein and the feasible protein content in blue peafowlOne hundred and twelve 28-day-old blue peafowl were divided into 4 groups in accordance with dietary protein levels (16%, 18%, 20% and 22%) to study on digestive and utilizable performance of dietary protein and optimal protein content in feed of blue peafowl. The dietary ME was set to 12.13MJ/kg. As dietary protein increased, the CP digestibility was significantly decreased and uric nitrogen and ammonia nitrogen excretive capacity was increased (P<0.05). Utilizable energy quantities were not influenced by dietary protein higher that 20% levels. Live body weight , the dressed weight, dressing percentage, eviscerated weight,eviscerated percentage,breast muscle weight and breast muscle weight were significantly (P<0.05) enhanced as dietary protein increased due to higher available nitrogen in 20% protein treatment. But dietary protein levels which was higher than 20% could not significantly improved other indexes measured. In conclusion, the 20% CP level was adapted for 28-140 days old blue peafowl.Experiment 3: Studies on the metabolic and utilizable performance of dietary proteinand the feasible energy contentTwo hundred 28 days old blue peafowl were divided into 5 groups in accordance with dietary energy levels (11.29MJ/kg, 11.71 MJ/kg, 12.13MJ/kg, 12.55MJ/kg, 12.97 MJ/kg) and the dietary protein is 20% according to experiment 1. It was conducted to investigate to metabolic and utilizable performance of dietary ME and the feasible energy content. The results showed that ADFI , ADG, F/G was significantly (P<0.05) decreased as dietary energy levels increased, and similarly, nitrogen intake, UN, AN, total uric nitrogen and metabolic nitrogen was significantly decreased ,but excreta nitrogen, available nitrogen and nitrogen metabolic ratio was not influenced. When dietary energy was enhanced, though energy metabolic rate was significantly increased (P<0.05), energy intake and utilizable quantity were not influenced. As dietary energy levels increased, Leg muscle, small intestine weight,relative small intestine weight, small intestine length, relative small intestine length was significantly (P<0.05) decreased at 84 day of age. For body weight, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics, 11.71 MJ/kg was optimal for growing peafowl at age of 28-84 days.