An experiment was conducted to determine and compare the differences in productive performance, carcass traits and economical evaluation of broiler chicks fed three different dietary energy levels [low (2912 & 3032), medium (3006 & 3126) and high (3100 & 3220)], during starter and grower phases, respectively, under two housing light sources (Fluorescent and LED). 180 unsexed one day-old Hubbard broiler chicks were distributed equally in a completely randomized design with 3 ME (E) levels x 2 light (L) sources, resulting in 6 treatments with 3 replicates of 10 chicks each.
The results indicated that:
- Productive performance of broiler chicks: live body weight (LBW); daily weight gain (DWG); performance index (PI) and production efficiency factor (PEF) were not affected significantly by (E) levels, (L) sources and interaction (L*E) at whole experimental period.
- Daily feed intake (DFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) recorded a significant response due to interaction between (E), (L) and (L*E).
- Carcass traits indicated that (E) at all levels, (L) sources and interaction (L*E) had no significant effects.
- Blood plasma cholesterol and triglycerides were not affected by interaction between (E) and (L), (L*E).
- Economic evaluation showed that, relative economic efficiency (REE) was improved for broiler chicks only by feeding high energy level (Fluorescent - light source) or low energy level (LED - light source).
It could be concluded that, using low energy diets in rearing sheds with (LED) light source, enhanced productive economic efficiency of Hubbard broiler chicks.