©2010 Poultry Science Association, Inc.

Responses of Cobb × Cobb 500 broilers to dietary

amino acid density regimens

A. Corzo,*1 M. W. Schilling,† R. E. Loar II,* L. Mejia,* L. C. G. S. Barbosa,*

and M. T. Kidd‡

*Department of Poultry Science, and †Department of Food Science, Nutrition,

and Health Promotion, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State 39762;
and ‡Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 72701

Primary Audience: Nutritionists, Feed Mill Managers, Live Production Personnel

SUMMARY
Dietary amino acid density responses are fairly well documented for Ross broilers but are
sparse for the Cobb bird. Cobb 500 fast-feathering chicks were obtained from a commercial
hatchery and fed either high, moderate, or low dietary amino acid density diets through a starter
(0 to 14 d, in crumbles), grower (14 to 28 d, in pellets), and finisher (28 to 42 d, in pellets) phase
program, for a total of 17 possible treatment combinations at d 42. Before formulation of the
experimental diets, samples of the protein-contributing ingredients (corn, soybean meal, and
Pro-Plus) were analyzed for total amino acid concentration. Live performance, carcass traits,
breast and thigh meat composition, and feed cost efficiency served as evaluation criteria for this
study. Body weight gain (P < 0.05) and feed conversion (P < 0.001) were improved when broil-
ers were fed the high diets through most of their life, but mortality and BW uniformity remained
unaltered (P > 0.05). Carcass yield was unaffected (P > 0.05) by dietary treatments. Breast meat
yield was maximized (P < 0.05) in birds fed the high diets, whereas abdominal fat percentage
(P < 0.01) was increased in birds fed the low diets. Breast meat protein and fat content were
unaffected (P > 0.05) by diet, but protein concentration of thigh meat increased (P < 0.10) in
birds fed the high diets compared with those fed the low diets, and birds fed the moderate diets
had intermediate responses. The benefits observed when feeding high amino acid density diets
were not necessarily the most economical when feeding these throughout the entire grow-out
period. The Cobb 500 male showed an ability to respond to increasing amino acid density as the
bird aged, and any beneficial effects of feeding high amino acid density diets early in life may
not be warranted for this strain.

Key words: broiler, composition, amino acid

2010 J. Appl. Poult. Res. 19:227–236
doi:10.3382/japr.2010-00172

DESCRPTION OF PROBLEM profitability, and possibly minimizing losses in

times of economic hardship or small profit mar-
Because of the extensive contribution of feed gins. Dietary amino acid density has been evalu-
to the total production costs of a broiler opera- ated as a way to increase performance [1–7]. In
tion, dietary strategies are vital to optimizing previous work, various broiler strains responded

1
Corresponding author: acorzo@poultry.msstate.edu
228
differently to dietary amino acid density [1–3].
Furthermore, in some of the previous research,
researchers have emphasized the importance
of optimizing dietary amino acid density in
later feeding phases, when feed consumption is
considerably increased compared with that of
younger birds [5, 6]. However, researchers have
not evaluated the effects of amino acid density
on the growth and carcass characteristics of the
Cobb × Cobb 500 broiler.
The Cobb × Cobb 500 broiler is a modern
strain commercially available throughout the
world. Because of the commercial impact this
strain has on poultry markets worldwide, and
the characteristics in growth rate and yielding
ability that separate it from other commercially
available strains, investigation is warranted re-
garding dietary amino acid density feeding strat-
egies. For that purpose, a study was conducted
to evaluate different dietary amino acid density
regimens from hatch up to 42 d of age.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Bird Husbandry
A total of 2,112 fast-feathering Cobb × Cobb
500 male broiler chicks [8] were obtained from
a commercial hatchery, vent-sexed by trained
personnel, and randomly distributed across 176
floor pens (12 chicks/pen; 0.09 m2/bird) at the
Mississippi State University broiler research
farm. Chicks were vaccinated at the hatchery
for Marek’s disease, Newcastle disease, and in-
fectious bronchitis. They were reared in a solid
wall-sided facility, and each pen was equipped
with a hanging commercial feeder, a nipple
drinker line (3 nipple drinkers/pen), and built-
up litter. Birds consumed feed and water on an
ad libitum basis. Starter-phase diets were pro-
vided in crumbles from 0 to 14 d of age, whereas
grower and finisher diets were provided in pel-
lets from 14 to 28 and 28 to 42 d of age, respec-
tively. Ambient temperature set points and the
lighting program used in this study have been
described [9]. Light intensity settings were veri-
fied [10] at the bird level (30 cm). Mortality was
recorded daily, and all animal procedures were
approved by the Mississippi State University In-
stitutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
JAPR: Research Report
Diets and Dietary Treatments
Broilers were fed least-cost formulated diets
that were primarily composed of corn, soybean
meal, and H. J. Baker’s Pro-Plus [11]. To ensure
accurate formulation of all experimental diets,
samples of corn, soybean meal, and Pro-Plus
were analyzed for total amino acids and CP com-
position [12]. On receiving the results of the CP
and amino acid analyses of the feed ingredients,
the nutrient matrix was updated and the feed
formulas were solved using linear programming
(Table 1). Digestible amino acid values were cal-
culated from published digestibility coefficients
[13] by using the analyzed total amino acid con-
tent of the ingredients. Crude protein was not as-
signed a minimum value in formulation, and es-
sential digestible amino acids were maintained
in all dietary treatments by setting minimum
formulation ratios relative to digestible lysine
(TSAA 75, threonine 65, valine 78, isoleucine
68, tryptophan 17, and arginine 105) and follow-
ing previously published recommendations [14].
All other essential nutrients were formulated to
meet or exceed nutrient recommendations [15].
After the feed was manufactured, representative
samples from experimental diets were collected
and analyzed for protein and amino acid compo-
sition [12] (Table 1). Least-cost formulated diets
were mixed in a 1-ton double-ribbon horizon-
tal mixer and steam pelleted. During the starter
phase, 3 dietary treatments were formulated to
contain either a high (H), moderate (M), or low
(L) amino acid density and were fed to the chicks
from 0 to 14 d of age. At 14 d of age, birds were
then subdivided and fed either H, M, or L amino
acid density grower-phase diets, for a total of
9 possible treatment combinations (H-H, H-M,
H-L, M-H, M-M, M-L, L-H, L-M, and L-L). Fi-
nally, at 28 d of age, birds were further subdivid-
ed by being fed an H, M, or L amino acid density
finisher-phase diet, for a total of 17 treatments.
Although dietary amino acid minimum values
varied, dietary treatments were formulated so
that they were equal in AME, calcium, available
phosphorus, sodium, and choline.
Live Performance and Diet Cost
Bird weight and feed consumed were mea-
sured, by pen, at the beginning and the end of
Table 1. Composition of the experimental diets (as-is basis)

Starter, 0 to 14 d Grower, 14 to 28 d Finisher, 28 to 42 d

Item High Moderate Low High Moderate Low High Moderate Low

Ingredient,1 %
  Corn 58.327 62.942 66.96 63.954 68.593 72.562 67.712 71.695 75.669
  Soybean meal 32.002 28.142 24.825 27.08 23.217 19.906 23.798 20.485 17.174
  Pro-Plus 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0
  Poultry oil 2.58 1.815 1.162 2.049 1.283 0.628 1.78 1.124 0.47
  Dicalcium phosphate 1.035 1.054 1.071 0.953 0.972 0.989 0.808 0.824 0.841
  Calcium carbonate 0.772 0.78 0.787 0.738 0.746 0.753 0.681 0.688 0.694
  Sodium chloride 0.421 0.422 0.423 0.423 0.424 0.426 0.425 0.426 0.427
  dl-Methionine 0.323 0.288 0.237 0.268 0.223 0.183 0.239 0.198 0.158
  Premix 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25
  l-Lysine hydrochloride 0.182 0.19 0.179 0.178 0.186 0.188 0.192 0.193 0.195
  Coccidiostat 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05
  Choline chloride, 60% 0.033 0.043 0.051 0.046 0.056 0.064 0.054 0.063 0.071
  l-Threonine 0.025 0.024 0.005 0.011 0.001 0.001 0.012 0.003 —
Nutrient composition2
  CP, % 23.41 21.84 20.45 21.36 19.77 18.41 20.01 18.65 17.29
  Calcium, % 0.90 0.90 0.90 0.86 0.86 0.86 0.80 0.80 0.80
  Available phosphorus, % 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.40 0.40 0.40
  AME, kcal/kg 3,100.00 3,100.00 3,100.00 3,125.00 3,125.00 3,125.00 3,150.00 3,150.00 3,150.00
  TSAA, % 0.95 0.89 0.81 0.87 0.80 0.75 0.82 0.77 0.71
  Lysine, % 1.37 1.22 1.16 1.19 1.09 1.01 1.16 1.06 0.99
  Threonine, % 0.85 0.78 0.73 0.75 0.69 0.64 0.74 0.67 0.61
  Isoleucine, % 0.87 0.80 0.76 0.79 0.71 0.65 0.75 0.71 0.63
  Valine, % 1.02 0.94 0.89 0.91 0.84 0.78 0.90 0.82 0.74
  Glycine + serine, % 2.18 2.04 1.92 2.00 1.86 1.75 1.88 1.77 1.65
Corzo et al.: COBB 500 AMINO ACID DENSITY RESPONSES

  Digestible lysine, % 1.25 1.16 1.07 1.12 1.03 0.95 1.05 0.97 0.88
  Digestible TSAA, % 0.97 0.91 0.83 0.88 0.80 0.73 0.82 0.75 0.68
  Digestible threonine, % 0.78 0.72 0.66 0.70 0.63 0.59 0.65 0.60 0.55
Diet cost, $/metric ton 240.8 231.2 222.1 228.3 218.1 209.6 220.3 211.5 202.8
1
Pro-Plus is an animal by-product blend, with a CP content of 60% (H. J. Baker & Bros. Inc., Little Rock, AR). The vitamin and mineral premix contained (per kg of diet): retinyl acetate, 2,654
µg; cholecalciferol, 110 µg; dl-α-tocopherol acetate, 9.9 mg; menadione, 0.9 mg; vitamin B12, 0.01 mg; folic acid, 0.6 µg; choline, 379 mg; d-pantothenic acid, 8.8 mg; riboflavin, 5.0 mg;
niacin, 33 mg; thiamine, 1.0 mg; d-biotin, 0.1 mg; pyridoxine, 0.9 mg; ethoxyquin, 28 mg; manganese, 55 mg; zinc, 50 mg; iron, 28 mg; copper, 4 mg; iodine, 0.5 mg; selenium, 0.1 mg. The
coccidiostat provided 60 g of salinomycin sodium per 907.2 kg of diet to prevent intestinal coccidia from developing.
2
Values for total amino acid composition are analyzed; all other nutrients are calculated.
229
230
each experimental phase. Mortality was collect-
ed twice daily, and the weight was recorded and
used to adjust feed conversion values. Feed cost
for each of the experimental diets was calculat-
ed by formula solving via linear programming,
and are representative of feed ingredient prices
for a Mississippi integrator for March of 2009.
These diet prices were used to calculate the cost
of producing 1 kg of BW, carcass weight, and
breast meat weight, by multiplying their price
by the amount of feed consumed by each pen
and then dividing by the absolute weight for the
corresponding pen.
Processing
At 42 d of age, 5 broilers from each pen (50/
treatment; 880 total) were randomly selected
for processing. Broilers were hung by their feet
in steel shackles and were electrically stunned
by placing their heads in a saturated saline bath
(11.5 V, <0.5 mA AC to DC current for 5 s).
The shackle line speed was constant and set so
that approximately 22 broilers were stunned per
minute. Unilateral neck cutting was mechani-
cally performed immediately after stunning,
and bleeding lasted for 140 s. On completion
of exsanguination, the broilers were scalded at
53.3°C for 191 s and picked for 35 s using a ro-
tary drum picker [16]. Carcasses were then man-
ually removed of heads and feet, at the hock, and
transferred to a separate room, where they were
mechanically eviscerated [16]. Carcasses were
removed from the line, their abdominal fat was
removed, and hot carcass and abdominal fat pad
weights were recorded for each carcass. Broiler
carcasses were stored in ice water in metal con-
tainers (173 cm in length, 85 cm in width, and
68.5 cm in depth). At 4 h postmortem, breast
(boneless and skinless) muscles were manually
deboned and their weight was recorded.
Near-Infrared Reflectance
of Breast and Thigh Meat
Immediately after the first batch of birds was
processed, 2 birds from each pen corresponding
to the dietary treatments H-H-H, M-M-M, or
L-L-L were randomly removed and processed
(20/treatment; 60 total). Broilers were chilled in
metal containers, as described previously. At 4
h postmortem, breast and thigh (bone-in) meat
JAPR: Research Report
was collected from these birds, placed into in-
dividually labeled bags, and frozen (−23°C) un-
til analysis could be performed. Broiler breast
(boneless and skinless) and thigh meat samples
(boneless and skinless) were analyzed for fat,
protein, moisture, and collagen percentages us-
ing an Association of Official Analytical Chem-
ists-approved [17] near-infrared spectrometer
[18]. Samples were thawed for 1 d in a refrigera-
tor (4°C) and then ground with a meat grinder
[19] that was fitted with a 3-mm (1/8-in.) cutting
plate. Ground samples were packed tightly in a
140-mm sample cup before analysis.
Statistics
A randomized complete block design with 58,
19, and 10 replications at the end of the starter,
grower, and finisher feed phases, respectively,
was used to test the effects of different dietary
amino acid regimens. Block corresponded to the
location of the experimental broiler house. When
significant differences (P < 0.05) existed among
treatments, Fisher’s least significant difference
option of SAS was used to separate treatment
means [20].
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Formulated diets were analyzed for total
amino acid composition and are displayed in
Table 1. For analyzed values, there was close
agreement with calculated values. More impor-
tant, dietary treatments agreed with the assigned
amino acid density ranking value throughout all
feeding phases, thus validating the dietary treat-
ments fed to the Cobb × Cobb 500 male broil-
ers.
14-d Live Performance
Results were straightforward for this feed-
ing phase and, for the most part, are similar to
previous findings [1–3]. As dietary amino acid
density was increased, BW, feed intake, and
feed conversion values were improved in these
chicks (Table 2). Mortality was unaffected by
the dietary treatments imposed during this 0- to
14-d feeding period. When the feed cost during
this period was estimated based on values for
diet cost, feed consumption, and BW, we con-
cluded that feeding the L amino acid density di-
Corzo et al.: COBB 500 AMINO ACID DENSITY RESPONSES
ets resulted in a cheaper feed cost per BW value
compared with the M or H diets (Table 2).
28-d Live Performance
At 28 d of age, birds fed the H-H diet had su-
perior BW and feed intake compared with those
in other treatments (Table 3). Birds exhibited
a reduction in BW with decreased amino acid
density, and this effect was more pronounced in
birds fed the L amino acid density diets during
the starter phase. Birds fed the H-H treatment
exhibited the greatest feed consumption and dif-
fered from all other treatments, except for birds
fed the H-M or H-L diet. The lowest feed intake
values were observed in birds fed the L amino
acid density diets. However, based on FCR
values, those birds fed the H diets during the
grower phase, independently of the starter ami-
no acid density fed, had the best performance
at this age (Table 3). In parallel with the 14-d
mortality, 28-d mortality was unaffected by di-
etary treatment. It seems that feeding the L-H
diets resulted in the most economical scenario,
based on values for feed cost per BW. These re-
sults are in agreement with the results observed
at 14 d of age because feeding the H-H amino
acid density diets led to the best performance in
most parameters but resulted in a less beneficial
economic scenario.
42-d Live Performance
The highest final BW observed was for birds
fed the H-H-M diets. Birds fed the H-H-M feeds
had superior BW compared with birds fed other
diets, and their BW were found to be statistically
similar to those of birds fed the H-H-H, H-H-
Table 2. Live performance at 14 d of age of Cobb × Cobb 500 male chicks fed different amino acid density
regimens1
Item BW, g Feed intake, g
Treatment
  High 345a 382a
  Moderate 329b 376b
  Low 311c 368c
SEM 2 2
P-value <0.0001 <0.0001
a–c
Means within a column not sharing a common superscript differ significantly (P < 0.05).
1
Observed means were calculated from 58 replicate values using the pen as the experimental unit.
2
Values represent the FCR after being corrected for mortality weight.
3
Values were calculated as follows: [(feed cost × feed consumption)/BW], and are expressed as US dollars per kilogram.
231
L, M-H-H, M-M-H, M-M-M, and L-H-H diets
(Table 4). As occurred with feed conversion at
28 d of age, the Cobb × Cobb 500 male broiler
seemed to be able to compensate for L amino
acid density values earlier in life if they were
subsequently fed H amino acid density diets
during the grower and finisher feeding phases.
The poorest BW values were observed in birds
fed the L-L-M or L-L-L diet, and these results
are in agreement with previous research with
other commercial broilers [1–3]. Feed consump-
tion responses of the birds did not have a defined
response to amino acid density, but it seems as
though a greater intake was observed when birds
received the H diets earlier in life (Table 4).
Surprisingly, feeding the H-H-H or H-H-M
diet did not lead to the best final FCR. Birds fed
the L-H-H and M-H-H diets had the best final
FCR (Table 4). Feeding L amino acid density di-
ets later in life resulted in birds with detrimental
feed conversion values. Therefore, we suggest
that the Cobb × Cobb 500 male broiler converts
feed more efficiently when starter diets are mar-
ginal in amino acid density, which is in contrast
with other commercially available strains that
have been evaluated previously [1–7]. Incidence
of mortality was unaffected by the dietary treat-
ments fed (Table 4). Final BW uniformity was
also unaffected by the treatments fed, in contrast
to the Arbor Acres Plus broiler [1]. Furthermore,
it is worth mentioning that uniformity, which
was determined by calculating the CV of the
BW of birds randomly selected for processing
at 42 d of age, was observed to have remarkably
low values, displaying a great attribute of this
strain, which should ultimately result in uniform
carcass size and tray-pack products.
FCR2 Mortality, % Feed cost/BW3
1.11c 2.8 0.266
1.14b 1.8 0.264
1.18a 3.3 0.261
0.01 0.6 0.001
<0.0001 0.16 —
232 JAPR: Research Report

Table 3. Live performance at 28 d of age of Cobb × Cobb 500 male broilers fed different amino acid density
regimens1

Item BW, g Feed intake, g FCR2 Mortality, % Feed cost/BW3

Treatment4
  H-H 1,427a 2,016a 1.41c 3.0 0.325
  H-M 1,361b 1,991ab 1.46b 5.4 0.325
  H-L 1,316cd 1,987ab 1.52a 5.0 0.329

  M-H 1,361b 1,945bcd 1.41c 2.5 0.323

  M-M 1,314cd 1,929cd 1.47b 2.7 0.323
  M-L 1,294d 1,963bc 1.52a 5.0 0.324

  L-H 1,333bc 1,877ef 1.41c 4.2 0.320

  L-M 1,289d 1,899de 1.47b 4.2 0.322
  L-L 1,206e 1,841f 1.53a 3.5 0.324
SEM 9 13 0.01 0.8 0.002
P-value <0.0001 <0.0001 <0.0001 0.51 —
a–f
Means within a column not sharing a common superscript differ significantly (P < 0.05).
1
Observed means were calculated from 19 replicate values using the pen as the experimental unit.
2
Values represent the FCR after being corrected for mortality weight.
3
Values were calculated as follows: [(feed cost × feed consumption)/BW] and are expressed as US dollars per kilogram.
4
Treatments: high (H), moderate (M), or low (L) amino acid density diets fed to chicks from 0 to 14 d of age, followed by H,
M, or L amino acid density grower-phase diets fed to chicks from 14 to 28 d of age.

Table 4. Live performance at 42 d of age of Cobb × Cobb 500 male broilers fed different amino acid density
regimens1

Item BW, g Feed intake, g FCR2 Mortality, % BW uniformity3

Treatment4
   H-H-H 2,665ab 4,397bc 1.629fg 3.03 6.82
   H-H-M 2,719a 4,487ab 1.637ef 5.30 7.37
   H-H-L 2,688ab 4,597a 1.691b 5.00 6.02
   H-M-M 2,609bcde 4,385bc 1.679b 5.95 7.23
   H-M-L 2,545def 4,376bc 1.719a 5.83 6.74
   H-L-L 2,531ef 4,387bc 1.733a 5.83 6.92

   M-H-H 2,668ab 4,303cd 1.613gh 1.85 5.50

   M-M-H 2,644abcd 4,329bc 1.639ef 7.50 5.89
   M-M-M 2,613abcde 4,322bc 1.656cde 3.79 6.20
   M-M-L 2,523ef 4,346bc 1.723a 5.00 7.65
   M-L-L 2,552cdef 4,354bc 1.725a 6.67 7.71

   L-H-H 2,660abc 4,253cdef 1.599h 6.25 6.38

   L-M-H 2,522ef 4,115f 1.632fg 8.33 6.55
   L-L-H 2,495f 4,117ef 1.650def 7.29 8.25
   L-M-M 2,555cdef 4,297cde 1.664cd 6.67 8.46
   L-L-M 2,465fg 4,127def 1.674bc 4.17 7.69
   L-L-L 2,381g 4,095f 1.721a 4.54 6.70

SEM 38 64 0.008 1.19 0.81

P-value <0.048 0.004 <0.0001 0.52 0.52
a–h
Means within a column not sharing a common superscript differ significantly (P < 0.05).
1
Observed means were calculated from 10 replicate values using the pen as the experimental unit.
2
Values represent the FCR after being corrected for mortality weight.
3
Values represent the CV (%).
4
Treatments: high (H), moderate (M), or low (L) amino acid density diets fed to chicks from 0 to 14 d of age, followed by H, M,
or L amino acid density grower-phase diets fed from 14 to 28 d of age, and then H, M, or L amino acid density finisher-phase
diets fed from 28 to 42 d of age.
Corzo et al.: COBB 500 AMINO ACID DENSITY RESPONSES 233

Table 5. Carcass traits at 42 d of age of Cobb × Cobb 500 male broilers fed different amino acid density
regimens1

Carcass Breast meat Abdominal fat

Item Weight, g Yield, % Weight, g Yield, % Weight, g Yield, %

Treatment2
   H-H-H 1,957 69.16 649 22.90a 33.3efg 1.18ef
   H-H-M 1,903 68.53 630 22.43ab 36.2cdef 1.30def
   H-H-L 1,936 68.93 635 22.59ab 41.7ab 1.51b
   H-M-M 1,895 68.44 615 22.21bcd 36.6cde 1.33cde
   H-M-L 1,841 68.44 578 21.48fgh 39.0bcd 1.47bcd
   H-L-L 1,836 68.34 575 21.46gh 40.0bc 1.56b

   M-H-H 1,893 68.54 621 22.44ab 31.5fg 1.15f

   M-M-H 1,877 68.43 610 22.19bcde 31.2g 1.13f
   M-M-M 1,868 68.66 601 22.08bcdef 34.6defg 1.27ef
   M-M-L 1,781 68.45 558 21.61efg 41.5ab 1.60ab
   M-L-L 1,820 68.27 570 21.48fgh 38.7bcd 1.49bc

   L-H-H 1,882 68.60 612 22.33abc 31.5fg 1.18ef

   L-M-H 1,823 68.48 582 21.82cdefg 32.7efg 1.19ef
   L-L-H 1,833 68.42 574 21.67defg 32.6efg 1.29ef
   L-M-M 1,828 68.31 590 22.10bcde 33.2efg 1.23ef
   L-L-M 1,755 68.46 554 21.44gh 38.2bcd 1.48bc
   L-L-L 1,755 67.96 537 20.94h 45.0a 1.76a

SEM 24 0.26 13 0.22 1.7 0.06

P-value 0.53 0.13 0.24 0.043 0.024 0.007
a–h
Means within a column not sharing a common superscript differ significantly (P < 0.05).
1
Observed means were calculated from 10 replicate values using the pen as the experimental unit. The mean from each pen was
calculated from 5 randomly selected carcasses corresponding to that pen.
2
Treatments: high (H), moderate (M), or low (L) amino acid density diets fed to chicks from 0 to 14 d of age, followed by H, M,
or L amino acid density grower-phase diets fed from 14 to 28 d of age, and then H, M, or L amino acid density finisher-phase
diets fed from 28 to 42 d of age.

Carcass Traits Considering that abdominal fat is known to

be a good indicator of overall body fat [21], we
Carcass weight and yield were unaffected by
suggest that when birds were fed the L amino
the dietary treatments fed (Table 5). Breast meat
acid density diets during the last feeding phase,
absolute weight was also unaffected by dietary
it led to higher values for abdominal fat percent-
treatment. However, in agreement with previous
age (Table 5). In contrast, as birds received in-
findings [1–6], breast meat yield was sensitive
creasing concentrations of amino acid density,
to amino acid density (Table 5). Broilers fed the
this resulted in lower abdominal fat absolute
H-H-H diets had the highest breast meat yield
and relative weights. These results are in close
values and differed from birds in all other treat-
agreement with previous amino acid density
ments, except for those fed the H diets for at
studies, in which abdominal fat weight and per-
least 2 of the 3 feeding phases. As broilers were
centage were shown to be sensitive to these diet
fed progressively lower amino acid density diets
modifications [1–6].
over time, breast meat yield responses were neg-
atively affected (Table 5). This result emphasiz-
Meat Composition
es the importance of providing the Cobb × Cobb
500 broiler with high amino acid density diets if It has been shown previously how diet com-
maximum breast meat yield is desired, and may position, and more specifically, dietary protein,
be of similar or perhaps greater importance in can ultimately affect carcass composition [22,
females, given that they typically yield higher 23]. Analysis of boneless-skinless breast and
amounts of breast meat than males. thigh meat from broilers fed either the H-H-
234 JAPR: Research Report

H, M-M-M, or L-L-L diet showed no effects
on protein or fat composition of these muscles
(Table 6). However, thigh meat, which is known
to have a higher content of fat than breast meat,
had a borderline impact (P = 0.09) from dietary
amino acid density; there were 1.1 and 3.2% in-
creases in thigh meat protein content with broil-
ers fed the H-H-H diet compared with those fed
the M-M-M and L-L-L diet, respectively. These
trends provide some suggestive evidence of the
impact of dietary amino acids on meat compo-
sition, and although not statistically validated
in this study, do warrant further investigation;
perhaps an increased sampling size (n) in future
analyses may elucidate any potential effects.
Thigh meat collagen content was unaffected by
diet, but breast meat collagen content was af-
fected by diet (Table 6). The H-H-H diet had a
lower percentage of collagen in the breast meat
than the M-M-M and L-L-L diets because of the
increase in breast meat yield and weight in broil-
ers fed the H-H-H diet compared with the M-M-
M and L-L-L diets. A higher amino acid density
typically causes an increase in breast meat yield
because of increases in lean muscle tissue and
not increases in collagen, which is a structural
protein. Therefore, the percentage of collagen
in the breast meat sample from the H-H-H diet
would theoretically be less than that in breast
meat from the L-L-L and M-M-M diets.
Cumulative Feed Cost Efficiency
Feed undoubtedly represents the majority of
all production costs in a broiler operation. Mini-
mization of this cost while maintaining adequate
live and carcass trait performance is of concern
to every nutritionist responsible for formulating
broiler feed. In this particular study, the final
feed cost is representative of what birds in each
individual treatment consumed and takes into
consideration both diet price per metric ton and
feed consumption of each feed phase. Because
broiler operations have different objectives, this
final feed cost has been adjusted to 3 possible
markets: the live bird, carcass without giblets
(WOG), and breast meat deboning markets
(Table 7).
Live bird feed cost efficiency was optimized
when birds were fed the L-L-M and L-L-L di-
ets, but the difference in feed cost was only US
1.1¢/kg of BW when comparing the most vs. the
least efficient treatments (Table 7). Furthermore,
almost identical values were obtained when
comparing birds in the most efficient treatment
(L-L-M) with those who received significantly
higher amino acid densities, such as those in the
M-M-M and L-H-H treatments, and it is worth
recalling that birds in these treatments outper-
formed birds in the L-L-M and L-L-L treatments
in all live and carcass trait measurements.
When the eviscerated carcass weight was
adjusted for feed cost, this particular efficiency
was similar to that for BW (Table 7). Broilers in
the L-L-L treatment appeared to be the most effi-
cient, whereas those birds fed the highest amino
acid density diets resulted in US 2¢/kg or more
of WOG carcass. This US 3¢ spread in feed cost
associated with producing 1 kg of WOG carcass

Table 6. Composition of boneless-skinless breast fillet and thigh meat at 42 d of age of Cobb × Cobb 500 males
fed different amino acid density regimens1

Boneless-skinless breast fillet Boneless-skinless thigh

Item Protein Fat Moisture Collagen Protein Fat Moisture Collagen

2
Treatment
  H-H-H 22.26 3.09 73.13 1.35b 19.12 9.31 69.96 1.38
  M-M-M 22.23 3.47 72.63 1.49a 18.91 10.17 69.46 1.44
  L-L-L 22.19 3.51 72.74 1.54a 18.53 10.20 69.78 1.41
SEM 0.31 0.23 0.17 0.05 0.18 0.68 0.55 0.07
P-value 0.35 0.35 0.09 0.009 0.09 0.33 0.64 0.61
a,b
Means within a column not sharing a common superscript differ significantly (P < 0.05). Values are the observed means of 2
subsample breasts or thighs collected from 2 randomly selected birds from each experimental unit.
1
Observed means were calculated from 10 replicate values using the pen as the experimental unit. The mean from each pen was
calculated from meat samples corresponding to 2 randomly selected broilers corresponding to that pen.
2
Treatments: high (H), moderate (M), or low (L) amino acid density diets fed to chicks from 0 to 14 d of age, followed by H, M,
or L amino acid density grower-phase diets fed from 14 to 28 d of age, and then H, M, or L amino acid density finisher-phase
diets fed from 28 to 42 d of age.
Corzo et al.: COBB 500 AMINO ACID DENSITY RESPONSES 235

Table 7. Feed cost associated with producing a cast for corn, soybean meal, and fat for the year
kilogram of live, carcass, or breast meat ($US/kg) 2010, and perhaps could have resembled previ-
of Cobb × Cobb 500 males fed different amino acid
density regimens1
ously reported values [25]. Overall, we conclude
that it is of extreme importance to consider mul-
Item BW Carcass Breast meat tiple factors, such as age, market, and company
Treatment2 objectives, among others, when evaluating a pos-
   H-H-H 0.367 0.516 1.528 sible amino acid density feeding strategy for the
   H-H-M 0.361 0.514 1.568 Cobb × Cobb broiler. It would also be of great
   H-H-L 0.364 0.514 1.568 benefit to corroborate whether the Cobb × Cobb
   H-M-M 0.363 0.508 1.572
500 female broiler behaves in a similar manner
   H-M-L 0.364 0.513 1.593
   H-L-L 0.362 0.504 1.575 with various amino acid density regimens.
 
   M-H-H 0.362 0.510 1.533
   M-M-H 0.364 0.509 1.570
CONCLUSIONS AND APPLICATIONS
   M-M-M 0.357 0.493 1.536
   M-M-L 0.363 0.519 1.624 1. We suggest, based on results for live per-
   M-L-L 0.358 0.501 1.590 formance, breast meat yield, and abdom-
inal fat content, that the Cobb × Cobb
   L-H-H 0.357 0.500 1.538
   L-M-H 0.359 0.496 1.556 500 broiler benefited greatly from being
   L-L-H 0.357 0.496 1.566 fed high amino acid density diets, par-
   L-M-M 0.357 0.505 1.575 ticularly during the latter feeding phases
   L-L-M 0.355 0.498 1.581 of life.
   L-L-L 0.356 0.488 1.583
2. The protein and fat composition of
SEM 0.002 0.006 0.025 breast meat was unaffected by the dif-
1
ferent amino acid density regimens fed.
Values are the observed means of 10 replicate pens. Values
were calculated as follows: feed cost ($/metric ton) × feed However, there was a marginal response,
consumed in each feed phase/weight (live, carcass, or breast which we interpret to mean that feeding
meat). higher amino acid density diets may af-
2
Treatments: high (H), moderate (M), or low (L) amino acid fect thigh meat composition by increas-
density diets fed to chicks from 0 to 14 d of age, followed by
H, M, or L amino acid density grower-phase diets fed from ing the protein concentration at the ex-
14 to 28 d of age, and then H, M, or L amino acid density pense of fat content.
finisher-phase diets fed from 28 to 42 d of age. 3. Based on feed ingredient prices for a
Mississippi integrator in March of 2009,
is a wider range and a potentially greater impact feeding the Cobb × Cobb 500 male broil-
than that for BW feed cost efficiency. Converse- er diets with higher amino acid densities
ly, values for breast meat/feed cost efficiency did not result in the most economically
showed a tendency toward reversing the effects efficient feed cost scenario when evalu-
previously observed with BW and carcass effi- ating final BW, carcass weight, or breast
ciency. Increasing the amino acid density may meat weight.
result in more efficient breast meat/feed cost 4. Overall, the Cobb × Cobb 500 broiler
values. It is reasonable to assume that if these strain showed a great ability to respond
birds were raised to an older slaughter age, some to increasing amino acid densities over
more notable differences may have emerged, time, and any effects of feeding high
mostly as a consequence of the overwhelmingly amino acid density diets early in life may
high protein content of breast muscles compared not be justified.
with any other body tissue in the broiler [24].
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Acknowledgments
This is journal article number J11758 from the Missis-
sippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (Missis-
sippi State), supported by MIS-322220. Use of trade names
in this publication does not imply endorsement by the Mis-
sissippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station of the
products, nor similar ones not mentioned. The authors wish
to express their gratitude to John Halley (Cobb-Vantress,
Siloam Springs, AR) for assisting with the logistics of the
study, and Paul Tillman (Ajinomoto Heartland LLC, Chi-
cago, IL) for donation of the crystalline amino acids and for
the amino acid analyses of the feed ingredients and the ex-
perimental diets.