The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the performance of three genetic groups of broiler chicks, obtained at UFV, called UFV1, UFV2 and UFV3, fed diets with different crude protein (CP) levels. Two hundred and forty chicks of each genetic group, totaling 720 chicks, were allotted to 48 floor pens up to 42 days of age. At the initial phase (1 to 21 days), all chicks were fed an unique diet. At the final phase (22 to 42 days), the chicks were fed isocaloric diets (3.100 kcal ME/kg) with different CP levels (16.5, 18.0, 19.5, and 21.0%). The studied traits were: feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG) and feed:gain ratio (FG) in the periods from 1 to 21, 22 to 42 and 1 to 42 days. The experiment design at the initial phase was a completely randomized design, with three genetic groups and sixteen replicates, and for the final phase, a 3x4 factorial arrangement (genetic group and protein level) with four replicates. There were differences among genetic groups for FI and WG. The UFV1 group showed the best results. The feed:gain ratio did not differ among the groups. The increase in the protein levels affected the broiler chicks performance. A positive linear effect of CP levels on WG and FG was observed. Protein levels did not influenced FI. No interaction was observed between genetic group and protein level.
broilers; genetic groups; protein levels
