One thousand and fifteen commercial male broilers from 37 to 49 days of age were used to evaluate different digestible lysine levels. A completely randomized trial was used, with five treatments (0.90, 0.95, 1.00, 1.05 and 1.10% of digestible lysine, respectively), seven repetitions and 35 experimental units, with 29 birds each. Lysine levels were added in isoenergetic (3,250 kcal of ME/kg) and isoproteic (18% of CP) corn and soy meal rations. Weight gain, feed intake, feed:gain ratio, carcass characteristics and cuts, body composition and nutrient deposition were measured. Digestible lysine levels influenced the feed:gain ratio, with decreasing linear effect. Quadratic effect was observed due to lysine levels used on carcass characteristics, cuts and abdominal fat deposition. The variable chemical composition of the carcass, empty body and mineral matter showed quadratic effect on the digestible lysine levels. The digestible lysine levels had no effect on the chemical composition of blood and offal fractions. However, evidences of linear increase in the protein deposition of carcass and empty body due to the increase in the digestible lysine level were observed. Considering performance, the digestible lysine level should be 1.10% or higher.
body composition; cut yield; fat and protein deposition; performance
