Abstract：In order to investigate the effects of different dietary metabolizable energy levels on the growth performance, slaughter performance and meat quality of white-feathered broilers from 21 to 42 days of age, 1 200 white-feathered broilers at the age of 21 days were randomly divided into 4 groups (ME1, ME2, ME3, and ME4), which were fed diets with four metabolizable energy of 12.00, 12.50, 13.00, and 13.50 MJ/kg, respectively for 21 days. The results showed that as the metabolizable energy level increased, the body mass at 42 days of age, average daily gain, mortality rate, and abdominal fat percentage of white-feathered broilers, as well as the brightness value, drip loss rate, crude fat content, and saturated fatty acid relative content of chicken meat increased significantly (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in body mass at 42 days of age or breast meat hardness between groups ME3 and ME4. Meat from group ME3 showed tightly arranged muscle fiber bundles and clear texture as observed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Collectively, the dietary metabolizable energy level of 13.00 MJ/kg could increase the average daily mass gain of white-feathered broilers from 21 to 42 days of age, reduce the feed-to-gain ratio, and improve the slaughter performance and meat quality.
2026, Vol. 40 
