Formulating Wet Alfalfa Juice Protein Concentrate Diets for Chicks

Abstract Two trials were conducted with broiler strain chicks to compare two systems of formulation of corn-soy diets with wet alfalfa juice protein concentrate (AJPC). In the first system water contributed by the wet protein above the level of 10% in the diet was not considered to dilute nutrients (“parts basis”) and in the second system the water was considered as a diluent which necessitated adjustments in the feed formulation. All diets were calculated to contain 20% crude protein, .93% total sulfur-containing amino acids, .2% choline and 2,950 kcal metabolizable energy/kg diet. The diets, on a percent basis, were a corn-soy basal, 20% and 30% AJPC; and AJPC on a parts of total diet basis, 20 parts/114 parts diet; 30 parts/121 parts diet; 40 parts/128 parts diet; and 50 parts/135 parts diet. Propionic acid was added to all the diets at a level of .2% of the total diet to protect against mold activity. Feeds were kept at 7 C and fed out daily. The study showed that formulation of wet AJPC diets on a parts basis is a valid procedure above 20 parts of AJPC. Within the range of AJPC concentrations studied, chicks compensated for the wetness of the feed by comsuming more of it and thus achieved the same level of dry matter intake from all diets. Inclusion of 50 parts AJPC in the diet significantly (P