Protein and Metabolizable Energy Requirements of Hand-Fed Squabs from Hatching to 28 Days of Age

Incubator-hatched squabs were hand fed slurries containing 14% diet and 86% water by weight for the 1st 4 days, followed by 20% diet and 80% water for the next 2 to 3 days. From Days 7 to 28, the slurry contained 25% diet and 75% water. A diet containing about 61% isolated soybean protein, 8.9% soybean oil, 21.5% glucose, 4% CaHPO4.2H2O, and 1.3% CaCO3 supplemented with vitamins and trace elements supported the optimum growth of squabs for the first 7 days. It contained 3,675 kcal metabolizable energy (ME)/kg and 53.3% crude protein (CP). The composition of the optimum diet for feeding from Days 7 to 289 was as follows: corn starch, 58.37%; isolated soybean protein, 23.1%; cellulose, 8.0%; soybean oil, 3.0%; CaHPO4.2H2O, 3.0; methionine, .3%; CaCO3, 1.0; plus vitamins and trace minerals. This diet provided 3,200 kcal ME/kg and 20% CP.