There was a small positive correlation between
MEm and CP intake (r = 0.07; P = 0.01). Hens on LE
diet may have expended more energy for protein degradation
than HE hens. Increased CP intake associated
with greater basal metabolic rate resulted in greater
protein turnover (Leeson and Summers, 2001). Tomas
et al. (1991) reported that less efficient birds had a
greater rate of protein catabolism than more efficient
birds. Genetic selection with 19% lower basal metabolic
rate decreased feed conversion ratio in broiler
chicks by 10% (Carre et al., 2008).