An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of metabolizeable energy (ME, kcal/kg) and crude protein (% CP) levels on the production performance, egg quality, hatchability, and fertility of the DZ-White chicken breed at Debre-Zeit Agricultural Research Center. A total of 594 twenty weeks age DZ-white chickens were randomly distributed to the nine dietary treatments, with 3*3 factorial arrangements, in a Completely Randomized Design. The experimental diets were formulated containing different levels of dietary protein 14.5, 15.5, or 16.5%, and 2850, 2750, or 2650 kcal/k of ME respectively. Chemical compositions of feed ingredients were analyzed and feed intake, egg production, hatchability, fertility, and egg quality parameters were recorded. The results indicated that dietary treatments with varied levels of ME and CP showed significant (P <0.05) effects on the total and percentage of hen-day egg production. However, no significant (P >0.05) effect was detected among the dietary treatments (CP, ME, and their interaction) on hatchability, fertility, and most egg quality parameters. Based on this study it is certainly suggested to economically feed the DZ-white chickens with a layer diet, containing 15.5% CP and 2750 kcal/kg of ME.

Keywords: Crude Protein, DZ-White Chickens, Egg Production, Fertility, Hatchability, Metabolizeable Energy