Mathematical models for response to amino acids: estimating the response of broiler chickens to branched-chain amino acids using support vector regression and neural network models

Support vector regression (SVR) and neural network (NN) models were used to predict average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency (FE), and feed intake (FI) of broiler chickens during the starter period. Input variables for construction of the models were levels of dietary protein and branched-chain amino acids (BCAA; valine, isoleucine, and leucine). Starting with 241 lines, the SVR and NN models were trained using 120 data lines and the remainder (n = 121) was used as the testing set. The SVR models were developed using different kernel functions including: linear, polynomial (second and third order), radial basis function (RBF), and sigmoidal. In order to evaluate the SVR models, their performance was compared to that of multilayer perceptron (MLP)- and RBF-type NN models. Results indicated that MLP-type NN models were the most accurate in predicting the investigated output variables (R2 for ADG in training and testing = 0.81 and 0.81; FE = 0.87 and 0.87; FI = 0.68 and 0.62). Among the different SVR kernels, best performance was achieved with the RBF (R2 for ADG in training and testing = 0.76 and 0.76; FE = 0.85 and 0.87; FI = 0.46 and 0.48) and polynomial (third order) function (R2 for ADG in training and testing = 0.77 and 0.77; FE = 0.85 and 0.87; FI = 0.46 and 0.39), whose prediction ability was better than that of the RBF-type NN (R2 for ADG in training and testing = 0.75 and 0.75; FE = 0.82 and 0.82; FI = 0.41 and 0.39) models. Sigmoidal SVR models provided the poorest prediction. The work demonstrates that, through proper selection of kernel functions and corresponding parameters, SVR models can be considered as an alternative to NN models in predicting the response of broiler chickens to protein and BCAA. This type of model should also be applicable in poultry and other areas of animal nutrition.