The objective of this study was to estimate the optimum digestible lysine levels in diets for broilers on growing (22 to 35 days) and finishing (35 to 42 days) phases, based on economic analysis of food. Two experiments were conducted, each one using 600 Cobb 500 male broilers, distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and six replicates of 20 birds. Treatments consisted of increasing digestible lysine levels in the diet. The feed:gain relation data were submitted to ANOVA and to regression analyses using an exponential model. Based on adjusted equations for each phase, the change in food cost and margin per kg of weight gain was calculated. At each phase the optimum lysine level was considered as one to provide the lowest food cost and higher margin per kg of weight gain. Considering the price of L-lysine HCl (78.5%) of R$ 11.78, the optimum lysine levels in diets of growing and finishing poultry were estimated at 1.150 and 0.980% respectively. However, if the price of this source rises to R$ 14.13, the optimum lysine levels in diets will be reduced to 1.11 and 0.950% respectively.
