Abstract
Simple SummaryThe current standard for the determination of the energy value of feed is to use regression equations; however, these equations are imprecise and may affect the correct estimation of energy for several reasons. First of all, these equations include the values of some raw components, such as crude protein, ether extracts, and N-free extracts, but not different forms of fiber, which in high concentration reduces the energy value of poultry feed. In addition, in the tables, there are average values for different feeds, which do not take into account differences between varieties of the same species, which, at least in case of grains may be much larger than differences between two different species. Another important aspect is that the concentration of various components, including antinutritional factors, affects their mutual use and thus the energy value of feed. This work was aimed at improving the precision of estimating the energy value of poultry feed by incorporating detergent and dietary fiber as well as additional nutrients such as starch and total sugars separately. In addition, the authors suggest considering the values characteristic of selected grain in the energy calculations rather than the mean values for the species, because it may improve the precision of the result.The study aimed to determine the effect of nutrients of wheat (nine cultivars) and maize (nine cultivars) grain on nitrogen balance and apparent metabolizable energy (AMEN) content for broiler chickens. In vivo digestibility and balance trials were carried out with 90 Ross 308 chickens (2 × 9 groups with 5 birds per group) aged from 42 to 49 days, separately for each cultivar. Considerable variation within each cereal species in fiber and non-fiber carbohydrate fractions and nutrient digestibility of grain were demonstrated. Additionally, regression equations were proposed which allow the estimation of AMEN content of wheat and maize grain varieties based on simple analytical procedures, including cell wall components, starch, and sugars. For practical purposes, these equations seem to be the best solution while reducing time, labor, and cost of analytical procedures.
Highlights
Recent advances in plant breeding increase differences in the chemical composition of grain between varieties within each cereal species [1,2]
The value of metabolizable energy in cereal grain is negatively correlated to crude fiber content; it is believed that this kind of fiber determination is not sufficiently described within the energy value for mixtures containing cereal grain [5,6]
Large differences between wheat varieties were found for nutrients, gross energy, and apparent metabolizable energy (AMEN)
Summary
Recent advances in plant breeding increase differences in the chemical composition of grain between varieties within each cereal species [1,2]. A large number of new cereal varieties makes it necessary to develop simple procedures for determining their nutritional value without time-consuming and expensive studies on animals. This opportunity is provided by regression equations used for estimating digestible nutrient and metabolizable energy content based on laboratory data. The value of metabolizable energy in cereal grain is negatively correlated to crude fiber content; it is believed that this kind of fiber determination is not sufficiently described within the energy value for mixtures containing cereal grain [5,6] In this context, the effect of crude, detergent, or dietary fiber content, including soluble and insoluble fractions, on energy utilization in poultry, has not been adequately studied
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