Soybean Meal Control Diet Research Articles

Effect of inulin on growth performance, intestinal tract sizes, mineral retention and tibial bone mineralisation in broiler chickens

1. A 5-week feeding trial with 240 one-day-old male broiler chickens was conducted to investigate the responses of performance, intestinal tract measurements, relative apparent retention of minerals (Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn and Cu), and tibial bone measurements and mineral content (ash and Ca) to dietary graded levels of inulin. Treatments consisted of a maize–soybean meal control diet without or with supplemental antibiotic (flavomycin, 40 mg/kg diet) and 4 diets containing inulin at concentrations of 5, 10, 15 and 20 g/kg. 2. Growth performance of birds and morphological measurements of intestinal tract (duodenum, jejunum, ileum and caeca) showed no response to dietary levels of inulin as compared with the control diet and the control diet with flavomycin. 3. Dietary inulin improved the relative apparent retention of Ca, Zn and Cu (up to 18·4, 35·5 and 466%, respectively), did no affect that of Mg and impaired the retention of Fe. Differences among inulin treatments and control with flavomycin were significant only for Mg content. 4. Dietary inulin increased the concentration of ash and Ca in the tibiae. This effect was not reflected in the tibial bone morphology (weight, length and width). In conclusion, the results from the current study suggest that feeding inulin to broiler chickens may have a beneficial effect on bone quality.

Effects of coextrusion of flaxseed and field pea on the digestibility of energy, ether extract, fatty acids, protein, and amino acids in grower-finisher pigs.

The objectives of this study were to determine the ileal and total tract digestibility of individual fatty acids, ether extract, energy, protein, and AA in a mix of flax and field pea (FP) and to determine whether extrusion improves the nutritive value of this mix. Five barrows (23-kg initial BW) fitted with a T-cannula at the distal ileum were fed 5 diets at 3 times the maintenance energy requirement according to a 5 x 5 Latin square design: a wheat and soybean meal control diet and 4 diets containing 30% raw or coextruded FP plus 70% control diet and chromic oxide as an indigestible marker. The 4 extrusion treatments included the following: 1) FP0, ground, nonextruded; 2) FP1, single-screw extruded; 3) FP2, twin-screw extruded with low intensity (screw speed 120 rpm; die temperature 110 degrees C; water input 5 kg/h); and 4) FP3, twin-screw extruded with high intensity (300 rpm; 125 degrees C; 11 kg/h). The ether extract concentration was 17.8, 19.6, 17.7, and 17.3% (as fed) in FP0, FP1, FP2, and FP4, respectively. The ADF concentration was 13.2, 11.1, 11.4, and 13.7% (as fed) in FP0, FP1, FP2, and FP4, respectively. After a 7-d acclimation, feces were collected for 2 d, and then ileal digesta was collected for 2 d. Energy digestibility in the test ingredients was calculated using the difference method. Extrusion of FP did not affect the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of DM, OM, and CP for grower-finisher pigs. Extrusion increased (P < 0.05) the ATTD of GE and ether extract and the DE content of FP, and the AID of the Arg, Ile, Leu, Lys, Phe, Thr, and Val, and total fatty acids. Extrusion tended to increase (P < 0.10) the AID of linolenic acid. Single-screw extrusion resulted in a greater (P < 0.05) ATTD of GE, OM, ether extract, and DE content of FP and AID of SFA than twin-screw extrusion. Single-screw extrusion resulted in a trend for greater (P < 0.10) AID of linolenic acid and total fatty acids than twin-screw extrusion. Twin-screw extrusion at high intensity resulted in less (P < 0.05) AID of SFA than twin-screw extrusion at low intensity, indicating that equipment and conditions should be carefully controlled for the extrusion of FP. In conclusion, coextrusion of FP increased digestibility of ether extract, fatty acids, energy, and AA.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Vanadium Commercial Egg-Type Laying Hens

A 56-d experiment was conducted with 32-wk-old Single Comb White Leghorn hens to investigate the influence of dietary supplementation of vanadium (V) on performance, hatchability, hatch residue, and excreta moisture. Ammonium metavanadate was added to a corn and soybean meal control diet to supply 20, 40, or 60 mg V/kg diet. A concentration as low as 20 mg V/kg diet caused a decline in egg interior quality and percentage of total hatch and an increase in excreta moisture. Feeding 40 and 60 mg V/kg diet resulted in a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in excreta moisture and decreased feed consumption, egg fertility, hatchability, and egg production. Embryo malposition was unaffected by dietary V, but embryonic mortality and unpipped eggs were increased by dietary concentrations of 60 mg V/kg diet.

Replacement of soybean meal and barley grain by chickpeas in lamb and kid fattening diets

In two trials, with 42 early-weaned male Chios lambs and 42 early-weaned Damascus kids, the effect of partial replacement of soybean meal and barley grain with chickpeas on weight changes and feed efficiency was studied. Within trial, animals were divided on the basis of age and liveweight into three groups that were randomly allocated to the concentrate mixtures containing three levels (kg as fed basis/t) of chickpeas (CHPEA 0, CHPEA 136, CHPEA 329). In situ degradation of soybean meal and chickpeas was also measured using three mature rumen fistulated Chios ewes. Apparent digestion coefficients and CP-retained were measured using four lambs per concentrate mixture. Lambs grew faster than kids. In both trials, there were no differences among diets in liveweight gain. Digestion coefficients of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and CP in the diets containing chickpeas were higher than those on the soybean meal control diet. The effective ruminal degradability of CP was higher in chickpeas than soybean meal. Fast growing lambs and kids consuming chickpeas (up to 329 kg/t) in substitution for barley grain and soybean meal performed as well as those on the control diet.

Tissue Distribution of Gossypol Enantiomers in Broilers Fed Various Cottonseed Meals

Plasma and tissue concentrations of total, (+)- and (-)-gossypol were determined in broilers fed cottonseed meals (CSM) from eight oil mills (five expander solvent, two expeller, and one direct solvent). Free gossypol in the meals ranged from 0.033 to 0.180%, and total gossypol ranged from 0.974 to 1.459%. The (+)-enantiomer of gossypol varied from 53.8 to 61.3% of total gossypol. Eight CSM diets containing 28% CSM and a soybean meal control diet were fed to 162 1-d-old male broiler chicks during a 3-wk starter period. Concentrations of free gossypol in the CSM diets ranged from 92 to 504 μg/g, and total gossypol ranged from 2,626 to 4,085 μg/g. All diets were formulated with the same concentrations of digestible lysine and methionine and were fed ad libitum. At 21 d of age, there were no significant differences in body weights, feed conversions, or mortality of birds fed the CSM diets when compared to birds fed the soybean meal diet. Concentrations of (+)- and (-)-gossypol in plasma, liver, kidney, and muscle increased linearly as the level of free gossypol increased in the diets. Liver had the highest concentration of total gossypol (71.4 to 313.6 μg/g DM) followed by kidney (9.2 to 36.3 μg/g DM), plasma (3.0 to 14.6 μg/mL), and muscle (2.1 to 9.8 μg/g DM). The proportion of (−)-gossypol was higher in plasma (26.7%) and kidney (25.6%) than in muscle (19.1%) and liver (16.0%). Performance data from this study indicate CSM can be used successfully in chick starter diets at levels up to 28% when diets are formulated on a digestible amino acid basis.

Effects of enzyme supplementation on the replacement value of canola meal for soybean meal in broiler diets

A broiler growth study was conducted to investigate the replacement value of canola meal (CM) for soybean meal (SBM) in broiler diets with or without the addition of two commercial enzyme products. A total of 3600 broilers were used in this experiment. Four isoenergetic diets replicated 10 times with 90 birds each were fed ad libitum as starter (Day 0–21) and finisher (Day 21–37) crumbles. All diets included a high proportion of sorghum as the main cereal component, and soybean meal (20% and 24.5%) or canola meal (35% and 28.9%) were included as the sole protein concentrate. At Day 38 selected birds from each dietary treatment were commercially processed and carcass yield and weight of selected meat portions were measured. The inclusion of CM in place of SBM and the addition of enzyme to CM-based diets did not affect feed intake, growth, and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Mortality in birds fed the unsupplemented CM diet was significantly reduced compared with the mortality in birds fed the SBM control diet or the CM diets supplemented with enzymes. Birds fed the unsupplemented CM had significantly (P &lt; 0.05) reduced eviscerated weight, breast meat, and thigh yield and a significantly (P &lt; 0.05) reduced water-holding capacity of muscle tissue compared with the SBM control diet. The addition of Enzyme A to CM-based diets increased breast meat and the addition of Enzyme B significantly (P &lt; 0.05) increased dress yield, breast meat, and Marylands (thigh and drumstick portions). Carcass yield and quality on this diet was comparable to the SBM diet.

Hulless barley as an alternative energy source for growing–finishing pigs on growth performance, carcass quality, and nutrient digestibility

One feeding trial and one digestion trial were conducted to compare hulless barley and corn in terms of their effects on pig performance, carcass traits, and nutrient digestibility. In the feeding trial, 32 crossbred pigs (Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire), averaging 22.3 kg each, were randomly assigned to two treatments as follows: (1) a corn–soybean meal control diet, and (2) all the corn of the control diet replaced by hulless barley. In the digestion trial, eight crossbred gilts (Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire), averaging 65.08 kg, were used to determine the digestibility of the diets. In the feeding trial, the average daily gain (ADG) of pigs fed the hulless barley diet was significantly higher than that of pigs fed the corn diet during the grower period, but the pigs fed the hulless barley diet were not significantly different in ADG from the pigs fed the corn diet during the finisher and overall periods. The daily feed intake of pigs fed the hulless barley diet was not significantly different from that of pigs fed the corn diet during the grower, finisher, and overall periods. The feed-to-gain ratio of pigs fed the hulless barley diet was not significantly different from that of pigs fed the corn diet during the grower period, but the pigs fed the hulless barley diet required less feed per unit of gain than those fed the corn diet during the finisher and overall periods. The dressing percentage, carcass length, mean backfat thickness, and loin eye area of pigs fed the hulless barley diet were not significantly different from those of pigs fed the corn diet. In the digestion trial, the apparent digestion coefficients of dry matter and energy of pigs fed the hulless barley diet were not significantly different from those of pigs fed the corn diet. The coefficient for nitrogen tended to be lower for hulless barley than for corn ( P<0.07). From these results, hulless barley is concluded to be a potential alternative energy source for use in swine diets.

Protective effects of cruciferous seed meals and hulls against colon cancer in mice

Protective effects of diets containing cruciferous seed meals or hulls against chemically-induced colon tumors were examined in male CF1 mice. When commercial crambe meal, autolyzed crambe meal, crambe hulls, high glucosinolate rapeseed meal, or canola meal were fed as 12% of the diets of mice injected with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine, 25–80% of the animals developed colon tumors. Animals fed a soybean meal control diet had a 100% tumor rate. Data suggest that cruciferous seed meals may contain a number of compounds that can exert protective effects against tumor formation and growth.

Threonine Responses in Commercial Broilers at 30 to 42 Days

Threonine is typically the third limiting amino acid in corn and soybean meal diets for broilers. However, reported threonine requirement values for broiler vary greatly, and the threonine requirement for growing broilers has been studied little. It is important to accurately meet threonine requirements for maintenance and tissue accretion as the bird ages.Commercial broilers were fed threonine-deficient experimental diets composed of grain sorghum, peanut meal, corn, and poultry meal from 30 to 42 days of age. Performance of commercial broilers fed experimental diets containing surfeit threonine was equal to that of birds fed the corn and soybean meal control diet. Results indicate that the 21 to 42 day NRC threonine requirement of 0.74% of diet is too high, based on the 30 to 42 day weight gain and feed:gain response. However, the 30 to 42 threonine requirement for breast traits may be higher than that of performance criteria. Future research should address threonine requirements in mature broilers for carcass traits.

Feeding Value of Poultry By-Products Extruded with Cassava, Barley, and Wheat Middlings for Broiler Chicks: The Effect of Ensiling Poultry By-Products as a Preservation Method Prior to Extrusion

In one experiment, six treatment diets including two levels of cassava meal, barley, or wheat middlings extruded with poultry by-products (PBP; a 3:1 ratio of broiler offal and condemned carcasses) were compared with a corn and soybean meal control diet for broiler performance from 1 d to 3 wk of age. No treatment differences in body weight (P > .05) were observed, and all chicks averaged 166, 421, and 788 g at 1, 2, and 3 wk of age, respectively. Weight gain and feed consumption were not affected by the experimental diets (P > .05). Birds fed the control diet had better overall feed conversion (1.24) than birds fed the diet containing 20% extruded barley and PBP (1.37) (P < .05). Feeding PBP extruded with cassava (10 and 20%) or barley (10%) resulted in equal broiler performance at less cost than birds fed the control diet.In a second experiment, 10% sucrose was mixed with PBP by weight and ensiled for 7 d at ambient temperatures in an anaerobic vessel. Diets containing cassava extruded with fresh and ensiled PBP (FR-PBP and EN-PBP, respectively) were compared with control diets (CON) for broilers to 6 wk of age. No differences in body weight were observed by 6 wk. Feed conversion of the CON birds was poorer than the birds fed the FR-PBP (P < .05). Chilled carcass yield was better for the CON compared with the EN-PBP treatment; however, dietary treatment had no effect on the percentage breast meat, thigh, drumstick, wing, or cage.These findings suggest that the extruded feeds resulted in equal live performance and parts yield compared with commercial broiler feeds. Feed costs were reduced as a result of using the extruded feeds and ensiling poultry by-products was a viable method of preservation before extrusion.

Lactational Performance of High Producing Dairy Cows Fed Diets Containing Salmon Meal and Urea

Thirty Holstein cows were used in a 12-wk trial to study the effects of salmon meal and urea on lactational performance. Two experimental diets, one containing 5.6% salmon meal and the other 5.2% salmon meal plus .42% urea, were compared with a soybean meal control diet. Salmon meal and urea replaced a portion of the soybean meal. Dietary undegraded intake protein levels (expressed as percentage of CP) were 28.8, 35.6, and 32.4% for soybean meal, salmon meal, and salmon meal plus urea Total mixed diets (average 17.3% CP, 17.6% ADF) consisting of 60% concentrate mixture and 40% bromegrass silage (DM basis) were fed twice daily. Total DMI was lower with salmon meal compared with soybean meal (20.2 versus 22.2 kg/d); salmon meal plus urea (21.2 kg/d) was intermediate. Actual milk production was similar for all diets (average 41.1 kg/d). Percentage milk fat and 4% FCM yield were lower with salmon meal (2.56%, 31.6 kg/d) and salmon meal plus urea (2.50%, 31.4 kg/d) than with soybean meal (3.03%, 35.9 kg/d). Gross efficiency (weight FCM/weight DMI) was higher for soybean meal than for salmon meal and salmon meal plus urea. Acetate:propionate tended to be higher with the soybean meal diet. The use of a high oil fish meal to provide a source of rumen undegraded intake protein, alone or in combination with urea, resulted in a decrease in milk fat percentage and yield without any beneficial effects on milk production or lactational efficiency.

Live performance, carcass yield, protein and energy retention of broiler chickens fed canola and flax full-fat seeds and the restored mixtures of meal and oil

Two experiments were conducted to assess the use, in broiler diets, of full-fat canola and flax seed or their restored mixtures of seed meals and oils. The first experiment compared raw and heated full-fat canola and flax seeds, and mixtures of the meals with the corresponding oils or animal tallow (ratios of 6:4, respectively), each added at 10% to the diet. The second experiment evaluated the raw full-fat seeds or mixtures of the meals with canola oil or animal tallow, added at 10 and 20% to the diets. Each experiment lasted 6 wk. Heat treatment did not significantly affect performance (P &gt; 0.05). Dry matter and protein retention, and bird mortality were not influenced by dietary treatments. Diets containing 10 or 20% full-fat canola or canola meal plus oil mixtures resulted in similar body weight, feed conversion and carcass yield as the soybean meal control diet. In the first experiment, the inclusion of full-fat flaxseed depressed body weight, feed conversion and dietary metabolizable energy (ME) while the flax meal plus flax oil containing diets gave responses similar to the canola meal diets. In exp. 2, increasing the level of flax seed or flax meal plus oil mixture to 20% further depressed body weight and feed conversion. The ME and feed conversion efficiency of birds fed the full-fat seed containing diets were less than those obtained from birds fed the meal plus oil diets, but only significantly so for the flax diets. The type of fat fed with the meal had no effects on the responses of the birds. Key words: Chickens, canola, flax, heating, carcass yield, protein retention, metabolizable energy

Supplementation of a low protein diet in an attempt to optimize egg mass output

Pullets were brought into production on a low-protein corn, soybean meal diet to which various nutrients including essential amino acids, choline, corn oil and feathermeal were supplemented. Production commenced between 18 and 20 wk of age and up to at least 60% production, hens fed the low protein diets (10% CP) produced at least as many eggs and as great an egg mass as these given a 17% protein corn, soybean meal control diet. Pullets fed the corn, soybean meal test diets, peaked at around 80% as compared to slightly over 90% for the control. Egg production immediately fell for birds fed the test diets to around 70% for most of the test treatments. Body weight remained constant or fell after peak production for birds fed the test diets as compared to a normal increase for birds on the control diet. Egg size increased for the test diets at a rate which was comparable to that of the control birds. In a second experiment, with older hens, supplementation of the 10% protein test diet with methionine, lysine, arginine and tryptophan, resulted in intakes of these amino acids which met NRC minimum requirement levels. However, egg mass output was reduced approximately 11% compared to the 17% protein control diet. While intakes of several essential amino acids fell below requirement levels, the degree that valine was calculated to be deficient in both experiments corresponded closely with the reduction in egg mass output of hens fed the test as compared to the control diet. Key words: Lysine, methionine, egg weight, body weight, hens.

SELECTION PREFERENCE OF STARTER PIGS FED CANOLA MEAL AND SOYBEAN MEAL SUPPLEMENTED DIETS

Selection preferences of starter pigs (4–5 wk old) fed diets supplemented with soybean meal (SBM) and canola meal (CM) with or without added flavor were studied in four experiments. In exp. 1, starter pigs were offered a choice between a SBM control diet and one of four isonitrogenous, isoenergetic CM supplemented diets containing either 5, 10, 15 or 20% CM. From 5 to 9 wk of age, pigs consumed two and one-half to seven times more SBM control diet than diets containing 5–20% CM, respectively. In exp. 2, the influence of supplementary monosodium glutamate (0.15%), dextrose (10%) and corn oil (4 and 5%) on the consumption of diets in which CM replaced 50–100% of the protein supplied by SBM was studied. No significant differences in feed intake or pig performance were attributed to the addition of these additives to the CM diets. In experiments three and four, the effect of flavor additives (Pig Krave and Hy Sugr ADE) on the palatability of CM supplemented diets was determined. In exp. 3, feed intake of pigs fed diets containing 100% CM with added flavors was significantly greater than that of pigs fed the 100% CM nonflavored diets. In exp. 4, a single stimulus trial, pigs consumed more (P &lt; 0.001) of the flavored CM diets than the nonflavored diets. The improved feed intake of flavored CM supplemented diets decreased as the level of dietary CM increased. Key words: Palatability, flavor additives, starter pigs, canola meal, soybean meal

CANOLA MEAL FOR LAYING HENS

Laying hens were fed a corn, barley, soybean meal control diet and similar diets in which 10% of canola meal replaced an equal amount of soybean meal protein. One of the canola diets was kept equal in energy to the control diet by the addition of extra dietary fat, while the energy content was allowed to fall for an alternate treatment. While there were slight differences in performance, the main effect noted was a reduction in egg size for birds fed the canola diets. Fatty acid composition of egg yolk, liver and abdominal fat did not differ significantly between the three dietary treatments. In a second trial 10% canola meal was substituted on an isocaloric basis, into a corn-soybean meal basal diet. Over a 48-wk laying period, birds fed canola meal consumed less feed than those fed the soybean meal control which resulted in fewer eggs and also smaller egg size (P &lt; 0.05). Key words: Laying hens, canola meal, egg composition

EFFECTS OF AMMONIATION ON THE COMPOSITION AND NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF LOW GLUCOSINOLATE RAPESEED (CANOLA) MEAL

Commercial No. 1 Candle rapeseed (canola) (Brassica campestris) was prepress solvent extracted and heated to 105 °C at the desolventizing step (control meal). Samples of the canola (low glucosinolate) meal were also treated with ammonia or steam or both at the desolventizing step. The meals were analyzed chemically and subsequently fed to 70 growing pigs in a factorial experiment. Digestibility of the meals was determined separately. Ammoniation increased the crude protein (% N × 6.25) concentration from 39 to 42%, decreased the proportion of alkaline soluble nitrogen and increased the available lysine level. Both ammonia and steam reduced glucosinolate concentrations but usually at least half the glucosinolates remained after any treatment. Compared with a soybean meal control diet, diets containing 10% treated canola meals did not affect daily gains, feed intakes or feed:gain ratios when fed to pigs. Ammoniation had little effect on crude protein digestibility of canola meal but, in combination with steam, reduced the energy digestibility. Based on these results, there appeared to be no advantage in ammoniating canola meal as a means of improving its nutritional quality in swine diets. Key words: Rapeseed meal, low glucosinolate, ammoniation, nutritional quality, composition, pigs

NUTRITIVE VALUE OF LEAF PROTEIN CONCENTRATES PREPARED FROM Amaranthus SPECIES

Leaf protein concentrate (LPC) samples were prepared from several species of Amaranthus. Their proximate composition and phenolic content were determined. In vitro nitrogen digestibility was low (28–48%) and was negatively correlated with phenolic content. The amino acid content of one sample of A. hypochondriacus LPC was measured, and compared favorably with reported values for essential amino acids for alfalfa LPC and soybean meal. The nutritional values of the LPC samples were assessed in a rat feeding trial. Compared to a soybean meal control diet, the gains with Amaranthus LPC were poor, ranging from 18 to 72% of the control value. The cause of the poor growth remains to be determined. The high ash content of the samples, or the presence of organic factors such as saponins, phenolics and oxalates are possibilities to account for the poor growth rate of rats.

Brewer's Yeast Slurry. II. A Source of Supplementary Protein for Lactating Dairy Cattle

Brewer's yeast slurry and soybean meal each were incorporated in complete rations at 6 and 12% of dry matter to increase crude protein from 13% (negative control) to 15 and 17%. Thirty Holstein cows were blocked on age, stage of lactation (average 200 days), and milk yield (average 19.4kg) and assigned to treatments within blocks. Data analysis was on differences between the 28-day treatment and average of preceding and subsequent control periods when the 15% protein soy diet was fed.Milk yield, milk component yields, and differences of protein percent were higher on the supplemented rations than on the negative control. Differences in protein and solids-corrected milk yield increased with dietary crude protein. Source of supplementary protein did not affect production response. A taste panel test detected no difference in organoleptic quality of milk representative of each treatment ration.Molar percent of rumen acetic acid was higher on the yeast supplemented rations while propionic and isovaleric acids were lower. Blood urea nitrogen was also lower from supplementation with yeast slurry. Apparent digestion coefficients for dry matter, gross energy, crude protein, and acid detergent fiber were all higher on the yeast supplemented rations than on soy diets.The effect of yeast slurry stored for 0, 7, or 14 days on rumen measures was compared with a soybean meal control diet in a 4×4 Latin square experiment with rumen fistulated cattle. Storage time had no consistent effect on measures of rumen or blood.

UTILIZATION OF DIETARY TOWER RAPESEED PRODUCTS BY GROWING TURKEYS

Four replicate groups of 22 male large white day-old poults were assigned to each of eight dietary treatments. These consisted of a corn–soybean meal control diet and isocaloric, isonitrogenous diets containing either 25% Target, high-glucosinolate, rapeseed meal (RSM), 25% Tower, low-glucosinolate RSM derived from two sources or 21.5% whole autoclaved Tower rapeseed plus three other treatments where 10% of oil derived from either soybean, Tower rapeseed or Target rapeseed was added. Dietary specifications were changed with age of bird. Weight gain and feed intake were recorded to 112 days of age. Target RSM resulted in a significant depression in weight gain and feed intake. Compared to the corn–soybean control, 25% Tower RSM and whole autoclaved Tower rapeseed, which supplied most of the dietary fat, had no effect on turkey performance. There was an indication that poults to 56 days of age were not able to fully utilize whole rapeseed. Performance of turkeys fed Tower rapeseed oil or soybean oil was similar, while Target oil significantly depressed weight gain. A perotic-type condition was observed in poults to 28 days of age when fed diets containing Target RSM. The condition was not observed in poults fed the other diets. It is concluded that both the oil and meal resulting from the processing of Tower rapeseed are superior in nutritional value to those obtained from Target rapeseed, and that these products may be included in turkey diets from day-of-age up to 10% for the oil and 25% for the meal, without adversely affecting performance.

UTILIZATION OF WHOLE TOWER RAPESEED BY LAYING HENS AND BROILER CHICKENS

Laying hens received diets containing 10% Tower rapeseed which was fed either as raw whole seed, autoclaved whole seed or autoclaved and ground seed. Performance was measured over ten 28-day periods. Broiler diets contained 10 or 20% Tower rapeseed either as raw whole seed, dry-heated whole seed or autoclaved whole seed. Laying hens consuming 10% dietary raw whole rapeseed produced significantly (P &lt; 0.05) more eggs than did birds fed an isocaloric, isonitrogenous corn–soybean meal control diet. Egg production of birds fed either the control diet, autoclaved whole rapeseed or autoclaved ground rapeseed was not significantly (P &lt; 0.05) different. Birds fed rapeseed produced smaller eggs (P &lt; 0.01), while those birds offered autoclaved ground rapeseed produced eggs with significantly (P &lt; 0.05) superior shell quality compared to eggs from the control birds. Broiler chickens consuming raw rapeseed had larger thyroids than did control birds, while autoclaving, and to a lesser extent dry-heating, corrected this anomaly. Body weight gain to 4 wk of age was not influenced by dietary treatment, although birds eating 20% dry-heated rapeseed showed a significantly (P &lt; 0.05) inferior feed intake:body weight gain in comparison to that calculated for control birds. It is concluded that whole Tower rapeseed can be well utilized by both broiler chickens and laying hens at inclusion levels of 10–20% and 10%, respectively, and that no advantages accrue from grinding the seed. For broiler chickens, there is an indication that rapeseed should be heat-treated.