Effect of age of growing turkeys on nutrient digestibility and energy value of cereal-soybean-based diets.
Ileal and total tract digestibility of protein, total tract digestibility of fat and AMEN of cereal-based diets were assayed in growing turkeys at four, seven and 12 weeks of age. Fat digestibility and AMEN improved linearly with age. Total tract protein digestibility improved with age according to a curvilinear trend, while ileal protein digestibility improved from 4-7 weeks of age but decreased from 7-12 weeks of age. It can be concluded that higher AMEN values could be applied when formulating diets for older than for younger turkeys. Regarding protein digestibility more investigation is needed but a possible fall in values after the first weeks of age may be expected.
Palander
Samu
S
Department of Animal Science, University of Helsinki, Finland. samu.palander@seamk.fi
Näsi
Matti
M
Valkonen
E
E
D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000821:Animal Feed; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D004063:Digestion; D002523:Edible Grain; D009753:Nutritive Value; D011897:Random Allocation; D013025:Glycine max; D014422:Turkeys / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism
D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins