Energy utilisation of medium chain triglyceride in comparison with long chain triglyceride in growing chicks

1. To evaluate the relative efficiency of energy utilisation of medium chain triglyceride (MCT) compared to long chain triglyceride (LCT), Single Comb White Leghorn 7-d-old male chicks were allocated into 4 experimental groups and one control of 5 birds per group. The chicks in the control group (Group 1) were given 5 g basal diet each day for 10 d. The birds in groups 2 and 3 received 5 g basal diet/d supplemented with MCT to provide 33.5 kJ GE/d and 67.0 kJ GE/d, and those in groups 4 and 5 were supplemented with LCT at 31.9 kJ GE/d and 63.8 kJ GE/d, respectively. Energy retained as protein and fat, and total energy retentions were measured. 2. No significant differences were found in energy retention as protein between the four energy supplemented groups but significant differences in fat and total energy retentions were found between the different dietary energy contents but not between energy source. Net energy of MCT for production was calculated as 16.0 kJ/g which corresponds to about 74% of that of LCT (22.8 kJ/g).