Relationship between dry matter digestion and metabolizable energy

Area of Science:

• Animal Nutrition
• Feed Evaluation

Background:

• Accurate metabolizable energy (ME) determination is crucial for broiler feed formulation.
• Dry matter digestion (DMD) is a potential predictor of ME, but its accuracy needs validation across various ingredients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between DMD and nitrogen-corrected, endogenous-energy-corrected ME (MEn,e,i) in broiler chicks.
• To compare MEn,e,i values determined via bioassay with those estimated using DMD and regression analysis.

Main Methods:

• Two experiments were conducted using immature broiler chicks.
• A bioassay determined MEn,e,i for corn, wheat, oats, and soybean meal (SBM).
• Estimated MEn,e,i values were calculated using gross energy and DMD adjusted for fasted excreta losses.

Main Results:

• A significant correlation (r = .96, P < .0001) was found between estimated and determined MEn,e,i for all tested ingredients.
• Removing SBM from the regression analysis improved the correlation and reduced residual standard deviation from +/- .093 to +/- .036 kcal/g.

Conclusions:

• DMD is a reliable predictor of MEn,e,i for grains and SBM in broiler diets.
• Regression analysis using DMD provides an accurate estimation of broiler feed energy content.