The nutritional value of high-oil corn for broiler chicks

A variety of corn (Natan) with high fat and protein contents (6.7 and 9.8%, respectively) was developed at Newe Ya'ar, Israel. The nutritive value of this corn for broiler chicks from 7 to 28 d of age was evaluated in two experiments. In the first experiment, Natan and a local conventional corn variety (LCC-2.9% fat and 7.2% protein) were incorporated in a relatively low-protein diet designated for the determination of AMEn by the substitution method. The AMEn content of Natan was found to be 3,658 kcal/kg, whereas that of LCC was 3,437 kcal/kg. There were no differences in feed intake or weight gain between chicks fed the two corn varieties, but feed efficiency of those fed the diet containing Natan was improved (P < .05). In the second experiment, the effects on the performance of chicks of diets adequate in protein and containing either imported conventional corn (ICC), or Natan, or ICC-enriched with corn oil and soybean meal (to equalize its fat and protein content to that of the diet containing Natan), were compared. There were no differences in feed intake or weight gain among chicks fed the three diets and in feed efficiency among chicks fed the diet containing Natan and those fed the other two diets, whereas, the enrichment of the ICC-containing diet significantly improved feed efficiency. It was concluded, therefore, that in spite of the high nutritional value of the high-oil corn, its effect on improving the performance of chicks, when replacing a conventional corn in a well-balanced diet, was not pronounced.