[Nitrogen metabolism of broilers fed 15-N labeled wheat.5. Skin, feathers and 15-N balance]

In the present study 17 four-week-old broilers received a ration supplemented with 15N labelled wheat for a period of 2 days. The 15N excess was 295mg. 3 birds each were killed 3, 6, 12, 60 and 108 hours after administration of the last 15N dose. The present communication provides data on the N and 15N content of the bone skin, feathers and data on the 15N balance. On an average, 11% of the amount of 15N administered were found in medullar bones. A fairly uniform pattern of 15N labelling was observed at the different test points of the skin while the time pattern of 15N frequencies in the feathers was non-directional. 15N' balance showed that at all the 6 test point the range of error for the recovery rates was less than 3%. The present study substantiated the suitability of the stable N isotope for use in N metabolism trials.