GROWTH OF BROILER CHICKS FED DIETS CONTAINING TANNIN-FREE AND TANNIN-CONTAINING NEAR-ISOGENIC LINES OF FABA BEAN (VICIA-FABA L)

Seeds from six pairs of near-isogenic lines of Vicia faba L., each pai r consisting of a tannin-free (TF) and a tannin-containing (TC) partne r line, were used to study the effect of breeding for the absence of c ondensed tannins on the seed content of dry matter (DM), elude protein (CP), and starch (S), on in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) and on growth performance of broiler chicks that were fed diets with faba be ans as the main source of nitrogen. Seeds from TF partner lines showed a 10% higher IVPD, a 6% higher S content, and slightly higher levels of DM and CP than the TC partner of the same pair. Both male and femal e broiler chicks, which were given diets containing TF faba beans at a n inclusion level of 500 g/kg of diet, showed a lower feed intake, a h igher body weight gain, and, on average, a 2.5% improved feed conversi on ratio as compared to birds receiving diets with corresponding inclu sion levels of TC faba beans (P < 0.01).