EFFECT OF THE LEVEL OF INDUSTRIAL SACCHARINA ON THE APPARENT NUTRIENTRETENTION IN BROILERS

Thirty two male broiler chickens of 49 days of age of 1 of the E-24 hy brid were used to determine the effect of 0, 5, 10 and 15% of industri al Saccharina on the apparent retention of dry matter (DMAR), nitrogen (NAR); neutral detergent fibre (NDFAR) and gross energy(GE). There we re 8 animals per treatment according to a completely randomized design . Samples were collected and diets and faeces analysed. Retentions wer e estimated by the insoluble acid ash method. A simple clasification a nalysis was carried out and regressions between the Saccharina level a nd the different nutrient retentions were estimated. The DMAR and NDFA R decreased (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively) with 15% inclusion of Saccharina in the diet with respect to the remaining treatments, wh ile the highest value of NDFAR was obtained with 10% Saccharina (34.13 vs 30.15, 29.75 and 25.01 for 0, 5 and 15% in this same order). The N AR did not differ between treatments, but the metabolizable energy dec reased (P < 0.001) as the fibre percentage increased in the ration (15 .88, 15.67 and 13.62) for 0, 5, 10 and 15% of Saccharina, respectively ). A high coefficient of determination (R(2) = 97.67) was obtained bet ween both factors. The contrary occurred for the DMAR and NDFAR where the coefficients were low. Results obtained suggest the use of up to 1 0% Saccharina in the ration In order not to affect the nutrient appare nt retentions in broilers.