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 evalu ated in two experiments. In the first experiment, Natan and a local co nventional corn variety (LCC-2.9% fat and 7.2% protein) were incorpora ted in a relatively low-protein diet designated for the determination of AME(n) by the substitution method. The AME(n) content of Natan was found to be 3,658 kcal/kg, whereas that of LCC was 3,437 kcal/kg. Ther e were no differences in feed intake or weight gain between chicks fed the two com varieties, but feed efficiency of those fed the diet cont aining Natan was improved (P < .05). In the second experiment, the eff ects on the performance of chicks of diets adequate in protein and con taining either imported conventional corn (ICC), or Natan, or ICC-enri ched with corn oil and soybean meal (to equalize its fat and protein c ontent to that of the diet containing Natan), were compared. There wer e no differences in feed intake or weight gain among chicks fed the th ree diets and in feed efficiency among chicks fed the diet containing Natan and those fed the other two diets, whereas, the enrichment of th e ICC-containing diet significantly improved feed efficiency. It was c oncluded, therefore, that in spite of the high nutritional value of th e high-oil corn, its effect on improving the performance of chicks, wh en replacing a conventional corn in a well-balanced diet, was not pron ounced.