Chemical composition and metabolizable energy for poultry feeds

The values of chemical composition and of apparent metabolizable energy cor rected for nitrogen excretion (AMEn) of 11 ingredients used for feeding pou ltry were determined. The AMEn was determined through two biological essays with broilers from 15 to 23 days of age, housed in metabolic metal cage de cks. The total excreta collection method was used. The experimental design was in totally randomized blocks, with seven and six treatments in essays o ne and two, respectively. Eight replications often birds (five males and fi ve females) were used for treatments, in each essay. Experimental diets wer e composed of 60% of a reference diet with 22% of crude protein and 3,100 k cal kg(-1) of metabolizable energy and 40% of the ingredient tested. The ex perimental period was of four days of adaptation and five days of excreta c ollection. Values of chemical composition and AMEn determined in this study showed important differences from those reported under Brazilian condition s and abroad. Knowledge of the chemical composition and of the AMEn of the Brazilian ingredients will make possible to formulate more precise ratios f or feeding poultry.