An attempt to predict protein digestibility of feedstuffs in pigs by using the values for poultry

Abstract

The protein value of feedstuffs for pigs depends on the ileal digestibility of amino acids. The measurement of ileal digestibility requires cannulated pigs, which is time consuming and causes discomfort in the animals. We have tested the hypothesis that faecal digestibility of crude protein and amino acids in poultry could predict digestibility in pigs. We used the digestibility values for various feedstuffs in cocks, broilers and pigs as listed in the Dutch Feed Value Table. There were statistically significant correlations for the faecal digestibility coefficients (%) of crude protein and amino acids in either cocks or broilers on the one hand and the Values for ileaI amino acid digestibility (%) and faecal elude protein digestibility in pigs on the other hand. However, the explained variance was only up to 70% so that the poultry data cannot serve as accurate predictor for the values in pigs.