Principles, problems and application of amino acid digestibility in poultry

Abstract

Amino acid availability values of feedstuffs are likely to form the basis of poultry feed formulation in the future. Already many nutritionists employ digestible amino acid values, but there is a lack of information from a single source derived from the application of accepted measurement procedures. The present paper reviews the basis of amino acid digestibility in poultry, examines the essential elements of measurement procedures, discusses recently published information and considers briefly how digestibility relates to availability. Finally, the use of digestible amino acids in practical feed formulation is considered.

Keywords::

• Amino acids
• availability
• caecectomy
• digestibility
• endogenous
• measurement
• poultry