TP 1: Digestibility of amino acids from cereal grains in laying hens

For the optimization of diets in order to meet the needs of the animal and to minimize emissions of nitrogen-containing compounds from poultry farming, it is important to know the digestibility of amino acids from the feed components and consider this knowledge in feed optimization. The digestibility of amino acids of 100 grain batches were determined in animal trials with caecectomized hens under standardized conditions and with proven methodology. Thereby, a first comprehensive database about the digestibility of amino acids was created. Supplemented by the results from the chemical-analytical characterization (Z-project), regresseion analysis was used to evaluat whether there are correlations between the digestibility and single or multiple ingredients. Moreover, data from animal studies were used for the development and validation of an in vitro method (TP 4). A close network with regards to content is also obtained with the subprojects 2, 3, 7 and 8.

Subproject leader

Prof. Dr. Markus Rodehutscord

University of Hohenheim