Abstract
Digestibilities and nitrogen retention of non-gelatinized and gelatinized limed splits, and effects of the limed splits on digestibilities of nutrients were studied in colostomized chickens. Egg albumen (control diet), a 1:1 (on the basis of crude protein) mixture of egg albumen and non -gelatinized limed split (AS diet) and that of egg albumen and gelatinized limed split (AGS diet) were used as the dietary protein source. All diets contained 14% crude protein. Decreased feed consumption was observed in AS diet and AGS diet groups. There was no difference in digestibilities of nutrients among 3 groups, but nitrogen retention in AS and AGS diet groups was lower than in control group. Results obtained here indicate that more than 90% of limed split is digested by chickens irrespective of gelatinization and that the palatability of limed split should be improved for practical use.
