A Determination of Apparent and True Metabolizable Energy of Beet Pulp fed to Ostrich, Assessed via Marker and Total Excreta Collection Methods

This experiment was conducted to determine the AME، AMEn، TME and TMEn of beet pulp fed to male ostriches at their 90 d of age. Different levels of beet pulp (0، 15، 30 and 40%) were fed through replacements in the basal diet. For a determination of AME and AMEn using marker method، beet pulp was replaced in the basal diet at 40%. A number of 16 vs. 8 ostrich chicks were employed in each of the total collection vs. marker methods، respectively. A completely randomized design of 4 replicates was adopted. AME and AMEn were determined via chromic oxide marker and via total excreta collection methods. The AME and AMEn for beet pulp were recorded as 3199±238، 2902±95، 3125±214 and 2798±86 kcal/kg (at 40 % of replacement) as assessed through chromic oxide marker and total excrete collection، methods respectively. Assessment of TME and TMEn of beet pulp as based upon different levels of feedstuff were recorded 3215 and 3134 kcal/kg respectively. The results finally indicated that use of the ME data assessed via adult leghorn cockerel (in formulating the starter diet for ostrich) is not applicable، and values of ME in ration formulation regarding ostrich are to be determined