Investigation of energy content of meat and bone meal by broilers

A growth trial was conducted with a total of 220 broilers over 37 days, to study the energy content of meat and bone meal. The experimental diets were formulated to have 10 % meat and bone meal incorporated. The energy concentrations were assumed to be 12.8 MJ ME/kg in feeding group (FG) 2, 11.3 MJ ME/kg in FG3 and 9.8 MJ ME/kg in FG4, whereas a meat and bone meal free diet (FG1) served as control. The average final live weight of the broilers was found to be 2030 g and the average feed conversion ratio 1.91 kg. The controls (FG1) showed the same feed conversion ratio as the experimental groups FG2, FG3 and FG4, but average weight gain was 100 g less as compared to the experimental feeding groups. Supplements of soya oil (FG3 and FG4) did not result in an improved growth and slaughter performance as compared to feeding group FG2. Quality of breast meat was not affected by the different diets. The results confirm that corrections concerning energy concentration are not necessary for meat and bone meal. According to the production power a value of 12.8 MJ ME seems to be adequate.