The additivity of TMEn values of various ingredients in a complete diet for ostriches and adult roosters

The additivity and accuracy of true metabolisable energy values, corrected for nitrogen retention (TMEn), of different diet ingredients previously determined for ostriches, were evaluated by feeding an experimental diet containing a number of these ingredients to ostriches and roosters. The TMEn value of the test diet was determined with 36 young ostriches (7 months old) by a balance method of continuous feeding for 5 days after an adaption period of 7 days. The test diet was also offered for 3 days to 10 adult roosters after an adaption period of 24 h. Theoretical values of 11.69±0.189 MJ/kg and 8.28±0.181 MJ/kg calculated for the test diet for ostriches and roosters, respectively, compared well with determined values of 11.25±0.072 MJ/kg and 8.02±0.445 MJ/kg, respectively. It was concluded that reliable energy values are now available for the establishment of energy requirements and diet formulations for ostriches.