Individual analysis versus excret pooling in determination of crude energy in metabolizable energy bioassays

Abstract

The values of apparent and true metabolizable energy (AME and TME) of twenty feeds were determined using the traditional method of collecting total excreta and the forced feeding method, respectively. The crude energy of excreta was determined in individual samples and later in a pool of the replications of the same treatment. The AME and THE values of feeds determined by individual analysis of excreta for crude energy did not differ (P > .05) from the values obtained with the pooled replications sample. The average difference between both values were of 2.04 and 2.67% for AME and TME, respectively.