Metabolizable Energy of Rapeseed Meal for the Laying Hen

Sibbald and Slinger (1963) reported that, for chicks, the “corrected” metabolizable energy (M.E.) of solvent extracted rapeseed meal (R.M.) was about 1530 kilcalories per kilogram on an air-dry basis. Apparently, this is the only published estimate of the M.E. of R.M. In view of the current interest in the feeding potential of R.M. for poultry, it seemed advisable to gather information about its metabolizable energy content for the laying hen. Individually caged, S.C. White Leghorn hens, approximately 10 months of age, were used in the experiment. The M.E. assay procedure was similar to that of Hill and Anderson (1958) but modified for use of the laying hen. The reference ration is shown in Table 1. Rapeseed meal (solvent extracted) was substituted, on a weight basis, for glucose to comprise 15 or 20% of the ration. The M.E. of soybean meal (S.M.) was estimated using a ration where S.M. replaced glucose …