The Effect of the Duration of Starvation of the Assay Bird on True Metabolizable Energy Values

An experiment was made with adult, S.C.W.L. roosters to measure the effect of the duration of the starvation period, prior to force feeding, on the true metabolizable energy (T.M.E.) value of a laying hen diet. Lengthening the starvation period from 24 to 96 hr., by 24 hr. intervals, had no significant effect on the T.M.E. value. The excretion of metabolic fecal + endogenous urinary energy per day tended to decrease with the duration of starvation. It is therefore, essential that the duration of the starvation period is identical for control and force fed birds. It is also essential that the duration of the experimental period is identical for both groups of birds.