THE INFLUENCE OF SOLUBLE AND INSOLUBLE GRIT UPON THE DIGESTIBILITY OF FEED BY THE DOMESTIC FOWL

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Two experiments were carried out with growing cockerels to study the effect of soluble and insoluble grits upon digestibility. The criterion employed to evaluate these effects was the apparent digestibility of the individual proximate constituents. Comparisons were made between soluble calcitic limestone, insoluble quartz, silica sand and combinations of these grits.These trials have demonstrated that grit improves feed digestion, particularly of whole grain feeds. In addition, both types of grit were found to be similar in their ability to initiate and maintain this beneficial response, as long as they remain present as distinct entities in the gizzard. It was observed, however that calcitic limestone was not retained in the gizzard nearly as long as the insoluble quartz grit and consequently a greater consumption of the former may be expected.

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit: