Grain

Three samples each of wheat, barley and oats, together with a sample of rye were assayed for metabolizable energy (M.E.) content using the method described by Sib-bald and Slinger (1963). Each grain was fed at three levels of dietary inclusion (20, 40 and 60%) to two replicated pens of 20, male White Leghorn chicks for a period of two weeks (2 to 4 weeks of age). The basal diet was found to contain 29.9 % of protein. Weight change and feed consumption data were recorded. The compositions of the grains are de-scribed in Table 1. It may be noted that wheat was the most concentrated source of M.E. closely followed by oats; barley and rye were comparable as M.E. sources. Oats alone demonstrated a consistent change in M. E. content associated with changes in bushel weights. None of the other variables measured appeared to be directly related to the M. E. values of the grains. These observations were supported by the results of statistical analyses. The relationship between the M. E. values of the oats and their bushel weights supported the finding of Lockhart et al. (1961). A prediction equation derived by these workers allowed a reasonable estimate to be made of the M. E. values of the oats used in this study. The mean weight change and gain: feed ratio data, together with descriptions of the diets, are presented in Table 2. From the standpoint of weight gains the values of the grains in diminishing order were: wheat, barley and oats (P < 0.01). Barley and rye were of comparable value. As the level of dietary inclusion of the grains in-creased the weight gains of the birds de-creased in a linear manner ( P < 0. 0 1); this decrease was more pronounced with barley and oats than with wheat (P < 0.01) possibly due to the fact that the wheats contained more protein than the other grains. The bushel weights of the grains, including oats, had no statistically significant effects upon the chick weight TABLE 1.—The compositions of samples of Western Canadian grain