Meat prodction performances of f1 choi x luong phuong chickens in rations containing different levels of metabolizable energy and crude protein with perionyx excavatus extract

i

MEAT PRODUCTION PERFORMANCES OF F1 CHOI X LUONG PHUONG
CHICKENS IN RATIONS CONTAINING DIFFERENT LEVELS OF
METABOLIZABLE ENERGY AND CRUDE PROTEIN WITH
Perionyx excavatus EXTRACT

A Thesis
Presented to the Faculty of the
College of Agriculture
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Siniloan, Laguna

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Master of Science in Agriculture
Major in Animal Science

HA ANH THU
June 2019
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VISION, MISSION, QUALITY POLICY, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Vision
The Laguna State Polytechnic University is a Center for sustainable
development initiatives, transforming lives and communities.
Mission

LSPU provides quality education through responsive instruction, distinctive
research, sustainable extension and production services for improved quality of life
towards nation-building.

Quality Policy
We, at LSPU are committed with continual improvement to provide quality,
efficient services to the university stakeholder’s highest level of satisfaction
through a dynamic and excellent management system imbued with utmost
integrity, professionalism and innovation.
Goals
1. Graduate Education is at the apex of the education system. In the field
of education, professional who aim to continued improvement of
teaching and learning in the classrooms, delivery of student services
and management of educational programs.
2. Graduate education also one of the most effective means of developing
capabilities related to ding research that will improve educational theory
and practice in many aspects of educational process.

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3. Establish a graduate school that is expected to be a molder of the
Filipino minds and laboratory for the study of social, technological,
economic problems besetting our people and the country today.
Objectives
1. To acquire advanced professional training and technological skills
necessary for one in maximizing his/her teaching competencies and
managerial ability in his/her field of specialization.

2. To produce quality graduates needed in the field of work.
3. To develop and elevate one’s aesthetic and personal ideals particularly in
her fields of specialization.
4. To gain advanced knowledge and skills in conducting various kinds of
research in one’s field of study

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Republic of the Philippines

Laguna State Polytechnic University
Province of Laguna

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
APPROVAL SHEET
This research entitled “MEAT PRODUCTION PERFORMANCES OF F1
CHOI X LUONG PHUONG CHICKENS IN RATIONS CONTAINING DIFFERENT
LEVELS OF METABOLIZABLE ENERGY AND CRUDE PROTEIN WITH
Perionyx exavatus EXTRACT” prepared and submitted by HA ANH THU in
partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in
Agriculture Major in Animal Science has been examined and is hereby
recommended for approval.
ROBERT C. AGATEP, Ph.D.
Adviser
________________________________________________________________
PANEL OF EXAMINERS
Approved by the COMMITTEE ON ORAL EXAMINATION with a grade of ______.

NESTOR N. DE VERA, Ph.D.

Chairman

LOLITA L. BEATO, Ph.D.
Member
ROBERT C. AGATEP, Ph.D.
Member

LOLITA D. VIYAR, Ph.D.
Member
FLORENCIO G. REBERTA, JR., MRD
Member

Accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master
of Science in Agriculture, Major in Animal Science.
LOLITA L. BEATO, Ph.D.
Dean
Research Contribution No.:______________

ISABELITA DOMINGO, RPChE
Chairperson, Research

MA. GRACIELA C. PRADILLADA, R.G.C.
Registrar III

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DISCLAIMER

The Laguna State Polytechnic University - Siniloan Campus nor the
researcher does not constitute to the promotion of the brands mentioned and/or
the demotion of the other brands not mentioned herein.

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DEDICATION

To Almighty God,
To my parents, Ha Van Doanh and Dinh Thi Hanh
And to all mankind especially farmers

HA ANH THU

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The author would like to express her sincerest gratitude to those who
execute immeasurable help in the accomplishment of this research paper.
Dr. Nestor M. de Vera, President of Laguna State Polytechnic University
who gave the opportunity to the author at Laguna State Polytechnic University
(Siniloan host campus),

Dr. Lolita L. Beato, Dean of the Graduate Studies and Applied Research,
and to the group of panelist who gave the author permission to conduct this
research,
Dr. Robert C. Agatep, for his kindness, guidance, advice, support and ideas
which enable the author to finish this research,
Dr. Lolita D. Viyar, for giving her time, meticulosity and effort in checking
this manuscript,
Her father Ha Van Doanh and mother Dinh Thi Hanh who gave their full
support and for the ecouranging inspiration during the conduct of the study,
Nguyen Thi Lan, Pham Van Dien, Bui Ngoc Son and Le Cong Van, her
friends who gave their opinion, concern, and care for the that lead to the
successful completion of this study.

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ABSTRACT
A 2x3 complete factorial experiment in a Randomized Complete Block
Design was conducted in order to determine the meat production performances of
F1 Choi x Luong Phuong chickens in rations containing different levels of
metabolizable energy and crude protein with Perionyx excavatus extract.
Results show that the feed consumption, feed conversion efficiency, protein
efficiency ratio and the gross profit margin in raising F1 Choi x Luong Phuong
chickens up to 90 days of age were significantly affected by the interaction of the
inclusion of 1.8% (by weight) P.excavatus extract and the levels of metabolizable
energy and crude protein in the ration. The higher levels of metabolizable energy
and crude protein in ration containing 1.8% P.excavatus extract significantly
increased the feed consumption of the chickens. On the other hand, lowering the

levels of metabolizable energy and crude protein in the ration containing 1.8%
P.excavatus extract significantly improved the feed conversion efficiency, protein
efficiency ratio and the gross profit margin. Besides, significant main effects of the
inclusion of 1.8% P.excavatus extract and of the different levels of dietary
metabolizable energy and crude protein were observed on the final body weight,
weight gain, average daily gain and energy efficiency ratio. These varibles were
significantly improved by the inclusion of 1.8% P.excavatus extract in the feeds
irrespective of levels of metabolizable energy and crude protein in the ration. On
the other hand, significantly higher final body weight, gain in weight and average
daily gain were posted by the experimental chickens fed with ration containing
higher levels of metabolizable energy and crude protein, irrespective of the

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inclusion or absence of 1.8% P.excavatus extract in the feeds. Significantly higher
energy efficiency ratio was observed among the chickens fed with experimental
rations having lower levels of metabolizable energy and crude protein regardless
of the inclusion or non-inclusion of 1.8% P.excavatus extract in the feeds. On the
other hand, the dressing percentage, cut-up parts yield and carcass color,
tenderness and water holding capacity were apparently unaffected by the inclusion
of 1.8% P.excavatus extract in the feeds and the levels of metabolizable energy
and crude protein in the rations. However, slight differences between sexes were
observed on the dressing percentage, breast and fat yield. The males have slightly
higher dressing percentage and breast yield but not fat yield compared with the
female F1 Choi x Luong Phuong chickens.
The author therefore recommends that rations with 1.8% P.excavatus
extract and containing 2772 Kcal ME/kg with 21% crude protein at 1 to 45 days of

age and 2790 Kcal ME/kg with 18% crude protein at 46 to 90 days of age can be
fed to improve the meat production performances and profitability in raising F1
Choi x Luong Phuong chickens. In addition, utilization studies on the use of other
local-available feedstuffs in formulating feeds for F1 Choi x Luong Phuong
chickens can be done to possibly lower feed cost and improve production
performance. Moreover, the evaluation of the metabolizable energy and crude
protein levels required by other native chicken breeds can be done in order to
come up with the optimum levels of these nutrients for improved performances
and more profitable production.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
TITLE

i

VISION, MISSION, QUALITY POLICY, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

ii

APPROVAL SHEET

iv

DISCLAIMER

v

DEDICATION

vi

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

vii

ABSTRACT

viii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

x

LIST OF TABLES

xiii

LIST OF APPENDIX PLATES

xiv

Chapter
1

2

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

1

Introduction

1

Background of the Study

4

Theoretical Framework of the Study

5

Conceptual Framework of the Study

6

Statement of the Study

8

Hypothesis of the Study

8

Significance of the Study

9

Scope and Limitations of the Study

9

Definition of Terms

10

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES
Metabolizable Energy and Crude Protein

x

12
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Performance of Chickens
3

4

16

METHODOLOGY

26

Experimental Design

26

Materials

27

Sampling Techniques

29

Subject of the Study

29

Special Technicques and Procedure

29

Preparation and disinfection of the experimental
poultry house and equipment

29

Brooding management

30

Feeding management

31

Water management

31

Preparation and formulation of experiment ration

31

Data Gathering Procedure

33

Data Processing and Statistical Analysis

36

PRESENTATION ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
OF DATA

37

Body weight

37

Gain in Weight

39

Average Daily Gain

40

Feed Consumption

42

Feed Conversion Ratio

43

Energy Efficiency Ratio

45

Protein Eficiency Ratio

47

Gross Profit Margin

48

Dressing Percentage and Carcass Yield

50

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5

Carcass Characteristics

50

Carcass color

51

Tenderness

52

Water Holding Capacity

53

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS

55

Summary of Finding s

56

Conclusions

60

Recommendations

62

BIBLIOGRAPHY

63

APENDIX TABLE

69

APENDIX PLATE

72

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LIST OF TABLES

Table

Page

1

Feed Formula with 1.8% (by weight) Perionyx excavatus extract

32

2

Feed Formula without Perionyx excavatus extract

33

3

Average final body weight of the chickens, in grams

38

4

Average gain in weight of the chickens, in grams

39

5

Average daily gain of the chickens, in grams

41

6

Average feed consumption of the chickens, in grams

43

7

Average feed conversion ratio of the chickens

45

8

Average energy efficiency ratio (EER) of the chicken

46

9

Average protein efficiency ratio (PER) of the chickens

48

10

Average gross profit margin (GPM) of the experiment

49

11

Dressing percentage and Cut-up parts yield

50

12

Carcass color of experimental chicken meat

52

13

Tenderness of experimental chicken meat

53

14

Water holding capacity of experimental chicken meat

54

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LIST OF APPENDIX PLATES

Appendix plate

Page

1

Experimental cages with feeder and water

71

2

Commercial Bran Lac Hong F20 and F24

71

3

Ingredients used in the preparation ration of feed

71

4

Perionyx excavatus extract

72

5

Day old experimental chicks

72

6

Brooding period

72

7

Experimental chicken, 12 weeks of age

73

8

Weighing live chicken

73

9

Weighing slaughted chicken

73

10

Dressed chicken

74

11

Removal at bones from chicken thigh

74

12

Weighing of carcass

74

13

Samples sent to laboratory for determination of cacass
characteristics in terms of tenderness, water holding
capacity and color

75

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Chapter 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction
Poultry farming has been a traditional industry of the Vietnamese and
plays an important role in their lives because chicken meat is always the most
important and popular in Vietnamese meal. Over the years, the population of
Vietnam developed rapidly and lead to the demand for food to increase.
Therefore, the livestock and poultry industries in the country has develop
strongly. Vietnamese consumers trend always prefer to use meat products that
are native, natural, clean and high quality, the meat must be very tasty and solid.
Since then, scientists have been required to research and produce high-yielding
and high-quality poultry varieties to meet the different tastes of consumers. Pure
native chicken is the most favorite in Vietnam but some native breds have to be
fed for 6 months and above before they can be slaughtered such as the Ri, Mia,
Choi, Ho, Ac, Tre and Dong Cao, among others. To satisfy the demands of the
market, chicken farms created hybrid chickens which are crossbreed between
native and imported chickens, or can be crossbreed between native chicken
breeds for the purposes of getting both outstanding characteristics, namely
deliciousness of meat and at the same time shortening the feeding period. One
of the new breeds of chickens that has been bred to meet the needs of
consumers is the F1 Choi x Luong Phuong chickens. This F1 breed has both the
fast growth of Luong Phuong chicken and the deliciousness, strong health of

Choi chicken. In order to earn the advantages of the Choi chicken and Luong


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Phuong chicken and remove their disadvantages at the same time, Mr. Pham
Dinh Dua from the Hai Duong poultry hatchery in Vietnam had successfully
developed the F1 chicken by crossing the Choi male and the Luong Phuong
female in 2008.
The F1 Choi x Luong Phuong chickens are very well adapted to conditions
and climate of Vietnam. They have a lot of prominent features with smooth
feathers, mostly is black feathers. High and yellow foot, large body, meat is light
yellow, firm and solid, tasty bold. Besides, an easy raising way and rapidly
growth, reaching 1.8 kg (hens) and 2.6kg (roosters) after about 115 days of age,
they have higher price than other broiler chickens being raised in Vietnam
This new hybrid chicken has been started to be raised in some farms and
bring economic profits for chicken raiser, although it is not that popular in whole
Vietnam. However, there are a lot of problems in the feeding process that exist,
especially on some important issues in their ration and nutrition. At present, the
rations mostly are the free-ranging diets, which are mixed by the chicken raisers
with the addition of by-products from the industrial processesing of alcohol, beer,
beans, etc., to supplement with commercial bran. This feeding scheme leads to
feed wastage because the farmers can not balance the amount of the energy
and protein for optimal chicken growth and meat production performances.
Meanwhile, if the feeding will only use the commercial bran, the cost of feed will
take up considerable part of the profit because commercial bran is not only
expensive, but also can supply more energy and protein than the actural
nutritional requirement of the chicken.

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The energy requirement of poultry is presented by the value of
metabolizable energy. According to to Tu Quang Hien (2003), energy and protein
have a certain correlation. When the level of metabolizable energy is low, the
body will resolve down protein to provide energy, so the feed conversion ratio will
increase. When the metabolizable energy is excess, the body will enhance fat
accumulation. The poultry meat production just can be increased when the ratio
of metabolizable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) lies in their ability to
regulate. Therefore, the ME/CP ratio (Kcal/%CP) in rations is too high or too low
are both affect the weight gain, the effective of using feed and the meat quality of
the poultry. The basic levels of metabolizable energy is 2,800 Kcal/kg of feed and
a basic level of protein are 23%, 22% and 18% (according to each stage).
Increasing energy in the diet will increase fat intake. Increasing protein will
increase the ratio of water and protein in meat but reduces the amount of fat and
energy in meat.
Reducing the cost of feeding through decreasing the rate of commercial
bran and replacing it with other cheaper feeds such as Perionyx excavatus, corn
bran, rice bran and soybeans, without changing the ME:CP ratio to get the best
FCR is a promissing way of improving the profitability in chicken raising. At the
same time, establishing a basis for recommending the use of Perionyx excavatus
in the rations that provides fully the energy and protein requirements for the F1
Choi x Luong Phuong chicken breed has to be done. Hence, this study.


4

Background of the Study
Although Nguyen Cong Hau (2013) studied and compared between pure
Choi chickens with F1 Choi x Luong Phuong, but his formulation of feed was only

industrial bran with 2800 Kcal/kg and 21% protein. And he had to feed their
experimental chicken up to 14 weeks of age to achieve 1850 grams’ body weight.
In order to reduce the time of raising chicken and reach the higher body
weight, it is important to have a study and research another ration for F1 Choi x
Luong Phuong chickens with different levels of metabolizable energy and crude
protein to determine which level of metabolizable energy and crude protein is
suitable with F1 Choi x Luong Phuong chickens in term of meat production
performances.
At the same time, in poultry production, feed often costs for about 70% of
the total cost of poultry production, while the price of high protein feed is much
higher than the high energy feed. In recent years, the price of commercial bran
increased due to the fact that Vietnam has to import a lot of feed ingredients,
especially the ingredients to produce high protein feed. This has greatly affected
the cost of animal husbandry. Therefore, the selection of ingredient sources has
high protein, easy to find and cheap is very significant, contributing to the
improvement of husbandry productivity, reduce production costs, bringing high
economic efficiency. According to Cao Thi Yen Chi (2008), one of the sources of
high protein feed is worth paying attention to many of the preeminent features of
the Perionyx excavatus. This is considered to be an excellent source of protein
for chicken because they contain all the nutrients necessary for the growth and


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development of them (crude protein about 66.14% 7.4%, total minerals about
13.23%). Moreover, Perionyx excavatus is the favorite foods of poultry. In
addition, the Perionyx excavatus culture process is very simple, most of the
farmers are able to apply, because the feed source for worms is mainly available
by-products and wastes are very cheap and available from cultivation and
livestock.

According to Vu Dinh Ton et al (2009), Perionyx excavatus is called
Redworm, genus Pheretima, family Megascocidae. They belong to the faunal
earthworm group, often living in decaying organic matter. A Perionyx excavatus
has a relatively small size, about 10-15 cm length, the width of the adult can
reach 0.1 - 0.2 cm, red or plum color depending on age. It has high protein
content so that Perionyx excavatus is considered as a valuable source of
nutrition for cattle, poultry and ogratic species. In addition, Perionyx excavatus is
also used in medicine and in technology for animal feed processing.
However, the use of Perionyx excavatus or chicken production have been
studied just on broiler, not on F1 Choi x Luong Phuong chickens.

Theoretical Framework of the Study
According to Oldenbroek and Van der Waaij (2014), the phenotypic
variance or the productivity of the animals can be deetermined by the combined
effect of the genotypic and the environmental variances, or simply by the genetic
make-up and the environmental condition upon which the genotype has been
exposed into. In this study, to raise successfully the F1 chickens (Choi x Luong


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Phuong) with maximum weight gain, not only does depend on the strain of
chicken but also on feed quality. It was claimed that over 70% of the total chicken
production cost was incurred on feed management activities. Thus, any activity to
improve the performance of F1 Choi x Luong Phuong chickens through the
modifiction of their diets can inevitably have a profound effect on the profitability
of chicken farming.

Conceptual Framework of the Study
The conceptual model of the study is presented in the Figure 1. As shown

in the figure, left box contains the independent variables, which include the
Factor A: the rations with and without 1.8% Perionyx excavatus extract; and the
Factor B: the different levels of metabolizable energy and crude protein, in the
ration which were maintained to be at 132 at 1 to 45 days of age, and at 155 at
46 to 90 days of age.
In the ration for 1 to 45 days of age, B1 contain 3,036 Kcal ME/kg and
23% crude protein, B2 has 2,904 Kcal ME/kg and 22% crude protein while B3
has 2,772 Kcal ME/kg and 21% crude protein. The ration intended for 46 to 90
days of age contain 3100 Kcal ME/kg and 20% crude protein for B1 and 2,904
Kcal ME/kg and 22% crude protein as well as 2,772 Kcal ME/kg and 21% crude
protein for B2 and B3, respectively.
The right box presents the dependent variables which include the
indication of the production performances of the F1 Choi x Luong Phuong
chickens in such as body weight, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio,


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protein efficiency ratio, energy efficiency ratio, gross profit margin, dressing
percentage, cut-up parts yield and carcass characteristics. The arrow connecting
the two boxes signify a cause and effect relationship between the independent
and the dependent variables.

Independent Variables
Factor A: Perionyx excavatus extract



Dependent Variables
Performance of 90-day old F1 Choi

x Luong Phuong chickens.

A1: Rations with 1.8% (by weight) Perionyx
excavatus extract

1.

Body weight

2.

Feed consumption

3.

Feed conversion ratio

4.

Protein efficiency ratio

5.

Energy efficiency ratio

6.

Gross profit margin

7.

Dressing percentage

8.

Cut-up parts yield

9.

Carcass characteristics in

A2: Rations without Perionyx excavatus
extract


Factor B: ME and CP levels

B1: 3036 Kcal ME/kg and 23% CP at 1 to 45
days of age
3100 kcal ME/kg and 20% CP at 46 to
90 days of age

B2: 2904 Kcal ME/kg and 23% CP at 1 to 45
days of age

terms of:

2945 kcal ME/kg and 20% CP at 46 to
9.1. Tenderness

90 days of age

9.2. Water holding capacity
B3: 2772 Kcal ME/kg and 23% CP at 1 to 45

9.3. Color

days of age
2790 kcal ME/kg and 20% CP at 46 to
90 days of age
Figure 1. The conceptual model of the study.


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Statement of the Study
This study was conducted to determine the performance of F1 Choi x
Luong Phuong crossbred chickens under different levels of metabolizable energy
and crude protein in the ration with or without Perionyx excavatus extract.
Specifically, this study sought to answer to the following questions:
1.

Is the performance of the F1 chicken significantly affected by the inclusion

of 1.8% Perionyx excavatus extract in the feed?
2.

Is the performance of the chicken significantly affected by the different

levels of metabolizable energy and crude protein in the ration?

3.

Is there a significant interaction between the effects of the inclusion of

Perionyx excavatus extract and the different levels of metabolizable energy and
crude protein in the ration on the performance of the chickens?

Hypothesis of the Study
This study tested the hypotheses: 1) The different levels of metabolizable
energy and crude protein in the ration did not affect significantly the production
performances of F1 Choi x Luong Phuong chickens at 90 days of age in terms of
body weight, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio,
energy efficiency ratio, gross profit margin, dressing percentage, cut-up parts
yield and carcass characteristics; 2) The inclusion of 1.8% Perionyx excavatus
extract in the ration have no significant effect on the performance of the chickens;
and 3) The different levels of metabolizable energy and crude protein and the


9

inclusion of Perionyx excavatus extract in the ration have no significant
interaction effect on the performance of the chickens.

Significance of the Study
The study figured out the meat production performances of F1 Choi x
Luong Phuong chickens fed with the inclusion of Perionyx excavatus extract in
ration containing different levels of metabolizable energy and crude protein under
captive condition. This will help the chicken raiser achieve the high gross profit
margin through decrease the feed consumption and feed conversion ratio of
chicken, thus saving cost of feeds in raising chicken.

Scope and Limitations of the Study
A 2x3 complete factorial experiment in a Randomized Complete Block
Design was followed in this study. The study was conducted from May 2018 to
August 2018 at Yen The district, Bac Giang province, Vietnam.
This study was focused on determining growth of F1 Choi x Luong
Phuong chickens in different levels of metabolizable energy and crude protein
with 1.8% Perionyx excavatus extract in term of: body weight, feed consumption,
feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, energy efficiency ratio, gross profit
margin, dressing percentage, cut-up parts yield and carcass characteristics in
terms of tenderness, water holding capacity and color.


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Definition of Terms
The following terms were defined operationally to fully understand the
content of this study:
Breast yield: is calculated by dividing the total breast meat (with skin and
bones) by the live weight and multiplying the quotient by 100.
Body weight refers to the live weight of the experimental chickens taken
initially at the start of the application of treatments and was repeated weekly until
the end of the study.
Carcass is the body of slaughtered chicken after the feathers, the head
and the internal organs were removed.
Commercial Bran Seven F20: is the name of commercial bran for chickens
from 1 - 45 days of age which was produced by Lac Hong Company Limited,
Hung Yen province, Vietnam. Includes: 14% moisture, 21% crude protein, 2900
Kcal ME/kg, 5% crude fiber, 0.5 – 1.5 % calcium, 0.4 – 1% phosphorus, 0.9%
lysine and 0.7% methionine + Cystine.

Commercial Bran Seven F24: is the name of commercial bran for
chickens from 46 - 90 days of age which was produced by Lac Hong Company
Limited, Hung Yen province, Vietnam. Includes: 14% moisture, 17% crude
protein, 2800 Kcal ME/kg, 7% crude fiber, 0.5 – 1.5 % calcium, 0.4 – 1.2%
phosphorus, 0.55% lysine and 0.55% methionine + Cystine.
Feed consumption is the total amount of feed consumed by the
experimental birds for from the start up to the end of feeding stage that is from
day 1th to day 90th of the experiment.


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Gross profit margin is an indicator of probability of a business venture
taking into account only the direct cost as source of production expenses. It
measures the percentage of each sales remaining after deducting the direct cost
of production. This was computed by following formula:
(total sales – total direct costs)
GPM =

x 100

Total sales
Direct cost includes cost of feeds, medicine and chicks.
Growth is the accumulative process of organic matter through anabolism
and catabolism; the increase in height, length, width, weight of each body parts
and the entire body of the animal on the basis of genetic nature from previous
generations" (Tran Dinh Mien, 1992)
Legs yield is computed by dividing the legs weight (with skin and bones in
both drumstick and thigh) by the live weight then multiplying the quotient by 100.
Metabolizable energy (ME) is essential in determining the nutritional

quality of animal feeds. Metabolizable Energy is defined as the amount of energy
available from feeds after the energy lost in the feces, urine, and combustible
gases has been subtracted.