Observations on the value of whale-meat meal as a constituent of chick diets, with a note on the influence of added protein on the efficiency of utilization of the gross energy of a ration

Abstract

1. A method of assessing the biological values of proteins by the slaughter method, using day-old chicks as experimental material, is outlined. 2. Whale-meat meal, when added to a cereal basal ration, is shown to possess a high biological value for chicks. 3. The method of preparation of animal proteins is shown to affect their nutritive value, whale meat dried at a low temperature giving better results than that dried at a high temperature. 4. The nature and amount of a protein added to a cereal ration materially affects the efficiency of utilization of the gross energy of the ration. Arising therefrom, support is given to the system of expressing the nutritive value of feeding stuffs, and the nutritive requirements of animals, in terms of digestible protein and digestible nutrients or metabolizable energy. 5. Outbreaks of feather picking in the whale-meat meal groups occurred, whereas none occurred in the basal group. A possible explanation for these outbreaks is given in the text. 6. The presence of gizzard erosion was noted in all individuals in the whale-meat meal groups, whereas none occurred in the basal group.