Determination of some anti-nutritional factors and metabolisable energy in acorn (Quercus branti), Pistacia atlantica and Pistacia khinjuk seed as new poultry diets

Abstract

Samples of acorns, Pistacia atlantica and Pistacia khinjuk seeds from three different climates were used for the determination of apparent and true metabolisable energy and for investigation of the anti-nutritional factors tannin and urease activity. Fifty-five 107- week-old cockerels were used in the experiment. For feedstuffs from each climate, five cockerels in five replications, kept in individual cages, were used. AME, AMEn, TME and TMEn values of the feedstuffs were determined according to Sibbald (1989). The mean value of AMEn for acorn was 14.08, Pistacia atlantica 13.51 and Pistacia khinjuk 17.33 MJ/kg. The tannin content of acorn was 4.7%, Pistacia atlantica 1.43% and Pistacia khinjuk 1.93%, which are considerable for poultry diets. The rate of urease activity in these seeds was very low.