EFFECT OF KERNEL DENSITY ON THE APPARENT AND TRUE METABOLIZABLE ENERGY VALUE OF CORN FOR CHICKENS

Five samples of corn selected to vary widely in kernel density (test weight per unit volume) were assayed for AME(n) with male broiler chickens at 4 wk of age by regression analysis of a multilevel assay and for TME(n) with adult White Leghorn roosters. The kernel densities (kilograms per hectoliter), AME(n), and TME(n) (kilocalories per gram of DM) values of the corn were, respectively, 72, 3.68, and 3.96; 71, 3.72, and 3.95; 68, 3.66, and 3.90; 62, 3.64, and 3.88; 60, 3.54, and 3.68. Positive relationships were established between AME(n) and TME(n) (r = .974, P < .01) or kernel density (r = .875, P < .05). The assay for TME(n) provided a simple, rapid and sensitive method for estimating the AME(n) content of corn for chickens. The small (4%) variation in AME(n) relative to a large (20%) variation in kernel density precludes the use of kernel density for estimating the AME(n) content of corn.