Energy in poultry diets: Adjusted AME or net energy

Energy evaluation in poultry is generally based on metabolisable energy systems. Since many decades it is questioned whether development of a net energy system would have added value to predict energy partitioning in meat-and egg-producing poultry. Based on the extra-caloric value of fat in laying hens and a potential lower energetic efficiency of protein utilisation, several modified ME systems were developed and used in commercial poultry nutrition. Recently, CVB initiated the development of an ATP-based NE system for broilers. Validation of this energy system did not show added value over the current modified AME system for broilers. Therefore, most probably frequent updates in nutrient digestibilities in feedstuffs would be of higher commercial relevance, as well as target animal dedicated digestibility data.