Growth of broiler chicks fed diets containing tannin-free and tannin-containing near-isogenic lines of Faba bean (Vicia Faba L.).

Seeds from six pairs of near-isogenic lines of Vicia faba L., each pair consisting of a tannin-free (TF) and a tannin-containing (TC) partner line, were used to study the effect of breeding for the absence of condensed tannins on the seed content of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), and starch (S), on in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) and on growth performance of broiler chicks that were fed diets with faba beans as the main source of nitrogen. Seeds from TF partner lines showed a 10% higher IVPD, a 6% higher S content, and slightly higher levels of DM and CP than the TC partner of the same pair. Both male and female broiler chicks, which were given diets containing TF faba beans at an inclusion level of 500 g/kg of diet, showed a lower feed intake, a higher body weight gain, and, on average, a 2.5% improved feed conversion ratio as compared to birds receiving diets with corresponding inclusion levels of TC faba beans (P < 0.01).