[Influence of the cecum, in geese fed diets containing urea, on N-metabolism and digestibility of nutrients and on urea concentration in excrements and blood].

Balance experiments were performed on six normal young geese and on six geese with a ligated caecum. The ration consisted of 43.25% barley, 30% sugar beet slices, 20% cellulose, 1.4% maize germ oil, 3% mineral mixture, 1% concentrate of vitamins and growth factors, 1.25% urea and 0.1% lysine. Daily nitrogen balance was similar in the two groups (average 1051 mg in the controls and 1090 mg in the experimental birds). Crude protein digestibility was 82.4 +/- 1.1% in the controls and 84.9 +/- 1% in the experimental birds (a significant difference). The bacterial flora of the caecum seemed to have no effect on crude fibre breakdown. Digestibility was quite low, averaging 5.7% in controls and 4.6% in experimental birds. The proportion of urea discharged in excreta was 50% in controls and 55.7% in experimental birds. Blood urea veraged 21.7 mg/100 g in controls and 22.8 mg in experimental birds (insignificant difference).