Protein, essential amino acids and glycine requirements of the growing gosling (Anser cireneus)

The dietary requirements for protein and amino acids of the growing gosling (0-7 weeks) were calculated according to body composition, maintenance needs and the absorption rate of amino acids from feeds. The diets were formulated by least-cost linear programming, using the calculated requirements for amino acids, with or without minimal glycine + serine requirements. The diets formulated without minimal requirements of glycine + serine were supplemented with various amounts of glycine, and fed to growing goslings. The calculated requirements for protein and essential amino acids were lower than those suggested for growing broilers and turkeys. The requirements (g/MJ metabolizable energy) at 0-2, 2-4 and 4-7 weeks of age respectively, were: lysine 0.88, 0.48, 0.43; methionine + cystine 0.48, 0.38, 0.29; protein 14.5, 9.3, 7.6. The goslings did not respond to glycine supplementation of the diet.