Digestion of Wheat Bran by Calves and Pigs

Wheat Bran: Composition and Digestibility

“…Examination of the feces from different animals after ingestion of bran indicated that the aleurone layer prevailed in feces from rats (31), and chicks (38), but not in the pig (34), and only limitedly in the calf (34). In all animals, all or part of the pericarp layers were present in the feces.…”

“…Chicks (38), pigs (34), calves (34), and rats (8,25,35) also are unable to completely digest the protein in bran. For example, values for protein digestibility have ranged from 63% to 76% in studies by these workers.…”

Pork Production Systems

“…Most of the nutrients and a major part of the potential metabolizable energy of wheat bran are contained in the cells of the aleurone layer. Contrary to what might be expected, the pig is able to completely break down the aleurone layer including the cell walls, although a portion of the carbohydrate and about 10% of the protein are not absorbed and appear in the feces (Saunders et al 1969(Saunders et al , 1974.…”