Nutrient digestibility of chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) seeds and effects on the small intestine of weaned piglets

A study involving three groups of six piglets weaned at 28d of age was conducted to determine the effect of two legume seeds (white versus black chickpea) on total tract (TTAD) and ileal (IAD) apparent digestibility, and their impact on intestinal tissues sampled at slaughter. TTAD was measured between 32 and 39 days of age and IAD was measured between 53 and 60 days on the same piglets anastomosed ileo-rectally. The piglets were fed at a similar DM intake a control diet (C) based on casein or a diet in which 50% of crude protein (CP) was supplied by white (WCP) or black chickpea (BCP). TTAD of dry matter (DM) and energy was lower ( P