The nutritive value of calluna vulgaris IV. Digestibility at three, seven and fourteen years after burning

Abstract

1. The digestibility of samples of heather of 3, 7 and 14 years of age has been determined.2. The experimental technique was the same as that used in the previous digestibility studies of heather.3. The digestibility of the organic matter, and of all its components other than crude fibre and ether extractives, was found to decline with advancing age. This decline became apparent in heather of 7 years of age.4. Gross digestible energy values were determined for the three ages of heather under investigation. Starch equivalents derived from these values proved to be lower than starch equivalents calculated in the usual way.5. Confirmation of earlier conclusions concerning the value of heather as a source of energy has been obtained.