Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the nutritional value of four cultivars (PGG Tic, Spec Tic, South Tic and Broad) of faba beans (Vicia faba L.) for broilers. In experiment 1, the apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and ileal amino acid digestibility coefficients of these four cultivars were determined. The cultivar effects were significant (P0.05) between the four cultivars. The AME value of South Tic cultivar was higher (P0.05) to that of PGG Tic. In Experiment 2, using the AME and ileal digestible amino acid values determined in Experiment 1, diets containing 200 g kg−1 of the four cultivars of faba beans were formulated and the effects of feeding these diets on the performance and the digestive tract development of broiler starters were investigated. Weight gain, feed intake and feed per gain of broilers fed faba bean diets were similar (P>0.05) to those fed the maize–soybean meal diet. The performance of birds fed diets containing different cultivars of faba beans was similar (P>0.05). In general, the digestive tract development was unaffected (P>0.05) by the inclusion of faba beans. The exceptions were the relative empty weight and digesta weight of gizzard which were found to be higher (P