and althoughKlasing (2005) has stressed that galliformes are omnivorous and not granivorous as often stated, the capacity for digesting starch is high, as will be discussed below. It is also well known that the capacity for digesting fat is limited, at least in young birds (Wiseman et al., 1998), and thus starch must be the main energy source in diets. The other potential energy sources of sugar and protein are, at least from an economic and technical point of view, not suitable as primary energy sources.
The main source of starch is seeds from plants in the grass family, where starch is stored and used as an energy source by the offspring during germination. Although this source is predominantly in the form of maize, wheat, and other cereals, starch from tubers such as cassava may also be used in poultry diets.