In two balance experiments true protein digestibility (TD) and biological value (BV) of field bean (FB) varieties differing in tannin, trypsin inhibitor and lectin contents were studied on rats using whole (Expt. 1) and dehulled (Expt. 3) seeds. ADF and NDF digestibility and growth performance of rats fed on diets containing whole FB seeds was also assayed in Expt. 1 and 2, respectively. All diets were supplemented with 2.5 g DL-methionine and 0.5 g L-tryptophane per 16 g N. TD was negatively correlated with tannin contents (r = -0.924, P ≤ 0.01) while the correlation between BV and tannins was positive but nonsignificant. TD and BV of protein of dehulled seeds were not affected either by trypsin inhibitor or lectin contents. Negative correlation between tannins and ADF digestibility was significant only when one variety was excluded from the calculations. The digestibility of NDF was not affected by tannins. Feed intake, growth rate, feed conversion and liver and pancreas weight of rats did not differ among groups fed diets containing whole FB seeds having different content of antinutrients.