Die Bodenkultur - Journal for Land Management, Food and Environment

K. Schedle, C. Mair, R. Leitgeb and W. Windisch:

Zootechnical performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicks fed different kinds and concentrations of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS)

Summary

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the use of different kinds of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in broiler diets. The diets were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous. In experiment I, diets of starter (day 0–14; 12.3 MJ AMEN/kg; 21.4 % crude protein (CP)), grower (day 15–28; 12.8 MJ AMEN/kg; 21.0 % CP), and finisher feed (day 29–36; 12.7 MJ AMEN/kg; 19.5 % CP) contained 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 or 15 % wheat-DDGS. In experiment II, inclusion level of DDGS originated from wheat, corn and triticale (51.0:40.5:8.5) was 0, 8, 16 and 24 % for starter (day 0–14; 13.1 MJ AMEN/kg; 23.0 % CP), grower (day 15–28; 13.6 MJ AMEN/kg; 22.0 % CP) and finisher (day 29–36; 13.2 MJ AMEN/kg; 20.0 % CP) diets. In starter phase (day 1–14) of both experiments no negative effect on zootechnical performance up to an inclusion level of 15 % DDGS was observed. In our studies, zootechnical performance declined linearly by increasing DDGS content in diets of experiment I and in experiment II at an inclusion level of more than 8 % DDGS in the grower phase (day 15–28; linear, p < 0.05). The finisher phase (day 29–36) showed a linear decline (linear, p < 0.05) in performance in both experiments, except feed to gain (g:g) in experiment I. Weight of eviscerated carcass, chilled carcass and carcass for grilling showed similar differences between treatment groups as compared to body weight at slaughter in both experiments. Results obtained in the present studies demonstrate the importance of the correct nutrient and digestibility knowledge of the different used feed stuffs, to meet nutrient requirement and optimal performance. DDGS from various sources differ concerning the amount of metabolizable energy, amino acids, phosphorous and sodium. Furthermore, notable variation can also be found in the digestibility of amino acids and phosphorus. Thus, broiler feed containing high amounts of DDGS should be calculated carefully to meet all nutrient requirements. Key words: Distillers dried grains with solubles, broiler, alternative feed, zootechnical performance, carcass yield.