Effect of Inclusion Rate of Dried Distiller Grains (DDGS) and Enzymes on Growth Performance and Protein Profile in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

The objective of the current study is to investigate the effect of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) (which is the by-products of the process of Ethanol formation by fermentation of grains with the using of yeast and some enzymes) and enzyme supplementation on growth performance and carcass yield in broiler chickens. The experiment was a 5×3 factorial design with 450 broiler chicks and with diets containing 5 levels of DDGS (0, 6, 12, 18 and 24%) and 3 levels of enzyme (no supplementation, Rovabio® Excel enzyme and Tomoko® enzyme). Five pens with six chicks were fed the experimental diets from day one to 35 d of age. Diets containing 12, 18 and 24% DDGS decreased performance (P <0.05) at the start of the trial at 0-10 d. Inclusion of enzyme during 0-10 d improved body weight gain (BWG) and Production efficiency factor (PEF) (P <0.05). During the grower (11-24 d) and finisher (25-35 d) periods, chickens which had received 0, 6 or 12% DDGS converted feed to body weight more efficiently (P <0.05). Enzyme supplementation improved Feed conversion ratio (FCR) for the periods (11-24 and 25-35 d, respectively) (P <0.05). The cumulative performance results (0 to 35 d of age) showed that Tomoko enzyme improved FCR as compared to no enzyme while Rovabio was intermediate (P <0.05). Chickens which had received 0, 6 or 12% had better FCR (P <0.05) compared to 18 or 24% DDGS. Chick’s performance was depressed at early age when the diet contained 12% DDGS but later they were able to tolerate higher levels of DDGS. The study indicates that a maximum level of DDGS to use in the starter diets is 6% and it could be increased in the grower and finisher period to 12% and enzyme supplementation to diets containing DDGS can improve FCR and growth performance in broilers.