An Evaluation of Low-Grade Sugar in Starter and Grower Rations of Chickens

Abstract

IT HAS been reported by Rosenberg (1953) that mature New Hampshire pullets tolerated high concentrations of either low-grade sugar or a low-grade sugar-bagasse pith mixture (10 to 1 respectively, by weight) when these by-products of the sugar industry were fed during experimental feeding trials that lasted 20 weeks. When the “sugar” mix replaced the cereal grains in a practical-type layer ration at concentrations of 35.5, 49.0, and 57.5 percent of total ration, an average hen-day production of 68.1, 58.9, and 61.0 percent was obtained, while that of the controls averaged 68.9 percent. No adverse effect on livability was noted, although efficiency of feed conversion into eggs was poorer than the controls at all three concentrations. Because no information was available on the potentialities of low-grade sugar as a carbohydrate feedstuff for younger chickens, this study was undertaken to investigate the practical and maximum levels that can be fed in starter …