Abstract
The effects of the dietary substitution of dry corn by high-moisture corn grain silage (HMCGS) were evaluated on the performance, nutrient digestibility and serum biochemical parameters of broilers reared in an alternative production system and submitted to different environmental temperatures. A total of 288 one-day-old male Cobb chicks were distributed according to a randomized block design in a 3x4 factorial arrangement: three environmental temperatures (hot, thermoneutral or cold) and four levels of HMCGS in substitution of dry corn (0%, 20%, 40% or 60%). The acid analysis showed that the evaluated HMCGS contained average percentage values of ethanol, lactic acid, and acetic acid (expressed in 100% of dry matter) of 0.7690, 2.7320 and 0.0249%, respectively. Propionic and butyric acids were not detected. Dry corn and HMCGS presented pH values of 5.8 and 3.3, respectively. The inclusion of HMCGS reduced dietary pH, as shown by the values of 5.7, 5.4, 5.1 and 4.8 recorded for the diets containing 0%, 20%, 40% and 60% of HMCGS, respectively. There was no significant interaction between diets and environmental temperature. HMCGS may replace up to 40% dry corn in broiler diets when performance, triglyceride levels, and HDL-cholesterol ratio is considered, and up to 60% when nutrient digestibility is evaluated. High environmental temperature impairs broiler performance, nutrient digestibility, and serum biochemistry, demonstrating the influence of environmental temperature on broiler metabolism and performance.
Highlights
Alternative broiler production presents unique characteristics, because all diets supplied during the rearing period should not include animal products, antibiotics, growth promoters, anticoccidials or any other chemotherapeutic drugs, where as homeopathy and the use of phytotherapeutics are allowed (Demattê Filho & Mendes, 2001)
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of different high-moisture corn grain silage (HMCGS) dietary inclusion levels in substitution of dry corn on the performance, nutrient digestibility and serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels of broilers reared in an alternative system an submitted to different environmental temperatures
There was no significant interaction between diets and environmental temperature for all studied variables
Summary
Alternative broiler production presents unique characteristics, because all diets supplied during the rearing period should not include animal products, antibiotics, growth promoters, anticoccidials or any other chemotherapeutic drugs, where as homeopathy and the use of phytotherapeutics are allowed (Demattê Filho & Mendes, 2001). In this kind of production, one of the alternatives to antimicrobial drugs is the dietary addition of organic acids. High moisture corn silage is a source of organic acids, which have antimicrobial properties, characterizing HMCGS as an ingredient with properties that may potentially replace anticoccidials, antibiotic growth promoters and chemotherapeutics, as required by in alternative broiler production. The inhibition of microbial growth by organic acids is explained by the ability of these acids to cross the microbial membrane and dissociate into the cells, acidifying the cytoplasm (Immerseel et al, 2006).
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