Abstract
Simple SummaryThe present study was designed to investigate the simultaneous use of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and exogenous enzyme mixture (EEM) on layer performance and egg characteristics. Results confirmed that DDGS is an acceptable feed ingredient in layer diets and that the maximum inclusion level of DDGS in the diet should be around 12% for the best performance and egg characteristics.The effects of dietary inclusion of distillers dried grains with solubles in laying hen diets with and without exogenous enzyme mixture (EEM) on performance and egg characteristics were evaluated. One of the main objectives of this study was to examine the effects of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and enzyme cocktail on egg yolk fatty acids. The study used total of 144 Hisex Brown laying hens in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement, including four levels of DDGS (0, 6, 12, and 18% of diet) and two levels of enzyme cocktail (0 or 250 mg EEM/kg of diet) through 32–42 weeks of the age. The inclusion of 18% DDGS was associated with the worst (p ≤ 0.001) egg production and the lowest daily feed intake. Numerically, hens fed 6% DDGS diet consumed more feed and had the greatest egg production. The best feed conversion ratio (FCR) was recorded in the control, while the worst was recorded in the 18% DDGS group. Compared with EEM-free diets, EEM supplementation improved FCR by about 2.79%, but the difference was not significant. Shell thickness and shell percentage were significantly increased in hens fed 6% DDGS diet compared to other groups. Egg weights in the 6% and 12% DDGS groups were significantly higher than those in the control and 18% DDGS groups. Non-significant increases in shell and albumin percentages were recorded in groups fed EEM-supplemented diets. The interaction effect of DDGS and EEM was significant (p ≤ 0.01) for the majority of egg characteristics. As dietary DDGS level increased, yolk color density increased. Elevating DDGS level up to 18% increased yolk cholesterol, total fat, and total unsaturated fatty acids. The effects of EEM supplementation on egg yolk fatty acid composition and the interaction effects between DDGS and EEM were not significant. Considering these results, it could be concluded that DDGS is an acceptable feed ingredient in layer diets and that the maximum inclusion level of DDGS should not exceed 12% of the whole diet.
Highlights
The poultry industry was and is still suffering from severe challenges because of the increasing prices of soybean meal and yellow corn which are mainly used in formulating poultry diets
The highest dried grains with solubles (DDGS) level (18%) was associated with the worst (p ≤ 0.001) egg production Numerically, hens fed a diet including 6% DDGS
Hens fed the intermediate levels of DDGS (6 and 12%) consumed more feed (p ≤ 0.0001), consuming 116.54 and 113.59 g/day, respectively, than those fed the control or 18% DDGS diets
Summary
The poultry industry was and is still suffering from severe challenges because of the increasing prices of soybean meal and yellow corn which are mainly used in formulating poultry diets. The best strategy is to formulate diets using alternative and locally available ingredients such as distillers dried grains with soluble. Distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) is a co-product of ethanol-producing plants that use corn and wheat for manufacturing [1,2]. It is a rich source of crude protein, amino acids, crude fat, and minerals [3,4,5], as well as non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) in poultry diets. The fiber content of DDGS is another common reason for low digestible energy compared with other feed ingredients. The fiber content is not converted to ethanol, so DDGS has about 35% insoluble and 6%
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