Nutritional value of triticale (Carman) for broiler diets

Abstract

A new triticale cultivar called Carman (X Triticosecale Wittmack) recently released in Manitoba, Canada, was evaluated for its nutritional worth. Carman was found to contain 13.0% protein and 12.7 MJ kg −1 (14.5 MJ kg −1 DM basis) true metabolizable energy. Two 28-day and one 47-day feeding trials were conducted with 2080 male broiler chicks. In the first experiment, Carman triticale replaced Glenlea wheat at levels of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of the total grain. Diets containing 50–100% triticale resulted in significantly ( P < 0.05) higher weight gains and better ( P > 0.05) energy and protein efficiencies, compared to the wheat control diet. Feed consumption of those chicks fed the 100% triticale diets was significantly ( P < 0.05) greater than for birds fed the wheat control or 25% triticale diets, however, no significant ( P > 0.05) differences in feed:gain (F:G) ratios were detected. In Experiment 2, isonitrogenous, isocaloric starter and finisher diets based on triticale or wheat were fed to broiler chicks for 47 days. The overall (0–47-day) weight gain was significantly ( P < 0.05) higher for chicks fed the triticale diets, whereas no significant ( P > 0.05) differences were detected for F:G ratio. Feed consumption was higher ( P < 0.05) for those chicks fed triticale diets. In Experiment 3, a 60% triticale diet was supplemented with 3 levels of l-lysine·HCl (0, 0.1 and 0.2%) and/or 3 levels of dl-methionine (0, 0.05 and 0.1%). Chick weight gain and feed intake were not affected by the addition of l-lysine and/or dl-methionine. The addition of l-lysine had no effect on the F:G ratio, however, the addition of dl-methionine resulted in F:G ratios approaching significance ( P = 0.051). No lysine × methionine interaction was observed for any of the parameters. Differences in mortality were small and non-significant in all the experiments. It can be concluded that Carman triticale can be used as the sole grain source in broiler starter and finisher diets, however, methionine supplementation is required.