SOME STUDIES ON USING DIFFERENT LEVELS OF DRIED DISTILLERS GRAINS WITH SOLUBLES (DDGS) ON ANIMAL PERFORMANCE 1) EFFECT OF FEEDING DIFFERENT LEVELS OF DDGS AS A SOURCE OF ENERGY ON SHEEP PERFORMANCE

Abstract

This study aimed to use dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) as a replacement of yellow corn in sheep rations. The trial was carried out at Animal House of Animal Production Research Institute; Agriculture Research Center, Egypt. Laboratory evaluation of seven concentrate feed mixtures (CFM) containingDDGS at the rates of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30% was carried out. Rations with 10, 20 and 30% DDGS as the best dry matter (DMD) and organic matter digestibility (OMD) were chosen to be used in total mixed rations and were compared with control ration in digestibility and feeding trials. Twenty-four Rahmany lambs averaging 22.79 kg live body weight (LBW) were chosen and randomly divided into four similar groups (6 in each) and assigned to receive four experimental rations (A,B,C and D rations) containing CFM with rate of 0, 10, 20 and 30% DDGS respectively. Additionally, berseem hay (BH) and rice straw (RS) beside CFM were offered to all animals during the trial at therate of 25: 25: 50, respectively. The feeding trial lasted 150 days. Body weight changes and feed intake were recorded as well as feed and economical efficiencies were estimated. Also, four digestibility trials were carried out to determine the digestibility and nutritive values of the experimental rations. Samples of rumen liquer and blood serum were taken to measure some rumen and blood parameters. The results showed that: 1- The chemical composition of experimental rations containing different levels of DDGS was almost similar in DM, OM and NFE. It showed somewhat higher in CP and EE% and lower CF% with increasing DDGS levels. 2- Increasing DDGS level up to 30% significantly (P<0.05) increased DM, OM, CP, EE, CF and NFE digestibilities, while increasing DDGS from 10 to 20% appeared to have higher nutrient digestibility with no significant differences, except for NFE digestibility. 3- All experimental rations containing DDGS (rations B, C and D) have higher nutritive values compared with control ration (ration A). Ration D containing 30% DDGS had thethe highest (P<0.05) values for TDN (64.15%) and DCP (9.36%) while there were no significances in the DE (2.83 MCal/ Kg DM) was not significant. 4- Averages daily gains were 109, 116, 124 and 137 gm/day for animals fed rations A,B, C and D, respectively, showing highly significantly (P<0.05) higher gains for lambs given ration D. Increasing DDGS levels from 10 to 20% increased LBW gains with no significant differences. However, the improvements in daily gains were 6.42, 13.76 and 25.69% with rations B,C and D, respectively. 5- Feed utilization efficiency expressed as kg DM or TDN per Kg gain was significantly (P<0.05) higher with ration D containing 30% DDGS, while increasing DDGS from 10 to 20% improved feed efficiency, but not significantly. However, increasing DDGS levels in experimental rations had no significant effecton utilization efficiency of DCP. Moreover, animals fed ration D (containing 30% DDGS) gave the highest gross margin, revenue and economical efficiency with the lowest feed cost per kg weight gain. 6- Animals fed rations containing DDGS (rations B, C and D) showed normal values of rumen and blood parameters with no adverse effects on animal performance. Generally, it may be concluded that inclusion DDGS in the rations of growing lambs at the rate of 30% tended to increase all nutrient digestibilities and nutritive values. Moreover, lambs fed ration containing 30% DDGS had higher weight gain, better fed utilization efficiency and lowest feed cost. The highest gross margin and revenue were recorded for the 30% DDGS rations with no adverse effect on ruminal and blood parameters.