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An Evaluation of B-Grade Molasses in Chick Starter Rations1
An Evaluation of B-Grade Molasses in Chick Starter Rations 1 M. M.
ROSENBERG
Department of Poultry Husbandry, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii (Received for publication July 31, 1953)
R
1
Published with the approval of the Director of the Hawaii Agricultural Experiment Station as Technical Paper No. 295.
berg (1953b) in which B-grade molassesbagasse pith (5:1 by weight) was substituted for yellow corn meal in layer rations. The results were good in two trials when this new feed stuff was fed at 35.5 percent of total ration, this being the lowest concentration that was tested. However, the performance became progressively inferior as the concentration of the sugar mix was increased. The ready availability and ease of handling B-grade molasses and the results obtained with hens suggested that it might be the preferred sugar product of the two. Consequently, other trials with chicks, growing birds, and layers were undertaken to procure additional information concerning its potentialities in chicken rations. The data reported herein were obtained in the course of these investigations. MATERIALS AND METHODS
In each of three trials, straight-run, day-old New Hampshire chicks were fed for 6 weeks certain of the rations shown in Tables 1 and 5. Each experimental ration was distributed at random to two tiers, and 20 chicks were assigned by weight to each tier. The chicks were reared in standard electric battery brooders (Oakes) during the first 3 weeks and then transferred to grower batteries. Water, feed, and light were provided ad libitum. Body weight and feed consumption data were collected 21 and 42 days after each feeding trial was initiated. No attempt was made to balance the total protein in rations 1 through 5 (trial
382
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ECENT investigations have shown that certain by-products of the sugar cane industry may serve as a source of carbohydrates for growing and laying chickens. Palafox and Rosenberg (1954) reported that New Hampshire chicks fed experimental rations containing as much as 47 percent low-grade sugar-bagasse pith (10:1 by weight) grew as well as those fed a standard starter ration and with excellent feed efficiency to 42 days of age. Older birds, under test from 8 to 15 weeks of age, grew faster than their controls when they were fed rations in which one third of the yellow corn meal (19.5 percent of total ration) was replaced by either low-grade sugar or low-grade sugarbagasse pith, and growth was not depressed when two thirds of the corn meal was substituted by these products. However, growth rate was significantly depressed when all the corn was replaced by either sugar product. When low-grade sugar-bagasse pith was substituted for the cereal grains in a standard layer ration at concentrations of 35.5, 49.0, and 57.5 percent of total ration, Rosenberg (1953a) obtained hen-day production averages of 68.1, 58.9, and 61.0 percent, respectively, during a trial that was limited to 20 weeks. The controls averaged 68.9 percent in this study. No adverse effect on livability was noted, although efficiency of feed conversion into eggs was poorer than the controls at each concentration-. A similar study was conducted by Rosen-
383
B-GRADE MOLASSES IN CHICK RATIONS TABLE 1.—Experimental starter rations fed in triaIs 1 and 2 Trial 2
Trial 1 Ingredients" 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
11.2 2.3 40.5
22.5 4.5 27.0
33.8 6.7 13.5
45.0 9.0
— —
56.5
26.7 5.3 24.5
33.3 6.7 16.5
40.0 8.0 8.5
10.0 30.0
37.5
4.0 33.5
7.5 30.0
9.5 28.0
3.0 2.0 0.5 0.5 11.0
3.0 2.0 0.5 0.5 11.0
54.0
Herring meal Soybean oil meal Alfalfa meal Defluorinated phosphate Ground oyster shell Iodized salt Manganese sulfate, gm. Vitamin Bi2 antibiotic supplement, gm. b Choline chloride, gm.' Delsterol, gm. d Niacin, mg. Pantothenic acid, mg. Riboflavin, mg. Thiamine hydrochloride, mg.
200.0 200.0 30.0 900.0 500.0 160.0 50.0
Calculated percentage protein
25.7
a b 0 d
—
As shown :n ration 1
200.0 200.0 30.0 900.0 500.0 160.0
As shown in ration 6
— 24.4
23.2
22.0
20.8
22.2
20.3
20.5
20.2
Unit of measure is pound(s), unless otherwise specified. Aurofac (Lederle): guaranteed potency of 1.8 mg. B12 activity and 1.8 gm. aureomycin per pound. Choline chloride (Lederle): feed grade = 217 mg. choline/gm. Delsterol (Du Pont): 2,000 A.O.A.C. units of D/gm.
1) in order to determine the comparative value of B-grade molasses-bagasse pith in terms of yellow corn meal. Because this resulted in a pronounced variation in the protein levels of these rations and confounded the variables in the study, the "molasses" rations tested in trials 2 and 3 contained approximately the same protein level. The basal diet in trial 2 contained no herring meal whereas increasing levels of herring meal were added as the levels of molasses increased. In trial 3, the basal as well as the supplemental diets contained herring meal to offset the differential response that may have resulted from the presence or absence of this protein concentrate. In addition, the rations tested in trial 3 not only contained graded concentrations of B-grade molasses but also two levels of fiber at each level of molasses. In trials 1 and 2, B-grade molasses was
first combined with bagasse pith in the ratio of 5 to 1 by weight and then mixed with the other components of the experimental rations. In trial 3, bagasse pith and wheat bran were premixed with the natural ingredients, and B-grade molasses was then added and homogenized into the rations. For a description of the physical properties of B-grade molasses and bagasse pith, as well as the average composition of the molasses used in these studies the reader is referred to the preceding paper by Rosenberg (1953b). RESULTS
Trial 1. The mixture of B-grade molasses-bagasse pith (5:1 by weight) was not equal in nutritive value to yellow corn meal when it replaced this cereal grain in rations 2 to 5. At 21 days of age, chicks from the combined replicates fed rations 2 through 5, respectively, weighed on the
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1
— —.
B-grade molasses Bagasse pith Ground yellow corn
384
M. M.
ROSENBERG
TABLE 2.—Data obtained in trials 1 and Z when chicks were 3 weeks old
Trial
1
Ration
1
Replicates
1 2 X
2
1 2 X
1 2 X
4
1 2 X
5
1 2 X
2
6
1 2 X
7
1 2 X
8
1 2 X
9
1 2 X
x gain in body weight at 3 weeks of age
Growth index
x feed consumed
Unit feed Unit gain
Efficiency index
gram
20 20 40
gram 248.2 260.6 254.4
100.0
454.0
1.78
100.0
20 20 40
251.1 243.4 247.2
97.2
516.4
2.09
85.2
20 20 40
240.4 249.4 244.9
96.3
527.8
2.16
82.4
20 20 40
232.3 243.4 237.8
93.5
507.9
2.14
83.2
20 20 40
198.5 203.7 201.1*
79.0
542.0
2.70
65.9
20 20 40
252.4 258.8 255.6
100.0
505.0
1.98
100.0
19 20 39
238.4 242.6 240.5
94.1
530.6
2.21
89.6
16 20 36
270.2 264.6 267.4
104.6
530.6
1.98
100.0
20 19 39
253.5 233.3 243.4
95.2
577.0
2.37
83.5
* Significant at 1 percent probability level.
average 97.2, 96.3, 93.5, and 79.0 percent" as much as the controls fed ration 1. However, only those fed ration 5 were found to be significantly smaller (P<0.01). As may be seen in Table 2, the molasses-fed chicks did not utilize their feed as efficiently as the controls. Rations 2 through 5 were 85.2, 82.4, 83.2, and 65.9 percent as effective as ration 1 in being converted into body tissues. When the chicks were weighed at 6 weeks of age, it was found that rations 4 and 5 produced significantly smaller birds than did ration 1, whereas the average weights of all chicks fed rations 2 and 3 were 98.3 and 97.7 percent
"that of the controls. At this time, the efficiency of all the molasses rations was significantly below that of ration 1. These data are shown in Table 3. Mortality ranged from 0 to 5 percent among the five sets of replicated lots. Trial 2. When rations 7 through 9 were modified by varying the concentration of herring meal and soybean oil meal so that each ration contained approximately the same amount of total protein, the results were quite different from those obtained in trial 1. No real difference in body weight was found among the four sets of replicated lots at 3 and 6 weeks of age.
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3
Number of chicks
B-GRADE MOLASSES IN CHICK RATIONS
385
TABLE 3.—Data obtained in trial 1 at end
Ration
1
Replicates 1 2 X
2
1 2 X
1 2 X
4
1 2 X
5
1 2 X
x body weight at 42 days (grams)
Unit feed"
Growth index &d
99
X
Unit gain
Percentage mortality
cTc*
99
xb
20 20 40
795.5 766.9 781.2
662.2 671.5 666.9
730.7
100.0 100.0
100.0
2.05
0.0
19 20 39
769.3 736.4 752.9
672.6 673.4 673.0
718.3
96.4 100.9
98.3
2.21*
•2.5
20 20 40
760.3 805.8 783.1
623.3 676.6 650.0
713.9
100.2
97.5
97.7
2.44f
0.0
20 19 39
708.6 749.4 728.5
610.3 614.8 612.6
671.6*
93.2
91.8
92.1
2.64f
2.5
19 19 38
593.6 643.4 618.5
512.8 517.0 514.9
566.6f
79.2
77.2
77.5
3.20t
5.0
* Significant at 5 percent probability level. t Significant at 1 percent probability level. » Based on the fortuitous distribution of sex in the two sets of replicates. b Fiducial limits at 5 percent probability level=56.3 grams. The growth indexes obtained on these rations in comparison with ration 6 are shown in Tables 2 and 4. Data obtained at the end of this 6-week trial showed that a ration balanced for protein and containing the molasses-mix at a concentration of
40 percent of total ration (ration 8) supported growth 101.9 percent as well as the control. Furthermore, the efficiency at which rations 7 and 8 were converted into gain was as good as the control. The control chicks required 2.62 grams of feed per
TABLE 4.—Data obtained in trial 2 at end of study
Ration
6
Replicates 1 2 X
7
1 2 X
8
1 2 X
9
1 2 X
.Number of chicks
x body weight at 42 days( grams)
Growth index cfcT
99
759.7
100.0
100.0
650.1 651.0 650.6
726.2
97.2
851.0 852.9 852.0
722.7 669.6 696.2
774.1
103.3
100.2
830.9 760.2 795.6
675.7 662.1 668.9
732.3
96.5
96.3 96.4
cTcf
9 9
X
20 20 40
848.2 801.1 824.7
687.9 701.5 694.7
19 20 39
805.1 797.7 801.4
16 20 36 20 19 39
x
100.0
93.7 95.6
101.9
* Significant at 1 percent probability level. Based on the fortuitous distribution of sex in the two sets of replicates.
a
Unit feed" Percentage Unit gain mortality
2.62
0.0
2.66
2.5
2.63
10.0
2.90*
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3
Number of chicks
386
M. M. ROSENBERG TABLE 5.—Composition of experimental starter rations tested in trial 3 Experimental rations Ingredients"
B-grade molasses Bagasse pith Wheat bran Ground yellow corn Soybean oil meal Herring meal
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
— —
23.0 4.5
29.5 6.0
37.0 1.0 6.5 12.5 25.0 11.0
46.0 9.0
46.0 1.0 8.0
32.5 24.0 9.0
29.5 0.5 5.5 22.5 25.0 10.0
37.0 7.5
65.0 21.0 7.0
23.0 0.5 4.0 32.5 24.0 9.0
200.0 200.0 30.0 900.0 160.0 50.0
Calculated percentage protein
20.5
12.5 25.0 11.0
—
—
26.0 12.0
26.0 12.0
20.3
21.6
3.0 0.5 2.0 0.5 11.0 As shown n ration 10
20.3
20.9
20.5
21.4
20.3
21.4
0
Unit of measure is pound(s), unless otherwise specified. Aurofac (Lederle): guaranteed potency of not less than 1.8 mg. B12 activity and 1.8 gm. aureomycin per pound. 0 Choline chloride (feed grade): 217 mg. choline/gm. d Delsterol (DuPont): 2,000 A.O.A.C. units of D/gm. b
gram of gain to 6 weeks of age, whereas those fed rations 7 and 8 utilized 2.66 and 2.63 grams, respectively. In contrast, ration 9 proved to be significantly inferior (P<0.01) because 2.90 grams of feed were used to produce a gram of gain. Mortality varied from 0 to 10 percent among the replicated lots tested in this trial. While none of the chicks fed ration 6 died to 42 days of age, the incidence of death among the lots fed rations 7, 8, and 9 was 2.5, 10.0, and 2.5 percent, respectively. Trial 3. The results obtained in the preceding trials suggested that the levels of bagasse pith incorporated in rations 4, 5, and 9 reduced their over-all nutritive values as determined by growth rate and efficiency of feed conversion. I t was thought that greater feed efficiency might result from reducing the concentration of this "carrier" in the experimental mix-
tures. However, mixing trials indicated the necessity of including some bagasse pith to prevent the tendency of B-grade molasses to form balls with the other ingredients of the ration. Accordingly, four sets of contrasting rations were formulated. As shown in Table 5, these contained graded concentrations of B-grade molasses ranging from 23 to 46 percent, and at each concentration two levels of bagasse pith were tested. When the data obtained from the replicated lots after 21 days on trial were combined, it was found that chicks fed rations 11, 13, 15, and 17 gained 100.0, 98.3, 94.2, and 98.8 percent as much as the controls (ration 10). The contrasting rations, namely 12, 14, 16, and 18, containing wheat bran and lower levels of bagasse pith, gained 104.5, 104.6, 103.4, and 104.6 percent as much as the controls. Thus, among the lots fed 23.0, 29.5, 37.0,
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Alfalfa meal Ground oyster shell Defluorinated phosphate Iodized salt Manganese sulfate, gm. Vitamin B12 antibiotic supplement, gm. b Choline chloride, gm." Delsterol, gm.d Niacin, mg. Pantothenic acid, mg. Riboflavin, mg.
22.5 25.0 10.0
387
B-GEADE MOLASSES IN CHICK RATIONS 6.-—Data
TABLE
obtained in trial 3 when chicks were 3 weeks oh
Replicates
Number of chicks
10
ll
Gain in body weight during first 21 days (gm.)
1 2
20 20 40
249.6 244.2 246.9
244.0 249.7 246.8
255.3 261.0 258.0
232.8 252.9 242.8
249.4 266.9 258.2
226.8 238.5 232.6
249.5 260.8 255.2
244.0 244.0 244.0
249.7 266.6 258.2
Percentage gain of controls
X
100.0
100.0
104.5
98.3
104.6
94.2
103.4
98.8
104.6
Average feed consumption, pooled data (lb*.)
X
Grams of feed per gram of gain
X
Characteristic
X
Rations
1.06 1.95
Efficiency index
100.0
12
1.20
13
1.12
2.21
1.30
1.97
88.2
2.43
98.9
80.2
14
15
1.40
1.48
2.46 79.3
16
1.37
1.28
2.89 67.5
17
2.28 85.5
2.55 76.5
18
1.37 2.41 80.9
TABLE 7.—Data oltained in trial 3 at end of study Rations Sex
Replicate
cf
9
1
cTc?
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
1 2
776.1
719.1
806.2
739.9
776.1 784.8
702.8 759.8
799.9 798.4
770.3 765.5
787.6 808.8
753.8 690.9
778.6 800.7
X
785.4
730.4
780.3
730.2
799.2
768.2
798.7
726.8
790.6
1 2
653.8 654.6
647.4 683.2
617.8 669.8
676.3 640.8
649.6 694.7
607.0 623.8
657.4 668.8
620.4 651.3
650.3 652.4
X
654.2
663.3
646.2
659.9
674.9
616.2
662.8
638.3
651.2
Between rations F=3.311 P<0.01for8and L.S.D.= ± 4 6 . 9 grams; H.S.D.= ± 6 1 . 9 grams
179 d.f.
Analysis of variance when control ration 10 was omitted: Levels of bagasse pith F=20.612 P < 0 . 0 1 for 1 and 178 d.f. Levels of sugar F = 0.813 P > 0 . 0 5 for 3 and 179 d.f. 9 9
Between rations L.S.D.= ±47.1gm.
F=
1.084
P>0.05for8and
143 d.f.
An alysis of variance when control ration 10 was omitted: 1^evels of bagasse pith F = 2.474 P > 0 . 0 5 for l a n d 128 d.f. I..evels of sugar F = 1.267 P>0.05for3andl28d.f.
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unit of gain as did chicks fed the corresponding rations containing bagasse pith only. Although a definite effect of bagasse pith on growth rate to 42 days of age was observed among the males, no comparable effect was found among the females. An analysis of variance of the males' body weights revealed a highly significant effect of rations on growth. Cockerels fed rations 11, 13, and 17 were significantly lighter than the controls (ration 10) and the corresponding lots fed wheat bran. In contrast there was no significant vari-
and 46.0 percent B-grade molasses of total ration, those fed wheat bran and the lower levels of bagasse pith grew 4.5, 6.4, 9.8, and 5.9 percent faster than the corresponding lots fed higher concentrations of bagasse pith and no wheat bran. Efficiency of feed conversion was improved by the substitution of wheat bran for bagasse pith. When rations 11 and 12, 13 and 14, 15 and 16, and 17 and 18 were compared, the chicks fed the even numbered rations {i.e., wheat bran and bagasse pith) required -11.9, +1.2, - 2 1 . 1 , and — 5.5 percent as much feed to produce a
388
M. M. ROSENBERG
DISCUSSION
This investigation has shown that high concentrations of B-grade molasses can be fed to young chicks as a substitute for yellow corn meal in starter rations. It was found in trial 2 that a ration containing as much as 40 percent of a B-grade molasses-bagasse pith mixture (5:1 by weight) could be fed to chicks to 42 days of age with concomitant growth and feed efficiency equal to a "mainland-style" ration, if care was taken to replace the protein lost through the substitution of yellow corn. When this feedstuff was fed at 48 percent of total ration, however, efficiency of feed utilization was significantly impaired even though the experimental chicks grew 96.4 percent as rapidly as their controls. It was speculated that the high concentrations of bagasse pith in rations 4, 5, and 9 were responsible, in part at least, for their failure to provide efficiently the nutrients needed for optimum growth. The results of trial 3 do suggest that this was so. At each of four different concentrations of B-grade molasses, ranging from 23 to 46 percent of total ration, chicks fed reduced levels of bagasse pith (0.5 to 1.0 percent) grew faster and, in three comparisons, more efficiently than cor-
responding lots that received levels of bagasse pith equivalent to the rations tested in trials 1 and 2. In fact, chicks fed rations 12, 14, 16, and 18 grew 4.5, 4.6, 3.4, and 4.6 percent faster to 42 days of age than the controls fed ration 10, although efficiency of feed utilization was inferior in each instance. The comparisons were not as good when the substitution of B-grade molassesbagasse pith for yellow corn meal was made without correcting the experimental rations for total protein. When these conditions were imposed in trial 1, the net gain of chicks fed rations containing 13.5, 27.0, 40.5, and 54.0 percent molasses-mix of total ration was 98.3, 97.7, 92.1, and 77.5 percent that of the control. In addition, these rations were significantly less efficient. The results of trials 2 and 3 suggest that B-grade molasses may be a valuable carbohydrate feedstuff for poultry, particularly when the importation of cereal grains to grain deficient areas is curtailed either by shipping strikes or governmental edict. Even under less trying circumstances its use could be greatly enhanced when the comparative prices of cereal grains and B-grade molasses are such as to make this sugar by-product the preferred feedstuff. This may be possible, as it can be obtained in large amounts in the sugar cane producing areas of the world with little additional equipment than is customarily employed in the process of extracting raw sugar crystals. It can be easily transported by tank car or through pipes for short distances, and it is easily incorporated into starter, grower, and layer rations. Its potential should encourage further investigations for both poultry and livestock in other areas where sugar cane is grown. Perhaps B-grade molasses may prove to be a means of expanding the world's supply of carbo-
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ation in growth from the control among the lots fed rations 12, 14, 16, and 18. When these data were again analyzed, omitting the lots fed ration 10, a highly significant F value was obtained between the groups of chicks fed the two levels of bagasse pith, whereas no real difference in growth was obtained among the lots fed the four concentrations of B-grade molasses. In contrast, no real effect on growth was found among the females due either to the bagasse pith or B-grade molasses levels. Only 2 of 360 experimental chicks died during this 6-week-trial.
389
NEWS AND NOTES
hydrates for animal production and thereby increase the supply of food for mankind. SUMMARY
At each of four concentrations of Bgrade molasses, ranging from 23 to 46
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The author gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association; the generous cooperation of Dr. L. D. Baver, Director of the H.S.P.A. Experiment Station, and his staff; and the assistance of Mr. A. L. Palafox of the Department of Poultry Husbandry in collecting certain of the raw data. REFERENCES Palafox, A. L., and M. M. Rosenberg, 1954. An evaluation of low-grade sugar in starter and grower rations of chickens. Poultry Sci. 33: 127133. Rosenberg, M. M., 1953a. Low-grade sugar, a potential carbohydrate feed-stuff for laying chickens. Poultry Sci. 32: 69-77. Rosenberg, M. M., 1953b. A study of B-grade and refinery B-moIasses in layer rations. Poultry Sci. 32:605-612.
NEWS AND NOTES {Continued from page 373) NEW JERSEY NOTES Golden Egg awards for distinguished service to the poultry industry were presented to Dr. J. J. Black, Poultry Pathologist, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, and to H. C. Wood, Limestone Products Corporation of America, at the annual convention of the New Jersey State Poultry Association held in January.
POULTRY PRODUCTS INSTITUTE (CANADA) At the third annual meeting of the Poultry Products Institute of Canada, held in Toronto in February, the following officers were elected: Chairman— W. A. Maw, Macdonald College, Quebec; ViceChairman—W. H. McLellan, Regina, Saskatchewan; Treasurer—W. T. Murchie, Toronto, Ontario.
(Continued on page 400)
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In three trials involving 720 day-old New Hampshire chicks, concentrations of B-grade molasses-bagasse pith (5 to 1 by weight) were fed at levels ranging from 0 to 54 percent of total ration. The results of these studies were evaluated on the basis of growth rate, efficiency of feed conversion, and livability of the experimental chicks to 42 days of age. When the "molasses-mix" was substituted directly for yellow corn meal without correcting the rations for total protein, the net gain of chicks fed the molasses mix at 13.5, 27.0, 40.5, and 54.0 percent of total ration was 98.3, 97.7, 92.1, and 77.5 percent that of the controls, respectively. All these rations were significantly less efficient than the control ration. Upon balancing the total protein of the experimental rations, it was found that a ration containing 40 percent molasses-mix of total ration supported growth 101.9 percent as well as the control with an equally good feed conversion index. However, efficiency of feed conversion was significantly impaired at 48 percent molasses-mix, although chicks fed this ration grew 96.4 percent as rapidly as the control.
percent of total ration, chicks fed reduced levels of bagasse pith grew faster and, in three comparisons, more efficiently than corresponding lots fed bagasse pith in the ratio of one part pith to five parts of Bgrade molasses, by weight. These chicks, receiving 23.0, 29.5, 37.0, and 46.0 percent B-grade molasses of total ration, respectively, gained 4.5, 4.6, 3.4, and 4.6 percent more weight than their controls. Despite the high levels of B-grade molasses, only 2 of 360 experimental chicks died during this 6-week trial.
ROSENBERG
Department of Poultry Husbandry, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii (Received for publication July 31, 1953)
R
1
Published with the approval of the Director of the Hawaii Agricultural Experiment Station as Technical Paper No. 295.
berg (1953b) in which B-grade molassesbagasse pith (5:1 by weight) was substituted for yellow corn meal in layer rations. The results were good in two trials when this new feed stuff was fed at 35.5 percent of total ration, this being the lowest concentration that was tested. However, the performance became progressively inferior as the concentration of the sugar mix was increased. The ready availability and ease of handling B-grade molasses and the results obtained with hens suggested that it might be the preferred sugar product of the two. Consequently, other trials with chicks, growing birds, and layers were undertaken to procure additional information concerning its potentialities in chicken rations. The data reported herein were obtained in the course of these investigations. MATERIALS AND METHODS
In each of three trials, straight-run, day-old New Hampshire chicks were fed for 6 weeks certain of the rations shown in Tables 1 and 5. Each experimental ration was distributed at random to two tiers, and 20 chicks were assigned by weight to each tier. The chicks were reared in standard electric battery brooders (Oakes) during the first 3 weeks and then transferred to grower batteries. Water, feed, and light were provided ad libitum. Body weight and feed consumption data were collected 21 and 42 days after each feeding trial was initiated. No attempt was made to balance the total protein in rations 1 through 5 (trial
382
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ECENT investigations have shown that certain by-products of the sugar cane industry may serve as a source of carbohydrates for growing and laying chickens. Palafox and Rosenberg (1954) reported that New Hampshire chicks fed experimental rations containing as much as 47 percent low-grade sugar-bagasse pith (10:1 by weight) grew as well as those fed a standard starter ration and with excellent feed efficiency to 42 days of age. Older birds, under test from 8 to 15 weeks of age, grew faster than their controls when they were fed rations in which one third of the yellow corn meal (19.5 percent of total ration) was replaced by either low-grade sugar or low-grade sugarbagasse pith, and growth was not depressed when two thirds of the corn meal was substituted by these products. However, growth rate was significantly depressed when all the corn was replaced by either sugar product. When low-grade sugar-bagasse pith was substituted for the cereal grains in a standard layer ration at concentrations of 35.5, 49.0, and 57.5 percent of total ration, Rosenberg (1953a) obtained hen-day production averages of 68.1, 58.9, and 61.0 percent, respectively, during a trial that was limited to 20 weeks. The controls averaged 68.9 percent in this study. No adverse effect on livability was noted, although efficiency of feed conversion into eggs was poorer than the controls at each concentration-. A similar study was conducted by Rosen-
383
B-GRADE MOLASSES IN CHICK RATIONS TABLE 1.—Experimental starter rations fed in triaIs 1 and 2 Trial 2
Trial 1 Ingredients" 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
11.2 2.3 40.5
22.5 4.5 27.0
33.8 6.7 13.5
45.0 9.0
— —
56.5
26.7 5.3 24.5
33.3 6.7 16.5
40.0 8.0 8.5
10.0 30.0
37.5
4.0 33.5
7.5 30.0
9.5 28.0
3.0 2.0 0.5 0.5 11.0
3.0 2.0 0.5 0.5 11.0
54.0
Herring meal Soybean oil meal Alfalfa meal Defluorinated phosphate Ground oyster shell Iodized salt Manganese sulfate, gm. Vitamin Bi2 antibiotic supplement, gm. b Choline chloride, gm.' Delsterol, gm. d Niacin, mg. Pantothenic acid, mg. Riboflavin, mg. Thiamine hydrochloride, mg.
200.0 200.0 30.0 900.0 500.0 160.0 50.0
Calculated percentage protein
25.7
a b 0 d
—
As shown :n ration 1
200.0 200.0 30.0 900.0 500.0 160.0
As shown in ration 6
— 24.4
23.2
22.0
20.8
22.2
20.3
20.5
20.2
Unit of measure is pound(s), unless otherwise specified. Aurofac (Lederle): guaranteed potency of 1.8 mg. B12 activity and 1.8 gm. aureomycin per pound. Choline chloride (Lederle): feed grade = 217 mg. choline/gm. Delsterol (Du Pont): 2,000 A.O.A.C. units of D/gm.
1) in order to determine the comparative value of B-grade molasses-bagasse pith in terms of yellow corn meal. Because this resulted in a pronounced variation in the protein levels of these rations and confounded the variables in the study, the "molasses" rations tested in trials 2 and 3 contained approximately the same protein level. The basal diet in trial 2 contained no herring meal whereas increasing levels of herring meal were added as the levels of molasses increased. In trial 3, the basal as well as the supplemental diets contained herring meal to offset the differential response that may have resulted from the presence or absence of this protein concentrate. In addition, the rations tested in trial 3 not only contained graded concentrations of B-grade molasses but also two levels of fiber at each level of molasses. In trials 1 and 2, B-grade molasses was
first combined with bagasse pith in the ratio of 5 to 1 by weight and then mixed with the other components of the experimental rations. In trial 3, bagasse pith and wheat bran were premixed with the natural ingredients, and B-grade molasses was then added and homogenized into the rations. For a description of the physical properties of B-grade molasses and bagasse pith, as well as the average composition of the molasses used in these studies the reader is referred to the preceding paper by Rosenberg (1953b). RESULTS
Trial 1. The mixture of B-grade molasses-bagasse pith (5:1 by weight) was not equal in nutritive value to yellow corn meal when it replaced this cereal grain in rations 2 to 5. At 21 days of age, chicks from the combined replicates fed rations 2 through 5, respectively, weighed on the
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1
— —.
B-grade molasses Bagasse pith Ground yellow corn
384
M. M.
ROSENBERG
TABLE 2.—Data obtained in trials 1 and Z when chicks were 3 weeks old
Trial
1
Ration
1
Replicates
1 2 X
2
1 2 X
1 2 X
4
1 2 X
5
1 2 X
2
6
1 2 X
7
1 2 X
8
1 2 X
9
1 2 X
x gain in body weight at 3 weeks of age
Growth index
x feed consumed
Unit feed Unit gain
Efficiency index
gram
20 20 40
gram 248.2 260.6 254.4
100.0
454.0
1.78
100.0
20 20 40
251.1 243.4 247.2
97.2
516.4
2.09
85.2
20 20 40
240.4 249.4 244.9
96.3
527.8
2.16
82.4
20 20 40
232.3 243.4 237.8
93.5
507.9
2.14
83.2
20 20 40
198.5 203.7 201.1*
79.0
542.0
2.70
65.9
20 20 40
252.4 258.8 255.6
100.0
505.0
1.98
100.0
19 20 39
238.4 242.6 240.5
94.1
530.6
2.21
89.6
16 20 36
270.2 264.6 267.4
104.6
530.6
1.98
100.0
20 19 39
253.5 233.3 243.4
95.2
577.0
2.37
83.5
* Significant at 1 percent probability level.
average 97.2, 96.3, 93.5, and 79.0 percent" as much as the controls fed ration 1. However, only those fed ration 5 were found to be significantly smaller (P<0.01). As may be seen in Table 2, the molasses-fed chicks did not utilize their feed as efficiently as the controls. Rations 2 through 5 were 85.2, 82.4, 83.2, and 65.9 percent as effective as ration 1 in being converted into body tissues. When the chicks were weighed at 6 weeks of age, it was found that rations 4 and 5 produced significantly smaller birds than did ration 1, whereas the average weights of all chicks fed rations 2 and 3 were 98.3 and 97.7 percent
"that of the controls. At this time, the efficiency of all the molasses rations was significantly below that of ration 1. These data are shown in Table 3. Mortality ranged from 0 to 5 percent among the five sets of replicated lots. Trial 2. When rations 7 through 9 were modified by varying the concentration of herring meal and soybean oil meal so that each ration contained approximately the same amount of total protein, the results were quite different from those obtained in trial 1. No real difference in body weight was found among the four sets of replicated lots at 3 and 6 weeks of age.
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3
Number of chicks
B-GRADE MOLASSES IN CHICK RATIONS
385
TABLE 3.—Data obtained in trial 1 at end
Ration
1
Replicates 1 2 X
2
1 2 X
1 2 X
4
1 2 X
5
1 2 X
x body weight at 42 days (grams)
Unit feed"
Growth index &d
99
X
Unit gain
Percentage mortality
cTc*
99
xb
20 20 40
795.5 766.9 781.2
662.2 671.5 666.9
730.7
100.0 100.0
100.0
2.05
0.0
19 20 39
769.3 736.4 752.9
672.6 673.4 673.0
718.3
96.4 100.9
98.3
2.21*
•2.5
20 20 40
760.3 805.8 783.1
623.3 676.6 650.0
713.9
100.2
97.5
97.7
2.44f
0.0
20 19 39
708.6 749.4 728.5
610.3 614.8 612.6
671.6*
93.2
91.8
92.1
2.64f
2.5
19 19 38
593.6 643.4 618.5
512.8 517.0 514.9
566.6f
79.2
77.2
77.5
3.20t
5.0
* Significant at 5 percent probability level. t Significant at 1 percent probability level. » Based on the fortuitous distribution of sex in the two sets of replicates. b Fiducial limits at 5 percent probability level=56.3 grams. The growth indexes obtained on these rations in comparison with ration 6 are shown in Tables 2 and 4. Data obtained at the end of this 6-week trial showed that a ration balanced for protein and containing the molasses-mix at a concentration of
40 percent of total ration (ration 8) supported growth 101.9 percent as well as the control. Furthermore, the efficiency at which rations 7 and 8 were converted into gain was as good as the control. The control chicks required 2.62 grams of feed per
TABLE 4.—Data obtained in trial 2 at end of study
Ration
6
Replicates 1 2 X
7
1 2 X
8
1 2 X
9
1 2 X
.Number of chicks
x body weight at 42 days( grams)
Growth index cfcT
99
759.7
100.0
100.0
650.1 651.0 650.6
726.2
97.2
851.0 852.9 852.0
722.7 669.6 696.2
774.1
103.3
100.2
830.9 760.2 795.6
675.7 662.1 668.9
732.3
96.5
96.3 96.4
cTcf
9 9
X
20 20 40
848.2 801.1 824.7
687.9 701.5 694.7
19 20 39
805.1 797.7 801.4
16 20 36 20 19 39
x
100.0
93.7 95.6
101.9
* Significant at 1 percent probability level. Based on the fortuitous distribution of sex in the two sets of replicates.
a
Unit feed" Percentage Unit gain mortality
2.62
0.0
2.66
2.5
2.63
10.0
2.90*
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3
Number of chicks
386
M. M. ROSENBERG TABLE 5.—Composition of experimental starter rations tested in trial 3 Experimental rations Ingredients"
B-grade molasses Bagasse pith Wheat bran Ground yellow corn Soybean oil meal Herring meal
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
— —
23.0 4.5
29.5 6.0
37.0 1.0 6.5 12.5 25.0 11.0
46.0 9.0
46.0 1.0 8.0
32.5 24.0 9.0
29.5 0.5 5.5 22.5 25.0 10.0
37.0 7.5
65.0 21.0 7.0
23.0 0.5 4.0 32.5 24.0 9.0
200.0 200.0 30.0 900.0 160.0 50.0
Calculated percentage protein
20.5
12.5 25.0 11.0
—
—
26.0 12.0
26.0 12.0
20.3
21.6
3.0 0.5 2.0 0.5 11.0 As shown n ration 10
20.3
20.9
20.5
21.4
20.3
21.4
0
Unit of measure is pound(s), unless otherwise specified. Aurofac (Lederle): guaranteed potency of not less than 1.8 mg. B12 activity and 1.8 gm. aureomycin per pound. 0 Choline chloride (feed grade): 217 mg. choline/gm. d Delsterol (DuPont): 2,000 A.O.A.C. units of D/gm. b
gram of gain to 6 weeks of age, whereas those fed rations 7 and 8 utilized 2.66 and 2.63 grams, respectively. In contrast, ration 9 proved to be significantly inferior (P<0.01) because 2.90 grams of feed were used to produce a gram of gain. Mortality varied from 0 to 10 percent among the replicated lots tested in this trial. While none of the chicks fed ration 6 died to 42 days of age, the incidence of death among the lots fed rations 7, 8, and 9 was 2.5, 10.0, and 2.5 percent, respectively. Trial 3. The results obtained in the preceding trials suggested that the levels of bagasse pith incorporated in rations 4, 5, and 9 reduced their over-all nutritive values as determined by growth rate and efficiency of feed conversion. I t was thought that greater feed efficiency might result from reducing the concentration of this "carrier" in the experimental mix-
tures. However, mixing trials indicated the necessity of including some bagasse pith to prevent the tendency of B-grade molasses to form balls with the other ingredients of the ration. Accordingly, four sets of contrasting rations were formulated. As shown in Table 5, these contained graded concentrations of B-grade molasses ranging from 23 to 46 percent, and at each concentration two levels of bagasse pith were tested. When the data obtained from the replicated lots after 21 days on trial were combined, it was found that chicks fed rations 11, 13, 15, and 17 gained 100.0, 98.3, 94.2, and 98.8 percent as much as the controls (ration 10). The contrasting rations, namely 12, 14, 16, and 18, containing wheat bran and lower levels of bagasse pith, gained 104.5, 104.6, 103.4, and 104.6 percent as much as the controls. Thus, among the lots fed 23.0, 29.5, 37.0,
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Alfalfa meal Ground oyster shell Defluorinated phosphate Iodized salt Manganese sulfate, gm. Vitamin B12 antibiotic supplement, gm. b Choline chloride, gm." Delsterol, gm.d Niacin, mg. Pantothenic acid, mg. Riboflavin, mg.
22.5 25.0 10.0
387
B-GEADE MOLASSES IN CHICK RATIONS 6.-—Data
TABLE
obtained in trial 3 when chicks were 3 weeks oh
Replicates
Number of chicks
10
ll
Gain in body weight during first 21 days (gm.)
1 2
20 20 40
249.6 244.2 246.9
244.0 249.7 246.8
255.3 261.0 258.0
232.8 252.9 242.8
249.4 266.9 258.2
226.8 238.5 232.6
249.5 260.8 255.2
244.0 244.0 244.0
249.7 266.6 258.2
Percentage gain of controls
X
100.0
100.0
104.5
98.3
104.6
94.2
103.4
98.8
104.6
Average feed consumption, pooled data (lb*.)
X
Grams of feed per gram of gain
X
Characteristic
X
Rations
1.06 1.95
Efficiency index
100.0
12
1.20
13
1.12
2.21
1.30
1.97
88.2
2.43
98.9
80.2
14
15
1.40
1.48
2.46 79.3
16
1.37
1.28
2.89 67.5
17
2.28 85.5
2.55 76.5
18
1.37 2.41 80.9
TABLE 7.—Data oltained in trial 3 at end of study Rations Sex
Replicate
cf
9
1
cTc?
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
1 2
776.1
719.1
806.2
739.9
776.1 784.8
702.8 759.8
799.9 798.4
770.3 765.5
787.6 808.8
753.8 690.9
778.6 800.7
X
785.4
730.4
780.3
730.2
799.2
768.2
798.7
726.8
790.6
1 2
653.8 654.6
647.4 683.2
617.8 669.8
676.3 640.8
649.6 694.7
607.0 623.8
657.4 668.8
620.4 651.3
650.3 652.4
X
654.2
663.3
646.2
659.9
674.9
616.2
662.8
638.3
651.2
Between rations F=3.311 P<0.01for8and L.S.D.= ± 4 6 . 9 grams; H.S.D.= ± 6 1 . 9 grams
179 d.f.
Analysis of variance when control ration 10 was omitted: Levels of bagasse pith F=20.612 P < 0 . 0 1 for 1 and 178 d.f. Levels of sugar F = 0.813 P > 0 . 0 5 for 3 and 179 d.f. 9 9
Between rations L.S.D.= ±47.1gm.
F=
1.084
P>0.05for8and
143 d.f.
An alysis of variance when control ration 10 was omitted: 1^evels of bagasse pith F = 2.474 P > 0 . 0 5 for l a n d 128 d.f. I..evels of sugar F = 1.267 P>0.05for3andl28d.f.
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unit of gain as did chicks fed the corresponding rations containing bagasse pith only. Although a definite effect of bagasse pith on growth rate to 42 days of age was observed among the males, no comparable effect was found among the females. An analysis of variance of the males' body weights revealed a highly significant effect of rations on growth. Cockerels fed rations 11, 13, and 17 were significantly lighter than the controls (ration 10) and the corresponding lots fed wheat bran. In contrast there was no significant vari-
and 46.0 percent B-grade molasses of total ration, those fed wheat bran and the lower levels of bagasse pith grew 4.5, 6.4, 9.8, and 5.9 percent faster than the corresponding lots fed higher concentrations of bagasse pith and no wheat bran. Efficiency of feed conversion was improved by the substitution of wheat bran for bagasse pith. When rations 11 and 12, 13 and 14, 15 and 16, and 17 and 18 were compared, the chicks fed the even numbered rations {i.e., wheat bran and bagasse pith) required -11.9, +1.2, - 2 1 . 1 , and — 5.5 percent as much feed to produce a
388
M. M. ROSENBERG
DISCUSSION
This investigation has shown that high concentrations of B-grade molasses can be fed to young chicks as a substitute for yellow corn meal in starter rations. It was found in trial 2 that a ration containing as much as 40 percent of a B-grade molasses-bagasse pith mixture (5:1 by weight) could be fed to chicks to 42 days of age with concomitant growth and feed efficiency equal to a "mainland-style" ration, if care was taken to replace the protein lost through the substitution of yellow corn. When this feedstuff was fed at 48 percent of total ration, however, efficiency of feed utilization was significantly impaired even though the experimental chicks grew 96.4 percent as rapidly as their controls. It was speculated that the high concentrations of bagasse pith in rations 4, 5, and 9 were responsible, in part at least, for their failure to provide efficiently the nutrients needed for optimum growth. The results of trial 3 do suggest that this was so. At each of four different concentrations of B-grade molasses, ranging from 23 to 46 percent of total ration, chicks fed reduced levels of bagasse pith (0.5 to 1.0 percent) grew faster and, in three comparisons, more efficiently than cor-
responding lots that received levels of bagasse pith equivalent to the rations tested in trials 1 and 2. In fact, chicks fed rations 12, 14, 16, and 18 grew 4.5, 4.6, 3.4, and 4.6 percent faster to 42 days of age than the controls fed ration 10, although efficiency of feed utilization was inferior in each instance. The comparisons were not as good when the substitution of B-grade molassesbagasse pith for yellow corn meal was made without correcting the experimental rations for total protein. When these conditions were imposed in trial 1, the net gain of chicks fed rations containing 13.5, 27.0, 40.5, and 54.0 percent molasses-mix of total ration was 98.3, 97.7, 92.1, and 77.5 percent that of the control. In addition, these rations were significantly less efficient. The results of trials 2 and 3 suggest that B-grade molasses may be a valuable carbohydrate feedstuff for poultry, particularly when the importation of cereal grains to grain deficient areas is curtailed either by shipping strikes or governmental edict. Even under less trying circumstances its use could be greatly enhanced when the comparative prices of cereal grains and B-grade molasses are such as to make this sugar by-product the preferred feedstuff. This may be possible, as it can be obtained in large amounts in the sugar cane producing areas of the world with little additional equipment than is customarily employed in the process of extracting raw sugar crystals. It can be easily transported by tank car or through pipes for short distances, and it is easily incorporated into starter, grower, and layer rations. Its potential should encourage further investigations for both poultry and livestock in other areas where sugar cane is grown. Perhaps B-grade molasses may prove to be a means of expanding the world's supply of carbo-
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ation in growth from the control among the lots fed rations 12, 14, 16, and 18. When these data were again analyzed, omitting the lots fed ration 10, a highly significant F value was obtained between the groups of chicks fed the two levels of bagasse pith, whereas no real difference in growth was obtained among the lots fed the four concentrations of B-grade molasses. In contrast, no real effect on growth was found among the females due either to the bagasse pith or B-grade molasses levels. Only 2 of 360 experimental chicks died during this 6-week-trial.
389
NEWS AND NOTES
hydrates for animal production and thereby increase the supply of food for mankind. SUMMARY
At each of four concentrations of Bgrade molasses, ranging from 23 to 46
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The author gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association; the generous cooperation of Dr. L. D. Baver, Director of the H.S.P.A. Experiment Station, and his staff; and the assistance of Mr. A. L. Palafox of the Department of Poultry Husbandry in collecting certain of the raw data. REFERENCES Palafox, A. L., and M. M. Rosenberg, 1954. An evaluation of low-grade sugar in starter and grower rations of chickens. Poultry Sci. 33: 127133. Rosenberg, M. M., 1953a. Low-grade sugar, a potential carbohydrate feed-stuff for laying chickens. Poultry Sci. 32: 69-77. Rosenberg, M. M., 1953b. A study of B-grade and refinery B-moIasses in layer rations. Poultry Sci. 32:605-612.
NEWS AND NOTES {Continued from page 373) NEW JERSEY NOTES Golden Egg awards for distinguished service to the poultry industry were presented to Dr. J. J. Black, Poultry Pathologist, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, and to H. C. Wood, Limestone Products Corporation of America, at the annual convention of the New Jersey State Poultry Association held in January.
POULTRY PRODUCTS INSTITUTE (CANADA) At the third annual meeting of the Poultry Products Institute of Canada, held in Toronto in February, the following officers were elected: Chairman— W. A. Maw, Macdonald College, Quebec; ViceChairman—W. H. McLellan, Regina, Saskatchewan; Treasurer—W. T. Murchie, Toronto, Ontario.
(Continued on page 400)
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In three trials involving 720 day-old New Hampshire chicks, concentrations of B-grade molasses-bagasse pith (5 to 1 by weight) were fed at levels ranging from 0 to 54 percent of total ration. The results of these studies were evaluated on the basis of growth rate, efficiency of feed conversion, and livability of the experimental chicks to 42 days of age. When the "molasses-mix" was substituted directly for yellow corn meal without correcting the rations for total protein, the net gain of chicks fed the molasses mix at 13.5, 27.0, 40.5, and 54.0 percent of total ration was 98.3, 97.7, 92.1, and 77.5 percent that of the controls, respectively. All these rations were significantly less efficient than the control ration. Upon balancing the total protein of the experimental rations, it was found that a ration containing 40 percent molasses-mix of total ration supported growth 101.9 percent as well as the control with an equally good feed conversion index. However, efficiency of feed conversion was significantly impaired at 48 percent molasses-mix, although chicks fed this ration grew 96.4 percent as rapidly as the control.
percent of total ration, chicks fed reduced levels of bagasse pith grew faster and, in three comparisons, more efficiently than corresponding lots fed bagasse pith in the ratio of one part pith to five parts of Bgrade molasses, by weight. These chicks, receiving 23.0, 29.5, 37.0, and 46.0 percent B-grade molasses of total ration, respectively, gained 4.5, 4.6, 3.4, and 4.6 percent more weight than their controls. Despite the high levels of B-grade molasses, only 2 of 360 experimental chicks died during this 6-week trial.