The Use of High Levels of Distillers Dried Grains Plus Solubles in Broiler Diets1

The Use of High Levels of Distillers Dried Grains Plus Solubles in Broiler Diets1 P. W. WALDROUP, J. A. OWEN, B. E. RAMSEY, and D. L. WHELCHEL Department of Animal Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701 (Received for publication September 26, 1980)

1981 Poultry Science 60:1479-1484 INTRODUCTION Byproducts of t h e distilling industry such as distillers dried grains and distillers dried solubles have long been c o m m o n l y accepted feed ingredients in broiler diets. Scott ( 1 9 6 5 , 1 9 7 0 ) has extensively reviewed earlier r e p o r t s in this area. Due t o their supply and price, these p r o d u c t s have traditionally been fed at levels n o t exceeding 5% of t h e diet. However, Runnels ( 1 9 6 6 ) r e p o r t e d o n trials in which 2 0 % distillers dried grains with solubles was successfully incorporated into broiler diets with performance equal or superior t o t h a t of chicks fed control diets with corn, s o y b e a n meal, and fish meal. With t h e increasing interest in t h e distillation of e t h a n o l from cereal grains t o p r o d u c e m o t o r fuel, m u c h concern and interest has arisen regarding t h e use o r disposal of t h e distillation residue (Schruben, 1 9 7 8 ; R e i l l y , 1 9 7 9 ) . Studies were u n d e r t a k e n in this l a b o r a t o r y t o examine t h e potential usage of high levels of distillers residues in broiler diets. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Two series of broiler diets were formulated using parametric linear programming. Ingredient

1 Published with the approval of the Director, Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station.

c o m p o s i t i o n values suggested b y t h e National Research Council ( N R C , 1977) were used in f o r m u l a t i o n . In t h e first series, diets were formulated to c o n t a i n from 0 t o 4 0 % distillers dried grains plus solubles (DDGS) in i n c r e m e n t s of 5%, maintaining t h e dietary energy level at 3 2 0 0 ME kcal/kg as suggested b y N R C and meeting or exceeding suggested n u t r i e n t r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s for p r o t e i n , amino acids, calcium, p h o s p h o r u s , and sodium. This series of diets was designated as t h e "fixed e n e r g y " series. U p o n e x a m i n a t i o n of t h e diets, a m a x i m u m of 2 5 % D D G S was selected. Higher usage levels required t h e inclusion of supplemental fat levels t h a t were considered excessive for practical purposes. Dietary protein levels were increased in s o m e diets due to the l o w lysine c o n t e n t of t h e distillers residue. Maintaining a constant dietary energy level as t h e a m o u n t of DDGS was increased required t h e addition of supplemental fat t h a t 1) is often overpriced in t e r m s of energy c o n t e n t in relation t o cereal grains; 2) m a y cause undesirable physical characteristics of t h e feed at higher energy levels; a n d 3) m a y n o t be readily available or feasible in s o m e areas where alcoholic f e r m e n t a t i o n is carried o u t . Therefore, in t h e second series of diets t h e r e was a specification for 1% a d d e d fat, primarily for its physical c o n t r i b u t i o n in reducing dustiness. Diets were f o r m u l a t e d t o contain from 0 t o 2 5 % D D G S

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ABSTRACT Due to the increasing interest in the distillation of ethanol from grains a study was conducted to examine the potential usage of high levels of distillers residue in broiler diets. Two series of diets were formulated with up to 25% distillers dried grains plus solubles (DDGS). In one series the dietary energy was held constant at 3200 ME kcal/kg (fixed energy), while in the second series the energy declined as the level of DDGS increased but the energy:nutrient ratios were maintained constant (optimum energy). Diets were fed in mash form to chicks in battery brooders from day-old to 42 days of age. In the fixed energy series no significant differences in body weights or feed conversion efficiency were observed at 42 days of age that were related to the level of DDGS in the diet. In the optimum energy series there was a general decline in body weight gains and feed conversion efficiency at DDGS levels of 15% or more. However, the chicks on all levels of DDGS made similar utilization of the dietary energy, measured as calories per gram of gain. Therefore, levels of up to 25% DDGS could be used in broiler diets should price and supply dictate. (Key words: broilers, nutrition, distillers by-products, dietary energy, body weight, feed efficiency)

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TABLE 1. Composition of broiler starter diets with distillers dried grains plus solubles (DDGS) at a constant dietary energy level

Ingredient DDGS Yellow corn Soybean meal Grease Limestone Dicalcium phosphate Salt DL-methionine Trace minerals 1 Vitamin premix 2 Total Calculated analysis Metabolizable energy (kcal/g) Protein (%) Lysine (%) Methionine (%) Met + cys (%) Density (g/liter) 1 2

International feed no. 5-02-843 4-02-935 5-02-612 4-04-790 6-02-632 6-01-080 6-14-013

Percent of diet

52.34 37.90 5.53 1.12 1.81

5.00 49.10 35.69 6.01 1.12 1.79

10.00 45.85 33.47 6.49 1.14 1.77

15.00 42.61 31.25 6.97 1.14 1.75

20.00 38.09 30.13 7.65 1.15 1.72

25.00 33.22 29.32 8.38 1.15 1.69

.50 .20 .10 .50

.50 .19 .10 .50

.50 .18 .10 .50

.50 .18 .10 .50

.50 .16 .10 .50

.50 .14 .10 .50

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

3.20 23.00 1.33

3.20 23.00 1.29

3.20 23.00 1.25

3.20 23.00 1.21

3.20 23.42 1.20

3.20 23.95 1.20

.57 .93

.57 .93

.57 .93

.58 .93

.57 .93

.56 .93

.00

624

632

590

590

584

581

Supplied per kilogram of diet: 100 mg iron; 100 mgmanganese; 100 mg zinc; 10 mg copper; 1 mg iodine.

Supplied per kilogram of diet: 6,660 IU vitamin A; 2,200 ICU vitamin D 3 ; 22 IU vitamin E; 1.1 mg vitamin K; 6.6 mg riboflavin; 17.6 mg pantothenic acid; 44 mg niacin; 1870 mg choline; 11 Mg vitamin B 1 2 ; 1.1 mg folic acid; 125 mg ethoxyquin.

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randomly assigned to pens at day-old and fed the test diets to 42 days of age. All diets were fed in mash form. Differences in dietary bulkiness (weight/volume) existed as the level of DDGS increased (Tables 2 and 4). However, it was decided to examine the diets in mash form so as to ascertain if the bulkiness of the diets created a usage problem at higher DDGS levels. Since the diets in the optimum energy series contained different energy levels, it was anticipated that there would be significant influences on rate of gain and feed consumption. In order to attempt to balance the dietary nutrient intake with the physiological state of the chick, the following protocol was observed. Chicks fed fixed energy diets were allocated 600 g of starter feed per chick, estimated to be sufficient to approximately 21 days of age. When this quantity was depleted they were then placed on the grower feed until the termination of the study. Chicks on optimum energy diets were given an allotment of starter feed calculated to supply the same quantity of energy given to chicks of the fixed energy series. When this allocation was depleted, the chicks then were shifted to the respective

with the formulas based on optimum energy density. As the DDGS level increased, the dietary energy level declined. However, the minimum ratios of protein, amino acids, calcium, phosphorus, and sodium to dietary energy were maintained in all diets. This was designated as the "optimum energy" series. In both series, diets were formulated for chicks from 0 to 3 weeks (starter) and 3 to 6 weeks of age (grower). Constant levels of vitamin and trace mineral premixes, calculated to exceed the requirements for these nutrients, were added to all diets. Composition of the diets is given in Tables 1 to 4. Kjeldahl analyses'of the mixed feeds were in agreement with calculated values. Each of the diets was fed to four battery pens with 4 male and 4 female broiler-type chicks per pen. From day-old to 3 weeks of age the chicks were kept in electrically heated Petersime brooders with raised wire floors. From 3 to 6 weeks of age they were kept in Jamesway finishing batteries with raised wire floors with plastic mats to aid in minimizing the development of leg problems. Room temperature was maintained at 23 C. Chicks were

DISTILLERS RESIDUE FOR BROILERS

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TABLE 2. Composition of broiler starter diets with distillers dried grains plus solubles (DDGS) having variable dietary energy levels

Ingredient

5-02-843 4-02-93 5 5-04-612 4-04-790 6-02-632 6-01-080 6-14-013

Calculated analysis Metabolizable energy (kcal/g) Protein (%) Lysine (%) Methionine (%) Met + cys (%) Density (g/liter) 1

Percent of diet

61.33 33.39 1.00 1.34 1.67

5.00 59.05 30.71 1.00 1.34 1.63

10.00 56.50 28.32 1.00 1.34 1.59

15.00 52.88 27.03 1.00 1.33 1.54

20.00 49.23 25.75 1.00 1.33 1.49

25.00 45.60 24.48 1.00 1.32 1.43

.50 .17 .10 .50

.50 .17 .10 .50

.50 .15 .10 .50

.50 .12 .10 .50

.50 .10 .10 .50

.50 .07 .10 .50

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

3.00 21.59 1.21

2.98 21.45 1.16

2.96 21.42 1.11

2.93 21.84 1.10

2.89 22.26 1.08

2.86 22.68 1.07

.54 .87

.53 .87

.53 .86

.51 .85

.50 .84

.48 .83

.00

615

606

613

581

590

589

As given in Table 1.

grower feeds for the remainder of the test. The initial allocations of diets were depleted by 20 to 23 days of age. Additional chicks from the same hatch were

maintained on the test diets for use as replacements during the first 21 days. When a bird died it was weighed and replaced by a chick of the same sex and dietary history with as nearly

TABLE 3. Composition of broiler starter diets with distillers dried grains plus solubles (DDGS) at a constant dietary energy level

Ingredient DDGS Yellow corn Soybean meal Grease Limestone Dicalcium phosphate Salt DL-methionine Trace minerals 1 Vitamin premix 1 Total Calculated analysis Metabolizable energy (kcal/g) Protein (%) Lysine (%) Methionine (%) Met + cys (%) Density (g/liter) 1

As given in Table 1.

International feed no. 5-02-843 4-02-935 5-04-612 4-04-790 6-02-632 6-01-080 6-14-013

Percent of diet

61.85 29.99 3.98 1.16 1.85

5.00 58.61 27.78 4.46 1.16 1.83

10.00 55.37 25.55 4.94 1.17 1.81

15.00 51.28 24.08 5.55 1.17 1.78

20.00 46.41 23.26 6.28 1.18 1.75

25.00 41.67 22.33 6.99 1.18 1.73

.50 .07 .10 .50

.50 .06 .10 .50

.50 .06 .10 .50

.50 .04 .10 .50

.50 .02 .10 .50

.50 .00 .10 .50

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

3.20 20.00 1.10

3.20 20.00 1.06

3.20 20.00 1.02

3.20 20.28 1.00

3.20 20.82 1.00

3.20 21.30 1.00

.41 .72

.41 .72

.41 .72

.41 .72

.40 .72

.39 .72

.00

653

649

639

639

625

618

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DDGS Yellow corn Soybean meal Grease Limestone Dicalcium phosphate Salt DL-methionine Trace minerals 1 Vitamin premix 1 Total

International feed no.

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WALDROUP ET AL. TABLE 4. Composition of broiler grower diets with distillers dried grains plus solubles (DDGS) having variable dietary energy levels International feed no.

Ingredient

5-02-843 4-02-935 5-04-612 4-04-790 6-02-632 6-01-080 6-14-013

Calculated analysis Metabolizable energy (kcal/g) Protein (%) Lysine (%) Methionine (%) Met + cys (%) Density (g/liter) 1

.00 67.45 27.25 1.00 1.39 1.75 .50 .06 .10 .50 100.00

5.00 65.14 24.61 1.00 1.39 1.71 .50 .05 .10 .50 100.00

10.00 62.16 22.66 1.00 1.39 1.66 .50 .03 .10 .50 100.00

15.00 58.46 21.44 1.00 1.38 1.61 .50 .01 .10 .50 100.00

20.00 54.75 20.22 1.00 1.37 1.56 .50 .00 .10 .50 100.00

25.00 51.05 18.99 1.00 1.36 1.50 .50 .00 .10 .50 100.00

3.06 19.15 1.03 .39 .69 643

3.04 19.03 .98 .39 .69 639

3.02 19.18 .94 .38 .68 636

2.98 19.62 .93 .37 .67 632

2.95 20.06 .92 .38 .68 629

2.92 20.50 .91 .39 .70 625

As given in Table 1.

equal body weight as possible. Mortality was negligible during the study, and none occurred after 21 days. Group body weights by sex were taken in each pen at 21 and 42 days of age. Feed consumption was taken at the same intervals to calculate feed:gain and calorie:gain ratios. The data were analyzed using the analysis of variance with significant differences between treatment means determined by the multiple range test. The data were analyzed using the SAS release 76.6D procedures (Barr et ah, 1976). Separate

analyses were carried out for the fixed energy and optimum energy series. RESULTS When DDGS were fed in diets formulated to contain a constant energy level, there were few meaningful differences in body weight gains at 21 or 42 days of age that could be related to the level of DDGS (Table 5). At 21 days of age there were no significant differences between gains of chicks fed from 0 to 20% DDGS with indications of slightly improved gains. Chicks

TABLE 5. Comparison of distillers dried grains plus solubles (DDGS) in broiler diets at constant energy levels (3200 ME kcal/kg) Body weight (g)

Gain : feed ratio

Calories/gram gain

DDGS

21 day

42 day

0 - 2 1 day

0 - 1 2 . day

0 - 2 1 day

0 - 4 2 day

0 5 10 15 20 25

495ab 503 a 500a 489ab 503a 476b

1288 a 1237a 1237a 1220a 1246 a 1247a

.595aa .625 bc .637bc .633bc .645 c .606 a b

.513 a .518a .508a .513 a .498 a .500a

5.39a 5.13 a bc 5.02bc 5.05 b c 4.95C 5.26 a b

6.23a 6.17a 6.29a 6.24a 6.42a 6.42a

' 'cMeans within columns of four replicate pens of 4 male and 4 female broiler type chicks. Means having the same superscripts do not differ significantly (P>.05).

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DDGS Yellow corn Soybean meal Grease Limestone Dicalcium phosphate Salt DL-methionine Trace minerals' Vitamin premix 1 Total

Percent of diet

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reduction in feed efficiency related to the increase in dietary levels of DDGS with its concomitant decline in dietary energy content (Table 6). Chicks fed diets with 15 and 25% DDGS differed significantly from those fed the basal diet with no added DDGS. Chicks fed diets with 20% DDGS had reduced feed efficiency but did not differ significantly from those fed the basal diet with no added DDGS. This effect was observed at both 21 and 42 days of age. Utilization of the dietary energy, expressed as calories needed per gram of gain, indicated that in general the chicks were able to utilize the dietary calories with similar efficiency regardless of the level of DDGS (Table 6). Chicks fed the diets with 15% DDGS had a significantly higher calorie:gain ratio at 21 and 42 days of age than those fed the control diet with no added DDGS, but chicks fed diets containing the other levels of DDGS did not differ significantly from those fed the control diet with no DDGS. These data suggest that DDGS could be effectively used in broiler diets at levels up to 25% of the diet should economy dictate. If dietary energy remains constant, performance should remain relatively similar. However, if the dietary energy level is allowed to decline as the level of DDGS increases, weight gains and feed efficiency will be reduced if the level of DDGS is 15% or more. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors express their thanks to the Distillers Feed Research Council, Cincinnati, Ohio, for furnishing the distillers dried grains plus solubles for this study.

TABLE 6. Comparison of distillers dried grains plus solubles (DDGS) in broiler diets at variable energy levels ME kcal/g

Body weight (g)

Gain-.feed ratio

Calories/gr am gain

DDGS

0-21

21-42

21 day

42 day

0 - 2 1 day

0 - 4 2 day

0 - 2 1 day

0 - 4 2 day

0 5 10 15 20 25

3.00 2.98 2.96 2.93 2.89 2.86

3.06 3.04 3.02 2.98 2.95 2.92

495a 491a 488a 475a 478a 471a

1206 a 1227 a 1203 a 1165ab 1164 a b 1096 b

.621 c .633C .602bc .546 a .585abc .568 a b

.493bc .505 c .490 b c .444 a .467ab .446 a

4.83b 4.70 b 4.90 b 5.37 a 4.93 b 5.05 a b

6.15bc 5.95 c 6.10 c 6.64 a 6.24 b = 6.47 a b

' ,cMeans within columns of four replicate pens of 4 male and 4 female broiler type chicks. Means having the same superscripts do not differ significantly (P>.05).

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fed the diet with 25% DDGS had the lowest gains but did not differ significantly from those fed the diet with no DDGS. At 42 days of age there were no statistically significant differences in body weight gains among the chicks fed the various diets. Increasing the amount of DDGS in the diet of chicks fed a constant energy level resulted in a significant improvement in 21 day feed efficiency at levels up to 20% DDGS (Table 5). A further increase to 25% DDGS resulted in poorer feed efficiency, although not differing significantly from those chicks fed the control diet with no supplemental DDGS. At 42 days of age there were no significant differences in feed efficiency between chicks fed the various levels of DDGS (Table 5). These data paralleled the body weight responses. Energetic efficiency, measured as calories needed to produce a gram of gain, was a direct reflection of feed efficiency values, since these diets were calculated to contain the same energy levels (Table 5). In the second series of diets, where the dietary energy levels declined as the amount of DDGS increased, there was a general decline in body weights at 21 and 42 days of age as the level of DDGS increased (Table 6). Gains began to decline at levels of 15% or more DDGS, with body weights of chicks fed 25% DDGS differing significantly from those fed the basal diet with no added DDGS at 42 days. Since previous reports from our laboratory (Waldroup et al., 1976) and elsewhere (DeGroote, 1974; Farrell et al, 1976; Fisher and Wilson, 1974) have observed a relationship between dietary energy levels and rate of gain in broiler chicks this response was not unexpected. There was also a

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REFERENCES

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Barr, A. J., J. H. Goodnight, J. P. Sail, and J. T. Helwig, 1976. A user's guide to SAS 76. SAS Institute, Raleigh, NC. DeGroote, G., 1974. A comparison of a new net energy system with die metabolizable energy system in broiler diet formulation, performance, and profitability. Brit. Poultry Sci. 15: 75-95. Farrell, D. J., J. B. Hardaker, I. D. Greig, and R. B. Cumming, 1976. Effects of dietary energy concentration on production of broiler chickens. Australian J. Exp. Agric. Anim. Husb. 16: 672-678. Fisher, C, and B. J. Wilson, 1974. Response to dietary energy concentration by growing chickens. Pages 151—184 in Energy requirements of poultry. T. R. Morris and B. M. Freeman, ed. British Poultry Sci., Ltd., Edinburgh, Scotland. National Research Council, 1977. Nutrient require-

ments of domestic animals. 1. Nutrient requirements of poultry. 7th ed. Nat. Acad. Sci., Washington, DC. Reilly, P. J., 1979. Gasohol—future prospects. Proc. Dist Feed Res. Counc. 34:4-14. Runnels, T. D., 1966. The biological nutrient availability of corn distillers dried grains with solubles in broiler feeds. Proc. Dist. Feed Res. Counc. 21:11-15. Schruben, L. W., 1978. The gasohol bubble. Proc. Dist Feed Res. Counc. 3 3 : 4 - 1 1 . Scott, M. L., 1965. Distillers dried solubles for maximum broiler growth and maximum early egg size. Proc. Dist. Feed Res. Counc. 20:55—57. Scott, M. L., 1970. Twenty-five years of research on distillers feeds for broilers. Proc. Dist Feed Res. Counc. 25:19-24. Waldroup, P. W., R. J. Mitchell, J. R. Payne, and Z. B. Johnson, 1976. Characterization of the response of broiler chickens to diets varying in nutrient density content. Poultry Sci. 55:130—145.