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Corn Distillers’ By-Products in Poultry Rations*
Corn Distillers' By-Products in Poultry Rations* I. Chick Rations t WALTER L. NELSON 1 AND FRANCES E. VOLZ 1 Schenley Research Institute, Lawrenceburg, Indiana RAYMOND T. P A R K H U R S T
Department of Poultry Husbandry L E O N A R D R.
PARKINSON
Nutrition Laboratory, Massachusetts State College, Amherst, Massachusetts (Received for publication December 16, 1943)
S
OME previous experiments evaluating the use of distillers' by-products in chick rations have been reviewed by Shea, Fellers and Parkhurst (1941) and additional data as to their value as replacements for skimmilk and other protein carriers were presented. These experiments showed that corn distillers' dried grains and solubles could be used as a source of riboflavin as well as to supplement part of the protein of the ration. Allman and Branion (1938) showed that 16 percent of corn distillers' dried grains may be used satisfactorily to replace part of the cereal grain mixture in chick rations. About 4 percent each of ground yellow corn, wheat, oats, and barley were replaced in a mixed protein ration. Feathering was' improved. No indication is given by the authors as to whether or not the product used contained
* Contribution No. 501, Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station, Amherst. f Experiment 1 was conducted at the Nutrition laboratory at Massachusetts State College and was supported in part by the Schenley Research Institute, Inc. Experiments 2 and 3 were carried out in the laboratories of the Schenley Research Institute, Inc., Lawrenceburg, Indiana, a division of Schenley Distillers Corporation. 1 Now with School of Nutrition, Cornell University.
solubles. Some of the nutritive values and the possible use of distillers' grain and concentrated slop in poultry rations were reported by D'Ercole, Esselen, and Fellers (1939). Halpin, Cravens and Holmes (1942) reported two-year trials with distillers' dried grains with solubles which showed it to be a poor-quality protein supplement and inferior to either dried skimmilk or soybean oil meal when used with meat scraps in rations for growing chicks. Synold, Carrick, Roberts and Hauge (1942), (1943) presented evidence that dried skimmilk, meat and bone scraps, and alfalfa leaf meal contribute necessary growth factors other than protein, when used with distillers' dried solubles. They also reported that distillers' dried solubles contains the unidentified growth factor that is present in commercial casein as well as other growth factors found in dried skimmilk. In the present investigation, experiments were designed to further evaluate distillers' by-products when used in starting rations for chicks. Experiment 1 dealt with the use of "screenings," distillers' grains without added solubles, as a replacement for wheat bran or ground oats or both. Experiment 2, was a similar experiment except that "grains," distillers'
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CORN DISTILLERS' BY-PRODUCTS IN POULTRY RATIONS
TABLE 1.—Composition of rations used in experiment 1 P19R rations
A-E
B
C-H
Supplements:
W. bran gr. oats
W. bran
Gr. oats
2.5 percent dr. solubles
12.5 percent "screenings" 1
17.5 percent "screenings" 1
27.5 percent "screenings" 1
percent
percent
percent
percent
35.0 15.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 2.5 0.45 0.05 2.5
35.0 15.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 2.5 0.45 0.05 2.5
35.0 15.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 2.5 0.45 0.05 2.5
—
— —
Ingredients Ground No. 2 yellow corn Ground wheat Soybean oil meal (O.P.) Meat scraps Fish meal Manganized calcite2 Plain salt Dry vitamin D 3 Dried cereal grasses Wheat bran Ground whole oats Corn dist. "screenings" 1 Corn dist. dried solubles
35.0 15.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 2.5 0.45 0.05 2.5 Variables 15.0 10.0 0.0 2.5
15.0
—
12.5
—
D
10.0 17.5
27.5
•
•
—
—
1 2
"Screenings" as used here is corn distillers' dried grains. No solubles have been added. Calcite to which manganese sulphate has been added to give a manganese content of 2,000 parts per million. 3 Irradiated animal sterol containing 1,000 A.O.A.C. units of vitamin D per gram.
grains with solubles, was used as a replacement for wheat middlings, wheat bran, ground whole oats, or all three feed ingredients. Experiment 3 had as its objective the replacement of such critical feed ingredients as meat scraps, fish meal, and dried skimmilk by soybean oil meal and distillers' by-products. EXPERIMENT 1. The object of this preliminary experiment was to determine whether "screenings," distillers' grains without solubles, could be used to replace wheat bran, ground oats, or both, and distillers' dried solubles in a starting and broiler ration. Series 1 included four groups receiving rations A, B, C, and D respectively. Series 2 had three groups getting respectively Ration A-E, containing 2.5 percent dried solubles; Ration F, containing 97.5 percent of Ration C plus 2.5 percent dried solubles; and Ration G, containing 97.5 percent of Ration D plus 2.5 percent dried solubles. Series 3 was made up of three groups which received respectively Ration C-H, containing 17.5
percent "screenings"; Ration I, made up of 95 percent of Ration C-H plus 5 percent dried solubles; and Ration J, made up of 90 percent of Ration C-H, to which was added 10 percent dried solubles. In Series 2 and 3 an attempt was made to remedy the poor growth obtained with Rations C-H and D in Series 1. The composition of the rations used in Series I is given in Table 1. The analyses of rations A to H are given in Table 2 and, of certain ingredients used, in Table 3. The fluorometric method was used in determining riboflavin (Hodson and Norris, 1939) and the microbiological method was used for biotin (Shull, Hutchings, and Peterson, 1942). Rations I and J were not analyzed as vitamin differences only were involved. It was estimated that Ration I contained about 70 and Ration J, 140 more units of riboflavin than Ration H and proportionately more pantothenic acid and biotin. Methods. There were 40 Single Comb Rhode Island Red chicks each in groups A
280
W. L. NELSON, F. E. VOLZ, R. T. PARKHTJRST, AND L. R. PARKINSON TABLE 2.—Analyses of rations A to H used in experiment 1 A-E
P19R rations Supplements:
B
C-H
D
F
G
W. bran W. bran 97.5 percent 97.5 percent Gr. oats gr. oats ration C ration D 2.5 percent 12.5 percent 17.5 percent 27.5 percent 2.5 percent 2.5 percent "screen"screen"screendr. solubles dr. solubles dr. solubles ings" 1 ings" 1 ings" 1
Moisture Protein (NX6.25) Ether, extract (fat) Nitrogen free extract Crude fiber Ash Calcium Phosphorus Manganese
percent
percent
percent
percent
percent
percent
9.66 19.22 5.28 52.01 5.13 8.70 1.93 1.02 0.0084
9.13 21.28 5.93 50.56 4.95 8.15 1.92 1.02 0.0083
8.38 21.45 5.95 51.46 5.18 7.58 1.96 0.85 0.0071
8.81 23.25 6.80 48.52 5.23 7.39 1.90 0.83 0.0070
8.46 21.45 6.28 SI. 08 5.23 7.50 1.87 0.83 0.0065
7.65 23.34 6.70 49.72 5.30 7.29 1.83 0.86 0.0064
See footnote to Table 1.
and B, 33 chicks in groups C and D, and 10 chicks each in the other six groups. The chicks were banded, weighed, and then graded for quality. The chicks were started in a battery brooder June 5 and transferred at the end of four weeks to a floor brooder. Series 1 only was continued beyond 8 weeks to 13 weeks.- The chicks were weighed every four weeks at which times observations were taken of their health,
shank pigmentation, and feathering. The chicks were examined every two weeks for the presence of dermatosis and crookedness of toes. The grading of the feathering was on a scale of 0-4 based on the extent of feathering on the back, 4 indicating full feathering with no sign of pinfeathers and 0 the entire absence of feathering. Pigmentation was observed using a scale of 1 to 4, 4 for a deep, rich yellow color of shanks. Dermatosis was recorded as ab-
TABLE 3.—Analyses of certain ingredients used in experiment 1
Moisture Protein (NX6.25) Ether extract (fat) Nitrogen free extract Crude fiber Ash Calcium Phosphorus Manganese Riboflavin Biotin 1 2 3 4
"Screenings" 1
Dist. dr. solubles
Wheat bran
Meat scraps
Fish meal
Soybean oil meal
Dried cereal grasses2
percent
percent
percent
percent
percent
percent
percent
5.25 29.59 10.03 40.85 12.38 1.90 0.11 0.37 0.0013
7.62 26.75 9.5 45.68 3.43 7.02 0.28 1.34 0.0054
9.58 17.43 4.50 53.58 9.3 5.61 — — —
4.50 53.68 8.45
5.29 56.30 17.68
7.15 45.35 4.78 30.67 5.85 6.20 0.35 0.72 0.0030
5.0 27.58 5.73 31.77 15.85 14.07 0.66 0.46 0.0088
0.6 0.55
— —
29.83 9.52 4.63 0.0010
Micrograms per gram 16.5 2.2 7.2 2.5" — —
— —3
18.85 4.15 2.51 0.0008 7.9
—
4.9
—
See footnote to Table 1. Carotene: 380 micrograms of carotene equivalent to 633 I.U. of vitamin A per gram. 5.9 percent salt. Two samples assayed showed 2.4 and 2.6-micrograms per gram.
28.4
—
CORN DISTILLERS' BY-PRODUCTS IN POULTRY RATIONS
sent, slight, or definite, depending upon the degree of severity of bloody cracks on top of the toes or feet or enlarged pads on the bottom of the feet and of encrustations about the mouth. The number and extent of crooked toes, and the condition of the droppings were also observed. A record of feed consumption was made weekly. RESULTS
Growth. The growth data are briefly summarized in Table 4. In Series 1, there was no significant difference between groups A and B or between groups C and D. The mean weight differences between group A and groups C and D and between group B and group C were significant. There were no significant differences between groups in Series 2 or 3. Comparing all groups in the experiment, group A was significantly better than all other groups except group B. Group B was significantly better than all groups except groups D, I, and J. At 13 weeks of age, the only significant differences in the growth weights were between group B and groups C and D. These growth results would indicate that corn distillers dried grains without solubles, "screenings," effectively replaced ground oats and dried solubles but not wheat bran and dried solubles. When rations were used containing 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 percent dried solubles, "screenings" satisfactorily replaced wheat bran. In series 2, "screenings" replaced both wheat bran and ground oats in a ration containing 2.5 percent of dried solubles. The poorest growth resulted when wheat bran was replaced by "screenings," in the absence of dried solubles in the ration. There is an indication that a factor present in both dried solubles and wheat bran and absent from, or of low value in, "screenings" and ground oats is responsible for the growth differences obtained. Feed consumption and feed efficiency.
281
The mean feed consumption per chick to 8 and 13 weeks of age and the feed efficiency are given in Table 4. The rations containing wheat bran were more readily consumed. Increasing the dried solubles in the ration tended to stimulate high feed consumption in rations not containing wheat bran. The same factor in dried solubles and wheat bran which was responsible for increased growth probably stimulated the appetite of the chicks. The use of "screenings" did not result in a less satisfactory feed efficiency and usually resulted in an improvement. Feathering and pigmentation. The data on feathering and pigmentation observations at 8 and 13 weeks are given in Table 4. The pigmentation was deep yellow to orange yellow in all groups, and differences between groups were not of significance. Feathering was good in series 1 but only fair in series 2 and 3. Differences within series were small. The relatively poor feathering was probably due to environmental conditions, especially the high temperature which prevailed throughout the experiment. Vitamin deficiency symptoms. The chicks were individually examined for syndromes of known vitamin deficiencies at 4, 6, 8, and 13 weeks of age. A dermatosis was present between and on the top of the toes of the chicks in all groups at 4 weeks. In series 1, the condition was more prevalent in groups C and D. It was not present in any group when the chicks were examined at 6 weeks. In Series 2, there was none at 6 or 8 weeks in group E; a slight amount at 6 weeks and none at 8 weeks in groups F and G. In Series 3, there was more of this condition at 8 weeks in group H than in either groups I or J. In group H, dermatosis was observed at 8 weeks on the bottom of the feet only, half the chicks having a cracked and padded condition to a greater or less degree. A few slightly
33
40 38 266 928 1,818 7.5 2,561 6,666
40
38 264 964 1,794 2.5
2,583 6,583 3.12 4.05 4.00 3.62 2.32 2.94
3.08 4.26
4.00 3.70
2.23 2.87
2.00 2 66
3.53 3.59
2.95 3.85
2,261 5,615
37 216 838 1,604 3.0
27.5% "screenings" 1
17.5% "screenings" 1
12.5% "screenings" 1
2.21 2.78
3.44 3.59
2.94 3.88
2,288 5,781
38 223 867 1,690 3.0
33
D
B W. bran
2.5% dr. sol.
D
C C-H Gr. oats
B
A
A-E W.bran Gr. oats
Series 1 F
G
—
—
2.00
—
.— 1.70
3.50
2.51
—
2,361
4.00
__
2.72
'—
2,674
0
—
— 10
37 211 807
10
42 267 789
10
2.5% 2.5% dr. sol. . dr. sol.
—
2.1
4.00
2.60
—
2,393
0
—
42 252 790
10
2.5% dr. sol.
A-E W. Bran 97.5% 97.5% Gr. oats Ration C-H Ration D
E
Series 2 H
—
—
1.5
—
3.33
2.15
1,984
10
—
42 175 764
10
17.5% "screenings" 1
C-H Gr. oats
"Screenings" as used here is corn distillers' dried grains. No solubles have been added. 2 Corrected for sex to male weights. * Feed efficiency—grams of feed per gram of gain was calculated from the total gain of chicks and the total feed consumed. * Pigmentation: 4 equals deep rich yellow color of shanks. 6 Graded on back feathering, 4 indicating full feathering, 0 the entire absence of feathering.
1
Number of chicks Mean weights:2 Initial (gms.) At 4 weeks (gms.) At 8 weeks (gms.) At 13 weeks (gms.) Percent mortality Mean feed consumption: To 8 weeks (gms.) To 13 weeks (gms.) Feed efficiency:3 At 8 weeks At 13 weeks Pigmentation: 4 At 8 weeks At 13 weeks Feathering: 6 At 8 weeks At 13 weeks
Ration Supplements:
Group Number
—
1.5
— '
3.80
_
2.10
—
2,188
0
—
37 224 855
10
5.0% dr.-sol.
95.0% Ration C-H
I
Series 3
—
2.0
—
3.50
—
2.28
—
2,393
0
—
37 232 863
10
10.0% dr. sol.
90.0% Ration C-H
J
TABLE 4.—Summary of results of growth, feed consumption, feed efficiency, pigmentation and feathering in experiment 1. Single Comb Rhode Island reds
o 2
>
> o
W W d
H
(SI
I-
< o1
55
I- 1 cn O
3
oo
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CORN DISTILLERS' BY-PRODUCTS IN POULTRY RATIONS
TABLE 5.—Composition and analyses of rations. Summary of data on live weight, mortality, feed consumption per bird, feed efficiency, feathering and leg coloring of the various groups in experiment 2. White Plymouth Rocks \ Experimental groups
Ingredients Ground No. 2 yellow corn Alfalfa leaf meal Soybean oil meal Meat scraps (50% protein) Fish meal (60% protein) Ground limestone Salt and manganese Fortified cod liver oil (400 D , 1.000A) Distillers' dried solubles Dried skimmilk Wheat standard middlings Wheat bran Ground whole oats Corn dist. dried grains with solubles 8 Proximate analyses: Protein (NX6.25) Ether extract Crude fiber Ash Moisture Summary of data: Number of cockerels Number of pullets Wt. of mixed sexes at 4 wks.—gms. Wt. of mixed sexes at 8 wks.—gms. Wt. of mixed sexes at 12 wks.—gms. Wt. of mixed sexes at 12 wks.'—lbs. Percent mortality Av. feed consumed per bird—lbs. Feed required per pound of gain—lbs. Feathering at 12 weeks 3 Leg coloring at 12 weeks 8
A Control
B
C
D
E
F
F> Revised
percent 37.5 2.5 5.0 6.0 2.5 2.5 0.5 1.0
percent 37.5 2.5 5.0 6.0 2.5 2.5 0.5 1.0
percent 37.5 2.5 5.0 6.0 2.5 2.5 0.5 1.0
percent 37.5 2.5 ' 5.0 6.0 2.5 2.5 0.5 1.0
percent 37.5 2.5 5.0 6.0 2.5 2.5 0.5 1.0
percent 37.5 2.5 5.0 6.0 2.5 2.5 0.5 1.0
percent 52.5 2.5 5.0 6.0 2.5 2.5 0.5 1.0
„
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
15.0 15.0
—
15.0
—
—. — 15.0
— 10.0
10.0 15.0
10.0 15.0
— — — — 40.0
— — — — 25.0
17.17 4.86 5.15 6.80 9.89
19.50 5.44 4.60 7.57 9.76
20.09 5.61 4.82 7.56 9.00
20.06 5.58 5.87 7.71 8.87
25.30 6.35 4.40 6.97 8.21
21.44 7.49 5.50 7.84 7.00
24 26 318.1 858.3 1,391.7 3.06 2.0 11.80 3.85 3.00 3.00
25 25 324.8 933.7 1,531.1 3.37 2.0 11.60 3.44 3.00 3.00
26 24297.1 876.3 1,537.0 3.38 6.0 11.80 3.49 3.00 3.00
25 25 306.2 890.7 1,491.3 3.28 2.0 11.70 3.56 3.00 3.00
2.5 15.0 15.0 10.0
15.0 15.0 10.0
—
—
17.43 4.45 5.04 7.83 10.00 29 25 331.2 906.1 1,485.6 3.27 5.5 11.80 3.60 2.74 3.00
—
— •
20 30 267.3 821.4 1,492.0 3.28 4.0 10.9 3.32 2.65 3.00
1
F ration revised at 25 days because of excessive cannibalism. * "Grains" as used here refers to corn distillers' dried grains with solubles. 5 Feathering and leg color index—good =3, medium=2, poor = l.
crooked toes and breast bones were observed at all ages. No dermatosis was observed near the mouth or eyes of any chicks a t any time. The occurrence of the condition was more typical of biotin than of pantothenic acid deficiency in chicks. More work is needed with this phase of the experiment. EXPERIMENT 2. Methods. Day-old mixed-sex White Rock chicks were used. They were weighed, wing banded, and distributed at random in groups of 25. Electrically heated batteries were used until the chicks were four weeks old after which they were transferred to unheated finishing batteries. The room temperature was maintained at 75° to 80°F. for the first four weeks and was held at 70°F. from the fourth to the twelfth week. The com-
position and chemical analyses of the control and experimental rations are given in Table 5. Results. Growth. Data on the average weight of the chicks at 4, 8, and 12 weeks are given in Table 5. In ration F (Table 51) when corn distillers' grains with solubles was used to replace all the wheat bran, wheat middlings, and ground oats, growth and feathering were very poor. Feather pulling and cannibalism became so severe that at 25 days of age it was necessary to revise the ration in order to prevent the killing of all the chicks. Originally this ration contained 40 percent corn distillers' grains and 37.5 percent ground yellow corn. In the revised ration 15 percent of the corn distillers' grains were replaced by ground yellow corn making the ration 25
284
W. L.
NELSON,
F. E. Votz, R. T.
percent corn distillers' grains and 52.5 percent ground corn (Table 5). After this change, cannibalism and feather-pulling ceased and growth increased rapidly. At 12 weeks group F equalled the control group A in weight. Statistical analysis of the chick weights at 12 weeks by the method of Titus and Hammond (1935) revealed a significant difference between the cockerels in the control group A and the cockerels in group B. There was, however, no significant difference between the weights of the pullets in these groups. The 12-week weights of the remaining groups showed no significant difference on the part of either sex when compared with the control group. These growth results would indicate that corn distillers' grains with solubles and corn distillers' solubles can replace skimmilk and either wheat bran, wheat middlings, or ground whole oats in a growing ration for chicks. However, in a ration of relatively low protein content (17.17 percent) the cockerels showed a significantly lower weight gain when corn distillers' solubles replaced skimmilk pound for pound. When corn distillers' dried grains with solubles was used to replace all of the wheat bran, wheat middlings, and ground whole oats, an additional source of high energy feed, that is corn, was necessary to promote suitable growth. Even though the ration contained a high level of protein (25.3 percent) growth was poor until corn was substituted for part of the distillers' grains with solubles. Feed consumption and feed efficiency. The average feed consumption per chick to 12 weeks and the feed efficiency (pounds of feed required per pound of gain) are given in Table 5. The groups receiving corn distillers' grains with solubles showed a slightly increased efficiency of feed utilization over that of control group A. This is in confirmation of find-
PARKHURST, AND
L. R.
PARKINSON
ings reported by Shea, Fellers and Parkhurst (1941). The reason for the apparent greater efficiency of ration F (revised) is not clear. Feathering and pigmentation. Observations on feathering and leg color at 12 weeks are given in Table 5. Feathering was good in all groups except A and F. The slightly poorer feathering of the feT males in e roup A tended to lower its index. Group F contained several birds which were not completely feathered. This markedly decreased its index. In all groups, leg coloring was good at 12 weeks. EXPERIMENT 3. Methods. Day-old New Hampshire cockerels were used. They were wing banded, weighed, and placed at random in groups of 25 in electrically heated batteries. There were two groups of chicks fed each ration. The room temperature was maintained at 75° to 80°F. for the first four weeks after which the birds were transferred to unheated finishing batteries. The room temperature was then maintained at 70°F. and the relative humidity was controlled between 60 and 70 percent. These conditions were maintained throughout the experimental period of 10 weeks. The composition and chemical analyses of each ration are given in Table 6. The semi-solid distillers' solubles used in rations C, E, and G was the residue obtained by evaporating distillers' "thin slop" to the consistency of a syrup containing approximately 30 percent solids. This syrup was mixed with corn in a ratio of 8.9 pounds of syrup to 10 pounds of ground corn. The mixture was dried in a hot-air oven at a temperature of 175°F. This dried corn-semi-solid syrup mixture was used in rations C, E, and G so that the syrup contributed the same proportion of total solids to the ration as was furnished by distillers' dried solubles. The replacement of meat scraps and fish meal by soybean oil meal was made on
285
CORN DISTILLERS' BY-PRODUCTS IN POULTRY RATIONS
TABLE 6. Composition and analyses of rations. Summary of data on live weight, mortality, feed consumption per bird and feed efficiency in experiment 3. New Hampshire Red cockerels Experimental groups
Ingredient: Ground No. 2 yellow corn Alfalfa leaf meal Standard wheat middlings Wheat bran Corn dist. dried grains without solubles Limestone Salt and manganese Fortified cod liver oil (400 D, 1,000 A) Meat scraps (50% protein) Fish meal (60% protein) Soybean oil meal O. P. Distillers' dried solubles . Semi-solid distillers' solubles Dried skimmilk Proximate analyses: Protein (NX6.25) Ether extract Crude fiber Ash
Moisture Summary of data: Number of cockerels Av. weight at 4 weeks—grams Av. weight at 6 weeks—grams Av. weight at 8 weeks—grams Av. weight at 10 weeks—grams Av. weight at 10 weeks—-lbs. Percent mortality Av. feed consumed per bird—lbs. Feed required per pound of gain—lbs.
A Control
B
C
D
percent 52.5
percent 50.0
percent 50.0
percent 40.0
percent 40.0
percent 39.5
percent 39.5
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
6.0 2.5 5.0
6.0 2.5 5.0 5.0
6.0 2.5 5.0
23.5
—
23.5
21.5
—
21.5
— —
—. — — 5.0' —
—. —
— — . 7.5' —
21.65 5.45 4.80 5.50 8.90
21.75 5.76 5.20 5.20 7.90
21.30 5.60 5.10 5.40 9.60
20.50 5.45 5.00 5.24 10.80
5.0 7.5 5.0
2.5 0.5 1.0
— — 2.5 18.90 5.20 4.80 7.00 9.14
5.0 7.5 5.0
2.5 0.5 1.0
5.0 7.5 5.0
2.5 0.5 1.0
—. —
— 5.0 —
18.50 5.50 4.50 7.70 9.20
18.75 5.60 4.30 7.90 8.00
5.0 7.5 5.0
2.5 0.5 1.0
5.0
E
5.0 7.5 5.0
2.5 0.5 1.0
F
5.0 7.5 S.O
2.5 0.5 1.0
7.5
G
5.0 7.5 5.0
2.5 0.5 1.0
51
51
51
52
52
51
51
268.9 544.4 890.2 1,246.0 2.74 1.96 8.23 2.99
249.2 502.9 839.1 1,194.3 2.63 1.96 7.88 2.99
262.0 532.7 873.5 1,233.3 2.72 3.92 8.05 2.96
266.8 529.8 860.8 1,227.7 2.70 5.70 8.20 3.03
277.2 548.2 902.2 1,290.1 2.84 5.70 7.74 2.72
309.6 594.9 955.4 1,321.9 2.91 1.96 8.39 2.88.
285.6 559.1 920.4 1,259.5 2.77 3.92 7.73 2.79
1 The 5 percent semi-solid distillers' solubles represent the dry matter contained in 17.8 pounds of wet material. 7.5 percent solids are derived from 26.7 pounds of wet material.
a digestible protein equivalent basis. Dried skimmilk was replaced by distillers' dried solubles and semi-solid syrup on a riboflavin equivalent basis in groups B, C, D, and E; whereas in groups F and G, the distillers' dried solubles and semi-solid syrup were calculated to furnish one and a half times as much riboflavin. Adjustments in the protein levels of the rations were made by varying the percentages of corn and soybean oil meal. The actual percentages of crude protein in each ration as determined by the macro Kjeldahl method are given in Table 6. Results. Growth. Data on the average live weights of the chicks at 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks are given in Table 6. At 10 weeks, groups C, D, and G did not differ significantly in live weight from control group A; group B weighed significantly less and groups E and F significantly more than the control group.
That soybean oil meal plus distillers' by-products can successfully replace all the dried skimmilk, fish meal, and meat scraps in a broiler ration is indicated by the excellent weight gains of birds in groups D, E, F, and G. Significantly lower weight gains, however, were shown by birds in group B when distillers' dried solubles replaced skimmilk on an equal riboflavin basis. On the other hand, the birds in group C receiving the specially dried semi-solid syrup showed approximately the same weight gain as those in control group A. It is possible that the drum drying of distillers' solubles destroys, in part, some factor needed by the chick, but the evidence is not clear. Feed consumption and feed efficiency. The average feed consumption per chick to 10 weeks and the feed efficiency are given in Table 6. The chicks receiving rations E, F, and G showed the greatest
286
W. L. NELSON, F. E. VOLZ, R. T. PARKHTJRST, AND L. R. PARKINSON
efficiency of feed utilization while those receiving ration D showed the least efficiency, and those receiving rations A, B, and C were about equal and intermediate. The apparent low efficiency of feed utilization shown by the birds receiving ration D is not reflected in group E which differs only by the use of the specially dried semisolid syrup. In all groups receiving the specially dried semi-solid syrup the number of pounds of feed required per pound of gain was slightly less than that required by comparable groups receiving dried distillers' solubles. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Corn distillers' dried grains without solubles were used satisfactorily in a starting and broiler ration to replace ground oats and dried solubles, but not wheat bran and dried distillers' solubles. When rations containing 2.5 percent dried solubles were fed, both wheat bran and ground oats and wheat bran alone were, effectively replaced. There was an indication that a factor present both in dried solubles and wheat bran, but absent, or of low value, in corn distillers' dried grains without solubles and ground oats is responsible for growth differences. The feed efficiency was somewhat improved by the inclusion of corn distillers' dried grains without solubles; the difference in pigmentation and feathering was negligible. Corn distillers' grains with solubles satisfactorily replaced dried skimmilk and wheat bran, wheat middlings or ground oats in a starting ration for chicks with an improvement in the feed efficiency. An additional source of energy was apparently needed for satisfactory growth when corn distillers' dried grains with solubles was used in place of all the wheat bran, wheat middlings, and ground oats. Soybean oil meal with corn distillers' by-products successfully replaced all the
dried skimmilk, fish meal, and meatscraps in the starting rations. Dried distillers' solubles did not replace dried skimmilk on an equal riboflavin basis. Dried semi-solid syrup, however, did replace dried skimmilk indicating that possibly some loss of nutritive value occurred during the production of dried solubles. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The assistance of Mr. Philip Smith, Chief of the laboratory of the Feed Control Service of the Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station and of Mrs. Shirley Ziffer of the Schenley Research Institute, Inc. is gratefully acknowledged by the authors. REFERENCES
Allman, R. T., and H. D. Branion, 1938. A preliminary investigation of the value of corn distillers' dried grains in chick rations. Sci. Agr. 18:700-707. D'Ercole, A. D., W. B. Esselen, Jr., and C. R. Fellers, 1939. The nutritive value of distillers' by-products. Poultry Sci. 38:89-95. Halpin, J. G., W. W. Cravens, and C. E. Holmes, 1942. Distillery residue not a good protein substitute. Wis. Agr. Exp. Sta. Annual Report, Bui. 455:14. Hodson, A. Z., and L. C. Norris, 1939. A fluorometric method for determining the riboflavin content of foodstuffs. J. Biol. Chem. 131:621-630. Shea, K. G., C. R. Fellers, and R. T. Parkhurst, 1941, Corn distillers' grains with solubles in poultry rations. I. Chick rations. Poultry Sci. 20: 527-535. Shull, G. M., B. L. Hutchins, and W. H. Peterson, 1942. A microbiological assay for biotin. J. Biol. Chem. 142:913-920. Synold, R. E., C. W. Carrick, Roy E. Roberts, and S. M. Hauge, 1942. Distillers' dried solubles as a vitamin supplement for chick rations. Poultry Sci. 21:478. ———; 1943. Distillers' dried solubles as a vitamin supplement in chick rations. Poultry Sci. 22:323329,336. Titus, H. W., and John C. Hammond, 1935. A method of analyzing the data of chick nutrition experiments. Poultry Sci. 14:164-173.
Department of Poultry Husbandry L E O N A R D R.
PARKINSON
Nutrition Laboratory, Massachusetts State College, Amherst, Massachusetts (Received for publication December 16, 1943)
S
OME previous experiments evaluating the use of distillers' by-products in chick rations have been reviewed by Shea, Fellers and Parkhurst (1941) and additional data as to their value as replacements for skimmilk and other protein carriers were presented. These experiments showed that corn distillers' dried grains and solubles could be used as a source of riboflavin as well as to supplement part of the protein of the ration. Allman and Branion (1938) showed that 16 percent of corn distillers' dried grains may be used satisfactorily to replace part of the cereal grain mixture in chick rations. About 4 percent each of ground yellow corn, wheat, oats, and barley were replaced in a mixed protein ration. Feathering was' improved. No indication is given by the authors as to whether or not the product used contained
* Contribution No. 501, Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station, Amherst. f Experiment 1 was conducted at the Nutrition laboratory at Massachusetts State College and was supported in part by the Schenley Research Institute, Inc. Experiments 2 and 3 were carried out in the laboratories of the Schenley Research Institute, Inc., Lawrenceburg, Indiana, a division of Schenley Distillers Corporation. 1 Now with School of Nutrition, Cornell University.
solubles. Some of the nutritive values and the possible use of distillers' grain and concentrated slop in poultry rations were reported by D'Ercole, Esselen, and Fellers (1939). Halpin, Cravens and Holmes (1942) reported two-year trials with distillers' dried grains with solubles which showed it to be a poor-quality protein supplement and inferior to either dried skimmilk or soybean oil meal when used with meat scraps in rations for growing chicks. Synold, Carrick, Roberts and Hauge (1942), (1943) presented evidence that dried skimmilk, meat and bone scraps, and alfalfa leaf meal contribute necessary growth factors other than protein, when used with distillers' dried solubles. They also reported that distillers' dried solubles contains the unidentified growth factor that is present in commercial casein as well as other growth factors found in dried skimmilk. In the present investigation, experiments were designed to further evaluate distillers' by-products when used in starting rations for chicks. Experiment 1 dealt with the use of "screenings," distillers' grains without added solubles, as a replacement for wheat bran or ground oats or both. Experiment 2, was a similar experiment except that "grains," distillers'
[278]
279
CORN DISTILLERS' BY-PRODUCTS IN POULTRY RATIONS
TABLE 1.—Composition of rations used in experiment 1 P19R rations
A-E
B
C-H
Supplements:
W. bran gr. oats
W. bran
Gr. oats
2.5 percent dr. solubles
12.5 percent "screenings" 1
17.5 percent "screenings" 1
27.5 percent "screenings" 1
percent
percent
percent
percent
35.0 15.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 2.5 0.45 0.05 2.5
35.0 15.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 2.5 0.45 0.05 2.5
35.0 15.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 2.5 0.45 0.05 2.5
—
— —
Ingredients Ground No. 2 yellow corn Ground wheat Soybean oil meal (O.P.) Meat scraps Fish meal Manganized calcite2 Plain salt Dry vitamin D 3 Dried cereal grasses Wheat bran Ground whole oats Corn dist. "screenings" 1 Corn dist. dried solubles
35.0 15.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 2.5 0.45 0.05 2.5 Variables 15.0 10.0 0.0 2.5
15.0
—
12.5
—
D
10.0 17.5
27.5
•
•
—
—
1 2
"Screenings" as used here is corn distillers' dried grains. No solubles have been added. Calcite to which manganese sulphate has been added to give a manganese content of 2,000 parts per million. 3 Irradiated animal sterol containing 1,000 A.O.A.C. units of vitamin D per gram.
grains with solubles, was used as a replacement for wheat middlings, wheat bran, ground whole oats, or all three feed ingredients. Experiment 3 had as its objective the replacement of such critical feed ingredients as meat scraps, fish meal, and dried skimmilk by soybean oil meal and distillers' by-products. EXPERIMENT 1. The object of this preliminary experiment was to determine whether "screenings," distillers' grains without solubles, could be used to replace wheat bran, ground oats, or both, and distillers' dried solubles in a starting and broiler ration. Series 1 included four groups receiving rations A, B, C, and D respectively. Series 2 had three groups getting respectively Ration A-E, containing 2.5 percent dried solubles; Ration F, containing 97.5 percent of Ration C plus 2.5 percent dried solubles; and Ration G, containing 97.5 percent of Ration D plus 2.5 percent dried solubles. Series 3 was made up of three groups which received respectively Ration C-H, containing 17.5
percent "screenings"; Ration I, made up of 95 percent of Ration C-H plus 5 percent dried solubles; and Ration J, made up of 90 percent of Ration C-H, to which was added 10 percent dried solubles. In Series 2 and 3 an attempt was made to remedy the poor growth obtained with Rations C-H and D in Series 1. The composition of the rations used in Series I is given in Table 1. The analyses of rations A to H are given in Table 2 and, of certain ingredients used, in Table 3. The fluorometric method was used in determining riboflavin (Hodson and Norris, 1939) and the microbiological method was used for biotin (Shull, Hutchings, and Peterson, 1942). Rations I and J were not analyzed as vitamin differences only were involved. It was estimated that Ration I contained about 70 and Ration J, 140 more units of riboflavin than Ration H and proportionately more pantothenic acid and biotin. Methods. There were 40 Single Comb Rhode Island Red chicks each in groups A
280
W. L. NELSON, F. E. VOLZ, R. T. PARKHTJRST, AND L. R. PARKINSON TABLE 2.—Analyses of rations A to H used in experiment 1 A-E
P19R rations Supplements:
B
C-H
D
F
G
W. bran W. bran 97.5 percent 97.5 percent Gr. oats gr. oats ration C ration D 2.5 percent 12.5 percent 17.5 percent 27.5 percent 2.5 percent 2.5 percent "screen"screen"screendr. solubles dr. solubles dr. solubles ings" 1 ings" 1 ings" 1
Moisture Protein (NX6.25) Ether, extract (fat) Nitrogen free extract Crude fiber Ash Calcium Phosphorus Manganese
percent
percent
percent
percent
percent
percent
9.66 19.22 5.28 52.01 5.13 8.70 1.93 1.02 0.0084
9.13 21.28 5.93 50.56 4.95 8.15 1.92 1.02 0.0083
8.38 21.45 5.95 51.46 5.18 7.58 1.96 0.85 0.0071
8.81 23.25 6.80 48.52 5.23 7.39 1.90 0.83 0.0070
8.46 21.45 6.28 SI. 08 5.23 7.50 1.87 0.83 0.0065
7.65 23.34 6.70 49.72 5.30 7.29 1.83 0.86 0.0064
See footnote to Table 1.
and B, 33 chicks in groups C and D, and 10 chicks each in the other six groups. The chicks were banded, weighed, and then graded for quality. The chicks were started in a battery brooder June 5 and transferred at the end of four weeks to a floor brooder. Series 1 only was continued beyond 8 weeks to 13 weeks.- The chicks were weighed every four weeks at which times observations were taken of their health,
shank pigmentation, and feathering. The chicks were examined every two weeks for the presence of dermatosis and crookedness of toes. The grading of the feathering was on a scale of 0-4 based on the extent of feathering on the back, 4 indicating full feathering with no sign of pinfeathers and 0 the entire absence of feathering. Pigmentation was observed using a scale of 1 to 4, 4 for a deep, rich yellow color of shanks. Dermatosis was recorded as ab-
TABLE 3.—Analyses of certain ingredients used in experiment 1
Moisture Protein (NX6.25) Ether extract (fat) Nitrogen free extract Crude fiber Ash Calcium Phosphorus Manganese Riboflavin Biotin 1 2 3 4
"Screenings" 1
Dist. dr. solubles
Wheat bran
Meat scraps
Fish meal
Soybean oil meal
Dried cereal grasses2
percent
percent
percent
percent
percent
percent
percent
5.25 29.59 10.03 40.85 12.38 1.90 0.11 0.37 0.0013
7.62 26.75 9.5 45.68 3.43 7.02 0.28 1.34 0.0054
9.58 17.43 4.50 53.58 9.3 5.61 — — —
4.50 53.68 8.45
5.29 56.30 17.68
7.15 45.35 4.78 30.67 5.85 6.20 0.35 0.72 0.0030
5.0 27.58 5.73 31.77 15.85 14.07 0.66 0.46 0.0088
0.6 0.55
— —
29.83 9.52 4.63 0.0010
Micrograms per gram 16.5 2.2 7.2 2.5" — —
— —3
18.85 4.15 2.51 0.0008 7.9
—
4.9
—
See footnote to Table 1. Carotene: 380 micrograms of carotene equivalent to 633 I.U. of vitamin A per gram. 5.9 percent salt. Two samples assayed showed 2.4 and 2.6-micrograms per gram.
28.4
—
CORN DISTILLERS' BY-PRODUCTS IN POULTRY RATIONS
sent, slight, or definite, depending upon the degree of severity of bloody cracks on top of the toes or feet or enlarged pads on the bottom of the feet and of encrustations about the mouth. The number and extent of crooked toes, and the condition of the droppings were also observed. A record of feed consumption was made weekly. RESULTS
Growth. The growth data are briefly summarized in Table 4. In Series 1, there was no significant difference between groups A and B or between groups C and D. The mean weight differences between group A and groups C and D and between group B and group C were significant. There were no significant differences between groups in Series 2 or 3. Comparing all groups in the experiment, group A was significantly better than all other groups except group B. Group B was significantly better than all groups except groups D, I, and J. At 13 weeks of age, the only significant differences in the growth weights were between group B and groups C and D. These growth results would indicate that corn distillers dried grains without solubles, "screenings," effectively replaced ground oats and dried solubles but not wheat bran and dried solubles. When rations were used containing 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 percent dried solubles, "screenings" satisfactorily replaced wheat bran. In series 2, "screenings" replaced both wheat bran and ground oats in a ration containing 2.5 percent of dried solubles. The poorest growth resulted when wheat bran was replaced by "screenings," in the absence of dried solubles in the ration. There is an indication that a factor present in both dried solubles and wheat bran and absent from, or of low value in, "screenings" and ground oats is responsible for the growth differences obtained. Feed consumption and feed efficiency.
281
The mean feed consumption per chick to 8 and 13 weeks of age and the feed efficiency are given in Table 4. The rations containing wheat bran were more readily consumed. Increasing the dried solubles in the ration tended to stimulate high feed consumption in rations not containing wheat bran. The same factor in dried solubles and wheat bran which was responsible for increased growth probably stimulated the appetite of the chicks. The use of "screenings" did not result in a less satisfactory feed efficiency and usually resulted in an improvement. Feathering and pigmentation. The data on feathering and pigmentation observations at 8 and 13 weeks are given in Table 4. The pigmentation was deep yellow to orange yellow in all groups, and differences between groups were not of significance. Feathering was good in series 1 but only fair in series 2 and 3. Differences within series were small. The relatively poor feathering was probably due to environmental conditions, especially the high temperature which prevailed throughout the experiment. Vitamin deficiency symptoms. The chicks were individually examined for syndromes of known vitamin deficiencies at 4, 6, 8, and 13 weeks of age. A dermatosis was present between and on the top of the toes of the chicks in all groups at 4 weeks. In series 1, the condition was more prevalent in groups C and D. It was not present in any group when the chicks were examined at 6 weeks. In Series 2, there was none at 6 or 8 weeks in group E; a slight amount at 6 weeks and none at 8 weeks in groups F and G. In Series 3, there was more of this condition at 8 weeks in group H than in either groups I or J. In group H, dermatosis was observed at 8 weeks on the bottom of the feet only, half the chicks having a cracked and padded condition to a greater or less degree. A few slightly
33
40 38 266 928 1,818 7.5 2,561 6,666
40
38 264 964 1,794 2.5
2,583 6,583 3.12 4.05 4.00 3.62 2.32 2.94
3.08 4.26
4.00 3.70
2.23 2.87
2.00 2 66
3.53 3.59
2.95 3.85
2,261 5,615
37 216 838 1,604 3.0
27.5% "screenings" 1
17.5% "screenings" 1
12.5% "screenings" 1
2.21 2.78
3.44 3.59
2.94 3.88
2,288 5,781
38 223 867 1,690 3.0
33
D
B W. bran
2.5% dr. sol.
D
C C-H Gr. oats
B
A
A-E W.bran Gr. oats
Series 1 F
G
—
—
2.00
—
.— 1.70
3.50
2.51
—
2,361
4.00
__
2.72
'—
2,674
0
—
— 10
37 211 807
10
42 267 789
10
2.5% 2.5% dr. sol. . dr. sol.
—
2.1
4.00
2.60
—
2,393
0
—
42 252 790
10
2.5% dr. sol.
A-E W. Bran 97.5% 97.5% Gr. oats Ration C-H Ration D
E
Series 2 H
—
—
1.5
—
3.33
2.15
1,984
10
—
42 175 764
10
17.5% "screenings" 1
C-H Gr. oats
"Screenings" as used here is corn distillers' dried grains. No solubles have been added. 2 Corrected for sex to male weights. * Feed efficiency—grams of feed per gram of gain was calculated from the total gain of chicks and the total feed consumed. * Pigmentation: 4 equals deep rich yellow color of shanks. 6 Graded on back feathering, 4 indicating full feathering, 0 the entire absence of feathering.
1
Number of chicks Mean weights:2 Initial (gms.) At 4 weeks (gms.) At 8 weeks (gms.) At 13 weeks (gms.) Percent mortality Mean feed consumption: To 8 weeks (gms.) To 13 weeks (gms.) Feed efficiency:3 At 8 weeks At 13 weeks Pigmentation: 4 At 8 weeks At 13 weeks Feathering: 6 At 8 weeks At 13 weeks
Ration Supplements:
Group Number
—
1.5
— '
3.80
_
2.10
—
2,188
0
—
37 224 855
10
5.0% dr.-sol.
95.0% Ration C-H
I
Series 3
—
2.0
—
3.50
—
2.28
—
2,393
0
—
37 232 863
10
10.0% dr. sol.
90.0% Ration C-H
J
TABLE 4.—Summary of results of growth, feed consumption, feed efficiency, pigmentation and feathering in experiment 1. Single Comb Rhode Island reds
o 2
>
> o
W W d
H
(SI
I-
< o1
55
I- 1 cn O
3
oo
283
CORN DISTILLERS' BY-PRODUCTS IN POULTRY RATIONS
TABLE 5.—Composition and analyses of rations. Summary of data on live weight, mortality, feed consumption per bird, feed efficiency, feathering and leg coloring of the various groups in experiment 2. White Plymouth Rocks \ Experimental groups
Ingredients Ground No. 2 yellow corn Alfalfa leaf meal Soybean oil meal Meat scraps (50% protein) Fish meal (60% protein) Ground limestone Salt and manganese Fortified cod liver oil (400 D , 1.000A) Distillers' dried solubles Dried skimmilk Wheat standard middlings Wheat bran Ground whole oats Corn dist. dried grains with solubles 8 Proximate analyses: Protein (NX6.25) Ether extract Crude fiber Ash Moisture Summary of data: Number of cockerels Number of pullets Wt. of mixed sexes at 4 wks.—gms. Wt. of mixed sexes at 8 wks.—gms. Wt. of mixed sexes at 12 wks.—gms. Wt. of mixed sexes at 12 wks.'—lbs. Percent mortality Av. feed consumed per bird—lbs. Feed required per pound of gain—lbs. Feathering at 12 weeks 3 Leg coloring at 12 weeks 8
A Control
B
C
D
E
F
F> Revised
percent 37.5 2.5 5.0 6.0 2.5 2.5 0.5 1.0
percent 37.5 2.5 5.0 6.0 2.5 2.5 0.5 1.0
percent 37.5 2.5 5.0 6.0 2.5 2.5 0.5 1.0
percent 37.5 2.5 ' 5.0 6.0 2.5 2.5 0.5 1.0
percent 37.5 2.5 5.0 6.0 2.5 2.5 0.5 1.0
percent 37.5 2.5 5.0 6.0 2.5 2.5 0.5 1.0
percent 52.5 2.5 5.0 6.0 2.5 2.5 0.5 1.0
„
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
15.0 15.0
—
15.0
—
—. — 15.0
— 10.0
10.0 15.0
10.0 15.0
— — — — 40.0
— — — — 25.0
17.17 4.86 5.15 6.80 9.89
19.50 5.44 4.60 7.57 9.76
20.09 5.61 4.82 7.56 9.00
20.06 5.58 5.87 7.71 8.87
25.30 6.35 4.40 6.97 8.21
21.44 7.49 5.50 7.84 7.00
24 26 318.1 858.3 1,391.7 3.06 2.0 11.80 3.85 3.00 3.00
25 25 324.8 933.7 1,531.1 3.37 2.0 11.60 3.44 3.00 3.00
26 24297.1 876.3 1,537.0 3.38 6.0 11.80 3.49 3.00 3.00
25 25 306.2 890.7 1,491.3 3.28 2.0 11.70 3.56 3.00 3.00
2.5 15.0 15.0 10.0
15.0 15.0 10.0
—
—
17.43 4.45 5.04 7.83 10.00 29 25 331.2 906.1 1,485.6 3.27 5.5 11.80 3.60 2.74 3.00
—
— •
20 30 267.3 821.4 1,492.0 3.28 4.0 10.9 3.32 2.65 3.00
1
F ration revised at 25 days because of excessive cannibalism. * "Grains" as used here refers to corn distillers' dried grains with solubles. 5 Feathering and leg color index—good =3, medium=2, poor = l.
crooked toes and breast bones were observed at all ages. No dermatosis was observed near the mouth or eyes of any chicks a t any time. The occurrence of the condition was more typical of biotin than of pantothenic acid deficiency in chicks. More work is needed with this phase of the experiment. EXPERIMENT 2. Methods. Day-old mixed-sex White Rock chicks were used. They were weighed, wing banded, and distributed at random in groups of 25. Electrically heated batteries were used until the chicks were four weeks old after which they were transferred to unheated finishing batteries. The room temperature was maintained at 75° to 80°F. for the first four weeks and was held at 70°F. from the fourth to the twelfth week. The com-
position and chemical analyses of the control and experimental rations are given in Table 5. Results. Growth. Data on the average weight of the chicks at 4, 8, and 12 weeks are given in Table 5. In ration F (Table 51) when corn distillers' grains with solubles was used to replace all the wheat bran, wheat middlings, and ground oats, growth and feathering were very poor. Feather pulling and cannibalism became so severe that at 25 days of age it was necessary to revise the ration in order to prevent the killing of all the chicks. Originally this ration contained 40 percent corn distillers' grains and 37.5 percent ground yellow corn. In the revised ration 15 percent of the corn distillers' grains were replaced by ground yellow corn making the ration 25
284
W. L.
NELSON,
F. E. Votz, R. T.
percent corn distillers' grains and 52.5 percent ground corn (Table 5). After this change, cannibalism and feather-pulling ceased and growth increased rapidly. At 12 weeks group F equalled the control group A in weight. Statistical analysis of the chick weights at 12 weeks by the method of Titus and Hammond (1935) revealed a significant difference between the cockerels in the control group A and the cockerels in group B. There was, however, no significant difference between the weights of the pullets in these groups. The 12-week weights of the remaining groups showed no significant difference on the part of either sex when compared with the control group. These growth results would indicate that corn distillers' grains with solubles and corn distillers' solubles can replace skimmilk and either wheat bran, wheat middlings, or ground whole oats in a growing ration for chicks. However, in a ration of relatively low protein content (17.17 percent) the cockerels showed a significantly lower weight gain when corn distillers' solubles replaced skimmilk pound for pound. When corn distillers' dried grains with solubles was used to replace all of the wheat bran, wheat middlings, and ground whole oats, an additional source of high energy feed, that is corn, was necessary to promote suitable growth. Even though the ration contained a high level of protein (25.3 percent) growth was poor until corn was substituted for part of the distillers' grains with solubles. Feed consumption and feed efficiency. The average feed consumption per chick to 12 weeks and the feed efficiency (pounds of feed required per pound of gain) are given in Table 5. The groups receiving corn distillers' grains with solubles showed a slightly increased efficiency of feed utilization over that of control group A. This is in confirmation of find-
PARKHURST, AND
L. R.
PARKINSON
ings reported by Shea, Fellers and Parkhurst (1941). The reason for the apparent greater efficiency of ration F (revised) is not clear. Feathering and pigmentation. Observations on feathering and leg color at 12 weeks are given in Table 5. Feathering was good in all groups except A and F. The slightly poorer feathering of the feT males in e roup A tended to lower its index. Group F contained several birds which were not completely feathered. This markedly decreased its index. In all groups, leg coloring was good at 12 weeks. EXPERIMENT 3. Methods. Day-old New Hampshire cockerels were used. They were wing banded, weighed, and placed at random in groups of 25 in electrically heated batteries. There were two groups of chicks fed each ration. The room temperature was maintained at 75° to 80°F. for the first four weeks after which the birds were transferred to unheated finishing batteries. The room temperature was then maintained at 70°F. and the relative humidity was controlled between 60 and 70 percent. These conditions were maintained throughout the experimental period of 10 weeks. The composition and chemical analyses of each ration are given in Table 6. The semi-solid distillers' solubles used in rations C, E, and G was the residue obtained by evaporating distillers' "thin slop" to the consistency of a syrup containing approximately 30 percent solids. This syrup was mixed with corn in a ratio of 8.9 pounds of syrup to 10 pounds of ground corn. The mixture was dried in a hot-air oven at a temperature of 175°F. This dried corn-semi-solid syrup mixture was used in rations C, E, and G so that the syrup contributed the same proportion of total solids to the ration as was furnished by distillers' dried solubles. The replacement of meat scraps and fish meal by soybean oil meal was made on
285
CORN DISTILLERS' BY-PRODUCTS IN POULTRY RATIONS
TABLE 6. Composition and analyses of rations. Summary of data on live weight, mortality, feed consumption per bird and feed efficiency in experiment 3. New Hampshire Red cockerels Experimental groups
Ingredient: Ground No. 2 yellow corn Alfalfa leaf meal Standard wheat middlings Wheat bran Corn dist. dried grains without solubles Limestone Salt and manganese Fortified cod liver oil (400 D, 1,000 A) Meat scraps (50% protein) Fish meal (60% protein) Soybean oil meal O. P. Distillers' dried solubles . Semi-solid distillers' solubles Dried skimmilk Proximate analyses: Protein (NX6.25) Ether extract Crude fiber Ash
Moisture Summary of data: Number of cockerels Av. weight at 4 weeks—grams Av. weight at 6 weeks—grams Av. weight at 8 weeks—grams Av. weight at 10 weeks—grams Av. weight at 10 weeks—-lbs. Percent mortality Av. feed consumed per bird—lbs. Feed required per pound of gain—lbs.
A Control
B
C
D
percent 52.5
percent 50.0
percent 50.0
percent 40.0
percent 40.0
percent 39.5
percent 39.5
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
6.0 2.5 5.0
6.0 2.5 5.0 5.0
6.0 2.5 5.0
23.5
—
23.5
21.5
—
21.5
— —
—. — — 5.0' —
—. —
— — . 7.5' —
21.65 5.45 4.80 5.50 8.90
21.75 5.76 5.20 5.20 7.90
21.30 5.60 5.10 5.40 9.60
20.50 5.45 5.00 5.24 10.80
5.0 7.5 5.0
2.5 0.5 1.0
— — 2.5 18.90 5.20 4.80 7.00 9.14
5.0 7.5 5.0
2.5 0.5 1.0
5.0 7.5 5.0
2.5 0.5 1.0
—. —
— 5.0 —
18.50 5.50 4.50 7.70 9.20
18.75 5.60 4.30 7.90 8.00
5.0 7.5 5.0
2.5 0.5 1.0
5.0
E
5.0 7.5 5.0
2.5 0.5 1.0
F
5.0 7.5 S.O
2.5 0.5 1.0
7.5
G
5.0 7.5 5.0
2.5 0.5 1.0
51
51
51
52
52
51
51
268.9 544.4 890.2 1,246.0 2.74 1.96 8.23 2.99
249.2 502.9 839.1 1,194.3 2.63 1.96 7.88 2.99
262.0 532.7 873.5 1,233.3 2.72 3.92 8.05 2.96
266.8 529.8 860.8 1,227.7 2.70 5.70 8.20 3.03
277.2 548.2 902.2 1,290.1 2.84 5.70 7.74 2.72
309.6 594.9 955.4 1,321.9 2.91 1.96 8.39 2.88.
285.6 559.1 920.4 1,259.5 2.77 3.92 7.73 2.79
1 The 5 percent semi-solid distillers' solubles represent the dry matter contained in 17.8 pounds of wet material. 7.5 percent solids are derived from 26.7 pounds of wet material.
a digestible protein equivalent basis. Dried skimmilk was replaced by distillers' dried solubles and semi-solid syrup on a riboflavin equivalent basis in groups B, C, D, and E; whereas in groups F and G, the distillers' dried solubles and semi-solid syrup were calculated to furnish one and a half times as much riboflavin. Adjustments in the protein levels of the rations were made by varying the percentages of corn and soybean oil meal. The actual percentages of crude protein in each ration as determined by the macro Kjeldahl method are given in Table 6. Results. Growth. Data on the average live weights of the chicks at 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks are given in Table 6. At 10 weeks, groups C, D, and G did not differ significantly in live weight from control group A; group B weighed significantly less and groups E and F significantly more than the control group.
That soybean oil meal plus distillers' by-products can successfully replace all the dried skimmilk, fish meal, and meat scraps in a broiler ration is indicated by the excellent weight gains of birds in groups D, E, F, and G. Significantly lower weight gains, however, were shown by birds in group B when distillers' dried solubles replaced skimmilk on an equal riboflavin basis. On the other hand, the birds in group C receiving the specially dried semi-solid syrup showed approximately the same weight gain as those in control group A. It is possible that the drum drying of distillers' solubles destroys, in part, some factor needed by the chick, but the evidence is not clear. Feed consumption and feed efficiency. The average feed consumption per chick to 10 weeks and the feed efficiency are given in Table 6. The chicks receiving rations E, F, and G showed the greatest
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W. L. NELSON, F. E. VOLZ, R. T. PARKHTJRST, AND L. R. PARKINSON
efficiency of feed utilization while those receiving ration D showed the least efficiency, and those receiving rations A, B, and C were about equal and intermediate. The apparent low efficiency of feed utilization shown by the birds receiving ration D is not reflected in group E which differs only by the use of the specially dried semisolid syrup. In all groups receiving the specially dried semi-solid syrup the number of pounds of feed required per pound of gain was slightly less than that required by comparable groups receiving dried distillers' solubles. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Corn distillers' dried grains without solubles were used satisfactorily in a starting and broiler ration to replace ground oats and dried solubles, but not wheat bran and dried distillers' solubles. When rations containing 2.5 percent dried solubles were fed, both wheat bran and ground oats and wheat bran alone were, effectively replaced. There was an indication that a factor present both in dried solubles and wheat bran, but absent, or of low value, in corn distillers' dried grains without solubles and ground oats is responsible for growth differences. The feed efficiency was somewhat improved by the inclusion of corn distillers' dried grains without solubles; the difference in pigmentation and feathering was negligible. Corn distillers' grains with solubles satisfactorily replaced dried skimmilk and wheat bran, wheat middlings or ground oats in a starting ration for chicks with an improvement in the feed efficiency. An additional source of energy was apparently needed for satisfactory growth when corn distillers' dried grains with solubles was used in place of all the wheat bran, wheat middlings, and ground oats. Soybean oil meal with corn distillers' by-products successfully replaced all the
dried skimmilk, fish meal, and meatscraps in the starting rations. Dried distillers' solubles did not replace dried skimmilk on an equal riboflavin basis. Dried semi-solid syrup, however, did replace dried skimmilk indicating that possibly some loss of nutritive value occurred during the production of dried solubles. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The assistance of Mr. Philip Smith, Chief of the laboratory of the Feed Control Service of the Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station and of Mrs. Shirley Ziffer of the Schenley Research Institute, Inc. is gratefully acknowledged by the authors. REFERENCES
Allman, R. T., and H. D. Branion, 1938. A preliminary investigation of the value of corn distillers' dried grains in chick rations. Sci. Agr. 18:700-707. D'Ercole, A. D., W. B. Esselen, Jr., and C. R. Fellers, 1939. The nutritive value of distillers' by-products. Poultry Sci. 38:89-95. Halpin, J. G., W. W. Cravens, and C. E. Holmes, 1942. Distillery residue not a good protein substitute. Wis. Agr. Exp. Sta. Annual Report, Bui. 455:14. Hodson, A. Z., and L. C. Norris, 1939. A fluorometric method for determining the riboflavin content of foodstuffs. J. Biol. Chem. 131:621-630. Shea, K. G., C. R. Fellers, and R. T. Parkhurst, 1941, Corn distillers' grains with solubles in poultry rations. I. Chick rations. Poultry Sci. 20: 527-535. Shull, G. M., B. L. Hutchins, and W. H. Peterson, 1942. A microbiological assay for biotin. J. Biol. Chem. 142:913-920. Synold, R. E., C. W. Carrick, Roy E. Roberts, and S. M. Hauge, 1942. Distillers' dried solubles as a vitamin supplement for chick rations. Poultry Sci. 21:478. ———; 1943. Distillers' dried solubles as a vitamin supplement in chick rations. Poultry Sci. 22:323329,336. Titus, H. W., and John C. Hammond, 1935. A method of analyzing the data of chick nutrition experiments. Poultry Sci. 14:164-173.