Co-product of corn ethanol in the feed of chicks in the initial rearing phase

Ethanol co-product in the diet of pullets

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate different levels of inclusion of dry distillers grains (DDG) of corn in the diet of chicks in the initial phase, raised in warm weather, on performance, thermoregulation and economic analysis. A total of 300 Hisex Brown birds with 1 to 4 weeks of age were used, distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments, six replications, and ten birds in each experimental unit. The corn DDG inclusion levels studied were 0%, 6%, 12%, 18% and 24%. Feed intake, weight gain, viability and thermoregulation of birds were evaluated. For the economic analysis, the productive indicator and the cost of the feed were evaluated. The means obtained from the parameters evaluated were submitted to analysis of variance at 5% probability. Subsequently, the effects of including the DDG were estimated through analysis using linear and quadratic regression models, according to the best fit obtained for each variable. Contrasts were tested by Dunnett's test at 5% probablity. For performance, there was a significant effect (p < 0.05) only for the weight gain of the birds, with the level of 6% inclusion of corn DDG being the best compared to other treatments. In thermoregulation, the data did not show a significant effect (p > 0.05) with the inclusion of corn DDG. For the economic analysis the level of 6% was maximized for the cost of the feed. In the initial phase of the birds, the level of up to 6% of inclusion of corn DDG is recommended, which did not affect the productivity data, in addition to being an economically viable food.