The Performance, thermoregulation and economic viability of brown-egg laying hens fed diets with corn distillers dried grains in the pre-laying phase

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate different levels of corn distillers dried grains (DDG) in the diet of brown-egg laying hens in the pre-laying phase on performance, thermoregulation, and economic analysis. A total of 240 laying hens of the Hisex Brown lineage, aged 16 to 18 weeks, were used, six replications and eight birds per experimental unit, distributed in a completely randomized design. Performance parameters, feed intake, weight gain, body weight, and feed conversion ratio were evaluated. A termorregulação foi avaliada por meio da temperatura retal (°C), temperatura corporal média (°C) e temperatura cutânea média (°C). In the economic analysis, the cost of feed (R$) and the productive indicator were evaluated. In the feed intake (g/bird/day), weight gain (g/bird), body weight (kg/bird) and feed conversion (kg/kg) there was a significant difference (P<0.05) between the levels of inclusion. There was no significant difference on the physiological variables related to the thermoregulation (p > 0.05) of the birds. Feed cost and yield indicator decreased linearly (p < 0.05) as a function of the increase in DDG levels in the diets. Increasing levels of corn DDG up to 8% reduces feed costs, however, it is not recommended to use it in the diet of brown-egg laying hens in the pre-laying phase, due to the losses caused in the productive and economic performance.