Use of combinations of canola meal and distillers dried grains with solubles in broiler starter diets

The development of the fuel ethanol industry has resulted in large quantities of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). This can partially replace corn and soybean meal in broiler diets, but the amino acids in DDGS are not balanced. Canola meal (CM) is a good protein source with a high amino acid content, so the combined use of DDGS and CM may improve the amino acid balance. A study was conducted to evaluate the use of DDGS in combination with CM in broiler diets. In a 6 x 6 factorial arrangement, 1,080 one-day-old male broilers were randomly assigned to diets with 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25% DDGS of known composition; within each level of DDGS, diets contained 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25% CM from 0 to 18 d of age. Each treatment was replicated 6 times. Diets were formulated to meet digestible amino acid requirements and were fed as a 3.17-mm pellet. Body weight and feed consumption were measured at 18 d of age. In addition, feed bulk density and percentage of fines were evaluated. The DDGS and CM levels as well as their interaction significantly affected feed intake and BW (P < 0.05). Moreover, feed intake and BW declined dramatically with the increasing inclusion of CM. However, no significant difference was noted in FCR due to dietary DDGS and canola levels. Percentage of fines and diet bulk density were influenced significantly by dietary DDGS and CM levels as well as by their interaction. The percentage of fines increased with increasing combinations of DDGS and CM. However, the effect of dietary DDGS and canola concentrations on feed bulk density did not show a clear trend. By regression analysis, percentage of fines had a significant impact on feed intake and BW gain but failed to show any clear-cut relationship between bulk density and performance factors. Therefore, when DDGS and CM are used in combination, the total level of the 2 ingredients in the formulation should be considered.