Effect of dietary inclusion of rice distillers dried grains with solubles (rDDGS) on growth performance and production efficiency of Kuroiler chicken

Abstract

Rice Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (rDDGS) is a by-product of ethanol production which is used as alternative protein source in the poultry diet. Present investigation was conducted to assess the growth performance and production efficiency in Kuroiler chickens. Feeding trial was designed into four dietary groups, viz. T0 (Control, without rDDGS), T1 (7.5% rDDGS), T2 (15% rDDGS) and T3 (22.5% rDDGS) in different treatment groups along with basal corn soybean diet. Significant variations from 2nd to 8th weeks of age for body weight were found in all the dietary groups. Body weight gain differed significantly from 1st to 5th weeks among all the groups, however, overall (1-56d) body weight gain was found highest in T2 group (1640.29 g) followed by T1 (1572.52 g), T0 (1534.01 g) and T3 (1466.75 g). Feed intake showed significant variation from 2nd to 6th weeks of age. Maximum feed intake during entire length of trial was observed in the dietary group T2 and lowest in T3. Feed conversion ratio, feed conversion efficiency and protein efficiency ratio were not influenced significantly by feeding rDDGS. Hence, inclusion of rDDGS may be suggested as an alternate protein source and can replace soybean meal up to 15% without any detrimental effect on health and productivity.