The use of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) in poultry diets have historically been limited to five percent of the ration due to the lack of supply and pricing. However, since 2000, production of DDGS has increased over ten-fold due to the support and demand programs for the production of ethanol.
But, does DDGS have the poultry industry’s full support as well? That is the question Dr. Sheila Scheideler, University of Nebraska raised at Alltech’s 26th International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium in Lexington, Ky. In her presentation “Dried Distillers Grains- Opportunities and Strategies to Maximize Profitability,” Scheideler examined several benefits UNL has seen with the protein and energy source.
“One of the most promising benefits to confirmed poultry production is a decrease in ammonia production in poultry manure,” Scheideler said.
Other benefits include increased xanthophyllus levels for pigmentation, nutrition benefits of leftover yeast cell from fermentation and some potential antibiotic residual action.
There are also serious challenges to increasing DDGS in poultry diets:
1.Moisture level- DDGS tends to be very hydroscopic creating transportation difficulties
2.Consistency of nutrient values
3.Concentration of mycotoxins when high in corn crops
In response to finding a more optimum nutrient value, the University of Nebraska has recently examined the use of enzymes in DDGS. “With increasing corn prices, the interest in using higher amounts of DDGS with enzyme supplementation in poultry diets has recently escalated,” Scheideler said.
In their recent trial, laying hens were fed five levels of DDGS- 0, 10, 20, 30 or 40 percent- with or without the enzyme treatment (Allzyme® SSF from Alltech) in a factorial arrangement. The diets containing 0 percent enzyme were formulated to provide 2875 Kcal/kg ME, 16.75 percent protein, 0.88 percent lysine and 0.44 percent methionine whereas the diets containing 0.02 percent enzyme were formulated to provide 2800 Kcal/kg ME, and the same level of protein and amino acids. The enzyme treatments were substituted with 75 Kcal/kg ME, 0.1 percent calcium and 0.1 percent phosphorus for the enzyme value.
The results showed that feeding DDGS up to 30 percent did not affect hen weight, egg weight and egg production parameters compared to the control diets (0 percent DDGS). The researchers also found that feeding Allzyme® SSF had an economical benefit of $8 per ton and feeding 30 percent DDGS has an economical benefit of $64/ton of feed compared to the basal diet (0 percent).
Also treatments supplemented with Allzyme®SSF enzyme, which were lower in 75 Kcal/kg ME, 0.1 percent calcium and 0.1 percent phosphorus, supported equal egg production, egg weight, egg mass and egg production parameters compared to treatments without the enzyme.
“Distillers dried grains with solubles are a good and economical feedstuff for layer rations,” Scheideler concluded. “However, the use of feed additives such as enzymes and/or a mycotoxin adsorbent may be necessary when utilizing high levels of DDGS in poultry diets to maximize profitability.”
Editor’s Note: This commentary is sponsored by Alltech. Through 29 years of research-driven product development, Alltech has created a range of natural solutions for the feed and food industries. For more information, please visit the Web sites at www.alltech.com.
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