December 5, 2007

Iowa researchers: Poultry feed can contain high DDGS levels

Researchers at Iowa State studied the use of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) as a feed ingredient for poultry.

A recent project showed that laying hen diets can be formulated with high amounts of corn DDGS without adversely affecting egg production and egg quality.

In the study, laying hens were fed a diet with up to 69 percent corn DDGS. Kristjan Bregendahl, assistant professor of poultry nutrition at Iowa State, explained that in the past, only reports of feeding 15 percent to 20 percent corn DDGS have been available.

Now, the research showed that poultry feed can contain high DDGS with no adverse effects on egg production or quality, as long as a nutritionally balanced diet is maintained, Bregendahl pointed.

The project involved 48 laying hens with diets containing 0, 23, 46 and 69 percent corn DDGS fed for eight weeks after a four-week transition period during which the dietary contents of corn DDGS were gradually increased.

Results indicate that egg production decreased as more DDGS was included in the ration. However, egg weight increased, so there was no significant change in overall egg output.

Feed consumption increased with higher levels of corn DDGS, which led to an increase in nitrogen and dry matter manure excretion.

Bregendahl said more research is needed with more hens to investigate potential long-term effects of feeding high levels of corn DDGS.