R. Bras. Zootec.12/Jun/2026;55:e20250134.
Performance responses of broilers fed diets containing high-protein dried distillers’ grains
Kelly Morais Maia Dias
, Carlos Henrique de Oliveira
, Ideraldo Luiz Lima
, Horacio Santiago Rostagno
, Brian Mike
, Wesley Cardoso Fernandes
, Arele Arlindo Calderano
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of high-protein dried distillers’ grains (HP-DDG) in broilers’ diets. A total of 1,200 one-day-old male chicks were weighed and distributed among six treatments, with ten replicates of 20 birds each. The experimental period was divided into three phases: starter (1–21 days), grower (21–33 days), and finisher (33–43 days). The treatments consisted of six dietary levels of HP-DDG in the starter, grower, and finisher phases as follows: T1: 0%; T2: 3, 5, and 7%; T3: 5, 7, and 9%; T4: 7, 9, and 11%; T5: 9, 11, and 13%; and T6: 11, 13, and 15%. Body weight (BW), BW gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured at 21, 33, and 43 days of age. In addition, carcass and cut yields were assessed at 43 days. Data were submitted to ANOVA and analyzed using Dunnett’s test (α = 0.05). In the starter phase, birds fed diets with 11% had lower BW (P = 0.032) and BWG (P = 0.029) than the control group. Overall performance from 1 to 33 days and from 1 to 43 days of age was not affected by HP-DDG levels (P>0.05). Carcass and cut yields at 43 days were not affected by HP-DDG (P>0.05). In conclusion, the gradual inclusion of HP-DDG in broiler diets up to 15% does not impair overall performance or carcass yield. However, inclusion levels should not exceed 9% during the starter phase to avoid initial growth loss.
Keywords: corn; ethanol coproducts; growth; HP-DDG; poultry; sustainability