Research Article
Reza Aghabeigi, Sima Moghaddas
Abstract
Brewer's spent grain (BSG) is the main waste product from beer production in the most countries; it is often given away and/or used as feed for ruminants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a gradual replacement of soybean meal with BSG on performance and protein digestibility in broiler chickens. Six diets were formulated in which 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% BSG replaced soybean meal. A total of 144 Ross-308 broiler chickens divided into 24 pens, and each experimental diet was fed to11-d-old broiler chickens kept in 4 pens. Feed intake, body weight gain and feed: gain ratio were determined for grower (11-24 d), finisher (25-42 d) phases and the overall period of breeding (11-42 d). The ileal protein digestibility was recorded on samples slaughtered at the termination of experiment (d 42), Feed utilization was affected by BSG inclusion only at finisher phase (P<0.05). Feed intake value in control (0% BSG) and 5% BSG groups was greater than that in other groups. Body weight gain in group fed diet with 25% BSG was less than others at grower phase, and feed efficiency was low for this group (P<0.001). Feed: gain ratio was not affected by BSG inclusion at the finisher phase (24-42 d). The ileal digestibility values of protein were significantly increased by some levels of BSG inclusion (P<0.01). To conclude 20% inclusion of BSG at 11-24 d and 5% inclusion of BSG at 25-42 d supports acceptable performance in the broiler chickens.