Inclusion of NSP-hydrolysing enzymes in diets for broiler chicks containing increasing contents of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) / Einsatz von NSP-spaltenden Enzymen in Futterrationen für Broiler mit unterschiedlichen Trockenschlempegehalten (DDGS)

The objective of the current study was to determine the applicability of wheat-corn-distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) as protein source with and without non-starch polysaccharides (NSP)-hydrolyzing enzymes in diets of broiler chicks. In addition to the performance and carcass characteristics, the effect on energy parameters (energy intake per day, energy per kilogram feed), digestibility, as well as sensory aspects and fatty acid profile of breast meat were determined. In a 3×2-factorial approach, a total of 360 broiler chickens (Ross 308) were allocated to six treatment groups (8%, 16%, and 24% DDGS, with or without NSP-hydrolyzing enzymes). The zootechnical performance was not influenced by increasing DDGS concentrations over the whole fattening period, whereas supplementation of the NSP-hydrolyzing enzyme improved feed conversion ratio in the grower phase and increased average daily gain (ADG) in the finisher phase (p < 0.05). Energy and dry matter (DM) digestibility as well as apparent N retention did not differ between treatments. The substitution of soybean meal and corn with DDGS and vegetable oil showed a trend of increased tenderness of broiler breast meat. Nevertheless, the intramuscular amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids increased with increasing inclusion rate of DDGS and vegetable oil (p < 0.01).