Effect of biological corn stover replacing partial corn meal on production performance, nutrient metabolic rates and carcass characteristics of broilers

• Published in: Indian journal of animal research Vol. 49; no. 4; pp. 474 - 481
• Main Authors: Chang, J, Zhang, Q.G, Yang, H.J, Yin, Q.Q, Wang, P, Wang, Q.W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Agricultural Research Communication Centre 01.08.2015
• Subjects: Biological corn stover; Broilers; Carcass characteristics; Nutrient metabolic rates; Production performance
• ISSN: 0367-6722; 0976-0555
• DOI: 10.5958/0976-0555.2015.00122.3

In order to increase nutritive values of corn stover, steam explosion and microbial fermentation were used together to make biological corn stover (BCS) for replacing partial corn meal in broiler diet. The experiments were assigned to 5 groups. Group 1 was the control, group 2–4 was added with 4%, 8% and 12% BCS for replacing the same amount of corn meal, group 5 was the same as group 3 except for its ME level adjusted. The results indicated that inclusion of BCS in young broiler diets decreased average daily gain (ADG) and increased feed conversion rate (FCR) significantly (P<0.05); however, most parameters such as ADG, FCR, nutrient metabolic rates and carcass characteristics had no significant changes among 5 groups for the elder broilers (P>0.05). It could be concluded that 4–8% BCS in diets as an alternative grain source was optimal for elder broiler production.