Author/Authors :
Dastar، B نويسنده Department of Animal and Poultry Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Science, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran , , Sabet Moghaddam، A نويسنده Department of Animal and Poultry Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Science, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran , , Shams Shargh، M نويسنده Department of Animal and Poultry Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Science, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran , , Hassani ، S نويسنده Department of Animal and Poultry Breeding & Genetics, Faculty of Animal Science, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran ,
Abstract :
An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of germinated barley (GB) on live performance and carcass traits in broiler chickens. The experiment lasted for 5 weeks starting from 7 days of age and ending at 42 days of age. Chicks (Ross 308) were fed six dietary treatments including a corn–soy diet (corn diet), a barley–soy diet (barley diet), a barley diet plus enzymes (enzyme barley diet), and 3 other diets in which GB was replaced with barley at levels of 33%, 66%, and 100% in the barley diet (33% GB diet, 66% GB diet, and GB diet, respectively). Data were analyzed in a completely randomized design. Results indicated that birds fed a barley diet had significantly lower performance than those fed other diets (P < 0.05). Supplementing of the barley diet with B-glucanase enzyme as well as replacing GB with barley improved the performance of broilers. Birds fed a GB diet had a significantly higher carcass yield those fed other diets (P < 0.05). The lowest abdominal fat percentage was observed in birds fed a barley diet or a corn diet. Thus, it is concluded that replacing GB with barley, especially at 33% level, is more effective than supplementing barley diets with B-glucanase enzyme in improving live performance of broiler chickens.
