The Selection Element in Whole Grain Feeding Regimes

Abstract

Seven dietary treatments consisting of a ground grain control and six treatments with pre- and post-pellet whole grain inclusions of 7.5, 15.0 and 30.0% were offered to a total of 252 male Ross 308 broiler chicks from 7 to 28 days post-hatch. With the post-pellet approach, whole grain and pelleted concentrate were offered in separate feed trays to give birds an unhindered opportunity to select between the two ration components. The 30% post-pellet whole grain treatment generated the most efficient feed conversion of 1.260 which represented an improvement of 7.01% (1.260 versus 1.365 P < 0.01) in comparison to the 30% pre-pellet counterparts. Also, 30% post-pellet whole wheat generated the greatest responses in AME and ME:GE ratios. Birds offered 30% post-pellet whole grain exhibited the strongest preference for a high protein diet, consuming proportionally more pelleted concentrate and less whole grain than the 7.5 and 15% post-pellet whole grain treatments. Thus, the opportunity of choice feeding and the selection of higher protein dietary intakes contributed to enhanced performance under whole grain feeding regimes.