日粮蛋白质水平时黄羽鹌鹑饲料消化率及肠道菌群的影响

试验旨在了解日粮粗蛋白质水平对黄羽鹌鹑饲料消化率及肠道菌群的影响。以粗蛋白质水平分别为:17.75%、19.95%、21.85%、24.08%的日粮作为4个处理,选用35日龄蛋用黄羽鹌鹑120只作为试验动物,完全随机地分为4组,每组3个重复,每个重复10只。试验预试期10d,正试期30d,采用全收粪法进行消化试验,为分析不同的日粮蛋白质水平对黄羽鹌鹑营养物质消化率和粗蛋白利用率的影响。消化试验结束时,每个重复随机抽取2只,每处理抽取6只鹌鹑,处死后取盲肠内容物检测大肠杆菌、乳酸菌和双歧杆菌的数量,分析日粮蛋白质水平对黄羽鹌鹑肠道菌群的影响。试验结果表明:不同蛋白质水平的处理,对粗纤维的消化率影响不显著(P>0.05);而对粗脂肪和总有机物的消化率有显著影响(P<0.05);且对粗蛋白质利用率有显著影响(P<0.05);大肠杆菌和双歧杆菌随日粮蛋白质水平的提高有下降的趋势,而乳酸杆菌则有上升的趋势,但均没有达到显著水平(P>0.05)。从本研究结果可以看出,日粮粗蛋白水平对黄羽鹌鹑饲料消化率有显著影响,对肠道菌群影响不显著。     

日龄对饲喂无抗生素日粮肉仔鸡营养素利用率的影响

本试验选用96只1日龄AA肉公鸡,设6个重复,每个重复16只鸡。以低磷、低蛋白玉米-去皮豆粕为基础日粮(不含抗生素),添加500PTU/kg植酸酶、0.5g/kg复合酶、3g/kg果寡糖和1g/kg益生素,配制成无抗生素日粮,饲喂3周。分别于1～3、4～5、7、10、14、21日龄收集粪样,用酸不溶灰分法测定营养素表观利用率。结果表明:0～3周龄肉仔鸡总能、粗蛋白质和总磷的表观利用率普遍随日龄的增加而增加,总能和粗蛋白质的表观利用率分别在14日龄和10日龄达到峰值,总磷的表观利用率在21日龄仍有增加的趋势。     

1～21日龄快大型黄羽肉鸡低蛋白质饲粮氨基酸平衡模式

本试验旨在研究低蛋白质饲粮氨基酸平衡模式对黄羽肉鸡生产性能、氮利用率、血浆生化指标的影响.选用1日龄健康快大型黄羽肉鸡公雏252只,根据体重相近原则,随机分为7个组,每个组6个重复,每个重复6只鸡,对照组粗蛋白质和氨基酸含量均符合饲养标准需要量;低蛋白质组粗蛋白质含量降低3％,添加赖氨酸、蛋氨酸、苏氨酸、色氨酸和异亮氨酸,使其必需氨基酸含量与对照组相同;其余5个组根据扣除法原理,依次按照饲养标准中赖氨酸、蛋氨酸、色氨酸、苏氨酸及异亮氨酸水平扣除20％,其余氨基酸含量保持不变,分别为低蛋白质-赖氨酸组、低蛋白质-蛋氨酸组、低蛋白质-色氨酸组、低蛋白质-苏氨酸组和低蛋白质-异亮氨酸组.试验期21 d.结果表明:1)各组与对照组相比平均日增重、平均日采食量、料重比均无显著差异(P＞0.05),其中低蛋白质-赖氨酸组平均日增重最高,料重比最低.2)低蛋白质-蛋氨酸组和低蛋白质-色氨酸组血浆总蛋白含量显著低于对照组(P＜0.05).低蛋白质-蛋氨酸组血浆白蛋白含量显著低于对照组、低蛋白质组、低蛋白质-赖氨酸组、低蛋白质-苏氨酸组、低蛋白质-异亮氨酸组(P＜0.05).低蛋白质-色氨酸组与低蛋白质-异亮氨酸组血浆尿素氮含量显著高于对照组、低蛋白质-赖氨酸组(P＜0.05).3)所有组排泄物中氮含量显著低于对照组(P＜0.05).低蛋白质-赖氨酸组、低蛋白质-苏氨酸组氮存留率显著高于对照组(P＜0.05).4)所有组赖氨酸、异亮氨酸、苯丙氨酸、缬氨酸存留率均显著高于对照组(P＜0.05).低蛋白质-异亮氨酸组蛋氨酸、精氨酸存留率显著高于对照组(P＜0.05).低蛋白质组、低蛋白质-赖氨酸组、低蛋白质-色氨酸组、低蛋白质-异亮氨酸组和低蛋白质-苏氨酸组的苏氨酸、亮氨酸、酪氨酸存留率显著高于对照组(P＜0.05).综合以上结果得到,1～21日龄快大型黄羽肉鸡低蛋白质饲粮(粗蛋白质含量为17.51％)中赖氨酸∶蛋氨酸∶苏氨酸∶色氨酸∶异亮氨酸的适宜比例为100∶(44～ 55)∶72∶(18～23)∶(54～72).     

绝食法与无氮饲粮法测定黄羽肉鸡内源性氨基酸排泄量及变异的比较研究

本试验旨在通过比较黄羽肉鸡在绝食和无氮饲粮条件下内源性氨基酸排泄量及其变异的差别,为鸡饲料可利用氨基酸评定中内源性氨基酸的测定提供参考。采用单因素完全随机设计,选择18周龄健康、体重基本一致的黄羽肉鸡72只,随机分成3组,每组6个重复,每个重复4只鸡。分4个批次重复测定绝食、强饲25 g无氮饲粮、强饲40 g无氮饲粮时内源性氨基酸排泄量。结果表明:绝食组、25 g无氮饲粮组、40 g无氮饲粮组内源性氨基酸排泄量依次显著增加(P<0.05)。在内源性氨基酸排泄量的变异上,绝食条件下,4个测定批次间17种内源性氨基酸排泄量的总变异系数在9.74%～19.99%,其中批内变异系数在9.97%～16.88%,批间变异系数在2.58%～16.23%,4个测定批次间内源性苏氨酸、胱氨酸、丝氨酸、脯氨酸排泄量有显著性差异(P<0.05)。强饲25 g无氮饲粮条件下,4个测定批次间17种内源性氨基酸排泄量的总变异系数在17.77%～31.33%,其中批内变异系数在14.99%～28.80%,批间变异系数在3.89%～17.04%,4个测试批次间内源性精氨酸、甘氨酸、脯氨酸排泄量差异显著(P<0.05)。强饲40 g无氮饲粮条件下,4个测定批次间17种内源性氨基酸排泄量的总变异系数在16.23%～33.39%,其中批内变异系数在17.15%～33.82%,批间变异系数在4.19%～16.29%,4个测试批次间内源性异亮氨酸和苯丙氨酸排泄量差异显著(P<0.05)。由此可见,内源性氨基酸排泄量随强饲量的增加而增加,强饲25与40 g无氮饲粮条件下的内源性氨基酸排泄量的变异系数非常接近,且都大于绝食条件下内源性氨基酸排泄量的变异。     

饲粮能量水平对0～21日龄黄羽肉鸡生产性能、胴体品质和体组成的影响

本试验选用600羽0日龄岭南黄雏鸡随机分为5组，每组120只，公母各半并分栏饲养，饲粮代谢能水平分别为11．88，12.19,12.92,13.22和13.60MJ／kg，粗蛋白水平为21％，其他营养成分各组基本一致，试验期21日，结果表明，黄羽肉鸡公雏饲粮代谢能水平≥12．19MG/kg的各组晶产重显著高于11．88MJ/kg水平组（P＜0．05），料重比显著低于11．88MJ／kg水平组（P＜0．05），黄羽肉鸡母雏饲粮代谢能水平≥12．02MJ/kg的各组日增重显著高于11．88，12．19MJ/kg水平组（P＜0．05），料重比显著低于11．88MJ/kg水平组（P＜0．05），黄羽肉鸡公雏13．60MJ/kg，代谢能水平组腹脂重，腹脂重占活重比例和腹脂重占净体重比例都显著高于其余4组（P＜0．05），黄羽肉鸡公雏13．22和13．60MJ/kg代谢能水平组体蛋白含量极显著低于11．88，12．19MJ/kg水平组（P＜0．01），黄羽肉鸡母雏11．88Mj/kg水平组体脂肪含量显著低于其余四组（P＜0．05），体蛋白含量显著高于其余四组（P＜0．05），灰分含量极显著高于12.92,13.22和13.60MJ/kg代谢能水平组（P＜0．01）。     

黄羽肉鸡肠道健康及营养调控研究进展

饲料中禁用抗生素降低了对肉鸡肠道内病原微生物的控制,肠道健康容易受损。通过对绿色安全添加剂的研究和饲粮营养调控技术改善肠道健康成为肉鸡养殖的新课题。本文针对黄羽肉鸡肠道健康及营养调控技术,系统地综述了饲粮氨基酸、微量元素、益生菌、酶制剂以及植物提取物调控黄羽肉鸡肠道健康的研究进展,以期进一步推动无抗养殖技术的开发与应用,为我国肉鸡产业安全、高效和高质量的健康发展提供参考。     

22～42日龄和43～63日龄快大型黄羽肉鸡低蛋白质饲粮氨基酸平衡模型研究

本试验旨在研究建立黄羽肉鸡22～42日龄和43～63日龄氨基酸平衡模型,为低蛋白质饲粮配制技术提供科学依据.2个阶段的饲养试验分别选用22和43日龄、健康、发育良好的快大型黄羽肉鸡公鸡各168只,根据体重相近原则随机分为7个组,每组6个重复,每个重复4只鸡.正常对照(SD)组为标准组,低蛋白质(LP)组的粗蛋白质水平降...     

1～21日龄快大型黄羽肉鸡饲粮粗蛋白质需要量

本试验旨在研究快大型黄羽肉鸡的粗蛋白质需要量,为快大型黄羽肉鸡营养需要和生长提供参考依据.试验选取1 500只1日龄快大型黄羽肉鸡,采用2(性别)×5(粗蛋白质水平)试验设计,共10个处理,每个处理3个重复,每个重复50只鸡.5个饲粮粗蛋白质水平分别为18.0％、19.5％、21.0％、22.5％、24.0％,试验期21 d.结果表明:以生长性能、蛋白质沉积率为评价指标时,得到的公、母鸡最适饲粮粗蛋白质需要量一致,为21.0％;以胴体品质为评价指标,确定公、母鸡最适饲粮粗蛋白质需要量分别为19.5％和21.0％;以血清尿酸含量为评价指标时,确定公、母鸡最适饲粮粗蛋白质需要量分别为21.0％和22.5％.对生长性能等指标数据进行回归分析,得到1～21日龄快大型黄羽肉鸡最适饲粮粗蛋白质需要量为20.6％ ～21.6％.综合评价各指标,本试验确定1～21日龄快大型黄羽肉鸡公、母鸡饲粮粗蛋白质需要量均为21.0％,公、母鸡的每日粗蛋白质需要量分别为6.04和5.52 g.性别因素不影响1～21日龄快大型黄羽肉鸡的饲粮粗蛋白质需要量,但影响每日的粗蛋白质需要量.     

小麦型日粮中添加不同酶制剂对黄羽肉鸡生长性能的影响研究

本试验研究了小麦型日粮中添加不同酶制剂对黄羽肉鸡生长性能的影响。试验选取3600只快大型1日龄黄羽肉鸡,随机分为6个组,每组6个重复,每个重复100只鸡。试验分为6个组:A组为玉米-豆粕型日粮组(作为正对照组);B组为玉米-小麦-豆粕型日粮组(作为负对照组);C、D、E、F组为在负对照组基础上分别添加250g/t酶制剂产品Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ,试验为期51天,分1-21日龄与22-51日龄两个阶段。试验结果表明:21日龄日增重最小的是负对照组,分别比正对照组、试验C、D、E低4.32%、6.50%、4.62%、2.49%,均差异显著(P0.05),增重最大的为C组。从整个生长期来看,日增重最低的是负对照组,比试验C组低3.05%,差异显著(P0.05)。日增重最高的是C组,但与其他酶制剂添加组的D、E、F组之间无显著性差异(P0.05)。     

22～42日龄黄羽肉鸡饲粮代谢能需求参数的研究

为研究不同性别22～42日龄黄羽肉鸡饲粮代谢能需求参数,用1600只21日龄岭南黄鸡进行了试验。采用2(性别)×5(代谢能水平)因子试验设计,通过向玉米—豆粕型基础日粮中添加不同剂量植物油、沸石粉和玉米芯粉,配制成5种含不同代谢能水平的试验饲粮,代谢能水平分别设置为:11.715、12.134、12.552、12.970、13.389MJ/kg。试验期21天,通过观测饲粮代谢能水平对试鸡生长性能、胴体品质、空体成分、能量和粗蛋白质沉积率、肌肉脂肪含量以及部分血液生化指标的影响,确定不同性别22～42日龄黄羽肉鸡饲粮代谢能需求参数。试验结果表明:在本试验条件下,根据不同评价指标确定的22～42日龄黄羽肉鸡饲粮代谢能需求参数略有不同,雌、雄黄羽肉鸡的最适饲粮代谢能水平基本一致。以生长性能为评价指标时,雌、雄试鸡结果一致,为12.958MJ/kg;以胴体品质和能量、粗蛋白质沉积率为评价指标时,得到的结果一致,为12.122MJ/kg;根据试鸡血清胆固醇、甘油三酯和尿素氮浓度确定的结果一致,为12.540MJ/kg;以空体成分为评价指标时,得到的雌、雄试鸡最适饲粮代谢能水平分别为12.540和12.958MJ/kg;以肌肉脂肪含量为评价指标,确定雌、雄试鸡饲粮代谢能最适需要量分别为12.540和12.122MJ/kg。综合考虑本试验根据不同判据指标得到的结果,确定     

Influence of dietary enzyme complex on the performance of broilers fed on diets with and without antibiotic supplementation

1. The aim of the experiment was to test the possible interactions of an enzyme complex and a food antibiotic on the growth and metabolism, carcase yield, whole body composition and nutrient deposition in broilers. The basal diet contained 400 g/kg barley. The four treatments were as follows: O—without supplements (control), E—enzyme complex Roxazyme® G, 200 mg/kg, A—antibiotic avoparcin, 10 mg/kg, EA—Roxazyme G, 200 mg/kg plus avoparcin, 10 mg/kg.

2. Roxazyme G positively influenced weight gain, food conversion efficiency, energy metabolisability, fat and nitrogen utilisation and the dry matter content of droppings. Fat and energy deposition in the whole body were also increased, whereas protein deposition and carcase yield were not influenced.

3. Avoparcin increased energy metabolisability and fat utilisation, but had no influence on nitrogen utilisation. No significant improvements from avoparcin were seen in growth or in nutrient deposition in the body. The fibre degradability (NDF and ADF fraction) was significantly depressed by antibiotic supplementation.

4. The inclusion of both supplements to the diet did not have a fully additive effect on growth, energy metabolisability, or fat and nitrogen utilisation. The interaction between enzyme and antibiotic for food conversion efficiency during the first experimental period (7 to 21 d) was nearly significant (P= 0.053). Except for fibre degradability (P ≤ 0.01), no other significant interactions between enzyme and antibiotic were found.     

Utilization of alternative protein meals with or without multiple-enzyme supplementation in broilers fed low-energy diets

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of different protein meals, with or without enzyme supplementation, on the performance of broilers. A diet based on a combination of protein meals (15% soybean meal, and 5% each of sunflower meal, canola meal, rapeseed meal, and cottonseed meal) was compared with 4 other diets containing 15% soybean meal and 20% of sunflower meal, canola meal, rapeseed meal, or cottonseed meal. Experimental diets were formulated to contain 2,630 kcal of ME/kg and 0.95% digestible lysine, with all other essential amino acids set to meet or exceed the ideal protein ratios. Each diet was fed with or without supplemental exogenous enzyme (Rovabio Excel at 500 g/metric ton of feed) to 6 replicate pens of 50 chicks from 1 to 35 d posthatch as coarse mash. In the cottonseed meal-based diet, supplemental enzyme resulted in high 35-d feed intake and FCR compared with the cottonseed meal-fed groups with no enzyme. There was a significant (P < 0.05) diet × enzyme interaction for 35-d feed intake and FCR. Birds fed the sunflower meal-based diet had significantly (P < 0.05) higher final BW gain and lower FCR as compared with those fed rapeseed meal- or cottonseed meal-based diets, whereas the BW gain of birds fed the rapeseed meal-based diet was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced compared with birds in all other groups. In conclusion, in low-ME broiler diets formulated on a digestible amino acid basis, up to 20% sunflower meal and canola meal can be safely incorporated into the diet. Supplementation of Rovabio failed to exert any positive effect on production parameters when used with diets containing high levels of each of the common protein meals.     

The energy value of biodiesel glycerine products fed to broilers at different ages

The objective of this study was to determine the apparent metabolisable energy corrected for nitrogen balance (AMEn) of some products containing glycerine from soybean oil (GOIL), a mixture of frying oil and lard (GMIX) and a semi‐purified process (GSP) in broilers of different ages (10, 20, 30 and 40 days post‐hatching), using two methodologies. In trial 1, the basal diets were replaced with 100 g/kg of each studied glycerine product and the diets were supplied ad libitum. Three hundred broilers were used in five replicates, with five, four, three and three animals per cage in each age group, respectively. The AMEn was calculated for each experimental unit. In trial 2, dietary treatments included the addition of glycerine at 0, 40, 80 or 120 g/kg for each crude glycerine product, with 900 broilers in six replicates, using the same number of animals per cage as described in trial 1. Depending on the experimental unit, the feeding was restricted in 88%, 92%, 96% and 100% of estimated intake according to the Cobb guide. The AMEn was determined using linear regression between the feed intake and the AMEn of each diet. In both trials, the total excreta collection method was used. Because of the chemical composition, GMIX was not considered crude glycerine. The mean AMEn values of the products were 20.55 MJ/kg, 15.80 MJ/kg and 15.05 MJ/kg for GMIX, GSP and GOIL, respectively. There was a linear decrease (p < 0.01) in the AMEn values with the increasing age of the broilers. Numerically, it was observed that the AMEn values decreased until 28–30 day post‐hatching and then remained constant until the finishing phase. It is concluded that products containing glycerine can be used as an energy source for broilers, but that AMEn values can vary according to age. Younger broilers have a higher capacity of energy utilisation from these feedstuffs.     

Assessment of dietary zinc requirement of weaned piglets fed diets with or without microbial phytase

Fifty-four pigs, weaned at 26 days of age at an average body weight of 7.74 kg were used in a 26-day experiment to assess the zinc requirement of piglets, using diets based on maize and soybean meal, with or without microbial phytase. The nine experimental diets were the basal diet containing 33 mg of zinc/kg supplemented with 10, 25, 40, 60 or 80 mg of zinc as sulphate (ZnSO(4), 7H(2)O)/kg and the basal diet supplemented with 0, 10, 25 or 40 mg of zinc as sulphate/kg and 700 units (U) of microbial phytase (Natuphos)/kg. Pigs were fed the basal diet for a 7-day adjustment period prior to the 19-day experimental period. Microbial phytase enhanced plasma alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity, plasma zinc and bone zinc concentrations. These parameters increased linearly with zinc intake, with a similar slope with and without phytase. The response of bone zinc-to-zinc added did not plateau. Without microbial phytase, plasma AP activity and zinc concentration were maximized when dietary zinc reached 86 and 92 mg/kg respectively. With microbial phytase they were maximized when dietary zinc concentration reached 54 and 49 mg/kg respectively. Accounting for a safety margin, the recommended supply of zinc for weaned piglets up to 16 kg fed maize-soybean meal diets supplemented with zinc as sulphate is thus of 100-110 mg/kg diet. This supply may be reduced by around 35 mg if the diet is supplemented with 700 U of microbial phytase.     

Effects of microbial phytase on growth and mineral utilisation in broilers fed on maize soyabean-based diets.

1. A 3-week feeding trial with 96 sexed d-old broiler chickens was conducted to examine the effects of microbial phytase supplementation (Natuphos 5000) at 2 dietary energy concentrations on their performance, and the utilisation of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca) and zinc (Zn) and on tibiae ash, Ca, P and Zn concentrations. Four replicate pens (6 birds per pen) of a completely randomised design were used in a 2x2 factorial arrangement of treatments with 2 contents of metabolisable energy (11.72 and 12.55 MJ ME/kg) and 2 additions of phytase (0 and 500 U of microbial phytase/kg). 2. Phytase supplementation significantly improved the utilisation of N, P, Ca and Zn (as a percentage of intake) and increased the concentration of Ca and Zn in the tibiae (P<0.05) because of higher intakes of dry matter, N, P, Ca and Zn. Phytase also significantly reduced the amount of P in the excreta (P<0.05). 3. The AME content of the diet influenced significantly (P<0.05) the excretion of N, P, Ca and Zn and the concentration of P and Ca in tibiae with the birds fed on the high AME diet excreting more minerals and having a smaller percentage of these minerals in their tibiae. However, there were strong interactions between phytase addition and AME in tibia ash and P, with the phytase supplementation producing a higher ash content at the higher AME a and a lower P content at the lower AME.     

酵母培养物对饲喂霉变玉米日粮肉仔鸡肠壁结构和肠道菌群影响的研究

选择1日龄健康AA肉仔鸡225只,随机分配到5个处理组中,每个处理3个重复,每个重复15只。5个处理组分别为:基础日粮组、霉变玉米日粮组、霉变玉米+0.15%酵母培养物组、霉变玉米+0.30%酵母培养物组、霉变玉米+0.45%酵母培养物组,研究结果显示,酵母培养物能够有效改善由于食入霉变玉米日粮引起的小肠结构和盲肠菌群数量的负面影响。     

不同产地DDGS在黄羽肉鸡上的生物学效价比较研究

试验旨在比较不同产地DDGS在黄羽肉鸡上的生物学效价。试验选用9个不同产地的DDGS,并对其总能(GE)、粗蛋白(CP)和氨基酸(AA)进行测定。随后选用25日龄的黄羽肉鸡(优麻)200只,随机分为10个处理,每个处理10个重复,每个重复2只鸡。采用套算法和全收粪法测定9个产地DDGS的表观代谢能(AME)、CP和AA代谢率。结果表明,试验用DDGS在黄羽肉鸡上的平均AME为12.43 MJ/kg,RSD为11.14%,以协A最高,莱芜最低(P0.05);试验用DDGS在黄羽肉鸡上的平均CP代谢率为77.98%,RSD为8.22%,各产地差异不显著(P0.05);试验用DDGS在黄羽肉鸡上的AA代谢率(AAA)RSD大于10%的AA有6种,且AAA占前三位的个数排序为:海美A莱芜安A=柠檬协A美B=安B协B。由此可见,不同产地DDGS在黄羽肉鸡上的生物学效价不同,其中以协A的AME最高,海的AAA最好。     

Performance of broilers fed on diets containing cooked potato flake

The chemical analysis of dried cooked potato flake suggests that the material might be used in diets for broilers. Starter and finisher diets containing 0, 10, 20 and 40% potato flake in place of maize meal were formulated, and fed ad libitum in pellet form to broilers. Performance of the birds and characteristics of the pellets were measured.

The performances of birds given diets containing 0, 10 and 20% potato were similar. Birds given the diet containing 40% potato grew at a slower rate, ate less food but converted food as efficiently as birds receiving other diets.

Wetness of the litter and hardness of the pellets both increased as the proportion of potato in the diet increased, and these are suggested as the main factors limiting the proportion of potato used in the diet. It is proposed that these factors may be overcome by attention to the litter and by feeding diets containing potato in smaller sized particles.     

Growth of broilers fed on diets containing dried poultry manure

Sixty 7‐d‐old male broiler chicks were housed in individual metabolism cages and offered one of six purified diets for 14 d. The diets were formulated to have the same ME contents but had different nitrogenous supplements: diet A, was the basal diet, containing PRG essential amino acid (EAA) mixture equivalent to 15 g N/kg; B, basal+12% glutamic acid (GA); C, basal plus EAA mixture equivalent to EAA content of 20.09% DPM; D, basal + EAA+12% GA; E, basal + 20.09% autoclaved DPM; F, basal + 20.09% unautoclaved DPM. The rank order of final body weights at 21 d of chicks fed on these diets were D(292 g) > B(258 g), (F254 g), E(253 g) > C(206 g) > A(180 g), (P<0.05). Chicks fed on diet C had better food conversion efficiencies (FCE) than those fed on diet A (0.449 and 0.374 respectively) and D was better than B (0.592 and 0.533 respectively).

In a second experiment, carried out under field trial conditions using commercial‐type diets formulated to contain DPM, 24 groups, each of about 40 male or female broiler chicks, were given diets containing 0% (P) or 5% (Q) DPM from 1 d of age for 4 weeks. From 4 to 8 weeks one of three diets with 0% (R), 5% (S) or 10% (T) DPM was fed according to a 2 (sexes) x 2 x 3 factorial design. Between o and 4 weeks feeding DPM had no significant effect on body weight or food consumption, but birds fed diet Q had an improved FCE (P<0.05). Between 4 and 8 weeks birds fed on S and T were heavier than the controls at 6 weeks, but this increase was not significant at 8 weeks (P> 0.05). Food consumption was not affected, but the FCE improved with increasing inclusion of DPM. At 8 weeks of age birds fed on Q, were heavier than birds fed on diet P.