The nutritional value of dehulled-degermed corn for broiler chickens and its impact on nutrient excretion

Two experiments were conducted to determine the nutritional value and impact of dehulled degermed corn (DDC) in diets of broiler chickens. In the first experiment, 4 experimental diets were fed from 14 to 21 d of age with increasing quantities of DDC replacing corn as the sole source of energy and protein (93.4% of diet). The AMEn was determined to be 3,267 and 3,364 kcal/kg for the corn grain and DDC, respectively. Apparent ileal amino acid digestibility was determined with birds at 21 d of age. Digestibility of threonine, lysine, arginine, and tryptophan was significantly less in birds fed the DDC versus a corn diet (P < 0.05). In the subsequent experiment, birds were fed diets from hatch to 42 d of age with corn or DDC as the primary grain source. By 42 d of age, BW and feed consumption between birds fed the corn or DDC diet were similar (P > 0.05). However, birds fed the DDC diet excreted 78.1 g less DM and 1.54 g less P by 42 d of age (P < 0.05). In conclusion, replacement of corn with DDC resulted in similar performance of broilers to 42 d of age with reduced excretion of DM and P.