Abstract:
Objective: This study was conducted to assess the growth performance of Dekalb White® egg-laying pullets fed discard corn grain. Materials and Methods: A total of 1,416 one-day-old Dekalb White® egg-laying pullets were placed according to a completely randomized design for 16 weeks. The two treatments were: a control diet with yellow corn (T0) and the substitution of 50% of conventional corn by discarded corn grain (T1). Results: The use of discarded corn grain in the pullet diets did not show notable changes (p>0.05) in body weight, mortality, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and flock uniformity (1-16 weeks). In addition, the dietary use of discarded corn grain reduced the diet cost and feed consumed cost by the pullets. Conclusion: The use of discarded corn grain as a partial substitute for conventional cornmeal reduces the pullet feed cost, without depressing the performance during 16 weeks of rearing.