Wheat and sorghum can substitute for corn in layer diets
2002
Mateo, C.D. (Philippines Univ. Los Banos, College, Laguna (Philippines). Inst. of Animal Science) Caraballe, M.F. | Caraan, C.M. | Acorda, J.A.
The preferred energy grain for layers based on nutritive value and pigment content is yellow corn. However, with the present high tariff rate imposed on yellow corn, grain substitutes are needed to lower the cost of egg productions. Imported wheat and sorghum are the popular alternative energy grains available to the industry. Result of a feeding trial conducted on 315 hens demonstrated that wheat, sorghum, and their combinations can be used to partially or totally replace corn without significantly affecting performance and egg composition of layers. The feed cost to produce a dozen eggs was 14.11% lower in wheat- or sorghum-based type diets. However, the yolk color of eggs from layers given wheat-sorghum-based diets was inferior to those given corn-based diets. Addition of a commercial yolk pigmenter to wheat-based and sorghum-based diets improved the yolk color scores of hens, thus making these feeds comparable to corn-based diets. Even with the addition of the pigmenter, it was still cost effective to use sorghum and wheat to partially or totally replace corn in layer diets. However, since yellow corn is still the preferred grain, the efficiency of local production, distribution and feed processing must be enhanced to make corn more competitive with the imported grain substitutes in the market
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