Inclusion of Dried Bakery Product in High Fat Broiler Diets: Effect on Pellet Quality, Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Organ Weights

A 21- to 42-day feeding study was conducted in Ross male broilers to evaluate the use of dried bakery product (DBP) and the influence of adding fat at different points in the manufacturing process. Six dietary treatments were formulated using a factorial arrangement (3${\times}$2 design) with three levels of fat in the mixer (high: 4.8%, medium: 3.8% and low: 2.8%) with or without DBP (0 and 7%). Additional fat was sprayed on pellets in a post-pelleting liquid application to bring the fat content to a similar level in all diets. Data on pellet quality (before and after post-pelleting fat addition), broiler performance, nutrient digestibility and organ weights were studied. Pellets made with DBP showed higher hardness values when measured before post-pelleting fat addition (p<0.001), although DBP did not affect final pellet hardness or durability. Higher post-pelleting hardness and durability were shown by diets to which a lower level of fat had been added in the mixer (p<0.001). In general, post-pelleting fat application improved durability (p<0.05). However, broiler performance and ileal digestibility were not affected by any of the factors tested. Dietary treatments had a significant but variable effect on carcass yield (p<0.01), although there were no differences among treatments regarding breast and leg yield, abdominal fat or organ weights. The results indicate that up to 7% DBP could be used in the broiler diet without impairing performance, ileal digestibility or organ weights. The place or point of fat addition in the manufacturing process has a strong influence on pellet quality.