Nutritional evaluation of distillery sludge and its effect as a substitute of canola meal on performance of broiler chickens.

The study was conducted to investigate the chemical composition of distillery yeast sludge and its inclusion in broiler diets to replace canola meal. Raw distillery yeast sludge was washed with water using water and sludge in the ratio 6:1, respectively. Proximate analysis of raw distillery yeast sludge and washed distillery sludge was carried out for crude protein (CP), true protein (TP), ether extract (EE), ash, acid insoluble ash and nitrogen free extract (NFE) determination. Mineral contents and amino acid profile of raw distillery yeast sludge and washed distillery sludge were also determined. After chemical evaluation, four iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous broiler starter and finisher diets were prepared in mash form using 0 (control), 4, 8 and 12% levels of washed distillery sludge replacing canola meal. One hundred and twenty day-old broiler chicks were randomly distributed into 12 experimental units in such a way that each diet was offered to three experimental units, each comprising of 10 chicks. It was observed that washing affected the nutrients either by decreasing or increasing their concentration. It decreased the total mineral contents whereas CP, TP, EE and NFE contents increased. Washing also increased amino acid profile. Average feed intake and weight gain were higher in birds fed diet containing 8% washed distillery sludge and lower in birds fed diet containing 0% washed distillery sludge. Feed cost per kg live weight gain decreased significantly as the level of washed distillery sludge was increased in the diet. Average heart, liver and pancreas weights decreased with increased level of washed distillery sludge in the diet. The study revealed that after washing, distillery yeast sludge can be used successfully in broiler diets up to the level of 8% without any adverse effect on broiler's performance.

INTRODUCTION

Poultry industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in developing countries like Pakistan with an average growth rate of 8 to 10 percent annually (Economic Survey, 2009–2010). Due to rapid increase in human population and poultry production, there is an active competition between human beings and poultry for feed. This results in scarcity and high cost of feedstuffs which contribute poor performance to the poultry as poultry feed accounts for 65 to 75 percent of the total cost of production (Esonu et al., 2006). This unprecedented increase in the cost of conventional feedstuffs has necessitated intensive investigations to explore alternate and non-conventional feed sources available at cheaper rates without reducing the nutritive value of the diet. Production and utilization of single cell protein (SCP) is an important attempt to solve these problems (Shahzad et al., 2011). The term SCP refers to the dead, dried cells of beneficial species of microbes such as yeast, bacteria, fungi, and algae (Ware, 1977). It is characterized by high concentration of nucleotides, inositol and glutamic acid (Silva et al., 2009). Yeast protein has beneficial effect on broiler performance (Silva et al., 2009; Pelícia et al., 2010; Haldar et al., 2011).

Distillery industry produces a great quantity of distillery yeast sludge (DYS), whose management and disposal are environmental problems due to their seasonal availability and some polluting characteristics (Bustamante et al., 2008). Approximately 1,300 tons (dry matter (DM) basis) of DYS is being wasted each year in Pakistan (Khan, 2001) as we consider it to be a toxic waste. Initial studies on the available DYS in Pakistan indicate that it contains great inherent nutritional potential to be utilized as an economical source of SCP for poultry, because it has 27 to 29% crude protein (Ali, 2004). However, it contains exclusively higher mineral content which is the main limitation towards its extensive use. The following study was, therefore, planned to reduce the mineral content of distillery sludge, by washing and to utilize the washed distillery sludge (dried) as a source of protein to replace different levels of canola meal in broiler diets.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Experiment was conducted at Animal Nutrition Research Station, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, to investigate the chemical composition of washed distillery sludge (WDS) and its effect on broiler performance by replacing it with canola meal. Raw distillery yeast sludge (RDS) was washed at the rate of 6:1 (water:sludge). For this, 150 kg distillery sludge was washed by adding 900 kg water. The material was placed unmoved for 8 h, which allowed the biomass to settle at the base. After this, water collected above the biomass was removed simply by tilting the container. The biomass remained after washing and removal of water was sun dried. One hundred and fifty square feet floor space was washed to remove dust and the biomass was poured over the area for drying. The flakes of dried WDS were removed by using scraper and ground in the hammer mill to a mash size of 2 mm.

Proximate analysis of RDS and WDS was carried out for crude protein (CP), true protein (TP), ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF), ash, acid insoluble ash (AIA) and nitrogen free extract (NFE) determination according to the procedure described by AOAC (1990). The gross energy of RDS and WDS were determined by using Parr Adiabatic Oxygen Bomb Calorimeter (Nukamp, 1965), amino acid profile was determined by using Beckman Automatic Amino Acid Analyzer, model 120-C. The RDS and WDS were also analyzed for mineral contents among which calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, zinc, copper, cobalt and chromium were analyzed by spectrophotometery, sodium and potassium by flame photometer while phosphorus was analyzed photometrically via Spectronic 1001 (Milton Roy Co., Cincinnati, OH).

Four iso-caloric (ME 3,000 kcal/kg DM) and iso-nitrogenous (CP 22%) broiler starter diets were prepared in mash form using 0 (control), 4, 8 and 12% levels of WDS replacing canola meal (Table 3). All diets were formulated to cover the nutrient requirements of chicken (NRC, 2001). Similarly, four iso-caloric (ME 3,000 kcal/kg DM) and iso-nitrogenous (CP 20%) broiler finisher diets were prepared as mash, in the same manner (Table 4).

Table 3

Percent ingredients and nutrient composition of broiler starter diets (0–4 wk)

Ingredient	WDS1 (%)
	0	4	8	12
Canola meal	12.00	8.00	4.00	0.00
Washed distillery sludge	0.00	4.00	8.00	12.00
Maize	38.40	39.30	40.15	40.90
Rice polishing	15.25	15.00	14.75	14.50
Maize gluten meal 60%	4.00	4.00	4.00	4.00
Soyabean meal	13.70	13.60	13.50	13.40
Cotton seed meal	5.00	5.00	5.00	5.00
Fish meal	5.00	5.00	5.00	5.00
Berga fat	3.55	3.10	2.70	2.40
Limestone	1.20	1.10	1.00	0.90
Dicalcium phosphate	1.75	1.75	1.75	1.75
Vitamin mineral premix	0.15	0.15	0.15	0.15
Chemical composition %
Metabolizable energy kcal/kg	3,009	3,003	3,000	3,002
Crude protein	21.91	21.92	21.92	21.91
Crude fiber	5.08	4.88	4.64	4.40
Ether extract	8.12	7.57	7.02	6.47
Calcium	1.04	1.00	1.01	1.03
Available phosphorus	0.45	0.46	0.46	0.45
Lysine	1.10	1.00	0.91	0.81
Methionine	0.50	0.49	0.47	0.45

0, 4, 8 and 12 WDS indicates percent inclusion of washed distillery sludge in the diets.

Table 4

Percent ingredients and nutrient composition of broiler finisher diets (5–6 wk)

Ingredient	WDS1 (%)
	0	4	8	12
Canola meal	12.00	8.00	4.00	0.00
Washed distillery sludge	0.00	4.00	8.00	12.00
Maize	45.80	46.25	46.60	47.10
Rice polishing	16.00	16.00	16.00	16.00
Maize gluten meal 60%	4.00	4.00	4.00	4.00
Soyabean meal	7.50	7.40	7.30	7.25
Cotton seed meal	5.00	5.00	5.00	5.00
Fish meal	5.00	5.00	5.00	5.00
Berga fat	1.85	1.60	1.45	1.10
Limestone	1.20	1.10	1.00	0.90
Dicalcium phosphate	1.50	1.50	1.50	1.50
Vitamin mineral premix	0.15	0.15	0.15	0.15
Chemical composition (%)
Metabolizable energy kcal/kg	3,003	3,007	3,015	3,014
Crude protein	19.89	19.89	19.87	19.89
Crude fiber	4.98	4.76	4.52	4.29
Ether extract	6.81	6.59	5.77	5.26
Calcium	0.93	0.91	0.92	0.91
Available phosphorus	0.40	0.41	0.40	0.41
Lysine	1.01	0.90	0.81	0.71
Methionine	0.40	0.39	0.36	0.35

0, 4, 8 and 12 WDS indicates percent inclusion of washed distillery sludge in the diets.

One hundred and twenty day-old broiler chicks (Hubbard) were purchased from the local market. The chicks were randomly distributed into 12 experimental units in such a way that each diet was offered to three experimental units, each comprising of 10 chicks. These chicks were then marked for identification. Standard management practices of commercial broiler production were applied. Chicks were vaccinated against New-castle disease at 5 and 25 d of age and Infectious bursal disease (IB) at 9, 19 and 29 d of age.

The study lasted for 6 wk; 0 to 4 wk for starter phase and 5 to 6 wk for finisher phase. All the experimental birds were weighed at the start of the study and on weekly basis thereafter. All the groups were fed the allotted diets at ad libitum. Daily feed offered and refused were weighed and at the end of each week, feed consumption was recorded. Feed consumption and weight gain were recorded separately for starter and finisher phase. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was also calculated for starter and finisher phase. Cumulative data for all feed consumption, weight gain and FCR were calculated. Cost/kg of live weight gain was calculated. Mortality was also recorded to determine the survivability percentage.

At the end of the experiment, three birds from each experimental unit were randomly slaughtered to determine the dressing percentage, weights of liver, gizzard, heart, pancreas and thymus and intestinal length.

Statistical analysis

The data regarding chemical composition of RDS and WDS were analyzed using t-test statistics (Steel et al., 1997), while the data regarding performance trial were analyzed using analysis of variance technique with completely randomized design. The treatment means were compared by least significance difference (LSD) test (Steel et al., 1997).

RESULTS

Nutritional potential of distillery sludge

Nutrient composition of RDS and WDS is given in Table 1 and 2. It was observed that washing affects most of the nutrients, either by decreasing or increasing the concentration of the respective nutrient. The data revealed that washing decreased (46.19%) the total mineral content significantly (p<0.01) from 22.08 to 11.88%. The CP, EE and NFE values increased significantly (p<0.01), as a result of washing. The CP contents of RDS and WDS were 27.40 and 34.80% which indicated 27% increase due to washing effect. Similarly, EE and NFE also increased with washing and this increase was 1.10 to 1.20% and 49.52 to 52.22%, respectively. However, washing didn’t affect the CF fraction (Table 1).

Table 1

Nutrient composition of raw and washed distillery sludge

Nutrient (%)	Distillery sludge		Percent increase or decrease as a result of washing
	Raw	Washed
Proximate composition
Metabolizable energy (kcal/kg)	2,200 b±20	2,375 a ±23.02	↑7.95
Crude protein	27.40 b±0.15	34.80 a±0.20	↑27.0
True protein	18.10 b±0.10	28.20 a±0.13	↑55.8
Ether extract	1.10 b±0.2	1.20 a±0.02	↑9.09
Crude fiber	0.00	0.00	0.00
Ash	22.08 a±0.31	11.88 b±0.19	↓46.19
Acid soluble ash	20.10 a±0.27	7.91 b±0.17	↓60.64
Nitrogen free extract	49.52±0.19	52.22 a ±0.07	↑5.45
Mineral contents
Calcium	3.440 a±0.02	1.330 b±0.001	↓61.33
Phosphorus	1.220 a±0.01	0.550 b±0.01	↓54.91
Potassium	3.520 a±0.02	1.293 b±0.02	↓63.26
Sodium	1.142 a±0.02	0.571 b±0.01	↓50.0
Magnesium	2.000 a±0.01	1.200 b±0.01	↓40.0
Manganese	0.010 a±0.01	0.004 b±0.01	↓60.0
Iron	0.194 a±0.01	0.107 b±0.01	↓44.84
Zinc	0.010 a±0.00	0.008 b±0.00	↓20.0
Copper	0.045 a±0.00	0.033 b±0.00	↓26.66
Cobalt	0.003 a±0.0	0.002 b±0.0	↓33.33
Chromium	0.011±0.001	0.010±0.001	↓9.09

Means in a row with different superscripts differ significantly (p<0.01).

Table 2

Amino acid profile of raw and washed distillery sludge

Amino acid profile (%)	Distillery sludge		Percent increase or decrease as a result of washing
	Raw	Washed
Lysine	0.435 b±0.00	0.549 a±0.00	↑26.20
Methionine	0.542 b±0.00	0.689 a±0.00	↑27.12
Threonine	0.827 b±0.01	1.047 a±0.01	↑26.60
Arginine	1.465 b±0.01	1.861 a±0.01	↑27.03
Leucine	1.183 b±0.01	1.503 a±0.01	↑27.04
Isoleucine	1.019 b±0.01	1.294 a±0.01	↑26.98
Valine	0.989 b±0.01	1.252 a±0.01	↑26.59
Phenylalanine	0.912 b±0.01	1.158 a±0.01	↑26.97
Histidine	0.504 b±0.00	0.640 a±0.00	↑26.98
Tyrosine	0.537 b±0.00	0.685 a±0.00	↑27.56
Cystine	1.016 b±0.01	1.291 a±0.01	↑27.06
Proline	0.619 b±0.01	0.786 a±0.01	↑26.97
Glutamate	4.553 b±0.01	5.776 a±0.01	↑26.86
Serine	0.589 b±0.01	0.751 a±0.01	↑27.50
Aspartate	1.726 b±0.01	2.192 a±0.01	↑26.99

Means in a row with different superscripts differ significantly (p<0.01).

The WDS had higher metabolizable energy and TP values than RDS. Washing increased 7.95% (2,200 to 2,375 kcal/kg) metabolizable energy and 55.80% (18.10 to 28.20%) TP (Table 1) of WDS than RDS. Macro as well as micro minerals exhibited a significant decrease (p>0.01), as a result of washing. Percent decrease was 61.33 in Ca, 54.91 in P, 63.26 in K, 50.00 in Na, 40.00 in Mg, 60.00 in Mn, 44.84 in Fe, 20.00 in Zn, 26.66 in Cu and 33.33 in Co. However, washing had non-significant effect on Cr (Table 1).

Washing resulted in significant increase in amino acid profile of WDS. It was observed that washing increased 26 to 27.5% each amino acid profile (Table 2). However, the ratio among various amino acids remained the same for RDS as well as WDS.

Weight gain

Average weight gain in birds fed diets containing 0, 4, 8 and 12% WDS were 910, 943, 978 and 969 g, in the starter phase, 560, 562, 719 and 679 g, in the finisher phase and 1,470, 1,505, 1,697 and 1,649 g, 3,048 g, in the starter-cum-finisher phase, respectively (Table 5). During starter phase, the birds fed diets containing 8 and 12% WDS gained significantly more (p<0.01) weight than those fed diets containing 0 and 4% WDS. During finisher phase, birds fed diet containing 8% WDS gained higher (p<0.01) weight than all other treatments. Overall, the highest live weight gain was observed in birds fed diet containing 8% WDS.

Table 5

Effects of different levels of washed distillery sludge on body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, survival percentage and cost (US $) per kg weight gain in broiler chickens

Item	WDS1 (%)
	0	4	8	12
0–4 wk
Weight gain (g/bird)	910b±7.52	943ab±20.56	978a±34.99	969a±6.87
Feed intake (g/bird)	1,398b±29.88	1,444ab±43.64	1,476a±39.52	1,503a±0.60
FCR	1.54±0.02	1.53±0.01	1.51±0.01	1.55±0.01
Survivability (%)	100±0.00	100±0.00	100±0.00	100±0.00
Cost ($) per kg weight gain	0.44a±0.24	0.42b±0.15	0.40c±0.16	0.40c±0.11
5–6 wk
Weight gain (g/bird)	560c±10.0	562c±8.75	719a±11.45	650b±3.45
Feed intake (g/bird)	1,366c±35.74	1380c±26.56	1,729a±4.01	1,545b±6.01
FCR	2.44±0.02	2.46±0.01	2.40±0.04	2.38±0.02
Survivability (%)	90.00±0.00	93.33±5.77	96.66±5.77	100.0±0.00
Cost ($) per kg weight gain	0.80a±2.17	0.70b±3.35	0.60bc±1.31	0.56c±0.20
0–6 wk
Weight gain (g/bird)	1,470c±15.66	1505c±24.87	1,697a±36.05	1,619b±6.03
Feed intake (g/bird)	2,764c±59.96	2824c±63.27	3,205a±40.31	3,048b±6.61
FCR	1.88±0.02	1.88±0.01	1.89±0.02	1.88±0.01
Survivability (%)	90.00±0.00	93.33±5.77	96.66±5.77	100.0±0.00
Cost ($) per kg weight gain	0.62a±1.12	0.56b±1.71	0.50c±0.61	0.48c±0.10

0, 4, 8 and 12 WDS indicates percent inclusion of washed distillery sludge in the diets.

Means in a row with different superscripts differ significantly (p<0.01).

Feed intake

During starter phase, maximum (1,503 g) and minimum (1,398 g) feed intakes were observed in birds fed diets containing 12 and 0% WDS, respectively (Table 5). During finisher phase, the highest (p<0.01) feed consumption was observed in birds fed diet containing 8% WDS while, the lowest (p>0.01) in birds fed diets containing 0 and 4% WDS. Average feed intake was higher (p<0.01) in birds fed diet containing 8% WDS than all other treatments.

Feed conversion ratio

Average feed conversion ratio of birds fed diets containing 0, 4, 8 and 12% WDS were 1.54, 1.53, 1.51 and 1.55, in the starter phase, 2.44, 2.46, 2.40 and 2.38, in the finisher phase and 1.88, 1.88, 1.89 and 1.88, in the starter-cum-finisher phase, respectively. Apparently, birds fed diet containing 12% WDS consumed more feed per unit weight gain than those fed diet containing 0, 4 and 8% WDS during starter phase, but statistically the difference was non-significant. Similarly, during finisher phase, birds fed diet containing 4% WDS consumed more feed per unit weight gain but statistically, it was non-significant. Overall FCR remained unaffected by WDS supplementation in the diet.

Economics

Overall, feed cost per kg live weight gains in birds fed diets containing 0, 4, 8 and 12% WDS were 0.62, 0.56, 0.50 and 0.48 $ (US), respectively. This showed that feed cost per kg live weight gains decreased significantly with the increase in the level of WDS.

Survivability percentage

During starter phase, there was 0% mortality in all birds fed diet with or without WDS which indicates 100% survivability. Average survivability percentages were 90.00, 93.33, 96.66 and 100.00 in birds fed 0, 4, 8 and 12% WDS, respectively during finisher as well as starter-cum-finisher phases.

Dressing percentage and slaughter parameters

Average dressing percentage in birds fed diets containing 0, 4, 8 and 12% WDS was 65.78, 65.13, 65.89 and 66.20, respectively. The highest value was observed in birds fed diets containing 12% WDS and the lowest in birds fed diets containing 4% WDS but the difference was statistically non-significant.

Average liver weights per 100 g of live weights were 2.40, 2.26, 2.12 and 2.16 g respectively, in birds fed diets containing 0, 4, 8 and 12% WDS. So there was significant reduction (p<0.01) in liver weights as the level of WDS was increased in the diets. Average gizzard weights per 100 g live weight gains were 1.67, 1.96, 2.10 and 1.75 g respectively for birds fed diets with 0, 4, 8 and 12% WDS. Minimum and maximum gizzard weight was observed in birds fed diets containing 0 and 8% WDS, respectively.

Average heart weights per 100 g live weight gains were 444.60, 401.90, 366.00 and 376.60 mg respectively, for birds fed diets containing 0, 4, 8 and 12% WDS. Significant decrease (p>0.01) in heart weights was observed in birds fed diets containing WDS. Average thymus weights per 100 g live weights were 589.50, 532.96, 503.69 and 541.10 mg respectively, for birds fed diets containing 0, 4, 8 and 12% WDS. The lowest value of thymus weight was observed in birds fed diet containing 8% WDS while the highest in birds fed diet containing 0% WDS. However, statistically the difference was non-significant. Average pancreas weights per 100 g were 360.30, 335.40, 335.00 and 289.70 mg respectively, for birds fed diets containing 0, 4, 8 and 12% WDS. The maximum weight of pancreas was observed in birds fed diet containing 0% WDS which decreased gradually with increasing the levels of WDS. Average intestinal lengths per 100 g live weights were 11.13, 11.95, 9.855 and 10.75 respectively, for birds fed diets containing 0, 4, 8 and 12% WDS. The diet containing 8% WDS showed significant decrease in the intestinal length.

DISCUSSION

Our findings to use DYS after washing are in concordance with Rameshwari and Karthikeyan (2005) who reported that WDS can be used successfully in poultry diet without any adverse effect. Washing affects most of the nutrients, either by increasing or decreasing their contents. The total mineral content (ash) decreased by 46.19% as RDS contains higher mineral content and most of these minerals are water soluble (Table 1). During washing, these minerals were solublized in water and were eliminated along with water, resulting in decreased mineral content. This decrease ultimately led to the reciprocal increase in other nutrients including CP, EE, NFE and ME. True protein increased almost twice as that of CP which was due to the fact that RDS contains non-protein nitrogen (NPN) source i.e. diammonium phosphate which is also water soluble. Reduction in NPN% results in reciprocal increase in true protein percentage. This indicates that washing reduces the total mineral content, as well as water soluble NPN substances present in RDS. The changes in other nutrients are only the result of reciprocal increase, in order to fill the gap created by the reduction of mineral content and NPN substances. However, no change was observed in either the CF contents or amino acid profiler, as washing didn’t affect them. The amino acid profile indicates a superior quality protein. These findings are in agreement with Yalcın et al. (2008) who reported brewing dried yeast as a good source of quality protein.

Significant improvement in live weight gain was observed as the level of WDS was increased up to 8%. The possible reason for this might be higher feed intake, digestibility and biological value of protein present in WDS. Decreased weight gain at higher level of WDS i.e. 12% might be due to reduced feed intake which was associated with higher level of nucleic acids (Oliva-Teles and Goncalves, 2001). Similar findings were observed by Khan (2001) who reported that increasing the level of RDS up to 6% improved weight gain in birds while 9% RDS had adverse effect on live weight gain. In another study, it was found that inclusion of distillery sludge up to 5% in bird’s diet has no detrimental effects while increasing the level up to 10% retarded growth (Goto et al., 1974). Similarly, Machalek et al. (1988) reported that replacing soyabean meal with equal amount of brewer’s yeast having 48% CP resulted in improved weight gain. Other researchers (Churchil and Mohan, 2000; Nilson et al., 2004; Paryad and Mahmoudi, 2008) also found that inclusion of yeast in broiler diets improved weight gain.

Feed consumption

Significantly higher feed consumption in birds fed diet containing 8% WDS compared to lower levels of WDS was possibly due to the fact that distillery sludge is a rich source of vitamins especially B-complex, oligomonosaccharides (natural aflatoxin binder) and unidentified nutrients, all of which might have contributed to increase the palatability of diet. Our findings are consistent with Gomez and Angeles (2011) who reported that feeding of yeast resulted in better feed intake. Herria and Garcia (1983) found that incorporating yeast up to 7% in the diet replacing soyabean meal improved feed intake. Khan (2001) also reported that feed intake increased significantly with increasing the level of RDS up to 6% but above than that, feed intake was reduced. The reason for decreased feed intake in birds fed diet containing 12% WDS might be due to higher level of nucleic acids (Oliva-Teles and Goncalves, 2001). Rumsey et al. (1991) also found a decline in feed intake with increasing levels of brewer’s dried yeast. Zerai et al. (2008) noticed depressed feed intake with increasing the levels of brewer’s yeast. The probable reason for this might be higher levels of brewer’s yeast (45%) used to replace fish meal.

The results revealed non-significant differences in FCR among diets containing different levels of WDS. Kahraman et al. (1997) also reported non-significant difference among treatment groups supplemented with organic acid (acid dry 3 g/kg), yeast culture (yea sacc1026 1 g/kg) and organic acid and yeast culture (acid lac dry 3 g/kg and yea sacc 1026 1 g/kg), respectively. Contrary to these, Nilson et al. (2004) found better FCR in birds fed yeast containing diets. Khan (2001) also reported that FCR was significantly improved in diets containing 6% RDS. Other researchers (Santin et al., 2001; Nilson et al., 2004; Zhang et al., 2005) observed similar findings. This is due to the reason that distillery sludge is a rich source of vitamins, oligomonosaccharides, and some unidentified nutrients, which contributed better FCR.

Decrease in feed cost/kg live weight gain with increasing the levels of WDS was due to low cost of production of WDS which was 50% cheaper than canola meal. Similarly findings were also reported by Magalhaes et al. (2008) who found 14.6% more profit on feeding yeast in the diet compared to control.

Although survivability percentage increased gradually with increasing the level of WDS but statistically the difference was non-significant. Teeter (1992) also reported that yeast culture had non-significant effect on survivability in birds. Similar findings were also reported by Tovar et al. (2002). Contrary to these, Magalhaes et al. (2008) reported improved survival rate through feeding yeast culture. This is due to the reason that yeast is rich source of oligosaccharides such as glucan which improved neutrophil chemotaxis activity (Murphy et al., 2007). This might have improved phagocytic activity of neutrophils against pathogenic organisms, improving the survivability percentage.

The findings showed non-significant difference in the dressing percentage of groups fed diets containing different levels of WDS. Our findings were supported by Kahraman et al. (1997) who also reported non-significant difference in the dressing percentage. Contrary to these findings, Khan (2001) mentioned that dressing percentage was significantly improved in broilers fed diets containing 6% sun dried RDS.

Significant increase in the liver weights was observed with decreasing the WDS level and increasing the canola meal in the diet. The probable reason for this might be either the presence of aflatoxin in the feedstuffs or the presence of allyl-isothiocyanates in the canola meal, both result in liver hyperplasia and as a result of that its weight increases. Liver hyperplasia was not observed in birds fed diets with higher levels of WDS and lower level of canola meal. In such diets allyl-isothiocyanate level was low and mycotoxins (if present) were bound by the oligomonosaccharides, present in WDS. Thus there was significant decrease in the liver weights. Our findings were supported by other researchers (Kinal et al., 1983; Idress, 1998) who reported that the increase in liver weight in broilers fed diets containing higher levels of canola meal, was probably due to a hydrolytic product of glucosinolates (allyl-isothiocyanate) which is present in canola meal and is toxic in nature like other thionamides, resulting in hyperplasia of the liver. Tripathi and Mishra (2008) reported similar findings.

Decreased pancreas weight with increasing the level of WDS might be due to the presence of various digestive enzymes in the distillery sludge. Other researcher (Pettersson and Aman, 1989; Brenes et al., 1993; Viveros et al., 1994; Berwal et al., 2008) also reported that increase in the digestibility of nutrients in the presence of enzymes in the feed can cause a reduction in the weight of pancreas.

Significant increase in the intestinal length was observed as the level of WDS was decreased in the diet. Possibly, this was related with modification in the intestinal length to accommodate higher fiber content/absence of enzymes in diets, not containing WDS. Similar findings were also reported by other researchers (Hetland and Svihus, 2001; Hetland et al., 2002, 2003). As the level of WDS was increased in the diet, it resulted in significant reduction in the intestinal length due to decreased fiber content and increased level of digestive enzymes, as WDS is a good source of digestive enzymes. Presence of enzymes in the feed can cause a reduction in the digestive tract size (Pettersson and Aman, 1989; Berwal et al., 2008).

CONCLUSION

Feeding increasing levels of distillery yeast sludge in the broiler diets resulted in improved weight gain and feed intake. However, inclusion of distillery yeast sludge up to 8% showed better results in terms of weight gain and economics. It resulted in significant reduction in the intestinal length and pancreas weight due to decreased fiber content and increased digestive enzymes, as WDS is a good source of digestive enzymes. Dressing percentage remained unaffected by feeding sludge in the diet. This indicates that distillery yeast sludge can be included in the poultry diet up to 8% without any deleterious effect on the performance of the birds.

Table 6

Effects of different levels of washed distillery sludge on the dressing percentage and slaughter parameters of broiler chickens

Item	WDS1 (%)
	0	4	8	12
Dressing percentage	65.78±1.81	65.13±2.13	65.89±2.42	66.20±1.53
Slaughter parameters (per 100 g)
Heart weight (mg)	444.60a±18.23	401.90b±21.76	366.00b±20.36	376.60b±21.33
Liver weight (g)	2.40a±0.04	2.26b±0.04	2.13c±0.09	2.16bc±0.07
Gizzard weight (g)	1.67b±0.03	1.96a±0.10	2.10a±0.05	1.75b±0.10
Intestinal length (cm)	11.13a±0.43	11.05a±0.32	9.86b±0.18	10.75a±0.26
Pancreas weight (mg)	360.30a±25.17	335.40a±24.34	335.00a±23.96	289.70b±13.55
Thymus weight (mg)	589.50±32.08	532.96±42.44	503.69±18.07	541.10±33.18

0, 4, 8 and 12 WDS indicates percent inclusion of washed distillery sludge in the diets.

Means in a row with different superscripts differ significantly (p<0.01).