Effect of Different Levels of Germinated Barley on Live Performance and Carcass Traits in Broiler Chickens

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of germinated barley (GB) on live performance and carcass traits in broiler chickens. The experiment lasted for 5 weeks starting from 7 days of age and ending at 42 days of age. Chicks (Ross 308) were fed six dietary treatments including a corn–soy diet (corn diet), a barley–soy diet (barley diet), a barley diet plus enzymes (enzyme barley diet), and 3 other diets in which GB was replaced with barley at levels of 33%, 66%, and 100% in the barley diet (33% GB diet, 66% GB diet, and GB diet, respectively). Data were analyzed in a completely randomized design. Results indicated that birds fed a barley diet had significantly lower performance than those fed other diets (P < 0.05). Supplementing of the barley diet with B-glucanase enzyme as well as replacing GB with barley improved the performance of broilers. Birds fed a GB diet had a significantly higher carcass yield those fed other diets (P < 0.05). The lowest abdominal fat percentage was observed in birds fed a barley diet or a corn diet. Thus, it is concluded that replacing GB with barley, especially at 33% level, is more effective than supplementing barley diets with B-glucanase enzyme in improving live performance of broiler chickens.