Effect of using different levels of rice bran on broiler performance and nutrients digestibility

In this study the effects of different levels of raw and autoclaved rice bran (0, 6, 12 or 18%) on the growth performance, carcass parameters, internal organs and the nutrients digestibility were assessed. This experiment was designed on 420 fourteen-day-old male broilers (Ross 308). Birds were randomly divided into 7 treatment groups and 3 replications, each with 20 birds. Treatments were: 1= diet with 6% row rice bran, 2= diet with 6% autoclaved rice bran, 3= diet with 12% row rice bran, 4=diet with 12% autoclaved rice bran, 5=diet with 18% row rice bran, 6=diet with 18% autoclaved rice bran and 7=control corn-soybean diet. The experiment was conducted using completely randomized design. The result showed that increasing the level of rice bran in ration led to a significant increase of feed conversion ratio and feed intake during growing and finisher periods (p<0.05). There was no significant effect of autoclave process on the growth performance. Abdominal fat was affected by the increase in the rice bran level and unlike liver, gizzard and pancreas, showed a significant decrease with the increase of rice bran level (P<0.05). Increasing rice bran level in diet resulted in more weight changes of ileum and cecum than which of intestine (P<0.05). Rice bran utilization significantly decreased the digestibility of dry matter, fat, protein and organic matter and in the opposite direction autoclave process increased digestibility of the fat and organic matter (P<0.05). Based on the results of this study, the use of 6% autoclaved rice bran in broiler chickens is recommended.