Performance of broiler chicks fed pre-gelatinized corn in pre-starter and starter feed

Three experiments were carried out to evaluate the performance and nutritional value of the extruded corn for broilers from one to 21 days of age. In the first experiment, the metabolism of pre-gelatinized corn, corn starch and corn germ meal was assessed by the total excreta collection method from 4 to 7 days of age and values of apparent (AME) and corrected metabolizable energy (CAME) and the results were, respectively: 3370, 3379.7, 3259.1 kcal/kg de AME and 3299.8, 3369.7, 3051.6 kcal/kg for CAME. The inclusion level of pre-gelatinized corn was evaluated in pre-starter (1 to 7 days of age - Experiment 2) and starter (8 to 21 days of age - Experiment 3) broiler rations. Broiler performance from one to seven days of age was not affected by pre-gelatinized corn in the feed. A quadratic effect for the dry matter digestibility coefficient (minimum point of 28.6% inclusion) and nitrogen (minimum point of 31.7% inclusion) and negative linear negative on the ether extract digestibility coefficient. From 8 to 21 days of age, broiler performance was affected linearly and negatively for final weight, weight gain and feed intake and quadratic for feed-to-gain ratio (maximum point of 34.3% inclusion). For the dry matter, nitrogen and ether extract digestibility coefficients, there was a positive linear effect for pre-gelatinized corn included in substitution of corn. Pre-gelatinized corn was a good alternative for pre-starter ration, but, in spite of the better digestibility coefficient results, performance got worse as pre-gelatinized corn increased in diets from 8 to 21 days of age. Pre-gelatinized corn was a good alternative as energetic ingredient for first week chick feed, but, in the starter phase it did not promote good performance despite the good digestibility indexes obtained.