Abstract
In the first experiment, data on feed availability, quality and adulteration of
Rice Polish (RP) were collected from 260 interviewees of 13 upazilas in 3
districts in Bangladesh. Most of the interviewees know Rice Polish as the byproduct from rice mill as Rice Polish and only a few knows about the Parboiled
Rice Polish (PRP). Approximately 51% (133) of interviewees reported that RP
was mostly adulterated with rice husk in fine form. According to 36.54% (95)
interviewees in adulteration process finely crushed rice husk commonly used
and mixed with the RP. The price of PRP was varied depending on production
season. Marketing demand usually higher in off season of paddy production
and before the Eid-ul-Azha and lower after few days of harvesting and rainy
season. In experiment 2 and 3 each with 576 day old hatched Hubbard Classic
broilers were fed ad libitum on a basal diet containing 0, 10, 20 or 30% PRP to
replace maize fortified with 4 levels; 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5% of exogenous phytase
served either as mash or pellet to determine growth performance and
profitability. In experiment 2, broilers raised up to 35 days of age and in
experiment 3, broilers were raised up to targeted live weight. Apart from diets,
all bird management procedures were identical for all treatments. Interestingly,
we found that up to 20% PRP could be used for replacing maize fortified with
0.5% exogenous phytase which noticeably abated the feed cost without affecting
feed intake, live weight, feed conversion and survivability of broilers. To meet
up the market demand, broilers must be raised to some targeted live weights
allowing rearing period. In experiment 4, we observed that, with increasing
level of PRP in diet, linearly increased (p<0.01) time spend on feeding, drinking,
resting and decreased the resting time of bird. These observation were
consistent with inclusion of PRP in diet decreased the carcass fatness. In
addition, diet contained more than 20% PRP level led to poor feed utilization.
Findings also suggest that adulteration and short self life of RP is the main
obstacle to use as a feed component. Taken together, our results show that
instead of RP, maximum 20% PRP may be used for replacing maize in diet and
broiler raised up to given target weight (1500 g). The results of the study further
suggest that PRP may be used instead of rice polish in broiler diet to replace
maize. Parboiled rice polish may be used in broiler diet to reduce the extra
energy cost for feeding and optimize bird growth and profitability of broiler
business.