Is it interesting to use distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in ducks’ diets?

Distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS) are co-products of the ethanol industry. DDGS are used as animal feed in cattle, swine, poultry and aquaculture industries. The production of ducks' egg and meat represents a large market, particularly in Asia, but there are few data in the literature on the possibility to use DDGS in diets of growing and laying ducks. This review aims to present the nutritional characteristics of DDGS, and the interests and limits to their use in poultry diets. Then, the acquired data for the use of DDGS in diets of growing and laying ducks and their effects on the production performance and product quality will be detailed. Corn DDGS contain high levels of proteins, energy and phosphorus. They also have a high content of unsaturated fatty acids, so their inclusion in diets will modify the fatty acid composition of meat and eggs and will increase their susceptibility to oxidation. Corn DDGS are rich in xanthophylls that will enhance the yellow colour of egg yolk. They contain high levels of non-starch polysaccharides, so their digestibility will be improved by joint supplementation of the diets with enzymes such as xylanases and β-glucanases. It is also important to adapt feed formulation and amino acid supplementation, particularly lysine intake, and to regularly monitor the mycotoxin levels in corn and DDGS feedstocks to avoid detrimental effects on health and growth or laying performance of animals. At levels below 25% in growing and finishing diets, corn DDGS have no detrimental effect on the growing performance, carcass composition and meat quality of ducks. With sorghum DDGS, the inclusion level in the diet should not exceed 15%. For laying ducks, the use of corn DDGS is possible at levels up to 18% in the diets.