Research led by Henry Classen of the University of Saskatchewan examined the effects of dietary levels (0, 15, 30 and 45 per cent) of hulled yellow (C05041) and brown (CDC Maria) canary seed (Phalaris canariensis) on the performance and health of broiler chickens.

The researchers conclude in their paper, in Canadian Journal of Animal Science, that yellow and brown hairless canary seeds have merit and are safe for poultry feeding.

Eight (six birds each) and five (four birds each) replications per treatment were used from zero to 21 and from 22 to 35 days of age, respectively.

Growth rate and feed intake were affected in a quadratic manner by canary seed level from 0 to 21 days, with the highest growth achieved by 15 and 30 per cent treatments but were not affected from days 22 to 35.

Feed to gain ratio decreased linearly with increasing canary seed for both time periods.

Mortality was not affected by level of canary seed but more birds fed the C05041 cultivar died as a result of yolk sac infection and infectious causes than did birds fed CDC Maria.

Level of canary seed affected jejunum, kidney and bursa of Fabricius proportional weights in a quadratic manner with no differences between the zero and 45 per cent treatments.

No interactions were found between dietary level and cultivar of canary seed.

Treatment did not affect gross necropsy at the end of the trial or histopathology of key organs.

Reference

Classen H., M. Cho, P. Hucl, S. Gomis and C.A. Patterson. 2014. Performance, health and tissue weights of broiler chickens fed graded levels of hairless hulled yellow and brown canary seed (Phalaris canariensis L.). Canadian Journal of Animal Science. 94: 669-678, 10.4141/cjas-2014-056

February 2015