DDGS can be used in broiler diets but at high levels a loss in performance is observed with much attributed to reduction in pellet quality. A study was conducted to evaluate different types of pellet binders in diets with addition of 25% DDGS, a level which provides a marginal but detectable reduction in performance. Dietary treatments consisted of a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement with 2 levels of DDGS and 4 levels of binder for a total of 8 treatments. Two basal diets were formulated to contain either 0% or 25% DDGS. The binder applications were as follows: No binder (fed as mash), No binder (fed as pellets), Pel-Stik (fed as pellets) and PellTech (fed as pellets). One-day old birds of a commercial strain were placed in floor pens with 35 birds per pen and 6 replicates per treatment. Pellet quality was determined by quantifying the amount of fines. Birds were weighed and feed consumption determined at d 14, 28 and 41 d. At d 41, 5 birds per pen were processed to determine dressing percentage and parts yield. The inclusion of 25% DDGS in the diet significantly increased the amount of fines in the diet. No significant effect of the binder applied in the diet was found for the amount of fines. The amount of fines in the finisher diet was significantly increased in the following order: No binder (mash) > PellTech > Pel-Stik > No binder (pellets). Birds fed pellets had BW and FCR than those fed mash diets. Birds fed 25% DDGS showed higher BW at d 28 with no difference during the remaining feeding stages. No difference among pellet binders was observed for BW at 41 d. An improved FCR at 28 and 41 d was observed when DDGS was included in the diet. The addition of Pelltech increased FCR at 41 d. A significantly higher mortality rate was observed when birds received diets containing 25% DDGS. The addition of 25% DDGS in the diet significantly reduced the dressing percentage, no other effect from the addition of DDGS was observed for yield. Birds receiving pellet diets regardle
