Alternatives to soya bean for fattening broilers (OK-Net EcoFeed Practice abstract)

Summary in the original language of the document

Camelina cake, sunflower expeller and rapeseed expeller are produced by a regional mill, increasing the value of local raw materials, and reducing the need to import soya bean cake. For broiler farmers, feed self-sufficiency is dif-ficult to achieve so local protein sources are advanta-geous from this point of view. Feed costs did not increase when using alternative protein sources.
• Analysis (table 1) showed that the alternative feedstuffs, camelina cake, sunflower expeller and rapeseed expeller, all met the expected protein and fat content, so the finishing feed is well formulated. Crude protein content for each sample is at recommended levels, fulfilling broiler requirement during the finishing phase.
• Control and trial groups had similar growth rates (figure 1), with no significant difference between them. The trial group birds did have a slightly higher finishing weight compared to the control group.
• The trial bird weight is compatible with direct-selling demand. The diet did not affect bird aggression levels with low levels of injury and no difference between groups.
• The farmer noticed that birds from the trial group looked better, with skin more yellow, than birds in the control group. He was very satisfied with the outcomes of this trial and he wants to continue with finishing feed without soya bean cake.
• In conclusion, it is possible to finish broilers without the use of soya bean cake and have good performances and bird quality. The use of local raw materials has allowed soya bean cake to be replaced at no extra cost.