EFFECT OF SUBSTITUTION OF SOYBEAN MEAL WITH CANOLA AND SUNFLOWER MEALS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BROILERS

A. Rehman B.M. Bhatti, S.Hameed¹ and S. Afzal²

Abstract   

    A study was conducted to determined the effect of replacement of soybean meal (SBM) with locally available oilseed meals i.e. Canola (CM) and Sunflower meal ( SFM ) on performance of broiler chicks. Five different experimental rations A, B, C, D and E containing SBM 15%, SBM and CM 7.5% each, CM 15%, SBM 7.5% plus 3.75% CM and SFM each and SFM 15% respectively, were offered to the day-old broiler chicks up to six weeks of age. The effect of different rations was observed in terms of the performance parameters of broiler chicks.

    The results showed that the weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, carcass weight and dressing percentage were comparatively improved (P<0.05) where SBM was used as a source of vegetable protein. However, CM and SFM could successfully replace 50% of SBM. The 100% substitution of SBM with SFM resulted in high, feed consumption with poor weight gain, feed conversion ratio, carcass weight, dressing percentage and liver enlargement, which could be attributed to comparative poor nutritional value and mycotoxin susceptibility of SFM.