REPLACEMENT OF SOYBEAN MEAL IN CHICKEN BROILER DIETS BY RAPESEED MEAL AND FISH MEAL COMPLEMENTARY SOURCES OF DIETARY PROTEIN

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the nutritional value of Brassica napus 'Tower' rapeseed meal (Tower RSM) and B. campestris 'Candle' RSM or combinations of Tower RSM and fish meal (FM) or Candle RSM and FM as partial or complete replacement for soybean meal (SM) in chicken broiler starter and finisher diets. Amino acid levels were maintained in diets where SM was replaced by RSM by increasing the level of FM. The results of these experiments indicate that RSM can replace up to 80% of the SM in chicken broiler starter and finisher diets on a straight replacement basis without adversely affecting body weight or feed efficiency. Moreover, RSM can replace all of the SM in such diets without adverse effects on biological performance provided energy, protein and amino acid differences are compensated. The calculated amino acid content of the diets indicate that FM is a complementary source of dietary protein in diets containing high levels of RSM.