Alternative feed ingredients such as sunflower meal, corn gluten meal, and dried distillers’ grains can partially replace soybean meal in broiler finisher diets, improving sustainability without compromising performance. Recent studies highlight positive impacts on growth, microbial balance, and economic efficiency.
Introduction
Soybean meal (SBM) has long been the primary protein source in broiler diets. However, rising costs and environmental concerns have driven research into alternative feed ingredients (AFI). Finisher diets, which are critical for final growth and carcass quality, present an opportunity to integrate AFI for sustainable production1.
Alternative Protein Sources
Sunflower meal (SFM), corn gluten meal (CGM), and dried distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS) are widely tested as partial SBM replacements. Research with Cobb 500 broilers demonstrated that a 15% AFI mixture (2.5% CGM, 5% SFM, 7.5% DDGS) sustained growth performance at 21–20% crude protein levels, comparable to SBM diets . Reviews also highlight insect meals and microalgae as emerging sustainable proteins with high amino acid quality and digestibility2.
Performance and Efficiency
Broilers on AFI diets with 21% CP recorded better European performance efficiency factors (EPEF) and improved economic efficiency compared to lower CP diets. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was negatively affected only at 18% CP, regardless of diet type, underscoring the importance of maintaining adequate protein levels.
