The Utilization of Sunflower Meal as Soybean Meal Substituted in Broiler Diets

Abstract

A study on the utilization of sunflower meal (SFM) as a protein source in broiler diets was carried out in broiler chickens during 7-49 days of age. Eight hundred heads of mixed sexes Arbre Acre 707 were randomly allocated into 5 groups, with 4 replicates each. They were fed the 0, 10, 20, 25 and 30% SFM diets throughout the experiment, which were equal to the substitution level for soybean meal at 0, 48, 56, 74 and 83%; 0, 30, 59, 74 and 89%; and 0, 33, 66, 84 and 100% during 2-3, 4-6 and 7 w.eeks of birds' age, respectively. The result revealed that SFM which was produced in Thailand contained CP, CF and EE on DM basis:-28.7, 29.5 and 5.4% DM, respectively. It can be used in the diets at 30% without adverse effects on production performance and carcass quality. However the weight of gizzard was significantly increased while the abdominal plus visceral fat trended to decrease with the increasing level of SFM. Feed cost for production could be saved around 0.32 Baht per kilogram body weight gain when SFM was incorporated in the diets at 30%.