Andrzej Rutkowski

The aim of this study was to compare the growth performance parameters, carcass quality, and meat traits in broiler chickens fed on diets containing legume seeds and rapeseed meal as an alternative to soybean meal. In this study, 448 male ROSS 308 chicks were divided into subgroups: a control group (I) fed on soybean meal (SBM), and six experimental groups II—rapeseed meal (RSM); III—white lupin (WY); IV—yellow lupin (YL); V—narrow-leaved lupin NLL; VI—pea (Pe); and VII—faba bean (FB). After 42 days of rearing, 10 birds from each group were slaughtered and dissected. The control group was characterized by better growth performance compared to the other groups. In addition, the European Broiler Index was lower in each experimental group compared to the SBM group. A lower dressing percentage was found only in the NLL group. The muscle content in birds from the RSM and FB groups was significantly higher than in the other groups, but the fat content was lower. Meat from SBM group was characterized by the highest protein content, but a reduced content of fat and water in the muscles. The most similar results were found between the control group and the FB group receiving a diet based on faba beans. Furthermore, lupins had a similar effect on the carcass traits when used in the diets. The quality of meat in broilers fed on faba beans with the addition of potato protein and brewers’ yeast was similar to that of those fed on soybean meal, because the antinutrients were the lowest in faba bean seeds. Faba beans are proposed as a possible alternative source of protein in poultry diets. Other legume seeds should be analyzed in future studies.

The aim of investigations was the estimation of nutritional value of currently cultivated yellow lupine cultivars in raw and extruded form, and their usefulness for broiler chickens. Two experiments were conducted with male Ross 308 chickens. In a digestibility trial 60 fifteen-day-old birds were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments (20 replications in each). Birds were kept in individual pens. Digestibility was calculated using the difference method. From day 16 to 21, diets contained lupine meal in raw or extruded form and the basal diet in the ratio 20:80. Subsequently, the total digestibility of dry matter and crude fat, also apparent nitrogen retention and AMEN value of lupine seeds were determined on chickens fed different forms of lupine. The ileal digestibility of crude protein and amino acids of lupine seeds was also analyzed. In the second experiment the one-day-old birds were randomly assigned to ten dietary treatments (10 replications in each) and were fed diets with increasing amounts of raw or extruded lupine from 10 to 30%. The chickens in control treatments were fed a diet without lupine. Extruded yellow lupine meal was characterized by lower phytic P content in comparison to raw yellow lupine meal. The content of remaining ingredients and antinutritional substances was similar. Yellow lupine seeds post extrusion were characterized by better total crude fat digestibility, nitrogen retention and AMEN values, compared to raw seeds. Higher ileal digestibility was confirmed in numerous amino acids, except lysine, threonine and valine (P≤0.05). By feeding the broilers with diets consisting of 10 to 30% of lupine seeds post extrusion (experiment II), improved apparent fat digestibility, apparent nitrogen retention and AMEN values were achieved in young chickens (P<0.01). Using 10 and 20% of lupine in the diets showed significant positive effects of extrusion on body weight gains, feed intake and feed conversion rate. The performance indices of chickens were drastically decreased by use of 25% ratio of both raw and extruded yellow lupine in the diet. This effect was heightened by a 30% share in feed mixtures.

In a trial carried out on broiler chickens, the nutritive value of five pea cultivars (coloured-flowered: Turnia, Sokolik, Milwa, and white-flowered Muza and Cysterski) was determined. A total of 60 male Ross 308 17-dayold chickens were assigned to six experimental groups (10 replications per...