The objective of this experiment was to determine the best level of substitution of soybean meal by canola meal in rations for broilers. Five levels of substitution of soybean meal by canola meal were compared: 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40%. Twelve hundred one-day Ross chicks were used, grouped by sex and weight. Animals were fed rations with 22% of crude protein and 3000kcal ME/kg from 0 to 21 days, 20% of crude protein and 3100kcal ME/kg from 22 to 35 days, and 18% of crude protein and 3150 kcal ME/kg from 36 to 42 days. Feed consumption was reduced from 0 to 21 days and from 36 to 42 days when higher amounts of canola meal were used in the diets. A reduction in weight gain of the broilers was observed only from 0 to 21 days. Feed conversion was improved from 0 to 21 days and from 22 to 35 days. Canola meal can participate in diets for broilers from 22 to 42 days of age in quantities up to 40% of the amount of the soybean meal used.
canola; broilers; performance
