This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of 0.0, 3.3, 6.6, and 9.9% soybean oil inclusion in isoenergy diets on transit time (TT), performance, carcass characteristics and body composition of broilers from 21 to 56 days of age. The TT was determined at 22 and 42 days of age. Eight hundred and fourty broilers, with initial average weight of 870 g, allotted to a completely randomized design, with four treatments, six replications and 35 broilers per experimental unit, were used in the performance experiment. The TT was reduced linearly at 22 and 42 days of age. From 21 to 42 days, the levels of soybean oil showed a quadratic effect on weight gain, feed:gain ratio, energy:gain ratio and a linear effect on feed intake and energy intake. In the total period, it was observed a positive linear effect of soybean oil on weight gain, energy intake and feed intake and a quadratic effect on feed:gain and energy:gain. Abdominal fat was quadractly influenced at 42 and 56 days of age. However, carcass yield was quadractly influenced only at 56 days of age. Total body fat was positively influenced by age at 56 days and ash decreased at the same age.
body composition; broilers; carcass characteristics; performance; soybean oil; transit time
