ABSTRACT
This study aimed to evaluate the performance, carcass and prime-cut yield, percentage of abdominal fat and economic viability of feed for broiler chickens, for a period of from 22 to 42 days of age, fed diets containing degummed soybean oil, extruded whole soybean and extruded semi-whole soybean. Three hundred and sixty broilers were used in a completely randomised design with four treatments (control feed; feed with added degummed soybean oil; feed with added extruded whole soybean, feed containing extruded semi-whole soybean), five replications and 18 birds per pen. From 22 to 33 days of age, birds which were fed diets containing extruded semi-whole soybean showed the lowest weight gain and productive efficiency index. From 22 to 42 days of age, those who received the control diet and the diet containing degummed soybean oil achieved better feed conversion. At 42 days of age, the chickens fed the control diet had higher absolute carcass weight and a lower percentage of abdominal fat. In diets for broilers from 22 to 42 days of age, the use of extruded whole soybean increases abdominal fat, while extruded semi-whole soybean affects feed conversion, with a lower absolute carcass weight and lower gross margin. The use of degummed soybean oil results in better feed conversion and lower bird production costs, making it viable for inclusion in diets for these animals.
Key words:
Poultry farming; Extrusion; Oil
