An evaluation of the effects of using canola meal on the carcass composition of broilers was performed. Soybean meal was partially substituted (0, 10, 20, 30, or 40%) by canola meal in the diets. Fourty experimental units of 30 birds each were formed according to the bird=s initial weight and sex. The diets were formulated to contain 22, 20, or 18% of crude protein and 3000, 3100 or 3150kcal of metabolizable energy per kg of diet, and broilers were fed respectively in the periods between 0 and 21, 22 and 35, and 36 and 42 days. On day 42, a bird from each experimental unit was killed and its carcass composition was determined. Carcass protein increased and carcass fat decreased linearly with the amount of canola meal used in the diets. The percentage of carcass fat remained unchanged with the inclusion of canola meal in the diets. Neither carcass yield nor the levels of crude energy and ashes in the carcasses were changed. The use of canola meal in the diets can be recommended because the quality of the carcasses was improved. Quality improvement was achieved without losses in carcass weight or yield.
broilers; canola; carcass composition
