Evaluation of the partial replacement of highprotein feedstuff with fermented soybean meal in broiler diets

Abstract

High inclusion of dietary fermented soybean meal (FSBM), as reported in previous studies on poultry production, is less applicable because of the increased cost. Therefore, we sought out a new cost-effective application strategy in which FSBM was incorporated into broiler diets at a low inclusion rate (1 to 3%) to replace a portion of other dietary high-protein feedstuff sources, including fish meal, corn gluten meal, and soybean meal. The ADG was not adversely affected by partial replacement of FSBM. However, birds fed the diets containing 3% FSBM had an improved FCR during the starter period (P < 0.05). Moreover, use of 2 and 3% FSBM resulted in a decreased feed cost per BW by 2.39 and 2.17% compared with the control diet. The relative organ weights, carcass characteristics, and serum parameters were not influenced by diets (P > 0.05). In conclusion, equal replacement of other high-protein feedstuff sources with 2 or 3% FSBM in broiler diets is a new and cost-effective application strategy, which spares the use of fish meal or corn gluten meal and soybean meal in the current study. © 2012 Poultry Science Association, Inc.