Effects of Lupin Kernel (Lupinus angustifolius) and Faba Bean (Vicia faba) on Growth Performance and Hepatic Fatty Acid Profiles in Broiler Chicks

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding lupin kernel and faba bean as an alternative to soybean meal on the growth performance, blood profiles, relative organ weight, and hepatic fatty acid composition of broiler chicks. A total of 525, 1-day-old Ross 308 male chicks were randomly assigned into five groups with seven replicates. The treatments consisted of five experimental diets; corn-soybean meal without lupin or faba bean (as control), diets with lupin 5% or 10%, and diets with faba bean 5% or 10%. The body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) were not significantly different among the groups during starter period. However, BW and ADG of chicks fed diets with 10% lupin and faba bean were significantly higher than those of 5% lupin and faba bean during grower period (p<0.01). The feed conversion ratio was significantly lower in the group fed diets with 10% lupin and faba bean than the control during total rearing periods (p<0.001). There were no significant differences in blood profiles among the groups. As for the hepatic fatty acid composition, the levels of total polyunsaturated fatty acids and total ω6 in chicks fed lupin and faba bean were significantly higher than the control. It was suggested that dietary lupin and faba bean could enhance the incorporation of the beneficial fatty acids into liver fraction. In conclusion, supplementation of lupin and faba bean up to 10% can be used as an alternative to soybean meal in broiler diets.