Raw Pea (Pisum sativum), raw Faba bean (Vicia faba var. minor) and raw Lupin (Lupinus albus var. multitalia) as alternative protein sources in broiler diets

Abstract

The ban of the meat and bone meal for entering animal diets and the concern of transgenic feeds poses a challenge to animal nutritionists in Europe. The challenge is to find homegrown protein-rich feedstuffs, making sure no antinutritional factors are present which could interfere in the animals’ performance. The raw Pea (Pisum sativum) (RP), raw Faba bean (Vicia faba, variety minor) (RFb) and raw Lupin (Lupinus albus, variety multitalia) (RL) were evaluated as alternative protein sources into broiler diets. Six hundred thirty 1d-old Ross male chicks, Marek vaccinated, were randomly assigned to seven dietary treatments (5 pens per treatment/18 birds per pen). Chicks were floor housed, ad libitum fed isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets and had free access to water. Artificial light was provided 10 h/d. The bulk of the base diet (control diet) was corn (48.7%, 56.6% and 57%), solvent-extracted soybean meal (42.8%, 37.3% and 33.4%), corn oil (4.4%, 5.2% and 6.3%), plus synthetic amino acids, minerals, trace minerals and vitamins, respectively for the 1-10d-old, 11-28d-old and 29 to 42d-old growing periods. The RP, RFb and RL entered diets in substitution of the soybean and corn according to the cost optimization (P100, Fb100 and L100, respectively for RP, RFb and RL) and at half of the optimized quantity (RP50, RFb50 and RL50, respectively for RP, RFb and RL). The amount used as fed basis for the higher level of inclusion were: P100: 350 g/kg for all diets; Fb100: 480 g/kg (1-10d-old) and 500 g/kg (11-42d-old); L100: 360 g/kg (1-10d-old) and 300 g/kg (11-42d-old). The average daily gain (ADG) were lower (P < 0.05) in the RP group compared to the control group. Over the whole period of growth, the RFb group had similar ADG compared to the control group and for both levels of inclusion, whereas reduced (P < 0.05) ADG were observed in the RL100 group. Reduced (P < 0.05) ADG were also observed for the RFb100 and the RL100 groups when calculated over the first three weeks of growth. Birds performance was improved (P < 0.05) in the RL50 group. No effects were observed on dressing percentage and breast and leg quarter cuts. The RFb and RL could represent valuable protein feeds in broilers diet formulation.