Augmentation of Soybean Oil Cake as a Replacement for Vegetable Oil in Broiler Diets

Sonale, N.S., Rajendran, K. and Kathirvelan, C. 2024. Augmentation of Soybean Oil Cake as a Replacement for Vegetable Oil in Broiler Diets. Indian Journal of Poultry Science, 59(1): 41–48.

A research investigation was carried out to assess the effects of incorporating soybean oil cake as a substitute for vegetable oils in the diets of commercial broiler chickens. This experimental investigation involved 250 commercial chicks housed in a deep litter environment under standard management conditions for a period of 0 to 35 days. Six different dietary treatment groups were established: T1, the basal diet (BD) with 100% vegetable oil (rice bran oil, RBO); T2, T3, T4, and T5, where RBO was gradually substituted with 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% soybean oil cake (SOC), respectively. By the end of the fifth week, results indicated that T3 and T4 exhibited significantly (P<0.05) higher weight gains (1890.90g and 1845.34g) compared to T1, T2, and T5. Regarding carcass quality, the 75% SOC supplementation (T4) had a significant (P<0.05) effect on eviscerated and ready-to-cook weights compared to other treatment groups. Sero-biochemical analysis revealed significant (P<0.05) variations in serum protein, albumin, and albumin: globulin ratios among the treatment groups, with the highest levels observed in the T4 group. Histomorphology examination of the jejunum showed a significant (P<0.01) difference in both intestinal villi height and villi height: crypt depth ratio among the treatment groups, with T5 demonstrating the highest intestinal villi height (1334.55 μm). However, crypt depth did not vary significantly among the treatment groups. The study clearly indicates that soybean oil cake can effectively replace vegetable oils in broiler diets. It is recommended that agro-industrial byproducts like soybean oil cake be included in broiler diets up to 75% as a replacement for vegetable oil to enhance production and gut health for sustainable production.