Rapeseed meal as a substitute for soybean meal in poultry diets

Abstract

When low glucosinolate rapeseed meal is introduced into broiler starter (0-3 weeks) diets at 5-20 % levels, growth rate is reduced in three out of four trials. This response is increased when pelleting diets. Broilers of more than 3 weeks of age, appear to tolerate dietary levels of rapeseed meal up to 20 % but their performances are heterogenous. Growing pullets (0-18 weeks) appear to be able to support up to 10 % of rapeseed meal in diets. However, even at these levels, it has been reported slight decreases in subsequent egg weight and slight increases in mortality. Rapeseed meals from new varieties can be used for feeding laying hens without adverse effects on laying rate or egg weight (up to 8 or 9 % incorporation). Unfortunately, for brown egg laying hens, the problem of egg tainting induced by sinapine limits to a much lower percentage the incorporation of rapeseed meal into feeds.