Broiler Chick Response to Feeding Heat-Treated Ground Full-Fat Raw Soybeans

Abstract

Two separate experiments were conducted. In each experiment 440 one day-old commercial broiler cbicks were fed starter diets formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric, and containing either commercially processed soybean meal or ground full-fat raw soybeans heated at 100 C and 121 C for 30 and 60 min. The cbicks were separated by sexes and reared in battery cages, ten per group, Weekly body weights and feed consumption were obtained on each treatment group. Body weight and feed utilization were significantly reduced when the ground full-fat raw soybeans were used in tbe starter diet. Autoclaved cooking temperatures of 100 C and a cooking time of 60 min appeared to be the best combination used for cooking the ground full-fat raw soybeans. The response of broiler chicks to feeding ground full-fat raw soybeans appears to be age related. The chicks overcame much of tbe body weight depression after 3 weeks of age.