Performance of Broiler Chicks Fed Wheat-based Diets Supplemented with Combinations of Non-extruded or Extruded Canola, Flax and Peas

摘要

The objective of this study was to determine the potential of various combinations of flax, canola and peas to replace soybean meal in diets fed to broiler chicks and to determine whether the extrusion process is beneficial in improving the nutritive value of these protein sources. A total of 210-day old, male broiler chicks (Ross-308 line) weighing an average of 45.3?0.6 g were randomly assigned to one of seven dietary treatments for a 21-day experiment. There were five birds per pen and six pens per treatment. The control diet was based on wheat and soybean meal while the six experimental diets contained 25% extruded or non-extruded combinations of flax and peas (50:50; Linpro?), canola and peas (50:50; Extrapro?) or canola, flax and peas (25:25:50; Flexipro?), added at the expense of wheat and soybean meal. Chromic oxide (0.35%) was added to all diets as a digestibility marker. Digestibility coefficients for dry matter were significantly (p0.05) from that of birds fed soybean meal. Feed intake was also unaffected by dietary treatment. All three products when fed in raw form significantly depressed feed conversion but the depression was overcome by extrusion. In conclusion, extrusion of blends of full-fat flax, canola and peas significantly increased digestibility coefficients for dry matter and energy and resulted in significant improvements in feed conversion compared with non-extruded blends. Use of these products may provide poultry producers with a mechanism to increase the omega-3 fatty acid content of poultry meat thereby catering to the needs of the health conscious consumer.