Facilitating the acceptance of tangibly reduced-crude protein diets for chicken-meat production

Abstract

Inclusions of non-bound amino acids particularly methionine, lysine and threonine, together with the "ideal protein" concept have allowed nutritionists to formulate broiler diets with reduced crude protein (CP) and increased nutrient density of notionally "essential" amino acids and energy content in recent decades. However, chicken-meat production has been projected to double between now and 2050, providing incentives to reduce dietary soybean meal inclusions further by tangibly reducing dietary CP and utilising a larger array of non-bound amino acids. Whilst relatively conservative decreases in dietary CP, in the order of 20 to 30 g/kg, do not negatively impact broiler performance, further decreases in CP typically compromise broiler performance with associated increases in carcass lipid deposition. Increases in carcass lipid deposition suggest changes occur in dietary energy balance, the mechanisms of which are still not fully understood but discourage the acceptance of diets with reductions in CP. Nevertheless, the groundwork has been laid to investigate both amino acid and non-amino acid limitations and propose facilitative strategies for adoption of tangible dietary CP reductions; consequently, these aspects are considered in detail in this review. Unsurprisingly, investigations into reduced dietary CP are epitomised by variability broiler performance due to the wide range of dietary specifications used and the many variables that should, or could, be considered in formulation of experimental diets. Thus, a holistic approach encompassing many factors influencing limitations to the adoption of tangibly reduced CP diets must be considered if they are to be successful in maintaining broiler performance without increasing carcass lipid deposition.

Keywords: Amino acid; Dietary energy; Digestive dynamic; Electrolyte balance; Peptide; Reduced crude protein.

Fig. 1

The quadratic relationships between starch:protein disappearance rate ratios in the proximal jejunum and weight gain (r = 0.849; P < 0.001) or feed conversion ratio (FCR; r = 0.838; P < 0.001) in broiler chickens from 15 to 28 d post–hatch (Sydenham et al., 2017).

Fig. 2

Predicted digestion curve of starch, nitrogen and amino acids in broilers offered sorghum/soybean meal-based diets (Liu and Selle, 2017).