Assessing soybean processing add-backs in soybean meal via a dietary broiler performance test

This experiment assessed the feeding value of soybean meal with the inclusion of soybean crush plant “add-backs” ingredients (i.e. gums and soapstocks) in Cobb MX x 500 male broilers from 0 to 45 d of age. Five corn and soy-based diets were formulated with soybean meal containing various levels of soybean gums and soapstocks inclusions or the addition of an inert filler. Diet 1 contained soybean meal with no add-backs whereas diets 2 through 5 contained either 4% gums, 4% soapstocks, 2% gums and 2% soapstocks, or 4% inert filler, respectively. Diets were fed to 1,200 male broilers across 10 replicate treatment pens of 24 birds in a randomized complete block design. Birds were weighed at d 0, 14, 28, and 45 and live performance was assessed from the 0 to 45 d period. After each weigh period, one bird per pen was selected for body composition analysis using dual x-ray absorptiometry. Additionally at d 45, one bird per pen was selected for assessment of gut integrity. Six birds per pen were evaluated for carcass characteristics at d 45. Diet 1 had significantly higher FCR from 0 to 45 d than treatments 2 through 5. On d 28 birds fed Diet 1 had significantly higher mineral, calcium, and phosphorus mass compared to birds fed diets 2 through 5. No significant responses were observed for most live performance measurements, carcass yields, gut integrity, or woody breast measurements. In conclusion, soybean gums and soapstocks added back to soybean meal can be fed to broilers without loss in performance.