RAW AND AUTOCLAVED FABABEANS (VICIA FABA L.) AS AN ALTERNATE SOURCE OF PROTEIN FOR BROILERS

Seven experiments were conducted to determine the role of either raw or autoclaved fababeans (Vicia faba L. var. minor) in broiler chick diets. The proximate analyses and amino acid composition were determined and used as a base for formulating all rations. Based on a table value of 2980 metabolizable energy (ME) kcal/kg rations containing up to 20% ground raw beans had no deleterious effect on performance of chicks when energy, protein, methionine and lysine levels were equalized with those of a wheat-soybean diet. Increasing the level to 35% showed a significant reduction in feed efficiency in one experiment. Chicks fed diets containing autoclaved beans to 35% were significantly heavier and more efficient in feed utilization than those receiving raw beans in their diets. Rations containing levels of autoclaved beans to 64.5% resulted in a significant increase in feed to gain ratio. Pancreas and liver size was not affected irrespective of the level of beans fed. The ME of raw and autoclaved beans was determined to be 2142 and 2391 kcal/kg, respectively. Levels of autoclaved beans up to 72%, which represents a total replacement of soybean meal in starter diet, produced as good growth performance and carcass quality as a standard wheat-soybean diet. A combination of 20% raw beans and sufficient poultry by-product and hydrolyzed feather meal to replace all soybean meal resulted in a satisfactory performance in chicks to 4 wk of age.