Efficiency of replacing soybean for sunflower meal in diets for laying hens

Abstract

The article discusses the efficiency of replacing soybeans in diets for egg hens for sunflower meal. Since sunflower processing products, which are one of the largest sources of feed protein, are more affordable, the question of their effective use in feeding poultry is extremely urgent. The aim of the research was to study the effect of the replacement of soybean with sunflower meal in rations of egg hens on their productivity and economic performance. The study was performed on laying hens of egg breed group Birkivska barvysta contained on the experimental base State Poultry Research Station NAAS. Experimental group chickens were preparing compound feed using high-protein sunflower meal, replacing them with soybean meal. Comparison of experimental groups on the safety of poultry, indicators of egg production and its intensity, egg mass, feed costs and determined the economic efficiency of using feed with high-protein sunflower meal in feeding laying hens. According to the research results, it was established that the use of this ingredient in poultry feeding did not adversely affect its safety and productivity during the whole experiment, since all the studied parameters in the experimental group were at the control level both in dynamics and for the entire study period. At the same time, the low cost of feed based on high protein sunflower meal (by 8.3%), made it possible to reduce the total costs of poultry in the experimental group by 6.62 thousand UAH. and increase profits in the experience of 6.63 thousand UAH. This ultimately made it possible to receive 6.19 UAH additional profit from a layer. Thus, the use of high-protein sunflower meal in the diets of egg chickens is economically advantageous due to its lower cost and the absence of negative impact on the health and productivity of poultry.