Effect of feeding different levels of rapeseed meal on the performance of broiler chicks

An experiment was conducted on day-old Hubbard broiler chicks to see the effects of feeding at different levels HG-rapeseed meal (60.8 mu mol/g) in the diet on their growth performance, and also to quantify their response to the levels of glucosinolates in the diet. The experiment was of five weeks duration, during which time the feed consumption and weight data were recorded weekly. The results indicated that rapeseed meal in the diet up to a level of 15% was well tolerated by the broiler chicks. Feed consumption increased with increased levels of rapeseed meal incorporation. Weight gain did not change up to 15%, and fell beyond that level of inclusion. A negative curvilinear relationship between the total glucosinolate content of the diet and weight gain of broiler chicks was noted.