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Partial to complete replacement of soybean meal with high-protein wheat in broiler diets: Effects on growth and blood parameters Cover

Partial to complete replacement of soybean meal with high-protein wheat in broiler diets: Effects on growth and blood parameters

Annals of Animal Science
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|Nov 2026
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Figures & tables

Figures & tables

Table 1

Composition of feed mixtures for broiler chickens (starter)

Ingredient, g·kg–1 Groups
IIIIIIIV
Wheat (Activus cv.)580.1711.1776.1840.6
Soybean meal (CP 48%)256.5128.064.0—
Feed wheat flour85.085.085.085.0
Soybean oil35.017.89.31.0
Choline chloride 60%2.82.82.82.8
Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3)1.51.51.51.5
1-Ca phosphate7.48.59.09.5
Chalk12.813.213.514.1
Premix (Broiler Starter Green Line)1 2.02.02.02.0
dl-methionine (99%)2 4.15.35.96.5
l-arginine (97%)2 1.75.57.39.2
l-lysine HCl (78.9%)2 4.88.810.812.8
l-threonine (99%)2 2.03.84.75.6
l-tryptophan (98%)2 —0.60.91.1
l-valine (96.5%)2 0.42.63.64.7
Sodium sulphate1.01.01.01.0
Salt1.11.00.90.9
Sacox 120 microGranulate3 1.31.31.31.3
Enzyme phytase4 0.20.20.20.2
Enzyme xylanase5 0.20.20.20.2

[i] 1Each 1 kg of premix contained (Broiler Starter Green Line): Vitamins: A 6000000.00 IU, D3 1250000.00 IU, 25-hydroxycholeciferol 18750.00 mcg, E 50000.00 mg, K3 2000.00 mg, B1 1750.00 mg, B2 4500.00 mg, Ca pantothenate 7499.94 mg, B6 2500.00 mg, B12 15000.00 mcg, niacin 32500.00 mg, folic acid 1000.00 mg, biotin 100000.00 mcg. Minerals: Ca 14.53%, Mg 0.01%, Na 1.76%. Fe 10000.00 mg, Cu 8000.00 mg, Mn 60000.00 mg, Zn 55000.00 mg, I 625.00 mg, Se 150.00 mg. Enzymes: 6-phytase 750000.00 FYT, endo–1,4-beta-xylanase 100000.00 FXU. Others: citric acid 12.00 mg, butylhydroxytoluene 48.19 mg. propyl gallate 3.96 mg, clinoptilolite of sedimentary origin 20000.00 mg·kg–1.

[ii] 2Amino acids bought from DSM Company, The Netherlands.

[iii] 3Sacox 120 microGranulate – salinomycin sodium salt 120 g: salinomycin sodium: 114–132 g; silicon dioxide: 10–100 g·kg–1; calcium carbonate: 500–700 g.

[iv] 4Enzyme phytase – Ronozyme® HiPhos (DSM Company, The Netherlands).

[v] 5Enzyme xylanase – Ronozyme WX (DSM Company, The Netherlands).

[vi] *Digestible amino acid – according to nutritional recommendations for poultry (Smulikowska & Rutkowski, 2018) – crystalline AAs are completely absorbed in the small intestine and their availability is assumed to be 100%.

Table 2

Composition of feed mixtures for broiler chickens (grower)

Ingredient, g·kg–1 Groups
IIIIIIIV
Wheat (Activus cv.)669.3777.7831.1884.5
Soybean meal (CP 48%)211.4105.052.5—
Feed wheat flour49.950.050.050.0
Soybean oil30.516.39.32.3
Choline chloride 60%2.72.72.72.7
Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3)1.51.51.51.5
1-Ca phosphate5.96.87.27.7
Chalk11.211.511.711.8
Premix (Broiler Grower Green Line)1 2.02.02.02.0
dl-methionine (99%)2 3.94.95.45.9
l-arginine (97%)2 4.57.89.511.1
l-lysine HCl (79.8%)2 1.63.13.84.6
l-threonine (99%)2 —0.40.70.9
l-tryptophan (98%)2 0.21.92.83.7
l-valine (96.5%)2 1.01.01.01.0
Sodium sulphate1.00.90.90.8
Sacox 120 microGranulate3 1.31.31.31.3
Enzyme phytase4 0.20.20.20.2
Enzyme xylanase5 0.20.20.20.2

[i] 1Each 1 kg of premix contained (Broiler Grower Green Line): Vitamins: A 5000000.00 IU, D3 2000000.00 IU, E 50000.00 mg, K3 2000.00 mg, B1 1500.00 mg, B2 4000.00 mg, Ca pantothenate 7499.94 mg, B6 2500.00 mg, B12 15000.00 mcg, niacin 32500.00 mg, folic acid 1000.00 mg, biotin 125000.00 mcg. Minerals: Ca 14.59%, Mg 0.01%, Na 1.76%. Fe 10000.00 mg, Cu 8000.00 mg, Mn 60000.00 mg, Zn 55000.00 mg, I 625.00 mg, Se 150.00 mg. Enzymes: 6-phytase 750000.00 FYT, endo–1,4-beta-xylanase 100000.00 FXU. Others: citric acid 12.00 mg, butylhydroxytoluene 48.19 mg, propyl gallate 3.96 mg, clinopptilolite of sedimentary origin 20000.00 mg.

[ii] 2Amino acids bought from DSM Company, The Netherlands.

[iii] 3Sacox 120 microGranulate – salinomycin sodium salt 120 g·kg–1: salinomycin sodium: 114–132 g·kg–1; silicon dioxide: 10–100 g·kg–1; calcium carbonate: 500–700 g·kg–1.

[iv] 4Enzyme phytase – Ronozyme® HiPhos (DSM Company, The Netherlands).

[v] 5Enzyme xylanase – Ronozyme WX (DSM Company, The Netherlands).

[vi] *Digestible amino acid – according to nutritional recommendations for poultry (Smulikowska & Rutkowski, 2018) – crystalline AAs are completely absorbed in the small intestine and their availability is assumed to be 100%.

Table 3

Composition of feed mixtures for broiler chickens (finisher)

Ingredient, g·kg–1 Groups
IIIIIIIV
Wheat (Activus cv.)726.6810.4851.7891.9
Soybean meal (CP 48%)161.980.040.0—
Feed wheat flour50.050.049.750.0
Soybean oil28.517.512.06.8
Choline chloride 60%2.72.72.72.7
Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3)1.11.11.11.1
1-Ca phosphate4.55.25.55.9
Chalk10.410.410.310.7
Premix (Broiler Finisher Green Line)1 2.02.02.02.0
dl-methionine (99%)2 3.24.04.44.7
l-arginine (97%)2 1.64.05.26.3
l-lysine HCl (79.8%)2 4.36.98.29.4
l-threonine (99%)2 1.32.43.03.5
l-tryptophan (98%)2 —0.20.40.6
l-valine (96.5%)2 —1.42.02.7
Sodium sulphate1.01.01.01.0
Salt0.50.40.40.3
Enzyme phytase3 0.20.20.20.2
Enzyme xylanase4 0.20.20.20.2

[i] 1Each 1 kg of premix contained (Broiler Finisher Green Line): Vitamins: A 5000000.00 IU, D3 2000000.00 IU, E 40000.00 mg, K3 1500.00 mg, B1 1000.00 mg, B2 3500.00 mg, Ca pantothenate 6250.44 mg, B6 2000.00 mg, B12 10000.00 mcg, niacin 25000.00 mg, folic acid 1000.00 mg, biotin 100000.00 mcg. Minerals: Ca 15.83%, Mg 0.01%, Na 1.76%. Fe 10000.00 mg, Cu 8000.00 mg, Mn 60000.00 mg, Zn 55000.00 mg, I 625.00 mg, Se 150.00 mg. Enzymes: 6-phytase 750000.00 FYT, endo–1,4-beta-xylanase 100000.00 FXU. Others: citric acid 12.00 mg·kg–1, butylhydroxytoluene 48.19 mg·kg–1, propyl gallate 3.96 mg·kg–1, clinoptilolite of sedimentary origin 20000.00 mg·kg–1.

[ii] 2Amino acids bought from DSM Company, The Netherlands.

[iii] 3Enzyme phytase – Ronozyme® HiPhos (DSM Company, The Netherlands).

[iv] 4Enzyme xylanase – Ronozyme WX (DSM Company, The Netherlands).

[v] *Digestible amino acid – according to nutritional recommendations for poultry (Smulikowska & Rutkowski, 2018) – crystalline AAs are completely absorbed in the small intestine and their availability is assumed to be 100%.

Table 4

Wheat and soybean meal content in experimental mixtures (%)

Group IGroup IIGroup IIIGroup IV
SBM30157.50100
HPW607582.5100

[i] SBM, soybean meal; HPW, high-protein wheat.

Table 5

Nutritional value (in kg of feed mixture) of diets for broiler chickens

GroupsIIIIIIIVIIIIIIIVIIIIIIIV
Starter phase (1–14)Grower phase (15–29)Finisher phase (30–49)
CA, g59.848.642.556.846.746.642.830.441.739.423.331.7
CP, g236.4217.6214.5196.8225.0215.1206.2199.5207.0196.1187.4176.8
EE, g36.622.823.223.840.434.127.119.338.528.222.319.7
CF, g26.421.618.416.021.018.518.525.726.024.223.120.4
Ca, g9.809.129.539.458.508.938.569.188.598.798.547.77
P, g6.426.606.716.156.176.336.186.676.476.496.326.67
Na, g2.092.022.062.011.602.091.471.451.691.251.531.43
Lys, g17.9618.7018.1918.0313.2413.2013.2713.0411.6811.2711.6411.93
Met + Cys, g9.649.119.049.309.529.178.938.729.129.259.679.82
Thr, g9.939.489.469.418.548.778.689.266.716.736.187.10
Trp, g2.582.402.392.301.681.481.491.431.351.291.331.15
Arg, g14.8015.0114.8914.9312.8313.3513.9113.2410.1310.0310.3110.35
Val, g10.069.9310.1810.108.178.188.778.688.178.148.408.73

CA, crude ash; CP, crude protein; EE, ether extract (crude fat); CF, crude fibre; Ca, calcium; P, phosphorus; Na, sodium; Lys, lysine; Met + Cys, methionine + cystine; Thr, threonine; Trp, tryptophan; Arg, arginine; Val, valine.

The line chart shows weekly body weight gain in broiler chickens from days 7 to 49 in four dietary groups, alongside the Ross 308 reference values. BWG generally increased with age, although it fluctuated between weeks. Group 4 consistently showed the lowest BWG. Group 3 also generally had lower values than Group 1 and 2. Group 2 exceeded Group 1 during days 35–42 and had a similar value during the final week. The Ross 308 reference increased to a peak around day 42 and then declined slightly. Error bars represent SEM; statistical differences are indicated in the accompanying table.
Figure 1

Average body weight gain (BWG) of broiler chickens fed with different high-protein wheat (HPW) contents (mean value ± SEM, n = 7).

The line chart presents average daily feed intake across seven weekly intervals, from days 1–7 to days 42–49, for four dietary groups and the ross 308 reference. Feed intake generally increased with age. Group 4 had the lowest intake in every interval, with particularly large differences during the early weeks. Group 3 had lower intake than Groups 1 and 2 during days 28–35. Intake in Groups 1–3 was more similar during the later weeks, while Group 4 remained below the other groups and the reference. Error bars represent SEM; statistical differences are indicated in the accompanying table.
Figure 2

Average daily feed intake (FI) of broiler chickens fed with different high-protein wheat (HPW) contents (mean value ± SEM, n = 7).

Table 6

Average BW (g day–1) in broiler chickens fed with different HPW contents

Day of lifeGroupsSEM P-value
IIIIIIIV
145.8246.1045.0946.520.5760.373
7189.52A 182.13A 170.86B 126.50C 3.282<0.001
14468.92Aa 439.98ABa 408.45Bb 243.01Cc 7.919<0.001
21905.40A 834.02B 767.17C 432.50D 15.933<0.001
281425.92A 1332.11B 1197.09C 660.78D 37.237<0.001
352257.85A 2076.82B 1866.56C 1098.59D 45.116<0.001
422999.80A 2893.71A 2529.28B 1640.79C 61.439<0.001
493664.80A 3638.71A 3094.28B 2120.07C 39.016<0.001

Abbreviations: BW – body weight, HPW – high-protein wheat.

SEM = pooled standard error of the mean derived from ANOVA model (based on n = 7 replicate pens per treatment group).

[i] a–c Means within a row with different superscripts differ (P < 0.05).

[ii] A–D Means within a row with different superscripts differ (P < 0.01).

Table 7

Average FCR (kg kg–1) in broiler chickens fed with different HPW contents

Rearing period (days)GroupsSEM P-value
IIIIIIIV
1–70.750.700.750.820.0440.290
7–141.04Bb 1.10Bb 1.14ABb 1.25Aa 0.029<0.001
14–211.20Bb 1.33a 1.38Aa 1.44Aa 0.027<0.001
21–281.42Bb 1.52AB 1.61a 1.71A 0.0470.002
28–351.42B 1.53AB 1.58A 1.67A 0.030<0.001
35–421.54B 1.58BC 1.70AC 1.73A 0.026<0.001
42–491.69C 1.69C 1.88B 2.02A 0.021<0.001
1–491.71C 1.71C 1.91B 2.06A 0.022<0.001

Abbreviations: FCR – feed conversion ratio, HPW – high-protein wheat.

SEM = pooled standard error of the mean derived from ANOVA model (based on n = 7 replicate pens per treatment group).

[i] a–b Means within a row with different superscripts differ (P < 0.05).

[ii] A–C Means within a row with different superscripts differ (P < 0.01).

Table 8

Average CPI (g per rearing period per head) of broiler chickens fed with different HPW contents

Rearing periodGroupsSEM P-value
IIIIIIIV
Starter115.85A 103.51B 94.43C 57.09D 1.836<0.001
Grower344.50A 309.00Ba 283.87Bb 150.55C 5.657<0.001
Finisher (to day 35)258.48A 221.22B 192.51C 119.35D 4.053<0.001
Finisher (to day 42)549.54A 495.68B 441.75C 297.34D 8.824<0.001
Finisher (to day 49)878.95A 791.47B 728.37C 558.64D 10.219<0.001

Abbreviations: CPI – crude protein intake, HPW – high-protein wheat.

SEM = pooled standard error of the mean derived from ANOVA model (based on n = 7 replicate pens per treatment group).

[i] a-b Means within a row with different superscripts differ (P < 0.05).

[ii] A-D Means within a row with different superscripts differ (P < 0.01).

Table 9

Average PER (g g–1) of broiler chickens fed with different HPW contents

Rearing periodGroupsSEM P-value
IIIIIIIV
Starter3.66ab 3.81a 3.85a 3.45b 0.0990.036
Grower2.792.892.772.770.1170.874
Finisher (to day 35)3.223.373.353.380.1830.920
Finisher (to day 42)2.86b 3.15ab 3.02ab 3.29a 0.1010.034
Finisher (to day 49)2.49B 2.96A 2.61B 2.61B 0.044<0.001

Abbreviations: PER – protein efficiency ratio, HPW – high-protein wheat.

SEM = pooled standard error of the mean derived from ANOVA model (based on n = 7 replicate pens per treatment group).

[i] a–b Means within a row with different superscripts differ (P < 0.05).

[ii] A–B Means within a row with different superscripts differ (P < 0.01).

Table 10

Price of the diet and the cost of feeding broiler chickens (EUR per tonne) fed with different HPW contents

ItemGroupsSEM P-value
IIIIIIIV
Price for a ton [EUR per ton]
Starter349.29339.15335.61332.55
Grower323.58317.92315.33312.50
Finisher302.59295.28292.92291.04
Cost of feeding (EUR per FI cumulatively in kg)
Starter0.17Aa 0.17A 0.16Ab 0.10B 0.003<0.001
Grower0.50A 0.49A 0.46A 0.25B 0.010<0.001
Finisher (to day 35)0.36A 0.34AB 0.30B 0.21C 0.011<0.001
Finisher (to day 42)0.79A 0.75AB 0.69B 0.50C 0.017<0.001
Finisher (to day 49)1.26A 1.21ABa 1.14Bb 0.92C 0.019<0.001
Total cost of feeding (EUR per total FI cumulatively in kg)
To day 351.03A 1.00AB 0.92B 0.56C 0.022<0.001
To day 421.46A 1.41AB 1.31B 0.85C 0.027<0.001
To day 491.93A 1.87A 1.76B 1.28C 0.029<0.001

Abbreviations: HPW – high-protein wheat.

SEM = pooled standard error of the mean derived from ANOVA model (based on n = 7 replicate pens per treatment group).

[i] a–b Means within a row with different superscripts differ (P < 0.05).

[ii] A–C Means within a row with different superscripts differ (P < 0.01).

Table 11

Average EPEF of broiler chickens fed with different HPW contents during the last feeding phase

Rearing periodGroupsSEM P-value
IIIIIIIV
Finisher (to day 35)454.48A 387.22B 337.96C 189.55D 7.803<0.001
Finisher (to day 42)463.37A 435.49A 355.88B 227.68C 8.174<0.001
Finisher (to day 49)443.13A 440.34A 336.18B 214.49C 7.913<0.001

Abbreviations: EPEF – European production efficiency factor, HPW – high-protein wheat.

SEM = pooled standard error of the mean derived from ANOVA model (based on n = 7 replicate pens per treatment group).

[i] A–D Means within a row with different superscripts differ (P < 0.01).

Table 12

Hematological parameters in the serum of broiler chickens fed with different HPW contents

DayNormal range* GroupsSEM P-value
IIIIIIIV
RBC, 106 µL–1
14th1.4–2.41.982.202.241.880.1480.2685
21st 2.1–3.22.472.422.302.170.1530.5118
35th 1.6–3.22.332.222.322.320.1460.9314
42nd2.1–2.72.412.742.612.360.1290.1503
49th2.2–2.92.522.562.362.490.1240.7077
WBC, 103 µL–1
14th26–4733.8732.4828.3938.004.9900.6014
21st42–6854.6741.6846.8937.374.7910.0914
35th19–3927.6834.4828.6429.522.3070.1896
42nd24–6638.7743.3045.5243.174.7490.8529
49th34–6645.6544.4842.0355.461.2940.1165

Abbreviations: RBC – red blood cells, WBC – white blood cells.

SEM = pooled standard error of the mean derived from ANOVA model (based on n = 7 replicate pens per treatment group).

[i] *Normal range was defined as the range between the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of the distribution of values obtained from birds in the control group (group I).

Table 13

Serum enzyme profile in broiler chickens fed with different HPW contents

DayNormal range* GroupsSEM P-value
IIIIIIIV
ALT, U L–1
14th7.2–14.810.0910.068.8311.591.0760.368
21st6.0 –9.88.098.648.848.390.7960.916
35th8.1–11.99.6711.0312.1010.341.2560.572
42nd4.6–8.15.869.009.548.170.9990.072
49th5.2–9.77.267.879.148.161.0890.672
AST, U L–1
14th177–214199.31207.66191.06186.947.5590.246
21st165–240197.81189.47170.36174.947.5610.060
35th250–586376.37B 470.64A 342.49B 186.33C 50.1810.005
42nd224–537348.44B 490.84A 385.97B 224.04C 37.7450.001
49th408–838625.39492.04567.89393.9674.6110.174
ALP, U L–1
14th1000–42362712.572351.421950.851752.2835.1790.246
21st385–27961088.281878.851216.001248.5733.1890.353
35th302–597417.71265.14363.42396.577.6190.512
42nd212–559351.42471.42283.42452.578.7620.403
49th150–223186.85A 149.71A 178.28A 257.71B 1.8020.002

Abbreviations: ALT – alanine aminotransferase, AST – aspartate aminotransferase, ALP – alkaline phosphatase, HPW – high-protein wheat.

SEM = pooled standard error of the mean derived from ANOVA model (based on n = 7 replicate pens per treatment group).

[i] A–C Means within a row with different superscripts differ (P < 0.01).

[ii] *Normal range was defined as the range between the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of the distribution of values obtained from birds in the control group (group I).

Table 14

Protein and lipid metabolism in the serum of broiler chickens fed with different HPW contents

DayNormal range* GroupsSEM P-value
IIIIIIIV
TP, g dL–1
14th2.1–3.22.59ab 2.81ab 2.87a 2.11b 0.1880.035
21st2.1–3.12.732.672.632.330.1100.073
35th2.2–3.32.843.012.762.710.2190.078
42nd2.4–3.42.793.073.192.610.1590.068
49th2.9–3.73.123.343.103.170.1310.617
Alb, g dL–1
14th1.2–1.61.37 A 1.44 A 1.37 A 1.05B 0.044<0.001
21st1.2–1.51.4a 1.38ab 1.38ab 1.21b 0.0460.027
35th1.4–1.71.581.541.621.560.3180.834
42nd1.6–2.21.81a 1.82a 1.82a 1.57b 0.3280.034
49th1.4–2.01.641.781.611.660.0860.516
TCh, mg dL–1
14th95–149121.16140.73124.43124.708.2170.350
21st104–124115.59119.23121.46120.025.2830.875
35th122–175143.80120.39131.16126.247.3300.166
42nd102–148124.81 A 90.37B 86.11B 87.91B 5.710<0.001
49th64–10285.6384.6977.8090.603.9410.176

Abbreviations: TP – total protein, Alb – albumin, TCh – total cholesterol concentration, HPW – high-protein wheat.

Pooled SEM = pooled standard error of the mean derived from ANOVA model (based on n = 7 replicate pens per treatment group).

[i] a–b Means within a row with different superscripts differ (P < 0.05).

[ii] A–C Means within a row with different superscripts differ (P < 0.01).

[iii] *Normal range was defined as the range between the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of the distribution of values obtained from birds in the control group (group I).

Table 15

Renal function and mineral status in the serum of broiler chickens fed with different HPW contents

DayNormal range* GroupsSEM P-value
IIIIIIIV
Cr, mg dL–1
14th0.3–0.30.3010.3000.3000.3000.0010.998
21st0.3–0.40.3140.3430.2860.2710.0200.087
35th0.2–0.30.286b 0.329ab 0.371a 0.314ab 0.0200.039
42nd0.3–0.40.3140.3000.3000.3000.0070.410
49th0.3–0.40.3140.3140.3140.3140.0140.998
P, mg dL–1
14th6.0–37.015.47611.01112.53612.3043.2680.802
21st6.3–18.08.5118.5119.1268.7250.7720.934
35th7.4–12.79.2469.24610.69011.9271.3370.438
42nd7.1–10.69.1699.1698.1845.4961.1940.125
49th6.6–11.68.3108.3107.5198.0060.6220.782

Abbreviations: Cr – creatinine, P – phosphorus, HPW – high-protein wheat.

SEM = pooled standard error of the mean derived from ANOVA model (based on n = 7 replicate pens per treatment group).

[i] a–b Means within a row with different superscripts differ (P < 0.05).

[ii] *Normal range was defined as the range between the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of the distribution of values obtained from birds in the control group (group I).

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2027-0010 | Journal eISSN: 2300-8733 (formerly 1642-3402) | Journal ISSN: 1642-3402
Journal RSS Feed
Language: English
Submitted on: Feb 24, 2026
Accepted on: Jul 16, 2026
Published on: Nov 11, 2026
Published by: National Research Institute of Animal Production
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 4 issues per year
Keywords:
Alternative protein sources,
Body weight gain,
European production efficiency factor,
Feed conversion ratio,
Hemato-biochemical indices,
Poultry nutrition,
Triticum aestivum
Related subjects:
Medicine,
Veterinary medicine

© 2026 Anna Szuba-Trznadel, Aleksandra Pliszczak-Król, Tomasz Hikawczuk, Adrianna Lazar, Anna Jama-Rodzeńska, Zygmunt Król, Bogusław Fuchs, Anna Rząsa, published by National Research Institute of Animal Production
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

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