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

Babatunde, O. O., Park, C. S., & Adeola, O. (2021). Nutritional potentials of atypical feed ingredients for broiler chickens and pigs. Animals, 11, 1196. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11051196
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Biesek, J., Banaszak, M., Wlaźlak, S., & Adamski, M. (2022). The effect of partial replacement of milled finisher feed with wheat grains on the production efficiency and meat quality in broiler chicken. Poultry Science, 101, 101817. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2022.101817
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cheng, V., Shoveller, A. K., Huber, L. A., & Kiarie, E. G. (2023). Comparative protein quality in black fly larvae meal vs. soybean meal and fish meal using classical protein efficiency ratio (PER) chick growth assay model. Poultry Science, 102, 102255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2022.102255
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Choct, M., Kocher, A., Waters, D. L. E., Petterson, D., & Ross, G. (2004). A comparison of three xylanases on the nutritive value of two wheats for broiler chickens. British Journal of Nutrition, 92(1), 53–61. https://doi.org/10.1079/BJN20041166
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Chrystal, P. V., Greenhalgh, S., McInerney, B. V., McQuade, L. R., Akter, Y., De Paula Dorigam, J. C., Selle, P. H., & Liu, S. Y. (2021). Maize-based diets are more conducive to crude protein reductions than wheat-based diets for broiler chickens. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 275, 114867. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2021.114867
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cordero, P., Ramírez-Toloza, G., Dufflocq, P., Herrera-Alcaíno, S., & Guzmán-Pino, S. A. (2025). Reduced dietary protein and essential amino acids impair growth performance and increase lysine sensitivity in broiler chickens. Animals, 15(7), 1027. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15071027
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Di Mauro, G., Schwalbert, R., Alvarez Prado, S., Saks, M.G., Ramirez, H., Costanzi, J., & Parra, G. (2023). Exploring practical nutrition options for maximizing seed yield and protein concentration in soybean. European Journal of Agronomy, 146, 126794. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2023.126794
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Directive 2010/63/EU of 22 September 2010 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. Official Journal of the European Union, L276, 33–79.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Directive 2015/412/EU of 11 March 2015 amending Directive 2001/18/EC as regards the possibility for the Member States to restrict or prohibit the cultivation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in their territory. Official Journal of the European Union, L68: 1–8.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
El-Katcha, M. I., Soltan, M. A., El-Kaney, H. F., & Karwarie, E. S. (2014). Growth performance, blood parameters, immune response and carcass traits of broiler chicks fed on graded levels of wheat instead of corn without or with enzyme supplementation. Alexandria Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 40(1), 95. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312163059
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Feddes, J., Emmanuel, E., & Zuidhoft, M. (2002). Broiler performance, body weight variance, feed and water intake, and carcass quality at different stocking densities. Poultry Science, 81(6), 774–779. https://doi.org/10.1093/ps/81.6.774
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Garcia Neto, M., Pesti, G. M., & Bakalli, R. I. (2000). Influence of dietary protein level on the broiler chicken’s response to methionine and betaine supplements. Poultry Science, 79(10), 1478–1484. https://doi.org/10.1093/ps/79.10.1478
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Greenhalgh, S., Lemme, A., Dorigam, J. C. D. P., Chrystal, P. V., Macelline, S. P., Liu, S. Y., & Selle, P. H. (2022). Dietary crude protein concentrations, feed grains, and whey protein interactively influence apparent digestibility coefficients of amino acids, protein, starch, and performance of broiler chickens. Poultry Science, 101(11), 102131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2022.102131
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hikawczuk, T., Szuba-Trznadel, A., Wróblewska, P., & Wiliczkiewicz, A. (2023). Oat hull as a source of lignin-cellulose complex in diets containing wheat or barley and its effect on performance and morphometric measurements of gastrointestinal tract in broiler chickens. Agriculture, 13(4), 896. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13040896
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kiczorowska, B., Samolińska, W., Grela, E. R., & Andrejko, D. (2015). Effect of infrared-irradiated pea seeds in mixtures for broilers on the health status and selected performance indicators of the birds (in Polish). Medycyna Weterynaryjna, 71, 583–588. http://www.medycynawet.edu.pl/archives/summary/455-summary-2015/358-summary-2015-09/5365-summary-med-weter-71-9-583-588-2015
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lee, S. R., Khan, D. R., Park, J. Y., Kaczmarek, S., & Choi, E. J. (2024). Novel thermal stability enhanced xylanase improves the performance and digestibility parameters in broilers. Poultry Science, 103(12), 104447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2024.104447
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lee, S. Y., Kim, J. S., Kim, J. M., An, B. K., & Kang, C. W. (2010). Effects of multiple enzyme (Rovabio® max) containing carbohydrolases and phytase on growth performance and intestinal viscosity in broiler chicks fed corn-wheat-soybean meal based diets. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 23(9), 1198–1204. https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.2010.90592
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lestingi, A. (2024). Alternative and sustainable protein sources in pig diet: A review. Animals, 14(2), 310. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14020310
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Liu, C., Wang, Y., Tang, Q., Li, N., Wang, Z., Tan, T., & Wang, X. (2025). Analysis of international coexistence management of genetically modified and non-genetically modified crops. Plants, 14(6), 895. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14060895
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Macelline, S. P., Chrystal, P. V., Liu, S. Y., & Selle, P. H. (2021). The dynamic conversion of dietary protein and amino acids into chicken-meat protein. Animals, 11(8), 2288. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082288
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Marchal, L., Bello, A., Archer, G., Sobotik, E. B., & Dersjant-Li, Y. (2024). Total replacement of soybean meal with alternative plant-based ingredients and a combination of feed additives in broiler diets from 1 day of age during the whole growing period. Poultry Science, 103(7), 103854. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2024.103854
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Maynard, C. W., Kidd, M. T., Chrystal, P. V., McQuade, L. R., McInerney, B. V., Selle, P. H., & Liu, S. Y. (2022). Assessment of limiting dietary amino acids in broiler chickens offered reduced crude protein diets. Animal Nutrition, 10, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aninu.2021.11.010
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Naeem, M., Burton, E. J., Scholey, D. V., Alkhtib, A., & Broadberry, S. (2024). Use of wheat dilution to improve digestive function in broilers: Application in low protein diets. British Poultry Science, 65(2), 144–153. https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2023.2291487
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Pirgozliev, V. R., Hammandy, M. H., Mansbridge, S. C., Whiting, I. M., & Rose, S. P. (2024). Efficiency of utilization of metabolizable energy for carcass energy retention in broiler chickens fed maize, wheat or a mixture. Poultry, 3(2), 85–94. https://doi.org/10.3390/poultry3020008
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Pope, M., Borg, B., Boyd, R. D., Holzgraefe, D., Rush, C., & Sifri, M. (2023). Quantifying the value of soybean meal in poultry and swine diets. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 32(2), 100337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japr.2023.100337
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Rajman, M., Juráni, M., Lamošová, D., Máčajová, M., Sedlačková, M., Košťál, Ľ., Ježová, D., & Výboh, P. (2006). The effects of feed restriction on plasma biochemistry in growing meat type chickens (Gallus gallus). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 145(3), 363–371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2006.07.004
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ross Broiler Management Handbook. (2018). Provision of Feed and Water. https://aviagen.com/assets/Tech_Center/Ross_Broiler/Ross-BroilerHandbook2018-EN.pdf.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Saleh, A. A., Amber, K. A., Soliman, M. M., Soliman, M. Y., Morsy, W. A., Shukry, M., & Alzawqari, M. H. (2021). Effect of low protein diets with amino acids supplementation on growth performance, carcass traits, blood parameters and muscle amino acids profile in broiler chickens under high ambient temperature. Agriculture, 11(2), 185. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11020185
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Selle, P. H., Macelline, S. P., Chrystal, P. V., & Liu, S. Y. (2023). The challenge to reduce crude protein contents of wheat-based broiler diets. Animal Production Science, 63(18), 1899–1910. https://doi.org/10.1071/AN22419
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Senanayake, S. S. H. M. M. L., Ranasinghe, J. G. S., Waduge, R., Nizanantha, K., & Alexander, P. A. B. D. (2015). Changes in the serum enzyme levels and liver lesions of broiler birds reared under different management conditions. Tropical Agricultural Research, 26(4), 584. https://doi.org/10.4038/tar.v26i4.8121
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Seyedoshohadaei, S., Torki, M., Yaghoubfar, A., & Abdolmohammadi, A. (2024). Interactions of wheat cultivars and supplemental enzyme in diet of broiler chickens on growth performance, carcass characteristics, intestinal morphometric features, and blood parameters. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 18, 101291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2024.101291
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Shewry, P. (2023). Wheat grain proteins: Past, present, and future. Cereal Chemistry, 100(1), 9–22. https://doi.org/10.1002/cche.10585
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sieradzki, Z., Mazur, M., Król, B., & Kwiatek, K. (2021). Prevalence of genetically modified soybean in animal feedingstuffs in Poland. Journal of Veterinary Research, 65(1), 93–99. https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2021-0012
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Smulikowska, S., & Rutkowski, A. (2018). Polish Requirements of Poultry Nutrition, 5th ed. (in Polish). The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jabłonna, Poland.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Soisontes S., Freund F., & Laquai V. (2024). The future of protein feed: a case study of sustainable substitutes in the German livestock industry. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 26(10), 25199–25226. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-03676-1
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Steenfeldt, S. (2001). The dietary effect of different wheat cultivars for broiler chickens. British Poultry Science, 42(5), 595–609. https://doi.org/10.1080/00071660120088416
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sułek, A., Cacak-Pietrzak, G., Różewicz, M., Nieróbca, A., Grabiński, J., Studnicki, M., Sujka, K., & Dziki, D. (2023). Effect of production technology intensity on the grain yield, protein content and amino acid profile in common and durum wheat grain. Plants, 12(2), 364. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12020364
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Szuba-Trznadel, A., Gałka, B., Kamińska, J., Jama-Rodzeńska, A., Król, Z., Jarki, D., & Fuchs, B. (2024). Diversity of chemical composition and nutritional value in grain from selected winter wheat cultivars grown in south-western Poland. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 2630. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-53094-0
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Thrall, M. A., Baker, D. C., Campell, T. W., DeNicola, D., Fettman, M. J., Duane Lassen, E., Rebar, A., & Weiser, G. (2006). Veterinary hematology and clinical chemistry (p. 231). Blackwell Publishing.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Wang, X., Li, D., Xu, Y., Ding, X., Liang, S., Xie, L., Wang, Y., & Zhan, X. (2024). Xylanase supplement enhances the growth performance of broiler by modulating serum metabolism, intestinal health, short-chain fatty acid composition, and microbiota. Animals, 14(8), 1182. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14081182
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Yin, D., Chrystal, P. V., Moss, A. F., Yun Liu, S., Yuan, J., & Selle, P. H. (2020). Effects of reducing dietary crude protein and whole grain feeding on performance and amino acid metabolism in broiler chickens offered wheat-based diets. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 260, 114386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2019.114386
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Zarghi H., & Golian A. (2009). Effect of triticale replacement and enzyme supplementation on performance and blood chemistry of broiler chickens. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 8(7), 1316–1321. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/202542972
Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Authors

Metrics

Articles in this issue

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,

Related subjects:

© 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.

AHEAD OF PRINT