Cereal by-products as alternative energy sources in poultry diets: A review

Abstract

The rising global cereal production for human food, feed, and biofuels is accompanied by a surge in quantities of cereal by-products that are not intended for human consumption but are potential alternative energy sources in poultry diets. Their utilization in poultry diets reduces not only poultry feed costs but also the competition between humans and livestock and environmental pollution. Cereal by-products contain a variable amount of nutrients that are useful in poultry nutrition. However, there is limited published information regarding the utilization of cereal by-products as alternative energy sources in poultry diets. Therefore, this review aimed to collate the available information on the proximate composition and inclusion levels of cereal by-products in poultry diets, together with their pertinent issues, for easy retrieval by researchers and nutritionists. In conclusion, good-quality cereal by-products can potentially replace conventional energy sources in poultry diets without adversely affecting poultry performance.