Using okara in diets for growing broilers

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of okara inclusion in diet for growing broilers on performance, carcass yield, blood and bone variables, quality and lipid oxidation of meat, and economic viability. For that, 575 Cobb 21-d-old male broilers were distributed in a completely randomized design with four levels of okara inclusion (25, 50, 75, and 100 g of okara kg−1 diet) and a control group with five replicates and 23 birds each. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) of okara levels on the performance variables, carcass yield, bone variables, and serum triglycerides, calcium and phosphorus at 42-d-old. Serum cholesterol levels showed a quadratic response (P < 0.05), in which the lowest value estimated was 65.3 g of okara kg−1 of diet. Okara can be included in diets for broilers up to the level of 100 g kg−1 without affecting the performance, carcass yield, bone variables, and lipid oxidation of meat. However, the best economic results were observed up to 50 g of okara kg−1 of diet.