Nutritive and economic value of triticale as a feed grain for poultry

Abstract

This study reviews evidence from various studies of the nutritional value of triticale (X. Triticosecale Wittmack) for poultry feed. The economic value of triticale as a major ingredient in poultry diets, substituting for maize, barley, sorghum, wheat, and soybean meal, is analyzed using a linear programming model to formulate optimal minimum-cost feed rations, with and without triticale, for broiler and layer chickens at different growth stages. Triticale has the potential to reduce the cost (at international feed ingredient prices) of poultry rations and substitutes completely for maize and partially for soybean meal when its price is less than or equal to that of maize. The same model is used to examine the potential use of triticale in a particular country, Tunisia, where there is great potential for triticale production, the feed industry is dependent on imports, and triticale has a 20% price discount over maize and barley. Two feed composition scenarios are considered: (1) maize, soybean meal, barley, triticale, wheat bran, and premixes (vitamins and minerals) are the only feed ingredients available, thus leading to the formulation of suboptimal rations; and (2) other energy-rich ingredients, e.g., maize gluten and soybean oil, become available, thus allowing the formulation of balanced poultry rations. Regardless of the scenario under consideration, the inclusion of triticale leads to cost savings resulting from the complete replacement of maize and from a considerable reduction of soybean meal in the rations. These results indicate that, in countries where the feed industry relies on maize and soybean meal imports, and where sufficient triticale can be produced, the inclusion of triticale in the diet has the potential to lower the cost of poultry rations and to act as a buffer when there are disruptions and/or shortages in the supply of imported feed ingredients.