Use of poultry byproduct meal as an alternate protein source in swine starter rations

Three experiments were conducted to test inclusion of poultry byproduct meal (PBM) in nursery rations to replace more commonly used animal protein sources. The results of the first experiment demonstrate PBM can replace blood meal and fishmeal without affecting performance, but may not be equivalent to spray dried plasma protein (SDPP) in phase I diets. In experiment two, pigs fed 20% PBM for the first four weeks post-weaning exhibited no difference in performance as compared to those fed a more traditional starter series of diets. The third experiment was a slope ratio assay designed to determine the ability of PBM to replace SDPP. The results indicate that in the first week post-weaning pigs fed with SDPP demonstrated greater gains. However, as in experiments 1&2, there was no difference in growth over the entire four-week period. These results validate PBM as a cost-effective substitute for higher priced ingredients in nursery diets.