Promising fruit pomaces for broiler chicken feed
Introduction
Fruit and beverage processors generate large amounts of pomace each year, creating an opportunity to use them in poultry feed and reduce food waste. However there is little information on their nutritional and functional values, which makes it difficult for feed formulators to know how to use pomaces as poultry feed ingredients. In addition to nutrients and energy, fruit pomaces contain natural plant compounds with potential health benefits. For example, grape and berry pomaces contain compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and immune-supporting properties that may help support bird health. This may be particularly important in organic poultry systems where antibiotic use is limited.
To better understand the potential role of fruit pomaces in poultry feed, researchers explored two key questions: (1) How much energy can chickens use from the different fruit pomaces? and (2) Can a multi-enzyme supplement improve the functional values of fruit pomaces by unlocking nutrient and bio-active compounds? The results provide baseline information to support feed formulation decisions and future research on incorporating fruit-processing by-products into poultry production.
About this brief
This brief was prepared by Yussuf Adedeji and Nisa Chavez from the BC Food Web team, with the help of Kelly Ross, and is based on the following scientific journal article:
- Kithama, M., Ross, K., Diarra, M. S., & Kiarie, E. G. (2023). Utilization of grape (Vitis vinifera), cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), and apple (Malus pumila/domestica) pomaces in broiler chickens when fed without or with multi-enzyme supplement. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, 103(1), 15–25. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjas-2022-0016
Key Findings
Researchers studied four fruit pomaces as potential ingredients in chicken feed. Each pomace differed in its levels of usable energy, fibre, protein, and beneficial plant compounds. Pomaces can offer feed formulators options to meet different nutritional goals.
- Blueberry, cranberry, and grape pomaces contained the highest levels of beneficial plant compounds. These compounds have antibacterial and antioxidant properties that may help support bird health and gut function.
- Cranberry, blueberry, and grape pomaces lowered blood cholesterol and bile acid levels in broiler chickens, suggesting they may support healthier fat and liver function.
- Apple and grape pomaces provided the most usable energy, while blueberry and cranberry pomaces provided the least. All four pomaces were low in protein and key amino acids, making them better suited as supplemental ingredients that provide health benefits rather than replacing conventional energy or protein sources.