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The Effect of High-Protein Sunflower Concentrate Use in Broiler Chicken Feeding on Nutrient Digestibility and Feed Utilization Efficiency

The study aimed to test the use of high-protein sunflower concentrate as an alternative plant protein in broiler chicken diets and to measure its effect on nutrient digestibility and feed efficiency. Four diets were compared: a control with soybean meal, a full replacement with sunflower concentrate, and two partial replacements — 5 0% by crude protein and 50 % by weight. The 50 % replacement by weight had the highest nutrient digestibility, with crude protein and fat digestibility rates 3.8 % (p<0.01) and 1.4 % (p<0.05) higher than the control. Nitrogen-free extract and fiber digestibility were similar to the control. Broilers on the 50 % quantitative replacement diet had higher feed intake throughout growth, with average daily feed intake up by 4.3 g and total feed intake up by 180 g (a 3.5 % increase), without worsening feed conversion. In the 50 % crude protein replacement group, feed conversion remained at control levels, indicating that energy efficiency was maintained. Full replacement increased feed needed per 1 kg gain by 3.3 % without improving digestibility, making it impractical without amino acid adjustment. The findings show that a 50 % quantitative replacement with sunflower concentrate is an environmentally sustainable and economically viable alternative, improving protein and fat digestibility and maintaining feed efficiency.

Keywords: broiler chickens, high-protein sunflower concentrate, digestibility, feed conversion ratio, feed intake, energy efficiency, alternative protein sources, poultry feeding.

SHKARBAN V. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1539-8692


SYCHOV M. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6319-9876


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BTF №2 2025