Evaluation of Single Cell Protein as a Non-Conventional Feedstuff in Broilers Feeding

Single cell protein (SCP) is the definition for dried cells originated from single-celled organisms intended to be used as a protein source in human foods or animal feeds. An experiment has been conducted to evaluate the various levels of single cell protein on fecal microflora and productive traits of broiler chickens. A total of 192 day-old Ross 308 male chicks were randomly divided into 4 treatments. Each treatment consists of 48 birds and 4 replicates of 12 birds each. From day one, birds were fed either a corn-soybean meal basal diet with different levels of SCP (0, 5, 10 and 15 percent of as fed basis diet). Four birds from each treatment were randomly selected for slaughter and microbial study at day 47. Total counts of aerobic bacteria, Lactobacillus and Coliforms in the gut were not significantly affected by dietary treatments. The SCP at the levels of 10 and 15% caused to severe mortality. Also, SCP had adverse impacts on body weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency. In conclusion, although SCP reduced feed cost, but it had some adverse effects on birds’ performance.