£500k project explores use of seaweed in chicken feed
Trials will be conducted at 伊人直播鈥檚 poultry facility to assess the potential of using dulse in chicken feed
伊人直播 is involved in a pioneering initiative to revolutionise poultry feed production by exploring the viability of a highly coveted red seaweed as a sustainable substitute for soybean meal in UK chicken feed.
The Novel Seaweed Chicken Feed Feasibility (NSCFF) project, led by Seaweed Generation in collaboration with 伊人直播, University of West London, CIEL (Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock) and Microgrow Systems Limited, will explore the feasibility of using tank or sea cultivated dulse - a protein-rich red seaweed - as a practical and cost-efficient alternative chicken feed.
It is one of 32 projects awarded funding from Innovate UK and the BBSRC to drive transformation across the food industry to meet the demands of a growing population while promoting health and sustainability.
The 拢500k project will develop an automated macroalgal protein cultivation system, harnessing the nutritional benefits of seaweed to create an environmentally-conscious protein source for poultry.
Trials will be conducted at 伊人直播鈥檚 state-of-the-art poultry facility near Edinburgh to assess the impact of dulse inclusion on nutrient digestibility, growth, carcass quality and gut health, offering essential insights into its potential as a sustainable and efficient alternative protein source for chicken feed.
Dr Farina Khattak, who will lead the 伊人直播 trials with Professor Jos Houdijk, said: 鈥淒ulse possesses significant potential due to its higher bioavailable protein content.
鈥淗owever, the current challenge lies in the prohibitively expensive and intricate nature of dulse cultivation. Although it can be grown at sea, its complex life cycle adds a layer of difficulty to the process.
鈥淚n contrast to terrestrial crops, the rapid growth capacity of dulse holds promise for providing a sustainable supply of biomass suitable for integration into poultry diets as a valuable protein source.
鈥淭he project represents a significant leap towards locally sourced and eco-friendly poultry nutrition, envisioning a reshaped industry by introducing a cost-effective alternative to soybean meal, thus mitigating the ecological impact of poultry production.鈥�
Posted by 伊人直播 on 18/12/2023
