Soybean Meal

Soybean meal is the most common source of supplemental protein for poultry and is the standard to which all other protein sources are compared. The amino acid content complements that of the main cereals used in poultry diets and is highly digestible by poultry of all types and ages. Soybean meal is deficient in methionine and when used as the sole protein supplement, it is necessary to add synthetic methionine to meet the dietary needs of the birds. However, this amino acid is readily available and is cost-effective in soybean-based diets. In some cases, it may be necessary to add synthetic lysine and threonine to meet the birds’ ideal amino acid balance while minimizing protein content of the diet