Meat and Bone Meal for Poultry: Affordable Alternative to Soybean Meal

Meat and Bone Meal for Poultry as Affordable Alternative to Soybean Meal is an idea that’s catching on fast among poultry breeders and feed industry professionals. With rising soybean prices, tighter margins, and the need for consistent nutrition, more and more people are turning to this protein-rich option as a game-changer. Whether you’re managing a large commercial operation or running a small farm, finding effective and budget-friendly feed solutions is crucial. In this article, we’ll take a close look at Meat and Bone Meal (MBM) — what it is, why it matters, and how it compares to soybean meal. Stay with us as we break down the facts, share real-world insights, and offer practical tips that can help you make confident, cost-effective decisions for your poultry.

What Is Meat and Bone Meal and Why Are Poultry Breeders Turning to It?

Meat and Bone Meal (MBM) is a high-protein product made from rendered animal by-products like meat trimmings, bones, and offal. After cooking, drying, and grinding, what’s left is a fine powder or meal packed with nutrients. While MBM has long been used in livestock feed, it’s now gaining renewed attention in the poultry world — and for good reason.

Learn more about: Processed Meat Meal

As feed costs rise globally and access to soybeans becomes more volatile due to weather patterns or geopolitical issues, breeders are looking for alternative protein sources that deliver both nutrition and value. MBM offers a sustainable, resource-efficient option by recycling parts of animals that would otherwise go to waste.

Breaking Down the Nutritional Power of This Protein-Rich Feed

When it comes to poultry feed, nutrition is non-negotiable. The birds need protein for muscle development, calcium and phosphorus for strong bones and eggshell quality, and energy to maintain health and productivity. MBM checks many of these boxes.

Typically, Meat and Bone Meal contains:

• 45–55% crude protein

• 8–12% fat

• 25–30% ash (with high levels of calcium and phosphorus)

Learn more about: Boost Your Poultry’s Growth with Sustainable, High-Quality Processed Meat Meal

This makes it especially valuable in broiler diets where fast growth is a goal. Unlike plant proteins, MBM offers highly digestible amino acids like lysine and methionine, which are essential for poultry health. According to research published in Poultry Science Journal, birds fed a diet that included MBM showed equal or better weight gain than those on a solely soybean-based diet.

How Feed Costs Are Driving the Shift Away from Soybean Meal

Let’s face it — feed costs can make or break a poultry operation. Soybean meal, while nutritionally excellent, has become expensive and prone to supply chain disruptions. MBM, by contrast, is typically cheaper and more stable in price. It’s produced locally in many regions, reducing reliance on imports and long-distance transportation.

Learn more about: Meat Meal in Animal Feed: What It Is, How It’s Made, and Why It Matters

For small and medium-scale breeders, this affordability can significantly reduce production costs. MBM also has a longer shelf life compared to soybean meal, which is prone to mold and spoilage in humid conditions. This not only saves money but adds convenience.

Protein and Mineral Showdown: MBM vs. Soy in Poultry Diets

Here’s how they stack up:

While soybean meal offers slightly better protein digestibility, MBM excels in providing essential minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus — reducing the need for added mineral supplements.

Top Advantages of Adding MBM to Your Poultry Feed Mix

• Lower feed costs: MBM is often 15–30% cheaper than soybean meal.

• Enhanced growth performance: Birds fed MBM diets tend to reach market weight faster.

• Improved feed efficiency: Higher nutrient density means birds need less feed overall.

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• Sustainability: Utilizes animal by-products, reducing waste in the meat processing industry.

• Mineral boost: Naturally high in calcium and phosphorus, supporting bone development and eggshell strength.

A case study from a poultry farm in South Africa reported a 20% reduction in feed costs and a 7% improvement in average daily gain after switching to a diet partially based on MBM.

 Potential Challenges and How to Use Meat and Bone Meal Safely

Of course, MBM isn’t without its concerns. These include:

• Contamination risk: Poorly processed MBM can harbor pathogens or heavy metals.

• Over-supplementation: Excess calcium can lead to imbalances in layer hens.

• Regulations: Some regions restrict or control MBM usage due to disease control (e.g., BSE concerns in ruminants).

To ensure safety:

• Source MBM from certified rendering plants with strict quality control.

• Monitor inclusion rates carefully — typically, 5–7% of the total diet is safe and effective.

• Blend MBM with other protein sources for balanced nutrition.

Best Practices for Integrating Meat and Bone Meal into Poultry Diets

Getting the formulation right is key. Here are expert tips:

• Start small: Introduce MBM at a low rate (2–3%) and gradually increase.

• Balance with plant proteins: Combine MBM with soybean or canola meal to cover all essential amino acids.

Learn more about: Suffolk Sheep: Unlocking Success in Meat Sheep Farming

• Consult a nutritionist: Professional feed formulation ensures you meet all dietary needs without excesses.

• Test regularly: Periodic feed analysis can help you monitor MBM quality and adjust as needed.

Is Meat and Bone Meal Suitable for All Types of Poultry?

Yes — with the right approach. MBM can be safely used for:

• Broilers: Especially beneficial for growth during early and mid-stages.

• Layers: Useful for shell strength, but calcium levels must be monitored.

Learn more about: Suffolk Sheep: Unlocking Success in Meat Sheep Farming

• Breeders: Requires careful balancing to avoid fertility issues.

Adjusting the inclusion rate based on the age and purpose of the birds is essential for best results.

Final Thoughts: Should You Switch to Meat and Bone Meal for Poultry Feed?

Meat and Bone Meal for Poultry is more than just an affordable alternative to soybean meal — it’s a practical, nutrient-rich, and sustainable option that’s helping poultry breeders around the world cut costs and boost performance. While it’s not a magic bullet and requires responsible usage, its benefits are hard to ignore.

If you’re looking to reduce expenses without compromising on quality, MBM is worth a serious look. As always, trial runs, consultation with nutritionists, and quality sourcing are the pillars of success.

Have you tried using MBM in your poultry operation? Got questions or thoughts? Drop a comment below — we’d love to hear from you and continue the conversation with fellow breeders and feed experts.