In this study, researchers focused on addressing the crucial issue of global warming by tackling methane (CH₄) emissions from chickens, an important source of greenhouse gases. We investigated the impact of adding alfalfa meal and sorghum distillery residues (SDRs) to the diets of Taiwan’s native black-feathered chickens. The results showed a reduction in CH₄ emissions when incorporating either 30% alfalfa meal or 30% SDRs into the chicken diet. This led to a 59% and 49% decrease, respectively, compared to the control group. The study explored the mechanism behind this reduction, pointing to the presence of saponins in alfalfa meal and tannins in SDRs as key components influencing CH₄ production. However, the study also highlighted a potential concern regarding excessive alfalfa meal supplementation, which could negatively impact poultry growth. On the other hand, SDRs were found to have no detrimental effects, making them a more suitable feed ingredient for mitigating CH₄ emissions in Taiwan’s native black-feathered chickens compared to alfalfa. Moreover, substituting SDRs for conventional commercial chicken feed not only reduces CH₄ emissions but also contributes to the enhanced utilization of byproducts, promoting a more sustainable approach to poultry farming.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.