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By Dr. Ibne Ali, IMN PyrophosUpdated October 20266 min read
MBM in Poultry Feed (Hindi)

Use of MBM (Meat cum Bone Meal) in poultry, i.e. layer and broiler, feed

Meat cum Bone Meal (MBM): Exploring its importance in poultry nutrition and the practical constraints

Poultry meat is an important part of overall meat production and consumption, contributing 51.14%. With the growing global population, demand for poultry meat is expected to rise in proportion. The poultry sector is seeing a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8%. However, a notable point is that about 80% of the cost of production is spent on feed, and two primary ingredients, maize and soybean meal (SBM), together make up about 90% of the feed composition.

The meat industry is under significant scrutiny, especially for the conversion of thousands of hectares of forest every year into soybean cultivation to meet the rising demand of the animal feed industry. This over-dependence on a single ingredient not only reduces forest reserves but also disturbs the whole ecosystem. For economic, environmental and sustainability reasons, addressing this dependence becomes essential. This can be achieved through two strategies: finding alternative ingredients and increasing the efficiency of existing options. One such promising ingredient is Meat cum Bone Meal (MBM). MBM has the potential to improve production, reduce feed cost and contribute to a circular economy by using by-products of the meat industry.

MBM is prepared from slaughterhouse waste and dead animals. It includes parts of animals that are not fit for human consumption, such as carcass trimmings, rejected carcasses, rejected livers, inedible waste and bones. Hair, hooves and blood are normally not included. MBM can also be made by processing the carcasses of animals after they die. The material used to prepare MBM can show wide variation between different plants and batches. The ash content indicates how much bone it contains; higher ash means more bone.

Nutritional benefits of MBM in poultry feed

MBM offers several nutritional benefits in poultry feed:

  • A powerful source of protein: MBM is a powerful source of protein, with crude protein (CP) content usually 42-45%, and in some sources it can be as high as 55%. It has been described as an excellent source of supplementary protein with a balanced amino acid profile. Its amino acid composition is very close to the ideal amino acid profile. Digestibility of the protein fraction is usually 81 to 87%.
  • Source of macro minerals (calcium and phosphorus): MBM is rich in calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P). Calcium content is usually 7 to 10% with a minimum of 10%, and phosphorus 4.5 to 6% with a minimum of 5%. In MBM with bones, the calcium to phosphorus ratio should be about 2:1. By including 3% MBM, the need for inorganic phosphorus sources like dicalcium phosphate (DCP) and monocalcium phosphate (MCP) can be reduced considerably, possibly replacing 50% or more.
  • Metabolizable energy: MBM has a significant metabolizable energy (ME) value, usually 2200-2400 Kcal/kg. Recent evidence suggests that the ME content of meat meal may be higher than earlier estimates, especially at low inclusion levels (5-10%).
  • Least cost formulation: Including MBM can bring a notable reduction in production cost. According to one article, MBM can save about INR 0.35 per kilogram of feed.
  • Environmental benefit and circular economy: Using meat industry by-products like MBM aligns with the principles of a circular economy, reduces waste and maximizes resource efficiency.

Practical constraints in using MBM

Despite its benefits, the use of MBM is limited due to several practical constraints:

  • Inconsistent quality: The nutritional quality of MBM can show significant variation, mainly because of inconsistency in the composition of the waste used and in the conditions of the preparation process. Variation in calcium and phosphorus content is still a problem.
  • Microbial contamination: MBM is susceptible to microbial contamination, which poses a significant risk to both poultry and human health. Salmonella, E. coli and Clostridium are the bacteria of special concern. Conventional rendering reduces Salmonella and E. coli, but Clostridium is more resilient. The presence of these bacteria is a major limiting factor for increasing the MBM inclusion level. Recontamination after leaving the cooking chambers is a common problem. The acceptable total bacterial count should be less than 10*10³ CFU per gram.
  • Limited shelf life: The rich fat content of MBM makes it susceptible to oxidative damage, which is a serious threat to its shelf life. High nutrient content and a favourable environment encourage rapid bacterial growth, which increases the risk of spoilage over time.
  • Demand and supply: Compared to SBM, the availability of MBM is relatively low. As demand rises with greater use of MBM, the price may also go up.
  • Variation in nutrient availability: Conventionally processed MBM shows variation in nutrient availability. For example, lysine digestibility can vary from 70% to 88%. Excessive heat during processing can reduce protein digestibility, especially lysine availability. Methionine and cysteine can be limiting amino acids for poultry when MBM is combined with grains.
  • Regulatory restrictions: MBM was identified as a vector of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). For this reason, many countries have restricted or banned feeding MBM to livestock. For example, in the European Union the use of MBM in livestock feed was banned in 2002. Where it is authorised, proper heat treatment is required to control pathogens like BSE and Salmonella.

Precautions for farmers when using feed containing MBM

Farmers should take some precautions when using MBM:

  • Source MBM from reliable suppliers: Because of variation in quality and the potential for contamination, it is important to get MBM from suppliers who have quality control procedures.
  • Check quality and consistency: Apply quality control checks on the MBM batches received, especially for nutrient composition (protein, ash, calcium, phosphorus) and microbial load. Make sure the calcium to phosphorus ratio is about 2:1. Ash content can indicate the amount of bone present.
  • Be aware of contamination risks: Processing aims to reduce the bacterial load, but recontamination is possible. Store MBM properly to reduce further microbial growth and oxidative damage.
  • Follow inclusion levels: Be careful about the recommended maximum inclusion levels in feed formulation, especially with respect to calcium and phosphorus content and possible variation in nutrient availability. Typical formulation constraints suggest maximum inclusion levels of 6% for birds of 0-4 weeks and 8% for birds of >4 weeks.
  • Consider additives: Sources mention that exploring additives like organic acids and enzymes may help increase the use of MBM by inhibiting bacterial growth and improving digestibility.
  • Check local regulations: Potential users are strongly advised to check their country’s regulations on the use of meat and bone meal in livestock feed.

MBM has the potential to improve production efficiency, reduce feed cost and contribute to a circular economy. However, optimising its use requires addressing its current limitations through continuous, strategic processes. Using MBM efficiently is seen not just as an option but as an imperative to address the rising SBM demand, reduce dependence on limited natural resources and facilitate a circular economy.

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MBM in Poultry Feed (Hindi)
MBM in Poultry Feed (Hindi)
MBM in Poultry Feed (Hindi)

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