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By Dr. Ibne Ali, IMN PyrophosUpdated October 20267 min read

Meat Cum Bone Meal (MBM): Exploring its Role and Challenges in Poultry Nutrition

Poultry meat constitutes a significant portion of overall meat production and consumption, accounting for 51.14%. With the global population increasing, the demand for poultry meat is expected to rise correspondingly. The poultry sector is growing rapidly, experiencing a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8%. However, approximately 80% of poultry production costs are attributed to feed. The feed composition is heavily reliant on Maize and Soybean Meal (SBM), which collectively constitute about 90% of the feed ingredients.

The meat industry, including the sourcing of feed ingredients like SBM, is under scrutiny for environmental impacts, particularly the conversion of thousands of hectares of forests annually to cultivate soybeans for animal feed. This overreliance on single ingredients not only depletes forest reserves but also disrupts ecosystems. Addressing this dependency is crucial for economic, environmental, and sustainability reasons. Two main strategies for this are exploring alternative ingredients and enhancing the efficiency of existing alternatives. One such promising alternative ingredient is Meat cum Bone Meal (MBM).

MBM is prepared from slaughterhouse wastes and dead animals, including portions not suitable for human consumption like carcass trimmings, condemned carcasses and livers, inedible offal, and bones. Normally, hair, hooves, and blood are not included. MBM can be produced from rendered carcasses of animals that have died.

Nutritional Benefits of MBM

MBM offers several nutritional advantages that make it a potential alternative in poultry feed:

  • Potent Protein Source: MBM is a potent protein source, with crude protein (CP) content typically ranging from 42-45%, and in some sources, even up to 55%. Its amino acid composition closely mirrors the ideal amino acid profile, contributing to optimal protein utilization. MBM can be a viable alternative to SBM in poultry feed formulations at an inclusion rate of up to 5%. It is described as an excellent source of supplemental protein with a well-balanced amino acid profile. The digestibility of the protein fraction is normally quite high, ranging from 81 to 87%.
  • Source of Macro Minerals: MBM is rich in Calcium (Ca) and Phosphorus (P), providing an efficient source of these essential macro minerals. Calcium content typically ranges from 7 to 10 %, and phosphorus from 4.5 to 6 %. Standard shows a minimum Calcium content of 10% and minimum Phosphorus content of 5% for MBM. By incorporating MBM at a 3% inclusion level, the need for inorganic phosphorus sources like Dicalcium Phosphate (DCP) and Monocalcium Phosphate (MCP) can be significantly reduced, potentially replacing 50% and above of inorganic phosphorus sources in feed. The calcium to phosphorus ratio in MBM with bone should be around 2:1.
  • Metabolizable Energy: MBM has a substantial Metabolizable Energy (ME) value, typically ranging from 2200-2400 Kcal/kg. Another source lists ME values of 2450 – 2850 kcal/kg. Recent evidence suggests the metabolizable energy content of meat meal may be higher than past estimates, especially at lower inclusion levels (5-10%).
  • Least Cost Formulation: The strategic inclusion of MBM as a substitute for SBM in feed formulations can lead to a notable reduction in production costs without compromising performance. One article highlighted how MBM can save approximately INR 0.35 per kg feed.
  • Environmental Benefits and Circular Economy: Utilizing meat industry by-products like MBM effectively aligns with the principles of a circular economy. This approach minimizes waste and maximizes resource efficiency, offering dual benefits for the poultry and meat industries and the environment.

Practical Constraints of MBM Usage

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

  • Inconsistent Quality: The nutrient quality of MBM can be significantly variable. This variability is primarily attributed to inconsistencies in the composition of the offals used and the temperature, time, and pressure conditions employed during the preparation process. There can be wide variation between plants and batches in the raw materials used. Variation in calcium and phosphorus content is still problematic.
  • Microbial Contamination: MBM is susceptible to microbial contamination, posing significant risks to both poultry and human health. Salmonella, E. coli, and Clostridium are bacteria of particular concern due to their potential impact on bird performance and health, and the risk of transmission to humans. While conventional rendering reduces Salmonella and E. coli, Clostridium is more resilient. The presence of these bacteria is a major limiting factor for increasing MBM inclusion levels. The incidence of contamination, especially with Salmonella, remains a concern, though surveys show it has declined. Recontamination after emerging from cooking chambers is a common problem. The acceptable total bacterial count should be less than 10*10³ CFU per gram.
  • Limited Shelf Life: MBM's rich fat content makes it prone to oxidative damage, threatening its shelf life. The combination of high nutrient content and a conducive environment encourages rapid bacterial proliferation, intensifying the risk of spoilage over time, which can seriously affect bird health and performance.
  • Demand and Supply: Compared to SBM, MBM has comparatively lower availability. As demand for MBM increases with its greater use, the price may also rise, potentially impacting its cost-effectiveness. MBM poultry feed price vary according to demand and soybean meal supply rate.
  • Nutrient Availability Variability: There is variability in nutrient availability in conventionally rendered MBM. For instance, lysine digestibility can vary from 70% to 88%, and this variability is not strongly correlated with simple in vitro assays. Excessive heating during processing can reduce protein digestibility, particularly lysine availability. Lysine, methionine, and threonine (for swine) or methionine and cystine (for poultry) can be limiting amino acids when MBM is combined with cereal grains. Protein quality can be lower than fish meal or soybean meal when used to supplement cereal-based diets.
  • Regulatory Restrictions: Meat and bone meal and other processed animal proteins were identified as vectors for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). For this reason, many countries have restricted or banned the feeding of MBM to livestock. For example, the use of MBM for livestock feeding was banned in the European Union in 2002. Where authorized, proper heat treatment is required to control disease agents like BSE and Salmonella.

Precautions for Farmers When Using Feed Containing MBM

Given the constraints, farmers should take certain precautions:

  • Source MBM from Reliable Suppliers: Due to the significant variability in quality and potential for contamination, it is crucial to obtain MBM from suppliers with established quality control procedures.
  • Check Quality and Consistency: Ideally, implement quality control checks on received MBM batches, particularly regarding nutrient composition (protein, ash, calcium, phosphorus) and microbial load. Ensure the calcium to phosphorus ratio is around 2:1, as deviations can indicate adulteration. The ash content can indicate the amount of bone present; higher ash suggests more bone.
  • Be Aware of Contamination Risks: While processing aims to reduce bacterial loads, recontamination is possible. Store MBM properly to minimize further microbial growth and oxidative damage.
  • Adhere to Inclusion Levels: Be mindful of recommended maximum inclusion levels in feed formulations, especially concerning calcium and phosphorus content and potential nutrient availability variability. Excessively high calcium levels from MBM can cause problems with fat utilization. Typical formulation constraints suggest maximum inclusion levels of 6% for birds 0-4 weeks and 8% for birds >4 weeks, with the main concern being Ca and P levels and ash.
  • Consider Additives: The sources mention that exploring additives like organic acids and enzymes could potentially help increase MBM usage by inhibiting bacterial growth and improving digestibility. Discuss with your feed formulator the potential use of such additives.
  • Check Local Regulations: It is strongly recommended that potential users check their country's regulations regarding the utilization of meat and bone meal in livestock feeding.

MBM holds potential to improve production efficiency, reduce feed costs, and contribute to a circular economy. However, optimizing its usage requires addressing its current limitations through continuous, strategic processes. Innovations in processing technologies, feed additives, supplements, and packaging technology are seen as promising areas for future study to effectively utilize MBM and overcome its challenges. The future of poultry, as mentioned by Mr. Balram Singh Yadhav, lies with those who work efficiently. Utilizing MBM efficiently is seen not just as an option, but a mandate to address increasing SBM demand, reduce reliance on limited natural resources, and facilitate a circular economy.

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Meat & Bone Meal - MBM in Poultry Feed
Meat & Bone Meal - MBM in Poultry Feed
Meat & Bone Meal - MBM in Poultry Feed

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