Abstract

The use of lysolecithin as an emulsifier in the diet of chickens could improve the growth performance. Its commercial application in broiler diets containing medium to high levels of added oil is increasingly adopted. However, few studies have assessed the impact of lysolecithin supplementation in diets formulated with no added oil. Therefore, this study aimed to compare two feeding diets based on commercial low-energy diets with no added oil, with or without a nutrient absorption enhancer based on lysolecithin (LEX). The performance was recorded on days 7, 14, 21, and 28. The net benefit per chicken of LEX supplementation was determined across a range of cost and performance scenarios. At slaughter, average body weight and feed conversion ratio were significantly improved in LEX-treated chickens, compared to non-treated chickens. The net benefit per chicken of LEX supplementation was €0.023 under representative market conditions and remained profitable under all considered scenarios. In conclusion, the application of absorption enhancers based on lysolecithin could improve the performance and profitability of broiler production, even in low energy-dense diets formulated with no added oil.