Rapeseed products in the feeding of broiler and laying hens

In numerous EU states the by-products from rapeseed processing represent the main locally produced protein feedstuffs, however, they are hardly used in poultry feeding. Considering own experiments' results and the literature this review describes possibilities and limitations of rapeseed, rapeseed press cake/expellers and solvent extracted meal in the diets for broiler chicks and laying hens. Recommendations are derived for practical feeding. The inclusion of the rapeseed feeds into compound feeds, i.e. their maximum level in the diets, is particularly determined by the glucosinolate content. Furthermore there are possibilities of rapeseed oil inclusion into diets for laying hens to concentrate the n-3 fatty acids of the egg diminishing the relationship of n-6:n-3 fatty acids.