Summary
This systematic review of 100 peer-reviewed studies examines nutritional and management innovations to enhance the sustainability of global poultry production. The authors demonstrate that incorporating insect meals, algae, and agro-industrial by-products can reduce soybean meal dependence by 20–40% whilst improving feed efficiency by 5–12%, and that integrated environmental management strategies—including manure valorisation and renewable energy adoption—substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The evidence suggests that combined dietary and management interventions yield greater sustainability gains than isolated measures.
UK applicability
These findings are highly applicable to UK poultry production, where soybean meal imports and feed costs represent significant environmental and economic burdens. UK producers and policymakers could adopt alternative protein sources and circular resource strategies to enhance farm resilience and meet net-zero commitments, though regional availability of insect and algal feedstocks may require further development.
Key measures
Soybean meal substitution rate (%), feed efficiency improvement (%), greenhouse gas emissions reduction, carbon footprint, water and energy use efficiency
Outcomes reported
The review synthesised evidence on alternative feed ingredients, environmental management practices, and life cycle assessment methodologies for enhancing poultry production sustainability. It reported reductions in soybean meal dependence, improvements in feed efficiency, and greenhouse gas emissions reductions from combined dietary and management interventions.
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