According to Gram Research analysis, soaked chickpeas can safely replace up to 45% of groundnut cake in broiler chicken feed without harming growth, but higher replacement levels (60%) significantly worsen feed efficiency and cause intestinal damage. A 2026 study of 200 chickens found that enzyme supplements couldn’t overcome the digestive challenges chickpeas present, making them ineffective for improving chickpea tolerance.
Researchers tested whether chickpeas could replace some of the groundnut cake (a common protein source) in chicken feed. They fed 200 young chickens different diets over six weeks, some with chickpeas and some without. While the chickens grew normally, those eating more chickpeas didn’t convert feed into body weight as efficiently. Adding enzymes to help digest the chickpeas didn’t help much. The study found that chickpeas can replace up to 45% of groundnut cake safely, but using more than that may hurt the chickens’ digestion and overall health.
Key Statistics
A 2026 research article studying 200 broiler chickens found that replacing 60% of groundnut cake with soaked chickpeas significantly worsened feed conversion ratio compared to the control diet, meaning chickens needed more feed to gain the same amount of weight.
According to a 2026 study of 200 broiler chickens, enzyme supplementation did not significantly improve growth performance or feed efficiency when chickpeas replaced groundnut cake, suggesting enzymes alone cannot overcome chickpea digestibility challenges.
A 2026 broiler chicken study with 200 birds revealed that serum cholesterol was significantly reduced in birds fed diets containing 60% chickpea replacement, indicating metabolic stress from high chickpea inclusion levels.
Research examining 200 broiler chickens found mild to moderate alterations in liver and intestinal tissues at higher chickpea inclusion levels (60% replacement), particularly in diets without enzyme supplementation, suggesting tissue damage from excessive chickpea use.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Can chickpeas be used as a cheaper replacement for groundnut cake in chicken feed, and does adding special enzymes help?
- Who participated: 200 baby chickens (Ross 308 breed) that were tracked from hatching through 6 weeks of age in a controlled farm setting
- Key finding: Chickpeas worked okay when replacing up to 45% of groundnut cake, but replacing more than that made chickens less efficient at converting feed into body weight, and their digestive systems showed signs of stress
- What it means for you: If you raise chickens, chickpeas can save money as a feed ingredient, but only in limited amounts. Using too much may cost you more in the long run because chickens won’t gain weight as efficiently. Enzyme supplements didn’t help solve this problem.
The Research Details
Scientists divided 200 newborn chickens into five groups and fed them different diets for six weeks. One group ate the standard diet with groundnut cake. The other four groups ate diets where chickpeas replaced either 45% or 60% of the groundnut cake, with some groups also receiving enzyme supplements to help with digestion. All diets had the same calories and protein levels so the only variable was the chickpea content. The chickens were weighed regularly, and at the end, researchers examined their organs under a microscope to check for damage.
This type of study is called a controlled experiment because the researchers carefully controlled everything except the diet variable. By keeping all other conditions the same (temperature, light, water, space), they could be confident that any differences between groups came from the diet changes, not other factors.
The researchers measured several important things: how much weight the chickens gained, how much feed they ate, how efficiently they converted feed to body weight (called feed conversion ratio), blood chemistry markers, and the health of their liver and intestines under a microscope.
This research matters because groundnut cake is expensive, and farmers are always looking for cheaper protein sources. Chickpeas are cheaper and more available in some regions. However, chickpeas contain compounds that can be hard for chickens to digest, which is why researchers tested whether enzymes could help. Understanding the limits of chickpea replacement helps farmers make smart economic decisions without hurting their chickens’ health.
This study has good design features: it used a large sample size (200 birds), had multiple replicates (four groups per treatment), controlled diet composition carefully, and examined both growth performance and tissue health. However, the study was conducted in one location with one chicken breed, so results might differ in other environments or with different breeds. The researchers also examined intestinal tissue, which is a thorough way to detect problems that might not show up in weight gain alone.
What the Results Show
The chickens in all groups gained weight normally and ate similar amounts of feed regardless of whether their diet contained chickpeas or not. This is good news because it means chickpeas don’t prevent chickens from eating or growing. However, the feed conversion ratio (how much feed is needed to gain one pound of weight) got worse as more chickpeas were added. Birds eating the standard diet converted feed most efficiently, while those eating 60% chickpea replacement needed more feed to gain the same amount of weight.
When researchers examined the chickens’ blood, they found that cholesterol levels dropped in birds eating the highest chickpea diet (60% replacement). While lower cholesterol might sound good, it actually suggests the chickens’ bodies were stressed by the diet. The enzyme supplements didn’t improve any of these measurements, suggesting they couldn’t overcome the digestive challenges that chickpeas present.
Most importantly, when researchers looked at the chickens’ liver and intestines under a microscope, they found damage in birds eating the highest chickpea levels, especially those without enzyme supplements. This tissue damage is a red flag because it suggests the chickpeas were irritating the digestive system.
The study revealed that enzyme supplementation, which was expected to help chickens digest chickpeas better, had no meaningful benefit. This suggests that the problem with chickpeas isn’t just about digestion enzymes—there may be other compounds in chickpeas that cause problems. The damage to intestinal tissue was particularly concerning because healthy intestines are essential for chickens to absorb nutrients properly.
This research aligns with previous studies showing that alternative protein sources can sometimes replace traditional ingredients but often have limits. The finding that 45% replacement works but 60% doesn’t matches patterns seen with other plant-based proteins in poultry diets. The lack of benefit from enzyme supplementation is somewhat surprising and suggests that future research should explore other ways to make chickpeas more digestible for chickens.
This study was conducted in one location with one chicken breed (Ross 308), so results might differ in other climates or with different breeds. The researchers didn’t test different soaking methods or cooking techniques that might improve chickpea digestibility. The study only lasted six weeks, so long-term effects are unknown. Additionally, the economic analysis (comparing feed costs to growth efficiency) wasn’t included, which would help farmers make real-world decisions.
The Bottom Line
If you raise broiler chickens and want to use chickpeas as a feed ingredient, replace no more than 45% of groundnut cake with soaked chickpeas. This level appears safe and won’t significantly harm growth efficiency. Don’t rely on enzyme supplements to allow higher chickpea levels—they don’t help enough to justify the risk. Always soak chickpeas before feeding them, as this study used soaked seeds. (Confidence: Moderate—based on one study in one location)
Commercial chicken farmers and small-scale poultry producers in regions where chickpeas are cheaper than groundnut cake should pay attention to this research. It’s particularly relevant in areas where chickpeas are locally grown. However, if you’re raising chickens in regions where groundnut cake is already affordable, the economic benefit may not justify switching. This research doesn’t apply to other poultry species like layers or turkeys without additional testing.
Changes in feed efficiency would be noticeable within 2-3 weeks of dietary changes. If you’re considering switching to chickpea-based feed, monitor your chickens’ weight gain and feed consumption during the first month to see if efficiency drops. Any tissue damage would develop gradually over the 6-week growing period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chickpeas instead of groundnut cake to feed my chickens?
Soaked chickpeas can replace up to 45% of groundnut cake safely without harming chicken growth. However, replacing more than 45% reduces feed efficiency and damages intestinal tissue. Always soak chickpeas first and monitor your flock’s weight gain closely.
Do enzymes help chickens digest chickpeas better?
A 2026 study of 200 chickens found that enzyme supplements did not improve growth performance or feed efficiency when chickpeas were added to feed. Enzymes alone cannot overcome the digestibility problems chickpeas present for poultry.
What happens if I feed too many chickpeas to my broilers?
Feeding chickens diets with 60% chickpea replacement causes slower weight gain relative to feed consumed, reduces blood cholesterol (a sign of stress), and damages liver and intestinal tissues. These problems develop over 4-6 weeks and reduce profitability.
Is it cheaper to use chickpeas instead of groundnut cake for chicken feed?
Chickpeas may cost less per pound, but the study showed they reduce feed efficiency, meaning you need more total feed to raise a chicken to market weight. Calculate your actual cost per pound of chicken gained, not just ingredient cost, before switching.
How should I introduce chickpeas to my chicken feed?
Transition gradually over 7-10 days, starting at 25% chickpea replacement and increasing to 45% maximum. Always soak chickpeas first. Monitor weekly weight gain and watch for digestive problems like wet litter or reduced appetite during the transition.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track weekly feed conversion ratio by recording total feed consumed divided by total weight gained each week. For example: if your flock ate 100 pounds of feed and gained 50 pounds, your FCR is 2.0. Compare this metric between your standard diet and any chickpea-based diet you test.
- If using chickpea-based feed, implement a gradual transition over 7-10 days rather than switching immediately. Start by replacing 25% of the standard diet with chickpea feed, then increase to 45% over one week while monitoring bird behavior and appetite. This helps you catch any problems early.
- Weigh a sample of birds weekly and track their growth curve. Monitor feed consumption daily. Watch for signs of digestive upset (wet litter, reduced activity). If you notice slower weight gain or health issues, reduce chickpea inclusion back to 25% or return to standard feed. Keep detailed records of feed costs versus weight gain to calculate true economic benefit.
This research applies specifically to broiler chickens (meat chickens) and may not apply to other poultry species, ages, or breeds without additional testing. The study was conducted in one location and climate, so results may vary in different environments. Before making major changes to your flock’s diet, consult with a poultry nutritionist or veterinarian, especially if you notice any changes in bird health or performance. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional agricultural or veterinary advice. Individual results may vary based on local conditions, feed quality, and management practices.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.