According to Gram Research analysis, the type of fat that helps chickens digest protein best depends on what grain is in their feed. A 2026 study of 420 broiler chickens found that wheat-based diets improved amino acid digestion by 15 to 20 percent when combined with lard, while wheat bran-based diets showed better digestion with soybean oil instead. Corn-based diets showed no difference between fat types, indicating that feed ingredients work together in ways that cannot be predicted by studying them separately.
Researchers studied how different types of fat and grain sources affect how well chickens digest protein from their food. Using two separate experiments with hundreds of young chickens, scientists found that the type of fat a chicken eats works differently depending on what grain is in its diet. When chickens ate wheat, they digested protein better with lard, but when they ate wheat bran, they digested it better with soybean oil. This research helps farmers understand how to combine ingredients in chicken feed to help birds absorb more nutrients and grow healthier.
Key Statistics
A 2026 research article examining 260 broiler chickens found a significant interaction between grain type and fat source, with wheat-based diets showing improved amino acid digestibility when combined with lard compared to soybean oil, while wheat bran-based diets showed the opposite pattern.
In a follow-up experiment with 160 broiler chickens, researchers observed a quadratic dose-response relationship where amino acid digestibility improved as dietary lard increased from 10 to approximately 30 grams per kilogram of feed, but additional lard beyond this level provided no further digestive benefits.
Broiler chickens fed wheat bran-based diets developed significantly larger small intestines and gizzards compared to birds on corn or wheat-based diets, suggesting that fiber type triggers physical adaptations in the digestive system.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How the combination of different types of fat (lard versus soybean oil) and different grain sources (corn, wheat, or wheat bran) affects how well chickens can digest and absorb amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein.
- Who participated: Two separate groups of young broiler chickens raised for meat. The first experiment used 260 chicks, and the second used 160 chicks. All birds were kept in individual cages and fed controlled diets.
- Key finding: The type of fat that helps chickens digest protein best depends on what grain is in their feed. Wheat-based diets worked better with lard, while wheat bran-based diets worked better with soybean oil. Corn-based diets showed no difference between the two fat types.
- What it means for you: For chicken farmers and feed manufacturers, this research shows that simply mixing ingredients together is not enough. The specific combination of grain and fat type matters for how well chickens can use the nutrients in their food. This could lead to better-designed chicken feeds that help birds grow more efficiently.
The Research Details
The researchers conducted two separate experiments with young chickens to understand how different combinations of ingredients affect nutrient absorption. In the first experiment, 260 chicks were divided into groups and fed different diets containing either corn, wheat, or wheat bran as the main grain, combined with either lard or soybean oil as the fat source. This created six different diet combinations, each tested with multiple birds. The second experiment focused specifically on lard, testing four different amounts of lard (ranging from 10 to 40 grams per kilogram of feed) in diets containing soybean meal as the protein source.
All chickens started with the same basic diet for the first 16 days of life, then switched to the experimental diets for the final 5 days. On day 21, the researchers collected samples from the chickens’ intestines and other digestive organs to measure how well the birds had absorbed amino acids, the building blocks of protein. They also measured the size of digestive organs and the chemical composition of material in the birds’ cecum, a part of the digestive system.
This approach allowed the researchers to see not just whether digestion improved or worsened, but also to understand the physical changes happening in the digestive system and how different combinations of ingredients affected those changes.
Understanding how different feed ingredients interact with each other is crucial for improving chicken nutrition. Rather than studying each ingredient in isolation, this research examined how they work together, which is how they actually function in real feed. This interaction effect, called a synergy, can significantly impact how efficiently chickens convert feed into body weight and muscle, which directly affects farm profitability and food production efficiency.
This research was published in Poultry Science, a peer-reviewed journal focused on chicken and poultry research. The study used controlled laboratory conditions with individual cages for each bird, allowing precise measurement of what each chicken ate and how well it digested nutrients. The researchers tested multiple birds for each diet combination, which strengthens the reliability of their findings. The study included two separate experiments that built on each other, with the second experiment diving deeper into one specific finding from the first. This design approach increases confidence in the results.
What the Results Show
In the first experiment, the researchers discovered a clear interaction between the type of grain and the type of fat used in chicken feed. When chickens ate diets based on wheat, they digested amino acids significantly better when the diet contained lard compared to soybean oil. However, this pattern reversed for chickens eating wheat bran: they digested amino acids better with soybean oil than with lard. Interestingly, chickens eating corn-based diets showed no meaningful difference in amino acid digestion regardless of whether the fat source was lard or soybean oil.
Chickens fed wheat bran diets also developed larger digestive organs, specifically larger small intestines and gizzards, compared to chickens on other diets. This physical change in organ size suggests that wheat bran affects how the digestive system develops and functions.
The second experiment revealed that increasing the amount of lard in the diet improved amino acid digestion, but not in a simple linear way. Instead, there was an optimal amount of lard: digestion improved as lard increased from 10 to around 30 grams per kilogram of feed, but adding even more lard did not provide additional benefits. This suggests that while some lard helps digestion, too much lard does not help further.
The researchers measured the pH (acidity level) of material in the birds’ cecum and the levels of short-chain fatty acids, which are compounds produced when bacteria in the digestive system break down fiber. These measurements provide insight into how the digestive system’s bacterial community responds to different feed combinations. The changes in these measurements help explain why different fat and grain combinations affect digestion differently.
Previous research has shown that both fat type and fiber content affect how well animals digest nutrients, but most studies examined these factors separately. This research advances the field by showing that these factors do not work independently: the effect of one depends on the other. This finding suggests that earlier research conclusions based on studying single ingredients may not fully predict how those ingredients will perform when combined in actual feed.
The study only examined young chickens during a short 5-day period on experimental diets, so results may not apply to older birds or longer feeding periods. The research focused specifically on broiler chickens raised for meat, so findings may not apply to egg-laying chickens or other poultry species. The study used controlled laboratory conditions with individual cages, which differs from how chickens are typically raised on farms in larger groups. Additionally, the research examined only two types of fat (lard and soybean oil) and three grain sources, so results may not apply to other fat sources or grains not tested in this study.
The Bottom Line
Feed manufacturers should consider the interaction between grain type and fat source when formulating chicken diets, rather than treating these as independent choices. For wheat-based diets, lard appears to be the better fat choice, while for wheat bran-based diets, soybean oil is preferable. For corn-based diets, either fat source appears equally effective. When using lard, including moderate amounts (around 20 to 30 grams per kilogram) appears optimal, as higher amounts do not provide additional digestive benefits. These recommendations are based on controlled research but should be validated under actual farm conditions before full implementation.
Poultry farmers, feed manufacturers, and animal nutritionists should pay attention to these findings when designing chicken feed formulations. Large-scale chicken producers who can adjust feed formulations based on their grain sources may see improved feed efficiency and reduced costs. Small-scale farmers may benefit from understanding these principles when selecting commercial feeds. This research is less relevant to consumers buying chicken meat, as the findings primarily affect production efficiency rather than the final product’s nutritional content or safety.
The digestive changes observed in this research occurred within 5 days of feeding the experimental diets, suggesting that optimizing feed formulations could produce relatively quick improvements in how efficiently chickens grow. However, the long-term effects of these dietary changes over a chicken’s entire growth period (typically 6 to 8 weeks) remain unclear from this research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the type of fat in chicken feed affect how well chickens digest protein?
Yes, but the best fat type depends on the grain used. A 2026 study found that wheat-based diets work better with lard, while wheat bran-based diets work better with soybean oil. The grain and fat interact to affect digestion.
How much lard should be added to chicken feed for best digestion?
Research shows that moderate amounts of lard (around 20 to 30 grams per kilogram of feed) optimize amino acid digestion in chickens. Adding more lard beyond this level does not improve digestion further.
Can I use the same chicken feed formula for different grain sources?
No, this research shows that feed formulas should be adjusted based on grain type. The same fat source does not work equally well with all grains, so feed manufacturers should match fat type to grain type for optimal results.
How quickly do chickens show improved digestion when feed is optimized?
Changes in amino acid digestibility were measurable within 5 days of switching to optimized feed combinations, suggesting that proper feed formulation produces relatively quick improvements in nutrient absorption.
Does this research apply to all types of chickens?
This study specifically examined broiler chickens raised for meat. Results may not apply to egg-laying chickens or other poultry species, and findings were based on laboratory conditions rather than typical farm environments.
Want to Apply This Research?
- For farmers using a nutrition tracking app, record the specific combination of grain type and fat source in each batch of feed, then track the feed conversion ratio (how much feed is needed to produce one pound of chicken meat) for birds on that feed. Compare conversion ratios across different grain-fat combinations to identify which combinations work best in your specific farm conditions.
- If you manage a poultry operation, use this research to audit your current feed formulations. Document which grains and fats you currently use, then experiment with adjusting the fat source based on your primary grain ingredient. For example, if you use wheat-based feed, try switching to lard-based formulations and measure changes in bird growth and feed efficiency over a 2 to 3 week period.
- Establish a baseline measurement of feed conversion efficiency with your current feed formulation. After implementing changes based on this research, measure the same metric weekly for at least 4 weeks to determine if the new formulation improves results. Track not only growth rate but also feed costs and any changes in bird health or mortality to ensure the new formulation provides overall benefits.
This research examines how chicken feed ingredients affect nutrient digestion in broiler chickens under controlled laboratory conditions. The findings are intended for poultry farmers, feed manufacturers, and animal nutritionists. Results were obtained from studies lasting only 5 days on experimental diets and may not reflect long-term effects or performance under typical farm conditions. Individual farm results may vary based on environmental factors, bird genetics, and management practices. Consult with a poultry nutritionist or veterinarian before making significant changes to feed formulations. This research does not address food safety, animal welfare, or the nutritional content of chicken meat for human consumption.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.