Pequi oil, a natural extract from a Brazilian fruit, improves how efficiently chickens convert feed into body weight and makes their meat more resistant to spoilage, according to a 2026 study of 1,440 broiler chickens. Gram Research analysis shows that chickens receiving pequi oil at doses of 3.0 to 6.0 grams per kilogram of feed demonstrated better feed conversion ratios and reduced meat oxidation compared to control chickens, with benefits matching or exceeding those of antibiotic-supplemented feed.
Researchers tested whether pequi oil, a natural oil from a Brazilian fruit, could help chickens grow better and produce healthier meat. They fed 1,440 chickens different amounts of this oil over six weeks and compared them to chickens given standard diets. According to Gram Research analysis, adding pequi oil improved how efficiently chickens converted feed into body weight and made their meat more resistant to spoilage. The oil worked as well as or better than antibiotics that farmers typically use, suggesting it could be a natural alternative for raising healthier chickens.
Key Statistics
A 2026 randomized controlled trial of 1,440 broiler chickens found that dietary pequi oil linearly improved feed conversion ratio over the entire 42-day production period compared to unsupplemented control diets.
In a study of 1,440 chickens published in 2026, pequi oil supplementation at 6.0 grams per kilogram reduced average daily feed intake by a significant margin compared to chickens fed antibiotic-supplemented diets.
A 2026 trial involving 1,440 broiler chickens demonstrated that pequi oil supplementation reduced plasma lipid oxidation, a marker of meat spoilage resistance, with the effect increasing at higher oil inclusion levels.
Research on 1,440 chickens in 2026 showed that pequi oil improved the European performance index, a combined measure of growth and feed efficiency, with linear improvements across all tested oil inclusion levels.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether adding pequi oil to chicken feed improves growth, meat quality, and how well chickens use their food.
- Who participated: 1,440 one-day-old male broiler chickens (Cobb 500 breed) divided into six groups and raised for 42 days in a controlled farm setting.
- Key finding: Chickens fed pequi oil converted their feed into body weight more efficiently than control chickens, and their meat stayed fresher longer by resisting natural spoilage processes.
- What it means for you: If you eat chicken, this research suggests farmers could use natural pequi oil instead of antibiotics to raise healthier birds with better quality meat. However, this was tested only in chickens, so more research is needed before widespread use.
The Research Details
Scientists divided 1,440 baby chickens into six equal groups. One group received standard feed with an antibiotic called Avilamycin (the positive control). Another group got standard feed with nothing added (the negative control). The remaining four groups received standard feed mixed with increasing amounts of pequi oil: 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, or 6.0 grams per kilogram of feed. All chickens were raised identically for 42 days, and researchers measured how much they ate, how much they grew, and the quality of their meat.
The researchers tracked several important measures: body weight gain, daily food intake, how efficiently chickens converted feed into body weight (called feed conversion ratio), blood chemistry, immune cell counts, organ sizes, and how resistant the meat was to oxidation, a natural process that makes meat go bad. They also measured a performance index that combines growth and feed efficiency into one overall score.
This design is strong because it used a large number of animals, randomly assigned them to groups, and included both a positive control (antibiotic) and a negative control (no treatment) for comparison. This helps researchers determine whether pequi oil actually works and how it compares to current farming practices.
This research matters because farmers worldwide are looking for natural alternatives to antibiotics in animal feed. Using antibiotics in farm animals has raised concerns about antibiotic resistance, where bacteria become harder to kill with medicines. If pequi oil can replace antibiotics while maintaining or improving chicken health and meat quality, it could benefit both farmers and consumers.
The study’s strengths include a large sample size (1,440 birds), random assignment to groups, multiple control groups for comparison, and measurement of many different health markers. The study was published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning other scientists reviewed it before publication. The main limitation is that it only tested chickens, so results may not apply to other animals or to human nutrition.
What the Results Show
During the first three weeks (starter phase), chickens given higher amounts of pequi oil gained weight more slowly than control chickens. However, this early slowdown did not persist. Over the entire 42-day period, chickens fed pequi oil showed no difference in total weight gain or daily food intake compared to controls.
The most important finding was improved feed efficiency. Chickens receiving pequi oil converted their feed into body weight more efficiently than control chickens, meaning they needed less food to gain the same amount of weight. This improvement increased steadily as researchers added more oil to the feed. The highest dose of pequi oil (6.0 grams per kilogram) also reduced daily food intake compared to chickens receiving antibiotics.
Meat quality improved significantly. Pequi oil reduced oxidation in the chickens’ blood and meat, a process that causes spoilage and reduces nutritional value. This means meat from chickens fed pequi oil would likely stay fresher longer and maintain better quality during storage and cooking.
Pequi oil had no negative effects on chicken health. Blood tests showed no harmful changes in biochemical markers, immune cell counts remained normal, and organ sizes were unaffected. The color and appearance of the meat were also unchanged. These findings suggest that pequi oil is safe for chickens at the doses tested.
This research builds on growing interest in natural feed additives for poultry. Previous studies have shown that various plant oils can improve meat quality and oxidative stability in chickens. Pequi oil appears to work similarly to or better than some other natural options while matching the performance benefits of antibiotics. This positions it as a viable natural alternative to current farming practices.
The study only tested male chickens of one breed, so results may differ for female chickens or other breeds. The research was conducted in a controlled farm environment, which may not reflect real-world farming conditions with variable temperatures, stress, or disease exposure. The study did not test how long the meat stayed fresh or whether consumers could taste any differences. Finally, the mechanism explaining why pequi oil improves feed efficiency remains unclear and requires further investigation.
The Bottom Line
Based on this research, pequi oil shows promise as a natural feed additive for broiler chickens at doses of 3.0 to 6.0 grams per kilogram of feed. The evidence is moderately strong for improved feed efficiency and meat quality. However, farmers should conduct small-scale trials on their own farms before switching completely, as local conditions may affect results. This research does not apply to human nutrition or other animal species.
Poultry farmers looking to reduce antibiotic use should find this research valuable. Consumers concerned about antibiotic use in meat production may benefit from knowing this alternative exists. Researchers studying natural feed additives will find this work relevant. This research does not directly apply to people managing their own diets, as it concerns chicken farming practices, not human nutrition.
If farmers adopted pequi oil supplementation, they would see improved feed efficiency within the current 42-day production cycle for broiler chickens. Meat quality improvements would be measurable immediately after processing. However, widespread adoption would require additional studies in different climates, with different chicken breeds, and in commercial farm settings before clear timelines for industry-wide change could be predicted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does pequi oil work as well as antibiotics for raising chickens?
In a 2026 study of 1,440 chickens, pequi oil matched or exceeded antibiotic performance for feed efficiency and meat quality. Chickens fed the highest pequi oil dose consumed less feed than antibiotic-fed birds while maintaining similar growth rates.
Is pequi oil safe to give to chickens?
Yes, according to 2026 research on 1,440 chickens, pequi oil showed no negative effects on blood chemistry, immune function, organ health, or meat appearance at doses up to 6.0 grams per kilogram of feed.
How much pequi oil should farmers add to chicken feed?
The 2026 study tested doses from 1.5 to 6.0 grams per kilogram of feed. Benefits increased with higher doses, suggesting 3.0 to 6.0 grams per kilogram may be optimal, though farmers should conduct their own trials first.
Can pequi oil reduce the need for antibiotics in chicken farming?
Research from 2026 involving 1,440 chickens suggests pequi oil could serve as a natural alternative to antibiotics, as it improved feed efficiency and meat quality without adverse health effects, though more real-world farm studies are needed.
Does pequi oil affect the taste or appearance of chicken meat?
The 2026 study found no effects on meat color or appearance. The research did not measure taste, so whether consumers would notice flavor differences remains unknown and requires additional testing.
Want to Apply This Research?
- For farmers using a poultry management app, track daily feed consumption and weekly weight gain for each flock to monitor feed conversion ratio. Compare these metrics between flocks fed pequi oil and those using standard practices to measure real-world performance improvements.
- Farmers could start by adding pequi oil to one test flock at the recommended 3.0 to 4.5 grams per kilogram of feed while maintaining detailed records of feed costs, growth rates, and meat quality. This allows them to assess whether the investment in pequi oil provides economic benefits before expanding to all flocks.
- Establish a baseline of current feed efficiency and meat quality metrics. After introducing pequi oil, measure the same metrics weekly throughout the production cycle. Track both performance improvements and any cost changes to determine the return on investment over multiple production cycles.
This research describes results from a controlled study in chickens and does not apply to human nutrition or health. Farmers considering adopting pequi oil should consult with poultry nutritionists and conduct small-scale trials on their own farms, as results may vary based on local conditions, chicken breeds, and farm management practices. This article is for informational purposes and should not replace professional agricultural or veterinary advice. Always follow local regulations regarding feed additives and animal agriculture practices.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.