A special three-ingredient additive blend helps chickens grow normally on cheaper feed, according to a 2026 study of 750 broiler chicks published in Veterinary World. Gram Research analysis shows that chickens receiving the emulsifier blend with reduced-energy feed achieved the same growth and feed efficiency as those eating standard, more expensive feed, particularly when farmers used higher additive amounts early in the birds’ lives and lower amounts later. This phase-specific strategy could help farms reduce feed costs while maintaining productive performance.
Chicken farmers spend a lot of money on feed, especially on the energy content that helps birds grow. A Gram Research analysis of a new study found that adding a special blend of three ingredients (called emulsifiers) to lower-energy chicken feed helped broiler chickens grow just as well as those eating standard feed. The blend worked best when farmers used higher amounts early in the chickens’ lives and lower amounts later. This discovery could help farms save money while keeping their chickens healthy and productive.
Key Statistics
A 2026 study of 750 broiler chicks found that a three-ingredient emulsifier blend added to reduced-energy feed helped chickens achieve body weight and feed efficiency comparable to birds fed standard-energy diet, particularly during the starter and grower phases.
According to research reviewed by Gram in Veterinary World (2026), emulsifier supplementation significantly reduced gastrointestinal retention time in broiler chickens compared to standard-energy controls, suggesting improved fat digestion efficiency.
A 750-bird broiler study found that a phase-specific emulsifier strategy using 250 g/ton during early growth phases followed by 200 g/ton during finishing partially compensated for a 150 kcal/kg reduction in dietary energy.
Research shows that emulsifier-supplemented reduced-energy diets improved feed conversion ratio and body weight during the starter phase compared to reduced-energy controls without additive supplementation.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether adding a special three-ingredient blend to cheaper chicken feed could help birds grow as well as those eating more expensive, higher-energy feed
- Who participated: 750 male broiler chicks (a type of chicken raised for meat) that were tracked for 35 days from hatching to near market weight
- Key finding: Chickens eating reduced-energy feed with the emulsifier blend grew to the same weight and had the same feed efficiency as chickens eating standard feed, especially when using a higher dose early and lower dose later
- What it means for you: If you raise chickens for meat, this suggests you could reduce feed costs without sacrificing bird growth or meat quality by using this additive strategy. However, results may vary based on your specific farm conditions and feed formulations.
The Research Details
Researchers divided 750 one-day-old male broiler chicks into five groups with equal numbers of birds in each. One group ate standard feed with normal energy levels (the positive control). Another group ate feed with 150 fewer calories per kilogram to save money (the negative control). Three other groups ate the reduced-energy feed but with different amounts of the emulsifier blend added: a constant high dose, a constant medium dose, or a phase-specific approach that used high doses early and medium doses later.
The emulsifier blend contained three ingredients: sorbitan esters, lysolecithin, and de-oiled lecithin. These are substances that help chickens digest fats better, which could make up for the missing energy in the cheaper feed. The researchers tracked the chickens for 35 days, measuring how much they weighed, how much feed they ate, how efficiently they converted feed to body weight, and the quality of their meat.
This study design is strong because it included a proper control group eating standard feed and tested multiple doses of the additive to find the best approach. The large number of birds (750) and the careful tracking of multiple measurements make the results more reliable than smaller studies.
Understanding how to maintain chicken growth while reducing feed costs is crucial for the poultry industry because feed represents the largest expense in raising chickens. By testing whether an additive could compensate for lower-energy feed, researchers were investigating a practical way to improve farm profitability without harming bird health or meat quality. The phase-specific approach is particularly important because it shows that different amounts may work better at different growth stages.
This study has several strengths: it used a large sample size (750 birds), included proper control groups for comparison, measured multiple important outcomes (growth, feed efficiency, nutrient digestion, and meat quality), and tested a practical strategy that farms could actually implement. The research was published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning other experts reviewed it before publication. However, the study was conducted in a controlled research setting, so results on commercial farms might differ based on variations in feed ingredients, farm management, and environmental conditions.
What the Results Show
During the first two to three weeks of life (the starter phase), chickens receiving the emulsifier blend grew significantly heavier and converted their feed to body weight more efficiently than chickens eating reduced-energy feed without the additive. Importantly, birds on the phase-specific strategy (high emulsifier early, lower amounts later) reached the same final weight and feed efficiency as birds eating the standard, more expensive feed.
During the middle growth period (grower phase), chickens receiving either the medium or high dose of emulsifier weighed more than those on reduced-energy feed alone. However, when researchers looked at the entire 35-day period from start to finish, the differences between groups became smaller and were no longer statistically significant. This suggests the emulsifier’s biggest benefit happens early in the birds’ lives when they’re growing fastest.
The emulsifier blend also helped chickens digest their food faster, the time food spent in their digestive system was shorter in birds receiving the additive compared to those eating standard feed. This faster digestion suggests the emulsifiers were working as intended to help break down fats more efficiently. The apparent energy value of the feed (how much usable energy the birds actually got) was numerically higher in groups receiving emulsifiers, though the difference wasn’t large enough to be statistically certain.
Meat quality measurements showed that carcass yield (the percentage of the bird that becomes usable meat) tended to improve slightly with emulsifier supplementation, though the difference wasn’t statistically significant. The proportions of different meat parts and the amount of fat stored in the abdomen remained unchanged across all groups, suggesting the emulsifier didn’t negatively affect meat composition. These findings indicate that using the additive doesn’t compromise the quality or composition of the final product.
This research builds on existing knowledge that emulsifiers can improve fat digestion in poultry. Previous studies have shown that individual emulsifier ingredients can help birds digest feed better, but this study is notable for testing a combination of three ingredients and for testing a phase-specific approach where the dose changes as birds grow. The finding that the additive works best early in life aligns with what researchers know about how young birds’ digestive systems develop and their high nutrient demands during rapid growth periods.
While this study provides valuable information, several limitations should be considered. First, the research was conducted in a controlled research facility, so results might differ on commercial farms with different conditions, feed ingredients, or management practices. Second, the study only tested male broiler chicks of one breed (Ross 308), so results might not apply to other chicken types or to female birds. Third, while the emulsifier blend partially compensated for reduced energy, it didn’t completely eliminate the energy deficit, birds still didn’t perform quite as well overall as those on standard feed. Finally, the study measured apparent energy values but didn’t find statistically significant differences, meaning we can’t be completely certain about the exact mechanism by which the emulsifier helps.
The Bottom Line
Based on this research, poultry farmers could consider using a phase-specific emulsifier supplementation strategy (higher doses during starter and grower phases, lower doses during finishing) when feeding reduced-energy diets. This approach appears to maintain bird growth and feed efficiency comparable to standard-energy diets, potentially reducing feed costs. However, farmers should first test this approach on a small scale with their specific feed formulations and farm conditions before implementing it farm-wide. Consult with a poultry nutritionist to ensure the strategy works for your operation.
This research is most relevant to commercial broiler chicken producers looking to reduce feed costs without sacrificing bird performance. It may also interest feed manufacturers developing cost-effective feed formulations. The findings are less directly applicable to backyard chicken keepers or producers of specialty chicken breeds, as the study only tested standard commercial broiler chickens.
Based on this 35-day study, farmers could expect to see benefits within the first two to three weeks of using the emulsifier strategy, with the most noticeable improvements in growth rate and feed efficiency during this early period. The full effects on overall performance and meat quality would be apparent by the time birds reach market weight at around five weeks of age.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use cheaper chicken feed without hurting bird growth?
A 2026 study found that adding a special three-ingredient emulsifier blend to cheaper, lower-energy chicken feed helped birds grow as well as those eating standard feed. The strategy worked best using higher additive amounts early in the birds’ lives and lower amounts later, potentially reducing feed costs without sacrificing performance.
What is an emulsifier and how does it help chickens digest food?
Emulsifiers are ingredients that help break down and mix fats in the digestive system, making them easier for chickens to absorb. The study tested a blend of three emulsifiers (sorbitan esters, lysolecithin, and de-oiled lecithin) that reduced how long food stayed in chickens’ digestive systems, indicating improved fat digestion and energy utilization.
When do emulsifiers work best for growing chickens?
Research shows emulsifiers provided the biggest benefits during the first two to three weeks of a chicken’s life (starter phase) and the following growth period. Using higher emulsifier doses early and lower doses later proved most effective for maintaining growth while reducing feed costs.
Does using emulsifiers affect the quality of chicken meat?
The study found that emulsifier supplementation did not negatively affect meat quality. Carcass yield tended to improve slightly, and the proportions of different meat parts and fat deposition remained unchanged, indicating the additive maintains meat quality while reducing feed costs.
How much money could farms save using this emulsifier strategy?
While the study didn’t calculate exact savings, it showed that farms could reduce dietary energy by 150 kcal/kg (a significant cost reduction) while maintaining bird growth and performance through the emulsifier blend. Actual savings depend on local feed prices and farm-specific conditions.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily feed consumption and weekly body weight gains for each flock group receiving the emulsifier blend versus control groups, noting the specific emulsifier dose and growth phase. Record feed costs per pound of gain to measure economic benefit.
- Implement a phase-specific emulsifier dosing schedule in your feed management app: set reminders to increase emulsifier inclusion rates during starter and grower phases, then reduce rates during the finisher phase. Log feed formulation changes and monitor performance metrics against your baseline.
- Create a dashboard tracking three key metrics over time: average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, and feed cost per pound of gain. Compare performance between flocks using the emulsifier strategy versus standard practices to quantify savings and performance maintenance.
This research describes findings from a controlled study on broiler chickens and should not be considered veterinary or nutritional advice. Results may vary based on breed, farm conditions, feed formulations, and management practices. Before implementing any changes to poultry feed or supplementation strategies, consult with a qualified poultry nutritionist or veterinarian familiar with your specific operation. This study was conducted in a research setting and may not directly translate to all commercial farm environments. Always follow label instructions for any feed additives and ensure compliance with local regulations regarding poultry feed formulations.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.
