When margins are tight and performance targets climb ever higher, nutrition is the lever every producer can still pull. One of the simplest yet often underestimated tweaks is the strategic use of fats and oils in broiler rations. Lipids do far more than “fill up” the energy specs on a formulation sheet; handled correctly, they unlock a cascade of physiological advantages that translate into healthier birds and better returns.
Feeding fats and oils (lipids) to broilers provides several benefits that enhance their growth performance, health, and overall productivity, including:
- Increased energy density – lipids are the most concentrated sources of energy, providing approximately 2.25 more metabolisable energy than carbohydrates or protein per weight basis, allowing for higher energy diets that can improve growth performance, and can be advantageous during periods of heat stress.
- Improved feed efficiency – adding fats/oils to broiler diets typically improves feed conversion ratio.
- Enhanced fat-soluble nutrient absorption- lipids improve the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and carotenoids.
- Slower feed passage – lipids slow down the rate of feed passage through the digestive tract, allowing more time for nutrient absorption.
- Enhanced immune function- some oils, particularly those rich in omega-3 fatty acids, can promote a more robust immune system in broilers.
The Emulsification Factor
Because fats are insoluble in water, they must be properly emulsified before birds can access all that energy. The finer the emulsion, the higher the digestibility and the more kilocalories actually reach the bloodstream. Vitalsorb™ Pure, our phospholipid-based emulsifier, creates stable oil-in-water emulsions that boost the digestion and absorption of dietary fats, particularly tough-to-break-down saturated fats.
Putting It All Together
Balancing the type and inclusion rate of fats against ingredient cost, production goals and on-farm conditions is both art and science. Work with a qualified nutritionist to tailor lipid supplementation and consider pairing those fats with a proven emulsifier like Vitalsorb™ Pure to capture every advantage discussed here.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll look at practical formulation tips and common pitfalls when adding fats and oils to broiler diets.
GN Good Nutrition—Nutrition that Builds Legacies.
