Utilization of Algae Based-Meal as an Alternative Protein Source in Poultry Nutrition: A Review

Feed supply accounts for the majority of chicken production costs, which are estimated to be between 60 and 75 percent. This could lead to a limitation in poultry output because conventional protein and energy sources for concentrate feeds are expensive and scarce. The most well-known traditional plant protein sources for chicken feed are leguminous seeds, cereal grains, soybean and other oil seed meal, and a variety of agro-industrial byproducts. In the current circumstances, it is no longer cost-effective to employ these traditional feed ingredients in chicken feed due to their soaring prices. In order to reduce production costs and increase output and productivity in the poultry business, it is crucial to look for alternate, reasonably priced feed sources that are easily accessible in the region and that are nutritionally equivalent to conventional ones. One way to close a large gap between the availability and demand of conventional feed resources for poultry feeding is to take advantage of the use of non-conventional feed resources (NCFR) in poultry production systems. The use of green algae (Chlorophyta) as an alternative protein source in poultry nutrition is one of the NCFR locally accessible feed resources in Ethiopia. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to identify some of the most important species of algae that are currently available, as well as their technical applications in the use as poultry feed, as well as their chemical constituents and nutritional values. Additionally, the effects of their inclusion levels on broiler and layer chickens, as well as the quantities and qualities of the products, will be reviewed. Several common algae species, including seaweed, Spirulina platensis, and Chlorella vulgaries, have been covered in this work.