The Value of Raw Unextracted Soybeans for Laying Hens

CONSIDERABLE work has been reported in the literature on the feeding value of raw soybeans for poultry. In general, it has been demonstrated that raw soybeans will not support satisfactory weight gains in young chicks. However, as shown by Bornstein et al. (1961) and Saxena et al. (1963), when birds become older they are less sensitive to the “toxic” properties of raw soybeans. A good deal of discussion has taken place concerning the factor (s) in raw soybeans that limit growth in young animals; Jensen and Saxena (1963) have reviewed much of the work which has been reported on this subject. Carver et al. (1946), Fisher et al. (1957), Griminger and Fisher (1960), Fisher and Griminger (1961) and Saxena et al. (1963 a, b) have reported that satisfactory egg production can be obtained by the use of raw soybeans to replace soybean meal in the diet of the laying hen.