Broilers
Broiler diets containing 10-25% of poppy seed meal significantly increased live weight gain and feed intake, but did not cause significant change in feed conversion ratio and carcass yield. Pathological lesions in the organs of birds fed poppy seed meal for 42 days were observed (Bayram et al., 2006). In a further trial, poppy seed meal and poppy seed cake were included at 8 to 16% in broiler diets (replacing 50% to 100% of cottonseed meal). Differences in daily weight gain and feed intake were not significant (Akyildiz, 1984).
Laying hens
Poppy seed meal (up to 15% in the diet) together with yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (0.10%) had some positive effects on egg weight and eggshell quality parameters (eggshell thickness) and no adverse effects on egg production and feed efficiency (Küçükersan et al., 2009).
Japanese quails
Poppy seed meal was used at up to 20% in the diets of growing Japanese quails without affecting performance (Bayram et al., 1998). It also replaced soybean meal at 20% without affecting body weight, live-weight gain and feed consumption (Yldz et al., 2004).
In laying Japanese quails, the addition of up to 25% poppy seed meal to the diet increased egg production, feed consumption and feed conversion per kg of eggs, and per dozen eggs, but significantly reduced hatchability, mainly because of increased infertility and embryonic deaths (Akinci et al., 2003).
