Under-Utilized Legumes as Potential Poultry Feed Ingredients: A Mini- Review

Abstract

Legumes are very important sources of protein in human nutrition. That remarkable quality as a protein source, make them to be also highly attracted by the poultry industry for the same purpose. This raised the issue of investigating other sources of protein for the poultry in other to balance the competitive situation between humans and the chicks. A review of a relatively recent literature reveals that there are several species and varieties of under-utilized legumes with relatively considerable amount of protein as compared to the commonly consumed legumes by humans. However, their experimentation as animal feed suffers a bit in term of documentation. Therefore, it might be wise to intensify research in that line for this is going to be source of cheap input and better economic benefit for the poultry industry.