The experiment performed included a total of six studies to show the possible advantage of the inclusion of soyhull in the diets of broiler chickens. Soyhull was included at the rate of 1:9 (soy hull: high protein soybean meal) to generate a low-protein soybean, and this was tested for its effect on growth, amino acid digestibility, immune response, antimicrobial resistance, and microbiota profile in broiler chickens. The results showed that during the first two weeks of life, the chicks receiving the low-protein soybean meal were heavier, had greater feed efficiency, and had greater amino acid digestibility. The birds were also heavier at market weight, but the margin was lower at market age. Similarly, the birds that received the low-protein soybean meal had better immune response and had less damage to the small intestine when they had coccidiosis infection. The positive effect of low-protein soybean meal in broiler diet was also shown in that the birds receiving the diet with the soybean meal had lower levels of specific disease-causing microorganisms and lower antimicrobial drug-resistant in the periods before coccidiosis infection.

This study showed promise in using soybean meal with lower protein content. The focus has generally been on using high-protein soybean meal in animal diets. But in certain cases, in some instances a desire to use soybean meal with lower protein content to derive the benefit of soy hull. Consequently, the results from this project show that even in these alternative markets, soybean meal with lower protein content (higher quantities of hull) is relevant and advantageous. We showed that the positive effect was not because of the fiber (because wheat bran inclusion in the high-protein soybean meal did not elicit a similar positive response). Therefore, soyhull has its specific advantage when used strategically in the diet of broiler chickens.