Incorporating Cannabis sativa residues into broiler diets can enhance meat quality and flavour without affecting bird performance.
Researchers in Thailand tested the impact of leftover hemp materials, including leaves, stems and stalks, on broiler chickens’ development and meat characteristics.
The findings revealed that while growth rates and survival were unaffected, chickens fed cannabis residues had leaner, juicier meat with a more pronounced ‘umami’ flavour.
In research published in the journal Animals, researchers at Chiang Mai University fed 256 male Ross 308 broilers (aged 1-42 days) one of four diets: a standard corn–soybean mix or the same diet supplemented with 0.5%, 1%, or 2% cannabis residues (CR).
These plant by-products, often discarded after extracting oils and cannabinoids, were rich in cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and polyphenols, but at residue levels well below regulatory levels for drug classification.
Despite a significant reduction in feed intake in the 1% and 2% CR groups (P < 0.05), final body weight, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio remained statistically unaffected. Survival rates were also unchanged across treatments.
The scientists said they believed the bioactive compounds in the cannabis residues may have been responsible for improving digestion and nutrient uptake.
Tastier meat
The meat from CR-fed chickens also had up to 25% lower fat content and higher levels of flavour-enhancing amino acids like glutamic acid and aspartic acid — both key to umami taste.
Moisture levels were also higher, which improves juiciness, while certain fatty acids linked to inflammation and cardiovascular risks in humans, including lauric and erucic acid, were reduced.
Importantly, there were no signs of liver toxicity or changes in meat tenderness, pH, or colour that would raise concerns for processors or consumers. However, colour differences were just perceptible to the naked eye, something retailers may want to consider for packaging and presentation, the researchers said.
With the global poultry industry under pressure to cut antibiotic use and improve sustainability, CR could offer a circular solution, especially as more countries legalise cannabis cultivation.
“These findings suggest cannabis waste could be a sustainable feed additive that improves gut health and immunity without compromising growth performance,” the researchers wrote.
“Further research is needed to determine optimal inclusion levels and to evaluate long-term safety and economic feasibility.”
A novel solution for poultry farms?
The inclusion of industrial hemp waste in poultry diets is gaining interest amongst researchers amidst a surge in global cannabis production.
According to industry estimates, the global legal cannabis market was worth over $57 billion USD in 2023, with industrial hemp forming a growing share due to its use in textiles, bioplastics and CBD extraction.
As a result, large volumes of hemp biomass, typically discarded after CBD is extracted, are readily available and underutilised, giving poultry producers opportunity to access a novel, low-cost feed ingredient with functional properties.
As the infrastructure for hemp cultivation and processing expands, especially in Europe, North America and parts of Asia, the accessibility of hemp by-products is expected to improve, offering potential benefits for both the poultry and cannabis sectors.
