Agricultural Waste Biochar as a Novel Feed Additive for Livestock and Poultry: A Review
43 / 5
Authors
-
Partha Sarathi Swain
OUAT, Bhubanesar
-
Niranjan Panda
Professor
-
Devi Prasanna Swain
-
P Pathak
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dhemaji, Assam Agricultural University, Simen Chapori, Assam, India;
Abstract
Biochar is a carbonaceous material produced by pyrolysis from various types of biomass in low-to-no oxygen thermal process at temperature ranging from 350 to1000 ºC. Biochar is predominantly used as toxin binder due to its high adsorption capacity. Biochar of different agricultural wastes have given a scope for waste to wealth approach if it can be used as animal feed additives. Though scanty and diverse, the early reports have indicated significant desirable biological responses in different animal models. Biochar produced from different biomass have shown growth promotion, improved immunity, reduction in harmful microbiota in faecal matter and litter as well, meat quality attributes in poultry. Similarly, Biochar has modulated the rumen microbial population more towards desirable microbiome thus benefiting the livestock wellbeing. Even Biochar can be used as a toxin binder and thus use of biochar in aflatoxin contaminated feed stuffs can be a measure to reduce the feed waste. Furthermore, addition of biochar increased nutrient digestibility, nitrogen retention and also resulted in increased fat and protein content of the milk. Likewise, biochar addition also resulted in decreased oxidative stress and inflammation following immunization, which is an indicative of improved antioxidant enzyme activity and reduced proinflammatory cytokines level. Biochar can adsorbs a range of toxic compounds, including plant and animal-derived toxins, endogenous toxins, and gases such as methane. However, the studies conducted so far are highly diverse and difficult to draw any conclusions. Consequently, further in-depth research is essential to validate its efficacy and safety across livestock and poultry production systems in short time and long term addition in the ration. However, the studies done so far have shown a lot of promise as feed additive for livestock and poultry.
Downloads
References
Akhtar, J. and Amin, N.S. 2012. A review on operating parameters for optimum liquid oil yield in biomass pyrolysis. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 16(7):5101-5109.
Calvelo Pereira, R., Muetzel, S., Arbestain, M. C., Bishop, P., Hina, K. and Hedley, M. 2014. Assessment of the influence of biochar on rumen and silage fermentation: A laboratory-scale experiment. Animal Feed Science and Technology. 196: 22-31.
Chia, H.H., Gong, B., Joseph, S.D., Marjo, C.E., Munroe, P. and Rich, A.M. 2012. Imaging of mineral-enriched biochar by FTIR, Raman and SEM-EDX. Vibrational Spectroscopy. 62:248-257.
Choi, J.S., Jung, D.S., Lee, J.H., Choi, Y.I. and Lee, J.J. 2012. Growth performance, immune response and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs by feeding stevia and charcoal. Korean J. Food Sci. Anim. Resour. 32 (2): 228–233.
Chu, J., Feng S., Guo C., Xue B., He K. and Li L. 2023. “Immunological mechanisms of inflammatory diseases caused by gut microbiota dysbiosis: a review.” Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 164: 114985.
Chu, G.M., Kim, J.H., Kang, S.N. and Song, Y.M. 2013b. Effects of dietary bamboo charcoal on the carcass characteristics and meat quality of fattening pigs. Korean Journal for Food Science of Animal Resources. 33(3): 348-355.
Chu, G.M., Kim, J.H., Kim, H.Y., Ha, J.H., Jung, M.S., Song, Y., Cho, J.H., Lee, S.J., Ibrahim, R.I.H. et al. 2013c. Effects of bamboo charcoal on the growth performance, blood characteristics and noxious gas emission in fattening pigs. Journal of Applied Animal Research. 41(1): 48-55.
El-kelawy, M.I., Elnaggar, A.S. and Enass, A.E.K. 2024. The influence of supplementing broiler chickens with humic acid or biochar as natural growth promoters on their productive performance, nutrient digestibility, and physiological performance. Egyptian Poultry Science Journal. 44(1): 123-142.
Emam, A.M., Elnesr, S.S., Mahmoud, B.Y., El-Full, E.A., Abdel-Kader, I.A. and Semida, D.A. 2026. Effect of dietary biochar supplementation on growth, blood constituents, digestive enzymes, intestinal microbiota and viscosity, antioxidant indices, and carcass traits of broiler chicks. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 58(1): 34.
European Biochar Foundation. 2012. European biochar certificate - guidelines for a sustainable production of biochar. European Biochar Foundation (EBC), Arbaz, Switzerland.
Evans, A.M., Boney, J.W. and Moritz, J.S. 2017. The effect of poultry litter biochar on pellet quality, one to 21 d broiler performance, digesta viscosity, bone mineralization, and apparent ileal amino acid digestibility. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. 26(1): 89-98.
Gai, X., Wang, H., Liu, J., Zhai, L., Liu, S., Ren, T. and Liu, H. 2014. Effects of feedstock and pyrolysis temperature on biochar adsorption of ammonium and nitrate. PLoS One. 9(12): 113888.
Galvano, F., Galofaro, V. and Galvano, G. 1996. Occurrence and stability of aflatoxin M in milk and milk products: A worldwide review. Journal of Food Protection. 59(10): 1079-1090.
Gerlach, H. and Schmidt, H.P. 2012. Biochar in poultry farming. Ithaka Journal. 1: 262-264.
Han, J., Meng, J., Chen, S., Li, C. and Wang, S. 2018. Rice straw biochar as a novel niche for improved alterations to the cecal microbial community in rats. Scientific Reports. 8(1): 16426.
Hansen, H.H., Storm, I.D. and Sell, A.M. 2012. Effect of biochar on in vitro rumen methane production. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science. 62(4): 305-309.
Hasanvand, S., Khatibjoo, A., Shizadi, H., Mohamadi, Y., Karimi Torshizi, M.A. and Rahimhi, D. 2023. Effect of wet litter biochar, probiotic and zeolite on performance, blood metabolites and small intestine morphology of broiler chickens reared under cold stress. Journal of Animal Production. 25(3): 325-341.
Hien, N.N., Dung, N.N.X., Manh, L.H. and Le Minh, B.T. 2018. Effects of biochar inclusion in feed and chicken litter on growth performance, plasma lipids and fecal bacteria count of Noi lai chicken, Livestock Research for Rural Development. 30(7): 131.
International Biochar Initiative. 2015. Standardized product definition and product testing guidelines for biochar that is used in soil. IBI Biochar Standards. International Biochar Initiative.
Ippolito, J.A., Cui, L., Kammann, C., Wrage-Mönnig, N., Estavillo, J.M., Fuertes-Mendizabal, T., Cayuela, M.L., Sigua, G., Novak, J., Spokas, K. and Borchard, N. 2020. Feedstock choice, pyrolysis temperature and type influence biochar characteristics: a comprehensive meta-data analysis review. Biochar. 2: 421-438.
Islam, M.M., Ahmed, S.T., Kim, Y.J., Mun, H.S. and Yang, C.J. 2014. Effect of sea tangle (Laminaria japonica) and charcoal supplementation as alternatives to antibiotics on growth performance and meat quality of ducks. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences. 27(2): 217.
Kalus, K., Konkol, D., Korczyński, M., Koziel, J.A. and Opaliński, S. 2020a. Effect of biochar diet supplementation on chicken broilers performance, nh3 and odor emissions and meat consumer acceptance. Animals. 10(9): 1539.
Kalus, K., Koziel, J.A. and Opaliński, S. 2019. A review of biochar properties and their utilization in crop agriculture and livestock production. Applied Sciences. 9(17): 3494.
Kana, J.R., Teguia, A., Mungfu, B.M. and Tchoumboue, J. 2010. Growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with graded levels of charcoal from maize cob or seed of Canarium schweinfurthii Engl. Tropical Animal Health and Production. 43(1):51–56.
Khan, I.U., Qi, S.S., Gul, F., Manan, S., Rono, J.K., Naz, M., Shi, X.N., Zhang, H., Dai, Z.C. and Du, D.L. 2023. A green approach used for heavy metals phytoremediation via invasive plant species to mitigate environmental pollution: a review. Plants. 12(4): 725.
Kim, S.H., Lee, I.C., Kang, S.S., Moon, C.J., Kim, S.H., Shin, D.H., Kim, H.C., Yoo, J.C. and Kim, J.C. 2011. Effects of bamboo charcoal and bamboo leaf supplementation on performance and meat quality in chickens, Journal of Life Science. 21(6): 805-810.
Kumar, R. 2025. Effect Of Corn Cob And Paddy Straw Biochar As Novel Feed Additives On The Performance And Health Status Of Broiler Chicken. M.V.Sc. Thesis, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
Kutlu, H.R., Ünsal, I. and Görgülü, M. 2001. Effects of providing dietary wood (oak) charcoal to broiler chicks and laying hens. Animal Feed Science and Technology. 90(3-4): 213-226.
Lao, E.J. and Mbega, E.R. 2020. Biochar as a feed additive for improving the performance of farm animals. Malaysian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture. 4(2): 86-93.
Lee, J.J., Park, S.H., Jung, D.S., Choi, Y.I. and Choi, J.S. 2011. Meat quality and storage characteristics of finishing pigs by feeding stevia and charcoal. Korean J. Food Sci. Anim. Resour. 31 (2): 296–303.
Leng, R.A., Inthapanya, S. and Preston, T.R. 2012a. Biochar lowers net methane production from rumen fluid in vitro. Livestock Research for Rural Development. 24(6): 103.
Leng, R.A., Inthapanya, S. and Preston, T.R. 2012b. Methane production is reduced in an in vitro incubation when the rumen fluid is taken from cattle that previously received biochar in their diet. Livestock Research for Rural Development. 24(11): 211.
Leng, R.A., Inthapanya, S. and Preston, T.R. 2013. All biochars are not equal in lowering methane production in in vitro rumen incubations. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 25(6): 106.
Leng, R.A., Preston, T.R. and Inthapanya, S. 2012c. Biochar reduces enteric methane and improves growth and feed conversion in local yellow cattle fed cassava root chips and fresh cassava foliage. Livestock Research for Rural Development. 24(11): 199.
Leonard, U., John, O. and Doris, U. 2024. Effect of Bio char and Clay on Growth Performance and Organ Weight of Broiler, Egyptian Journal of Nutrition.39 (2): 133 –141.
Li, H., Dong, X., da Silva, E.B., de Oliveira, L.M., Chen, Y. and Ma, L.Q. 2017. Mechanisms of metal sorption by biochars: biochar characteristics and modifications. Chemosphere. 178: 466-478.
Linhoss, J.E., Purswell, J.L., Street, J.T. and Rowland, M.R. 2019. Evaluation of biochar as a litter amendment for commercial broiler production. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. 28(4): 1089-1098.
Liu, C., Liu, X., He, Y., An, X., Fan, D. and Wu, Z. 2021. Microwave-assisted catalytic pyrolysis of apple wood to produce biochar: co-pyrolysis behavior, pyrolysis kinetics analysis and evaluation of microbial carriers. Bioresource Technology. 320: 124345.
Majewska, T., Mikulski, D. and Siwik, T. 2009. Silica grit, charcoal and hardwood ash in turkey nutrition. Journal of Elementology. 14(3): 489-500.
Majewska, T., Pudyszak, K. and Kozłowski, K. 2011. The effect of charcoal addition to diets for broilers on performance and carcass parameters. Veterinarija ir Zootechnika (Vet Med Zoot). 55(77): 30-32.
Man, K.Y., Chow, K.L., Man, Y.B., Mo, W.Y. and Wong, M.H. 2021. Use of biochar as feed supplements for animal farming. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology. 51(2): 187-217.
McFarlane, Z.D., Myer, P.R., Cope, E.R., Evans, N.D., Bone, T.C., Bliss, B.E. and Mulliniks, J.T. 2017. Effect of biochar type and size on in vitro rumen fermentation of orchard grass hay. Agricultural Sciences. 8: 316-325.
Mohammadi-Aragh, M.K., Norris, K.L., Chesser, G.D., Lowe, J.W., Evans, J.D., Purswell, J.L. and Linhoss, J.E. 2025. Comparison of biochar and poultry litter treatment (PLT) amendments on broiler litter quality and bird performance. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. 34(1):100499.
Mohsen, S., Reda, M., Waleed, F., Waleed, Y., Tarek, M., Saber, S., Farid, A. and Safwat, G. 2025. Evaluation of the effect of biochar on the metabolic status, oxidative stress, and immune response of Sprague Dawley rats. Research in Veterinary Science. 193: 105778.
Naeem, M. and Bourassa, D. 2025. Probiotics in poultry: unlocking productivity through microbiome modulation and gut health. Microorganisms. 13(2): 297.
Nair, R. R., Sjöblom, M. and Mondal, A. K. 2023. Beneficial impacts of biochar as potential feed additive in animal husbandry. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. 39(8): 213.
Naveena, B.M. and Kiran, M. 2014. Buffalo meat quality, composition, and processing characteristics: contribution to the global economy and nutritional security. Animal Frontiers. 4(4):18-24.
Ohanaka, A.U.C., Ohanaka, J.N., Nwogu, C.M., Ogbuewu, I.P., Etuk, I.F. and Okoli, I.C. 2025. Growth promoting and health enhancing effects of aged palm sap-enriched activated biochar in broiler nutrition. Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics. 126(1):13-24.
O'Toole, A., Andersson, D., Gerlach, A., Glaser, B., Kammann, C., Kern, J., Kuoppamäki, K., Mumme, J., Schmidt, H.P., Schulze, M. and Srocke, F. 2016. Current and future applications for biochar. In: biochar in european soils and agriculture. Routledge, Routledge, p 253-280.
Pandey, A.K., Kumar, P. and Saxena, M.J. 2019. Feed additives in animal health. In: Nutraceuticals in Veterinary Medicine. Eds. Gupta, R.C., Srivastava, A. and Lall, R. Springer International Publishing, Cham, Switzerland, p 345-362.
Panwar, R.B., Sequeira, R.P. and Clarke, T.B. 2021. Microbiota‐mediated protection against antibiotic‐resistant pathogens. Genes & Immunity. 22: 255–267.
Pecha, M.B. and Garcia-Perez, M. 2020. Pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass: oil, char, and gas. In: Bioenergy. Elsevier, p 581-619.
Prasai, T.P., Walsh, K.B., Bhattarai, S.P., Midmore, D.J., Rohman, T.H. and Moore, R.J. 2018. Manure from biochar, bentonite and zeolite feed supplemented poultry. Journal of Cleaner Production. 186: 1–11.
Prasai, T.P., Walsh, K.B., Bhattarai, S.P., Midmore, D.J., Van, T.T., Moore, R.J. and Stanley, D. 2016. Biochar, bentonite and zeolite supplemented feeding of layer chickens alters intestinal microbiota and reduces Campylobacter load. PLoS One. 11(4): 0154061.
Rajpoot, S.K., Sharma, P.R., Singh, J., Kumar, A., Vijayakumar, S., Chaudhary, R. and Kumar, D. 2024. Biochar as a novel feed additive for ruminants. In: Feed Additives and Supplements For Ruminants. Springer Nature Singapore, Singapore. pp 423-435.
Rashidi, N., Khatibjoo, A., Taherpour, K., Akbari-Gharaei, M. and Shirzadi, H. 2020. Effects of licorice extract, probiotic, toxin binder and poultry litter biochar on performance, immune function, blood indices and liver histopathology of broilers exposed to aflatoxin-B1. Poultry Science. 99(11): 5896-5906.
Raz, M., Bagherzadeh-Kasmani, F., Karimi-Torshizi, M.A., Ghazaghi, M., Mokhtarpour, A. and Mehri, M. 2025. Prosopis farcta biochar neutralizes aflatoxin b1 and enhances health and productivity in quails. Discover Animals. 2(1):12.
Reggi, S., Frazzini, S., Pedrazzi, S., Ghidoli, M., Torresani, M.C., Puglia, M., Morselli, N., Guagliano, M., Cristiani, C., Pilu, S.R. and Onelli, E. 2025. Metabolomic insights into the potential of chestnut biochar as a functional feed ingredient. Applied Sciences. 15(3): 1084.
Reyhanitabar, A., Frahadi, E., Ramezanzadeh, H. and Oustan, S. 2020. Effect of pyrolysis temperature and feedstock sources on physicochemical characteristics of biochar. Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology. 22(2): 547-561.
Ruttanavut, J., Yamauchi, K., Goto, H. and Erikawa, T. 2009. Effects of dietary bamboo charcoal powder including vinegar liquid on growth performance and histological intestinal change in Aigamo ducks. International Journal of Poultry Science. 8(3): 229-236.
Saleem, A.M., Ribeiro, G.O., Yang, W.Z., Ran, T., Beauchemin, K.A., McGeough, E.J., Ominski, K.H., Okine, E.K. and McAllister, T.A. 2018. Effect of engineered biocarbon on rumen fermentation, microbial protein synthesis, and methane production in an artificial rumen (RUSITEK) fed a high forage diet. Journal of Animal Science. 96(8):3121-3130.
Schmidt, H.P., Hagemann, N., Draper, K. and Kammann, C. 2019. The use of biochar in animal feeding. PeerJ. 7: 7373.
Sha, Z., Li, Q., Lv, T., Misselbrook, T. and Liu, X. 2019. Response of ammonia volatilization to biochar addition: a meta-analysis. Science of the Total Environment. 655: 1387-1396.
Silivong, P. and Preston, T.R. 2016. Supplements of water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) and biochar improved feed intake, digestibility, N retention and growth performance of goats fed foliage of Bauhinia accuminata as the basal diet. Livestock Research for Rural Development. 28(5).
Sun, J., Lian, F., Liu, Z., Zhu, L. and Song, Z. 2014. Biochars derived from various crop straws: Characterization and Cd(II) removal potential. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 106: 226-231.
Tang, J., Zhu, W., Kookana, R. and Katayama, A. 2013. Characteristics of biochar and its application in remediation of contaminated soil. Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering. 116(6): 653-659.
Tripathi, M., Sahu, J.N. and Ganesan, P. 2016. Effect of process parameters on production of biochar from biomass waste through pyrolysis: a review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 55: 467-481.
Usman, M., Qureshi, A.S., Shahid, R.U. and Deeba, F. 2025. Impact of biochar and organic acid-enriched diet on growth performance and intestinal histomorphometry in japanese quail (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica). Pakistan Veterinary Journal. 45(1): 352-359.
Van, D.T.T., Mui, N.T. and Ledin, I. 2006. Effect of method of processing foliage of Acacia mangium and inclusion of bamboo charcoal in the diet on performance of growing goats. Animal Feed Science and Technology. 130: 242–56.
Viaene, J., Peiren, N., Vandamme, D., Lataf, A., Cuypers, A., Debeer, L. and Vandecasteele, B. 2024. Application of biochar to anaerobic digestion versus digestate: effects on N emissions and C stability. Science of the Total Environment. 915: 170124.
Wang, N., Chang, Z.Z., Xue, X.M., Yu, J.G., Shi, X.X., Ma, L.Q. and Li, H.B. 2017. Biochar decreases nitrogen oxide and enhances methane emissions via altering microbial community composition of anaerobic paddy soil. Science of the Total Environment. 581: 689-696.
Watarai, S. and Tana. 2005. Eliminating the carriage of Salmonella enterica serovar enteritidis in domestic fowls by feeding activated charcoal from bark containing wood vinegar liquid (Nekka-rich). Poultry Science. 84(4): 515-521.
Weber, K. and Quicker, P. 2018. Properties of Biochar. Fuel. 217: 240-261.
Willson, N.L., Van, T.H., Bhattarai, S.P. 2019. Feed supplementation with biochar may reduce poultry pathogens, including Campylobacter hepaticus, the causative agent of spotty liver disease. PLoS One. 14: 1-16.
Yaashikaa, P.R., Senthil Kumar, P., Varjani, S. and Saravanan, A. 2020. A critical review on the biochar production techniques, characterization, stability and applications for circular bioeconomy. Biotechnology Reports. 28: 00570.
Zahed, O., Vakili, R. and Mokhtarpour, A. 2025. Pistachio by-product biochar as an antibiotic alternative: promoting growth and gut health in Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica). Tropical Animal Health and Production. 57: 249.
Additional Files
Submitted
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright remains with the society and author jointly. However, material can be used for research, teaching and to achieve goals of the society.
