Cottonseed Hulls - Feed Ingredient

Cottonseed hulls are the outer coverings of cottonseeds, removed during the oil extraction process in cottonseed processing.

In equine feed formulations, cottonseed hulls serve as a roughage source, contributing bulk and fiber to the diet. Due to their high crude fiber content and low digestible energy, they are typically included in limited quantities or used to dilute energy-dense rations.

Feeding concerns include the potential for gossypol contamination, a naturally occurring compound in cotton plants that can be toxic in high amounts. However, gossypol is primarily concentrated in the cottonseed itself and not in the hulls, making the risk relatively low when hulls are used appropriately. Nonetheless, their inclusion rates should be monitored, particularly in diets for young or breeding horses.