13.1 - Poultry

poultry

monogastric omnivores

poultry rations

• constitute ~54% of the feed that is annually mixed in the US

• cost of feeding represents ~75% of the cost of poultry production

  • considerable interest in effective formulation of poultry feeds

  • feeding is not isolated → interaction of genetics, physiology, disease, & environmental conditions influence animal nutrition

poultry production

• vertically integrated companies

  • company may own everything from the genetics of the birds to the restaurants that serve the finished products

    • including feed mills

• majority of poultry, broilers, laying hens, & turkeys are raised in confinement

goal of feeding poultry

• transform nonedible materials into an edible product

• meet physiological requirements of the bird

• be economical in approach

feeding management

• nutrient requirement for specific types of birds are needed

  • in any ration formulation formulation program, understanding of FDA rules & regulations regarding use of medication in poultry feed is necessary

• ration formulation in fed manufacturing are handled commercially by feed companies

broilers

• chicks fed on free-choice basis from hatching to 6-8 weeks (marketing age)

  • mash, pellets, or tumbles

  • protein requirements vary with age

• multiple-stage rations are usually employed

  • diets may contain antibiotics or coccidiostats

• feeding can be automated

broilers: phased feeding

• birds switched to different stage diet every 2-3 weeks

  • pre-starter: 0-3 weeks; 23% CP

  • starter: 3-6 weeks; 20% CP

  • starter 2: 6-8 weeks; 18% CP

• as protein content of diet decreases, the energy content either remains constant or increases slightly

broilers: meal feeding vs continuous feeding

• meal feeding has been found to improve the feed conversions of broilers

  • fed ad-libitum for 3 weeks

  • 4th weeks fed 4x/day → every 6 hours

• length of time necessary to feed birds is based on their age

• objective: have 1-2 hours of clean up time prior to next feeding

broiler flock replacement pullets

• low-level antibiotic is desirable in starter rations

  • need in developer rations is questionable

  • coccidostats should be used to give some degree of immunity for coccidiosis & to ensure production throughout birds life

pullet

young female breeder; will be moved to breeding flock

restricted feeding desirable for broiler flock replacement pullets

• slows rate of sexual maturity

• permits the development of larger final body size

• results in larger egg weights at earlier time

• increases subsequent egg production

• reduces mortality

broiler diets based on:

• corn for energy

• soybean meal for protin

• contains small amounts of other animal & plant protein

laying hens: sexual maturity

16-18 weeks → age at which they lay their first egg

layer/breed ration fed:

• containing an adequate amount of Ca

  • if supplemental Ca required, should be provided on free choice basis by means of oyster shell granules or some other Ca-containing grits

laying hens: phase feeding

targets nutrient requirements according to stages of production for increased economic returns

• related to protein intake → energy plays a regulatory role

laying hens: need detailed records for…

• stage & rate of production

• body weight

• feed consumption info

• energy & protein content

• environmental temperature

• type of management

laying hens: phased feeding based on production cycle

• phase 1: 20-40 weeks

  • hen still growing & peaks in production

• phase 2: 40-60 weeks

• phase 3: 80 weeks of age

  • 65% production

also use single stage rations at 16% CP (unless high environmental temp & high energy diets fed)

laying hens: commercial egg-producing strains

feed is provided on daily, free-choice basis regardless of whether birds are housed in cages or on floor

laying hens: heavy breed layers

some degree of restriction is often practiced

• closely correlated to:

  • production rate

  • body weight

  • environmental temperatures

egg size management

excessively large eggs can have a negative impact on economics of a laying operation, based on the egg market

egg size can be affected by:

• nutrition; energy protein intake

• specific amino acids (methionine & cystine)

• total fat; EFA- linolenic acid

increasing levels of nutrients improves early egg size, decreasing levels will control size of eggs late in cycles

flock recycling rations

• natural for birds to molt

  • can be used to improve rate of lay, shell quality, & egg albumen height when birds start to lose desirable production parameters later in their egg laying cycle

• can rebound when given opportunity to milk

  • will not exceed levels prior to molt

• principle of molt: requires a reduction of light & feed

  • do NOT reduce water intake

feeding breeders

• males should be introduced at least 4 weeks before fertile eggs are required

• feed should be formulated to contain increased levels of:

  • fat-soluble vitamins: E & K

  • water-soluble vitamins: riboflavin, pantothenic acid, & cobalamin

  • trace minerals: manganese

breeders: restricted feeds

• limiting feed intake during growth period

  • involves observing body weight status of a given flock or broiler breeders & restricting feed intake can prevent them from becoming overly fat

• consider environmental conditions & strains of birds involves

• reducing lipid content, growth reduction reduces the incidence of ascites & leg problems

ascites

fluid accumulation in peritoneum cavity

breeders: success dependent on…

highly fortified diets to overcome the imposed feed restriction

• nutrients of concern: thiamine, biotin, vitamin B12, Mn, Zn

• need increased levels of riboflavin & pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, & folacin

breeders: male nutriton

• ratios of males: females 1:10

• separate feeding

  • use raised feeders for the males

  • use narrow limited-access feeders for females

• males should be checked periodically for body weight

  • weight losses of 10-15% have been shown to decrease fertilizing capacity

turkeys

• protein requirements decrease from 28% with starting poults to 14% for mature breeders

  • energy requirements to increase ranging from 2800 - 3300 kcal/kg & dropping to 2900 kcal/kg for breeders

• mash feeds recommended

  • pellets may be desirable at the discretion of producer

• antibiotic/coccidiostat are desirable in starter rations

  • use of developer rations is optional

summary

• wide range of birds being raised for food

• poultry are the species that have nutrient requirements most accurately defined

• feed processing & management is highly specialized in vertically integrated companies

• phased feeding systems & automated feeding systems used

• diets contain antibiotics, including coccidiostats