Broiler performance has improved significantly over the past few years, with improvements in key indicators such as feed to meat ratio, weight gain, survival rate and meat yield.
Genetic selection is thought to be the main contributor to this progress, as described in the classic publication of Havenstein et al.1994, but actual production results are the result of the interaction of genes and environment. In broiler production, in order to reach the potential of genes, the environment was discovered from the beginning of the industry and is still composed of a series of variables that are correct.
Broiler performance can be affected even before hatching, so adjust hatching to manage the heat generated by modern embryo metabolism. Biosecurity and health programs are enhanced and enhanced to reduce possible challenges that can lead to antibody reactions that consume energy, resulting in energy not being used for growth.
Similarly, the coop has undergone a shift from open to closed, providing the chickens with a controlled environment and less exposure to the outside world.
Nutrition plays an important role in achieving the rapid growth potential of broilers, so this area needs to be evaluated regularly to provide performance and returns for broilers. Below are details of the important factors to consider when developing a nutrition program.
Economy: The long-term sustainable development of the poultry industry depends on satisfactory economic returns. Because feed is the main cost associated with broiler production, it is important to find reasonable nutritional requirements to get a high return. No one-size-fits-all approach should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, as a small change in raw material supply or demand can drastically alter conditions.
From an economic point of view, feeding for good results does not necessarily involve designing a nutritional approach to maximize genetic potential. For example, Company A uses high nutrient levels to meet the high requirements of brisket, while Company B chooses lower nutrient levels and is willing to use a variety of ingredients to meet the requirements of the live poultry market.
Although the two companies took different approaches, both made the right decision. Because they not only have to reach the potential of the chicken, but also have a good return. Nutrition is a dynamic area that needs to be evaluated frequently.
Physical characteristics of feed: Breeding selection makes the appetite of the broiler very strong, so the chicken can spend a long time eating the feed. This higher feed intake leads to high growth, but high growth, like other activities, requires energy expenditure.
Feeding pellets to chickens promotes feed intake and reduces feeding time and energy required for feeding activities, thereby improving production performance. This benefit is even more pronounced when chickens are fed more than 60% pellets, so consistency of pellet quality is important to maintain performance (Teeter, 2012). Having a quality control system to confirm the quality of pellets on the farm is a powerful tool that can provide feedback to the feed mill.
The increase of the week is more important with the decrease of the age of publication. The industry has recognized this and is working hard to improve the breeding environment. Chicks do not have a complete maturation system, so nutritional adjustment is not only to provide nutrition for early growth, but also to promote a reasonable organ development to support the growth of later broilers.
Using ingredients with high digestibility represents an opportunity to gain weight for 7 days; High quality unsaturated fats are preferred as brooder because of their passive absorption process, while saturated feedstock is largely dependent on micelle formation. This is not functional in the first few days of life because it requires bile secretion and lipase activity, and the secretory organs are not yet mature (Lilburn,1998).
The use of small particles, generally less than 2 mm, or the use of crushed material in brood feed, is considered to be higher than the performance of powdered broilers. The grain size matching the chicken's mouth size will increase acceptance; Introducing a larger particle size too early can inhibit weight gain. The feed contains large pellets to promote gizzard development and improve nutrient utilization. About 1000 microns and including 3% insoluble fibers are thought to be helpful (Mateoset al., 2012).