Explore
Communities in English
Advertise on Engormix

Broiler feed formulation

Formulating Feed for Broiler Performance

Published: August 10, 2007
By: Dr. K. R. Gunasekar (Courtesy of Avitech Animal Health Pvt. Ltd.)

Every year the marketing age of broilers decreases by an average of 0.75 days for the same performance. This trend is likely to continue in the same direction for the coming years. Nutrition plays a vital role in enabling this improvement. As the feed cost represents an expensive input (~70-80% of broiler production cost), the poultry producer should be aware of the dynamics of the feed in its influence on final product quantity and quality.

Formulating feed ideally requires in-depth knowledge of several parameters such as the energy level to be maintained in the diet, balancing the amino acid profile and electrolytes of feed etc., which, otherwise, if not properly monitored, could negatively influence the performance and profitability of the business.

Further, in light of environmental challenges and disease outbreaks, it is even more challenging to extract the total genetic capability of the birds.

Nutritionists should look at several critical parameters whilst formulating broiler feed. Important amongst these are:

1. Nutritive value of raw materials
2. Amino acid digestibility
3. Amino acid and calorie ratio
4. Selection of suitable fat source
5. Calcium requirement of birds
6. Electrolyte balancing
7. Immuno-modulation
8. Summer management


1. Nutritive value of raw materials

Raw materials are purchased based on price, availability and nutritive value. Nutritive value of raw materials varies from time-to-time, source-to-source and batch-to- batch.

It is a very important task to assess the nutritive value each time to ensure that the feed being manufactured is of desired quality.

It is essential to have preset quality parameters for each and every raw material, based on which purchase of raw material should be made.

Upon purchase of raw material it needs to be analysed for quality parameters after collecting a representative sample. The ideal quality parameters for some key raw materials are as mentioned.


Soya de-oiled cake

·Bulk Density: 570-640 g/1000 cc
·Desired Physical Properties
- Colour - Light tan to light brown
- Odour - Fresh, not musty, not sour or burned
- Texture - Homogeneous, free flowing, no lumps or cakes, without coarse particles or dusty
·Urease activity: 0.05-0.20-pH unit change
·Moisture (max): 12%
·Protein solubility (0.2% KOH): 73-85%
·Protein Dispersibility Index: 15-30%
·Contaminants: Particularly check for urea, non-protein nitrogen and/or ammonia
·Crude Protein (min.): 44.0%
·Fiber (max.): 7.0%
·Ash (max.): 6.0%
·Silica (max.): 1.0%
·ME (kcal/kg): ~ 2,375


Fish / Fish meal

·Moisture (max.): 10.0%
·Sand and silica (max.): 5.0%
·Salt (max.): 3.0%
·Urea: Nil
·Check for Decomposition / Rancidity
·Contamination with leather meal
·Bacterial load
·Crude Protein (varies depending on the variety of the fish)
·Ether extract (varies depending on the variety of the fish)


Maize

·Moisture (max.): 12.0%
·Check for Aflatoxins
·Thiram
·Grain size


2. Amino acid digestibility

In general, an average of 90% digestibility is considered whilst formulating feeds or feed formulations are based on total amino acids only. Since the raw materials vary in digestibility, it is necessary to consider digestible amino acids whilst formulating the feed to ensure optimum performance.

From Table 1, it is clear that formulations based on digestible amino acids will deliver better results as in many cases the actual digestibility is much lower than the assumed level of 90%.

Further, feed formulations made by using digestible amino acids will economise feed cost for equal performance.


3. Amino acid and calorie ratio

Environmental temperature and the energy content of the feed are key determinants for the feed intake of the bird. Other nutrients are normally adjusted based on the feed intake of the bird. There exists a relationship between energy and digestible amino acids, which if maintained, will enable adjustment of crude protein levels in the diet, thereby reducing the feed cost without compromising performance.

Optimum live performance, maximum protein retention and reduced carcass fat content can only be obtained if a proper ratio between energy and digestible amino acids is maintained. However these ratios vary between different growing periods, i.e. Starter, Grower and Finisher.


Formulating Feed for Broiler Performance - Image 1
Formulating Feed for Broiler Performance - Image 2
Formulating Feed for Broiler Performance - Image 3
Formulating Feed for Broiler Performance - Image 4

Nutritionists employ different energy levels ranging from 2800 to 3300 kcal/kg of feed whilst formulating broiler feeds. As energy increases it is imperative to increase the digestible lysine content.

The energy amino acid ratio as depicted in Table 2 has been found helpful in extracting the maximum genetic capacity of broilers in the Indian context.


Formulating Feed for Broiler Performance - Image 5

Formulating Feed for Broiler Performance - Image 6



In order to arrive at an ideal amino acid profile, the other critical amino acids need to be balanced with reference to lysine (Table 3) after maintaining the energy and digestible lysine ratio.


4. Animal Fat/ Vegetable Fat

Fat from animal source as well as from vegetable source are used in feeds. An ideal fatty acid profile should be maintained in the diet to improve the keeping quality and meat quality. Ideal ratios of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids ensure the desired fatty acid profile and ultimately better results.

As a general guideline the ratio between unsaturated and saturated fatty acids should be 'more than one' for better meat quality.

Depending on the following factors, the poultry feed manufacturer should select the fat source to be included in poultry feed:

·Fatty Acid Composition
·Availability
·Quality
·Metabolizable energy content
·Price

Some points regarding fat usage in diet are as follow:

·Crude Oils are preferred in poultry over refined oils
·Vegetable source is preferred over animal source
·The essential fatty acids for poultry are Linoleic acid and Linolenic acid, based on which, fat source may be decided
·The oil should be procured fresh
·An Antioxidant should be used for the oil source to avoid rancidity

Some fats and their fatty acid composition are given in Table 4 and energy provided by them in Table 5.

Feed grade fats and oils usually contain water and other non-fat materials; adjustments in fatty acid and ME concentrations should be made accordingly. ME level of diet is subjected to variation depending on level of fat inclusion in diet, ingredient composition and age of poultry.


Formulating Feed for Broiler Performance - Image 7

Formulating Feed for Broiler Performance - Image 8



5. Calcium requirement of birds

Next to energy, birds adjust their feed intake based on calcium requirement. In other words, birds will eat more feed for want of calcium-a phenomenon also referred to as calcium hunger. The rapid growth of broilers requires large quantities of feed to be consumed and hence feed manufacturers maintain the calcium level at a marginal level.

In addition to Calcite / Marble powder and DCP, raw materials used in the feed also supply calcium to the birds. It is common to utilise the published values of calcium levels of raw materials during formulating feeds. However, like other nutrients, the calcium content of raw materials varies widely.

Excess calcium will bind to phosphorus (2 molecules of calcium will bind to one molecule of phosphorus) and make phosphorus unavailable to birds, which is a costly input to the feed manufacturers. Further, majority of the feed additives used in the poultry feed are based on a calcium carbonate carrier, which also contributes significant amount of calcium to the diet.

Keeping this in sight, an assessment of calcium in the raw materials and final feed has to be performed:

·Estimation of calcium in the raw materials like Maize, SoyaDOC, Fish/Fish meal, MBM
·Calculation of calcium content in the feed additives
·Estimation of calcium in DCP, Calcite / Marble powder
·Estimation of calcium in the final feeds

Understanding the calcium content of feeds and manipulating it to improve production dynamics is important towards enhancing productivity.


6. Electrolyte balancing

Electrolyte balance is represented by Na+K-Cl balance in the diet. Electrolyte balance is expressed in terms of mEq.

Balancing of electrolytes in the poultry feed is essential in order to spare the bird from utilizing energy in attempting to do the same in metabolizing the feed. Apart from salts such as Sodium Chloride, Sodium Bi-carbonate and Potassium Chloride etc., Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium and Chloride) are also derived from feed raw materials.

Electrolytes are further derived from feed additives like Chloride from Lysine Hydrochloride, Choline Chloride etc. An assessment and adjustment in the electrolytes balance is important whilst formulating feeds.

Electrolyte balance (Na+K-Cl) of poultry feed should be maintained between 200 to 250 mEq per kg of feed.


7. Immuno-modulation

The current trend of intensive poultry keeping and omnipresent disease threats require specific attention towards improving the immune status of the bird through nutrition.

A number of dietary components can have direct and / or indirect implication on the intensity and efficacy of the immune responses. Some are capable of increasing the immune responses while others are detrimental to it. There is no doubt that broilers on well balanced diet sare immunologically competent and able to cope up better with disease challenges.

It is imperative that most nutrients necessary for optimal growth (energy, amino acids, etc.) are also necessary for optimal immuno-competence. The following factors have to be looked into for improving immunity through nutrition:

·A well-balanced feed with adequate energy and amino acid profile
·Proper dietary arginine concentration
·Proper sodium and chloride levels
·Levels of vitamin A, E and C
·Optimum Methionine level
·Adequate Zinc, Manganese and Copper level

Apart from these, various natural and synthetic additives are available to improve immunity.


8. Summer management

Feed formulation requires significant adjustment during summer season. The reduction in feed intake and thus reduction in specific dynamic heat of metabolism improves the tolerance of birds towards hot weather. Moreover, changes in the macro and micro formulation increase the passage time of nutrients in the intestine. Some points to be considered during summer management are:

·Increase in the energy content of the feed is required to take care of the reduction in the feed intake in spite of the fact that in summer, the maintenance energy requirement for the bird is comparatively less. The increase in energy is best achieved by adding fat (oil) that stimulates feed intake and further improves the palatability of feed. Fat also reduces the rate of passage of ingesta within the digestive system. (At the same time we need to reduce daily intake of energy by the bird)

·Proportional increase in other nutrients, proportionate to the increase in the energy level

·Minimising the excess of amino acids improves feed intake

·A diet with lower protein levels and supplemented with limiting amino acids will help in reducing stress to the kidney and also lowering of ammonia levels in poultry houses

·Ammonium chloride supplementation through feed improves weight gain.

·Sodium bicarbonate addition in diet is beneficial

·Micro minerals may be over the normal requirement .

·Inclusion of potassium .5 kg / chloride 0.5 kg / MT feed in prestarter and starter diets is also useful

·Feed electrolyte balance should be maintained more than 250 mEq especially in the summer. (The bicarbonate ions coming from sodium bicarbonate should also be considered while balancing)

·Usage of Vitamin C (coated) at a minimum dose of 100g / MT of feed is advisable

·Chelated trace minerals usage is advisable

· Increase in the fibre content of the feed is useful in slowing down the intestinal motility (which is normally higher in the summer). Including at least 2- 3% SFDOC to increase the fibre in all types of feed will deliver better results. (This will contribute at least 0.3 to 0.4% increases in the fibre of the diet)

· Inclusion of enzymes is preferable during summer months

· Addition of Phytase (80 to 200 g/ton) depending on the feed formula is useful in reducing the stress to the birds


Micro nutrient optimisation

Various micro ingredients are employed in poultry feed production in terms of additives / supplements to make up the deficiency (vitamins, trace minerals etc.,) to maximise the performance (Antibiotic growth promoters, Lysophospholipids etc.) or to combat disease challenges (Anticoccidials, Antibiotics etc.). An ideal combination of micro ingredients will depend upon the type of raw materials used in the feed, environmental challenges and the growth pressure.

Optimizing the micro ingredient formulation with right level of additives is important in maximising the genetic potential of the bird.


Modifying the growth response curve

At a given feed formulation, broilers respond to one particular growth curve. Nutritionist optimizes the growth pattern towards a desired growth curve B (as shown in figure1) to maximise the economics of broiler production.

For the given formulation, observations of the growth curve will help in determining the duration of each feed to be given to the bird. Ideally the prestarter or starter feed (Protein rich feed) should be given to develop the body frame rather than developing body mass.


Formulating Feed for Broiler Performance - Image 9



Further, the developing focus of poultry business is towards functional parameters and other specific tasks such as:

  • High breast meat yield
  • Reduced abdominal fat
  • Improved texture and taste of the meat
  • Raising without antibiotics
  • Rearing broilers without lameness

Nutritionists at Avitech recom-mend the following nutritional standards for broilers to extract the genetic potential of broilers (Table 6).


Formulating Feed for Broiler Performance - Image 10



Dr. K. R. Gunasekar

Dr. K. R. Gunasekar is a senior Technical Manager at Avitech Animal Health Pvt. Ltd. He is a postgraduate in Veterinary Science from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute. Dr. Gunasekar leads Avitech’s performance team and programme.

Related topics
Influencers who recommended :
Emad Elgazzar, Stephen Adejoro Dr
Join to be able to comment.
Once you join Engormix, you will be able to participate in all content and forums.
* Required information
Would you like to discuss another topic? Create a new post to engage with experts in the community.
Create a post
Oscar Briceño
7 de junio de 2016
Excusame ask about the relationship between the free fatty ácid in the grease or oil to be added to the feed and the metabolizable energy available to the Chichén?
Emad Elgazzar
AL WADI POULTRY FARMS COMPANY
10 de febrero de 2016
sure you are right 100% but you have to put in consideration plus all the parameter you mention "bio security,genetics,good food and good house the importance of good management the the suitable vaccination program me, the suitable medication programme . to get good and will performed broiler .
Abdelaziz Abdelfatah Abdelmotii Ebrahim
8 de febrero de 2016
there is an old example about poultry eating is called poultry eat for calories and poultry is grain eater so in modern rearing and introduce for poultry pellets feed which called afast food having high level of energy so it leads to high body weight gain in broiler of about 2 kg meat of eating 3.250 kg feed at about 32 days but we notice that the immunesystem of this birds will be not good and can easily affected by viruses at any time and round heart disease so every thing in new technology for rapid weight have more disadvantages in poultry immunity thank you dr abdelaziz abdelfatah poultry consultant egypt
M Sifri
7 de febrero de 2016
Robert Huggins has offered an excellent assessment and advice. The following are critical points for developing a feeding program that accomplishes the set objectives: 1. Know the objective 2. Study and assess the following utilizing credible resources: a. Breed guidelines and actual capabilities b. Available ingredients, prices, actual nutritional values; if not available, use theoretical and book values with practical adjustments based on history of performance and ingredients. Avoid doing risky and uncalculated judgments. Learn from every cycle. c. Provide the proper health and prevention programs. That might be the best nutrition program helper. d. Monitor, manage and follow-up and execute proactively. 3. There are great internet websites that provide credible and primary refereed publications. 4. Review with the information that you read, make some sense of it, translate it to the field situations and apply it and improve your application. 5. You know more about your own problems than anybody else, make the decision using the facts you have. If you still need help, provide coherently your case in order to get the right help. When you do that, you will get credible help. 6. Stay focused 7. Best wishes
Oyedele Oyewumi
Prinzvet Livestock Consult
6 de febrero de 2016
this information is interesting and educative. however in other to reduce cost and increase profit, lets look inward towards the use of unconventional feedstuffs to ensure sustainability of broiler business
Stephen Adejoro Dr
Soavet
14 de septiembre de 2015
The critical issue in the utilization of the unconventional animal feed raw materials is the availability of modern technology on to maximally release the indigestible trapped nutrients in the polysaccharides and the complex pep tide chains The pressure from competition for available raw materials for other industrial usages had commanded high prices for these categories of raw materials and affectedt their profitable inclusion in animal feed formulations The solution to these problem are the progressive researches on new technology on how to maximize the inclusion of alternate feed raw materials utilization ,so as to obtain optimal least cost and profitable feed production for livestock and especially for poultry The results of the numerous researches had culminated into the discoveries of Enzymes of various substrate, ,macrobiotics, neutraceaticals,organic acids, toxin binders and of recent the use of nanotechnology for food safety and mycotoxin decontamination This recent innovation had made livestock feed formulation a sustainable business and a viable alternative to animal diseases management Raw materials that were hither to not considered for broiler ration formulation like palm kernel nuts and cassava chips in the poor countries of the world can now be utilized with available relevant digest able enzymes for the optimal formulation of broiler ration Stephen Adejoro
Atif Hamza
18 de enero de 2015
Hi sir how and when can I use tallow to rase energy in broiler deit
kish
10 de enero de 2023
am just a lay man and understanding the balancing and the techniques used seems to be difficult. How else can you help to simplify the terms and formulas you are talking about. thank you so much
Gaurav bhura
16 de marzo de 2021

Sir, please tell me how much quantity soya doc replace by rice DDGS.

Osiah Chinedu Ojukwu
7 de marzo de 2021
Thank you very much sir, the article is very interesting. I will love you can provide me with easy to read details on how to make the formulation as per 25kg from prestarter, starter to finisher category. I'm a young farmer and I'm looking forward to formulating my own feed. Thank you sir for you humble respond. Here is my contact details osiahchineduot@gmail.com
Join Engormix and be part of the largest agribusiness social network in the world.
LoginRegister