Roilers: Improving Broiler Performance

roilers
Broiler farming is one of the fastest-growing protein-producing industries and key to ensuring
global food security. To satisfy the growing market demand, broiler farms must produce
more efficiently while using fewer resources. Broiler farmers face many challenges, from
reducing the use of antibiotics and keeping their flocks healthy, to implementing good
management practices. To improve profitability, farmers need to have a deep understanding
of their profit drivers.
Improving broiler performance

When an animal can be fed efficiently while maintaining good health, this positively impacts
both performance and profitability. Since feed costs make up most of a livestock farmer’s
total costs, ensuring optimum nutrient intake that translates to growth is crucial. Nutrient
losses for other physiological processes has a significant impact on production efficiency.
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Broiler feed and water management

Water is the most important nutrient for broilers. The nutritional quality of feed, its safety and
delivery form all play a crucial role in ensuring a healthy and regulated feed intake. Excellent
microbial and chemical quality in water is important as broilers consume twice as much water
as feed. Water is a key factor in thermoregulation and as a carrier for additives, such as
medication, supplements, etc.
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Antimicrobial resistance in broilers

Reducing reliance on antimicrobials is crucial in tackling the challenge of antimicrobial
resistance. Limiting preventable antibiotics allows essential antibiotics to remain effective
when needed to support broiler and human health. The emphasis on this matter is further
heightened through the increasing demand for antibiotic-free broiler meat, as a result of
increased awareness of the associated risks.
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Related stories
Effect of L-glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid on the availability of dietary zinc in broiler
chickens
Open Access
Chelating agents can be used to improve the nutritional availability of trace minerals within
the gastrointestinal tract. This study was conducted to determine the effect of a novel
chelating agents, L-glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA), a biodegradable alternative to
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on the nutritional bioavailability of zinc in broilers. Twelve
dietary treatments were allocated to 96 pens in a randomized block design. Pens contained 10
Ross 308 male broilers in a factorial design with 6 incremental zinc levels (40, 45, 50, 60, 80,
and 120 ppm of total Zn), with and without inclusion of GLDA (0 and 100 ppm) as respective
factors. Experimental diets were supplied from day 7 to 21/22 and serum, liver and tibia Zn
content were determined in 3 birds per pen. Growth performance and liver characteristics
were not affected by dietary treatments, but both supplemental Zn and GLDA enhanced tibia
and serum zinc concentration. The positive effect of GLDA was observed at all levels of the
dietary Zn addition. The amount of zinc needed to reach 95% of the asymptotic Zn response
was determined using nonlinear regression. When GLDA was included in the diet, based on
tibia Zn, the same Zn status was achieved with a 19 ppm smaller Zn dose while based on
serum Zn this was 27 ppm less Zn. Dietary GLDA reduces supplemental Zn needs to fulfill
nutritional demands as defined by tibia Zn and serum Zn response. Considering the positive
effect on the nutritional availability of Zn in broilers, GLDA presents an opportunity as
biodegradable additive, to reduce Zn supplementation to livestock and thereby reducing Zn
excretion into the environment, while fulfilling the nutrition Zn needs of farmed animals.
by G. M. Boerboom on 04.02.2021
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Effect of mineral and vitamin C mix on growth performance and blood corticosterone
concentrations in heat-stressed broilers
Open Access
Heat stress is a major problem in the poultry industry, especially during summer months and
when birds are raised under high-density conditions. Previous studies have reported that
vitamin C or electrolyte supplementation could palliate the effects of heat stress in broiler
chickens. The present study evaluated the effect of a mineral and vitamin mix (AHS) added
to drinking water on the performance of broiler chickens. In total, 1,824 one-day-old birds
were randomly allocated to 48 pens. Maximum animal density was 26.5 kg/m2. The control
group received no additive; AHS-1 and -2 groups received the AHS mix at a concentration of
1 and 2 kg/1,000 L in drinking water, respectively; and the Vit-C group received vitamin C in
drinking water at 200 g/1,000 L. All birds were fed the same diets based on a 3-phase feeding
program; feed and water were given on ad libitum basis. To mimic heat stress conditions,
temperature in the barn was raised to 35 C from 08:00 to 14:00 h each day. For the overall
growing period (0 to 35 D), adding AHS to drinking water increased final BW, ADG, and
ADFI linearly (PLinear < 0.05); FCR was decreased linearly with AHS supplementation
(PLinear < 0.05). Final BW, ADG, and FCR for the Vit-C group were intermediate between
AHS-2 and the control groups (P > 0.10). No significant effect on mortality were found
(8.77%; P > 0.10). Relative to control, all the treatments tested reduced (P < 0.05)
corticosterone concentration in blood serum. In conclusion, the combined use of
supplementary levels of minerals and vitamins could alleviate the effects of heat stress on
broilers chickens.
by A. Saiz del Barrio on 20.01.2020
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A blend of fatty acids, organic acids, and phytochemicals induced changes in intestinal
morphology and inflammatory gene expression in coccidiosis-vaccinated broiler
chickens
Open Access
Feed additives that promote gastrointestinal health may complement coccidiosis vaccination
programs in antibiotic-free broiler production systems. This study examined the effects of a
commercial feed additive blend (FA) on intestinal histomorphology and inflammatory
biomarkers in vaccinated Ross 708 cockerels (N = 2,160). The study was a randomized
complete block design (12 blocks) with 3 dietary treatments: CON (negative control), AGP
(positive control: 55 ppm of bacitracin methylene disalicylate), and FA (1.5 kg/MT in starter;
1.0 kg/MT in grower; and 0.5 kg/MT in finisher). Birds were reared on re-used litter and fed
a 3-phase feeding program (starter, 0 to 14 D; grower, 15 to 28 D; finisher, 29 to 36 D). One
master batch of basal feed for each feeding phase was prepared and final experimental diets
were manufactured by mixing the basal feed with the respective test ingredient prior to
pelleting. Growth measurements, including pen body weight and feed intakes, and fresh fecal
samples were taken throughout the study. On day 20, samples of intestinal tissue were
collected from a subset of birds (n = 72, 1 block) for histomorphology and mRNA expression
of tight junction and inflammatory genes. In the duodenum, the ratio of villi length to crypt
depth was significantly lower in FA (and AGP) fed birds than those consuming the CON diet.
Relative mRNA expressions of iNOS, IFNƔ, and claudin-1 were upregulated in the jejunum
of FA and AGP treatment groups compared to those in the CON group; the response in the
FA was of lesser magnitude than AGP. Together, these results demonstrated that the FA
treatment altered the microstructure of the duodenum and affected the expression of
inflammatory genes in the jejunum. The timing of these changes coincided with peak oocyte
shedding in feces and an observed reduction in feed efficiency in all dietary treatment groups.
by L. McKnight on 09.12.2019
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roilers

Improving broiler performance

Broiler feed and water management

Antimicrobial resistance in broilers

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