Alternative / Nutrition & Feed
Management
To minimise the levels of small dusty particles,
granular forms of the major minerals such as limestone, the phosphates and
salt should be used.
The inclusion of a vegetable oil in the
formulation will also help dampen and contain the smaller particles within
the meal and encourage feed intake. Oils, which have the lowest heat
increment during digestion, are also the most cost-effective source of
energy. Care however should be taken that the oil is stabilised to prevent
oxidation and rancidity.
To increase feed intake during the first
few weeks of life (0 - 3 weeks) good quality crumbs, free from dust, as
opposed to mash, can be used to good effect. Thereafter to encourage the
development of an active and healthy digestive tract, the feeding of a
coarse mash is recommended.
Protein
The dietary specifications that are
detailed will provide the required daily nutrients at each stage of the
growing and laying cycle, the latter being based on the assumed daily feed
intake.
The levels of the essential amino acids Lysine, Methionine
and Cystine, Threonine and Tryptophan are designed to support the egg
production and egg mass detailed in the guide’s performance
tables.
Protein levels have been kept to a minimum to reduce the
excessive intake and the subsequent and energy-dependant excretion of
non-protein nitrogen. Amino acid levels should be achieved using the more
digestible synthetic sources.
Major MineralsCalcification of the shell
takes place during the night photoperiod when the birds are not actively
eating feed. The source of calcium during this period becomes residual
feed in the digestive tract and the labile medullary bone
reserve.
Small particles of limestone are not retained in the
gizzard and are readily excreted leading to poor shell quality. It is
recommended that granular limestone forms a major portion of the source so
that there is retention in the gizzard for utilisation during shell
deposition.
Oyster or marine shell with larger particles can also
be introduced, especially during the afternoon, as a supplementary source
of calcium, which the bird can self-select.
Phosphorus levels have
been increased in all feeds throughout growing and lay. Phosphorus has
been shown to be a critical nutrient in the development of ovum and the
maintenance of bone quality in lay. Levels later in the laying cycle are
reduced, as too much phosphorus can be detrimental to shell
quality.
Electrolye Balance
A correct balance of the electrolytes sodium, potassium and
chloride is essential. An excess of any of these nutrients can lead to an
increase in water consumption and wet droppings. When sodium is limiting,
birds become flighty and excitable and this can result in cannibalism and
increased mortality.
Using sodium bicarbonate to replace part of
the salt will limit the level of chloride and has also been shown to
improve shell quality especially during periods of heat
stress.
Linoleic Acid and Egg Weight
The manipulation of egg weight, that is often necessary due
to market demands, can be achieved, in part, with the use of varying
levels of the essential fatty acid, linoleic. The effect is only on egg
weight and egg numbers should be unaffected.
Linoleic acid is found
in vegetable oils such as those derived from maize, soya and sunflower
seeds.
Feed Management
Regularly empty, clean and disinfect feed bins and avoid
unnecessary build-up of dusty, stale, mouldy and unpalatable feed. Order
feed in good time.
On delivery and before discharge confirm the
correct product and quantities have been delivered. Take a sample for
inspection and retain it for a minimum period of one month.
Inspect
sample for grist, colour and smell and compare with previous deliveries.
In the event of a significant deviation from the norm inform your feed
supplier immediately. Consider exchanging the load.
Periodically a
sample should be sent to a specialist laboratory for analysis and for
comparison with supplier’s quality control.
Rearing Diet Feed
Programme
This consists of a Chick to be fed from day-old to approximately 6
weeks of age during the period of repid supply organ development. Feeding
of crumbs during the first three weeks of life can be beneficial to
bodyweight gain by avoiding selective feeding. If target weight is not
achieved the feeding of this diet should be extended.
The next
stage Grower feed should be fed to approximately 12 weeks during the
period of maximal structural bone growth. If target weight is not achieved
the feeding period should be extended.
The Developer diet is fed to
about 15 weeks of age during the period of soft tissue, muscle and fat
growth. Above target weight during this period will result in excessive
fat deposition, delayed maturity and increase in double yolk eggs and
prolapse.
Pre-Lay Diet
A pre-lay diet is recommended to follow the
Developer at about 15 weeks of age or at approximately 2 weeks before the
first egg is laid.
This diet, with a higher Calcium (2%) and
Available Phosphorus (0.40%), is designed to help build up the medullary
bone reserves that augment the dietary calcium supply when the shell is
being formed and also to help prevent osteoperosis.
This level of
Calcium is insufficient for sustained egg production and should not be fed
past 1% egg production.
Early-Lay
The Early-Lay diet is introduced after the Pre-Lay and is fed
for approximately 2 weeks or until production has reached 50%. This diet is used for a gradual increase in calcium, and a
lower ME to encourage feed intake and increase body weight prior to peak production.
Following peak when essentially all the
hens are in production and feed consumption has stabilised, diets should
be adjusted according to actual feed consumption
and level of production. Surges in body weight in the adult hen are a
result of excessive caloric intake. The layer must
be fed to meet her daily requirements, no more no
less.
Nutrition & Feed
Management
Feed PresentationA consistent quality feed is
essential. Sudden changes in appearance and raw material make-up must be
avoided. Grist profiling of good textured mashes, readily accepted by
laying birds, suggests that the major portion of the particles (70 - 80%)
should fall within the range 1 mm to 3 mm. The remaining particles should
be evenly dispersed above and below this range.