Expert Insights on Maximizing Bird Performance and Egg Quality
As farmers strive to extend the laying cycle of their poultry, precision nutrition strategies are becoming increasingly crucial. With the goal of reaching 80 weeks and 380 eggs for brown birds, and 100 weeks and 500 eggs for white birds, farmers are seeking ways to optimize bird performance and egg quality. At the British Free Range Producers annual conference, Ralph Bishop, Premier Nutrition poultry nutrition and innovation manager, shared valuable insights on achieving these objectives. From chick starter diets to the transition into layer farms, Bishop emphasized the importance of proper nutrition and highlighted key considerations for skeletal, organ, and muscle development.
Nurturing Early Development: The Importance of Chick Starter Diets
In the early stages of a bird’s life, Bishop stressed the significance of providing the right nutrition to ensure optimal skeletal development within the first 8-10 weeks. A dense ration diet, high in energy (12MJ) and balanced protein, is essential for organ development. Attention to detail is crucial when it comes to calcium and phosphorous intake to support strong bone development. Additionally, the inclusion of phytase enzymes in rations has proven to be beneficial.
Preparing for Future Stresses: Weeks 10-16
While weeks 10-16 may seem relatively quiet for bird development, Bishop emphasized that this period presents an opportunity to prepare for future stresses and strains. This includes the transition of pullets to layer farms, vaccination, and the start of the egg cycle. Training pullets to eat and building the gizzard and gastrointestinal tract are vital during this stage. Coarser particles and insoluble fibers can aid in achieving these goals.
The Importance of Intake: 16 Weeks to Maturity
Between 16 weeks and maturity at 30 weeks, feed consumption per day rises significantly to support the corresponding increase in bodyweight. From 75g/bird/day, feed consumption rises to around 120g, ensuring the birds reach a suitable bodyweight of 1,900g. This period is crucial as the birds transition from no egg production at week 16 to 90% production by week 22. Bishop emphasized the importance of intake during this stage, highlighting its significant role in bird development.
Egg Size and Quality: Striving for Improvement
At 30 weeks, producers should assess areas for improvement, including egg size and shell quality. Bishop encouraged farmers to aim for eggs weighing 62-63g, as hens producing eggs weighing 65g may face challenges with shell quality later in life. Producers should also consider the appropriate administration of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D3 to maintain high shell quality. It is crucial to strike a balance, as studies have shown that excessive calcium intake can lead to a decline in shell thickness and strength.
The Role of Clean Water in Bird Health
Charles Macleod, St David’s Poultry commercial manager of layers, emphasized the importance of clean water in maintaining bird health. Issues such as gut dysbiosis can arise from poor water quality, leading to reduced egg production and quality, increased mortality and morbidity, decreased feed efficiency and growth performance, impaired immune system, and heightened susceptibility to other infections and gut inflammation. Producers must understand that factors such as feed composition, temperature, and humidity significantly influence water consumption.
Conclusion:
Precision nutrition plays a vital role in extending the laying cycle of poultry. From the early stages of development to the transition into layer farms, providing the right nutrition at each stage is crucial for maximizing bird performance and egg quality. Attention to detail in chick starter diets, promoting intake during critical growth periods, and striving for optimal egg size and shell quality are key considerations. Additionally, maintaining clean water sources is essential for overall bird health. By implementing precision nutrition strategies, farmers can achieve their goals of extending the laying cycle and maximizing productivity.
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