Expert insights on optimizing nutrition for brown and white birds to achieve longer laying cycles and higher egg production
As farmers strive to extend the laying cycle of their brown and white birds, precision nutrition strategies are gaining significance. The goal is to achieve 80 weeks of laying and 380 eggs for brown birds, and 100 weeks of laying and 500 eggs for white birds. At the recent British Free Range Producers annual conference, industry experts shed light on the importance of nutrition from chick starter rations to the 50-week layer stage. Ralph Bishop, Premier Nutrition poultry nutrition and innovation manager, emphasized the critical role of proper nutrition in pullet skeletal, organ, and muscle development. This article explores the key insights shared by Bishop and other experts, providing a comprehensive guide to maximizing productivity and egg quality through precision nutrition.
Getting Chick Starter Diets Right: Building a Strong Foundation
During the first 8-10 weeks of a chick’s life, it is crucial to focus on chick starter diets to ensure optimal skeletal development. Bishop stressed the importance of a dense ration diet high in energy (12MJ) and a highly digestible balanced protein for organ development. Attention to detail regarding calcium and phosphorus intake is also vital for strong bone development. Additionally, the inclusion of phytase enzymes in rations can be beneficial.
Preparing for Future Stresses: Training Pullets to Eat and Build Gastrointestinal Health
While weeks 10-16 may seem relatively quiet in terms of bird development, this period presents an opportunity to prepare pullets for future stresses and strains. These include moving the pullets to layer farms, vaccinations, and the start of the egg cycle. Bishop highlighted the importance of training pullets to eat and building the gizzard and gastrointestinal tract during this stage. Coarser particles and insoluble fibers can aid in achieving these goals.
Ensuring Adequate Intake: Fueling Growth and Egg Production
From 16 weeks to maturity at 30 weeks, feed consumption per day rises significantly to support bodyweight gain and egg production. Bishop emphasized the need for a suitable dense ration during this period. As birds transition from no egg production at week 16 to 90% production by week 22, ensuring adequate intake becomes crucial. “Intake, intake, and more intake” is vital to support growth and maximize egg production.
Optimizing Egg Size and Quality: Striving for Excellence
At 30 weeks, producers should assess areas for improvement, including egg size and shell quality. Bishop urged farmers to be proactive in working towards eggs weighing 62-63g. Hens producing eggs weighing 65g may experience issues with shell quality later in life. Furthermore, careful consideration should be given to the administration of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D3 to maintain high shell quality.
The Role of Clean Water: Preventing Gut Dysbiosis and Enhancing Overall Health
Charles Macleod, St David’s Poultry commercial manager of layers, highlighted the significance of clean water in maintaining optimal gut health. Gut dysbiosis, caused by contaminated water, can lead to reduced egg production and quality, increased mortality and morbidity, impaired immune function, and decreased feed efficiency. Macleod emphasized that feed composition, temperature, and humidity significantly influence water consumption, and farmers must ensure clean water is readily available to their birds.
Conclusion:
Precision nutrition plays a vital role in extending the laying cycle and maximizing egg production while maintaining egg quality. From the early stages of a chick’s life to the maturity of the layer, proper nutrition is crucial for skeletal development, organ and muscle growth, and overall health. By paying close attention to chick starter diets, training pullets to eat, ensuring adequate intake during growth, and optimizing egg size and quality, farmers can achieve their goals of extended laying cycles and increased productivity. Additionally, providing clean water is essential for maintaining gut health and overall well-being. With the implementation of precision nutrition strategies, farmers can enhance the performance and longevity of their laying birds, ultimately leading to greater profitability and sustainability in the poultry industry.
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