Nutrient levels for broiler diets Feeding strategies for broiler chickens will vary depending on the target

market for the final product. Strategies for feeding broilers destined for the whole bird market will differ from strategies for broilers destined to be sold as pieces. Furthermore, the nutrient intake of fast growing broilers must be carefully controlled to prevent metabolic diseases such as ascites and leg weakness. Tabel 1. Examples of broiler diets Nutrients Age fed Crude protein (%) ME (MJ/kg) ME (kcal/kg) Total Arginine (%) Digestible Arginine (%) Total Lysine (%) Digestible Lysine (%) Total Methionine (%) Digestible Methionine (%) Total Methionine +Cystine (%) Digestible Methionine +Cystine (%) Total Threonine (%) Digestible Threonine (%) Total Trypophan (%) Digestible Tryptophan (%) Total Valine (%) Digestible Valine (%) Calcium (%) Available phosphorous (%) Sodium (%) StarterGrower Finisher 0-10 11-24 25slaughter 19-21 13.50 3225 1.11 1.00 1.05 0.92 0.39 0.36 0.83 0.72 0.71 0.61 0.19 0.17 0.81 0.70 0.85 0.42 0.16

22-25 21-23 12.60 13.30 3010 1.48 1.33 1.44 1.27 0.51 0.47 1.09 0.94 0.93 0.80 0.25 0.22 1.09 0.94 1.0 0.50 0.16 3175 131 1.18 1.25 1.10 0.45 0.42 0.97 0.84 0.82 0.70 0.22 0.19 0.96 0.83 0.90 0.45 0.16

Source: Ross Broiler Management Manual 2009 Growing period nutrition recommendations Chicks require a diet that can provide the nutrients needed for rapid growth and feather development. Chicks are given relatively high levels of energy, protein and the vitamins and minerals for the starter period. Once the chicks are fully feathered their energy requirements are reduced. Feeding management for layer pullets aims to maintain a growth rate that will lead to the pullet reaching sexual maturity at the desired age while avoiding obesity. The stage at which a pullet will start laying eggs is affected by age, bodyweight and day length.

On a percentage basis, layer pullet diets have lower energy and protein levels than chick diets. Different breeders recommend different feeding strategies for their birds, including the number of different diets fed during the pullet growing stage. Many breeders recommend a pre-lay diet that increases some of the nutrient levels, such as calcium, that will be required by the bird when it begins to lay eggs. Table 2. Growing period nutrition recommendations of layer Product Age in Weeks Nutrient Protein: Metabolisable Energy % Mj/Kg Kcal/Kg Kcal/Lb Lysine Methionine Methionine + Cystine Tryptophan Threonine Calcium Av Phosphorus Sodium Chloride % % % % % % % % % Min 20.0 11.5-12.4 17.50 11.5-12.6 15.50 11.3-12.4 16.50 11.4-12.4 2725-2980 1235-1350 0.80 0.38 0.65 0.19 0.55 2.75* 0.40 0.18 0.18 Starter 0-6 Grower 6- Developer 12 12-15 Pre-Layer151 %Production

2750-2970 2750-3025 27002970 1250-1350 1250-1370 1225-1350 Min 1.10 Min 0.48 Min 0.82 Min 0.20 Min 0.73 Min 1.00 Min 0.45 Min 0.18 Min 0.18 0.90 0.41 0.71 0.19 0.55 1.00 0.43 0.18 0.18 0.66 0.32 0.58 0.18 0.52 1.00 0.42 0.18 0.18

At least 30-65% of the added limestone should have a minimum particle size of 2250 Microns.

Source: Hy-Line Variety Brown Commercial Management Guide 2009

Nutrient levels for layer diets The aim of layer diets is to optimise egg production, provide the nutrition required to safeguard health and maintain the desired bodyweight. This can be in terms of egg numbers, egg size or egg mass. As with layer pullets, different breeders recommend different feeding strategies for their birds, including the number of different diets fed during the laying stage. Calcium is increased in the ration for egg shell formation. Table 3 provides data on typical nutrient levels for layer diets. Table 3. Examples of layer diets (at 100g per day intake level) Nutrients ME ME Crude protein Lysine Methionine Units 1%-32 weeks 32-44 weeks 44-55 weeks 55 weeks and beyond MJ/kg 11.60-11.97 11.41-11.97 11.20-11.97 kcal/kg % % % 2770-2860 19.80 1.02 0.51 2725-2860 17.50 0.93 0.46 2675-2860 17.00 0.89 0.41 10.68-11.83 2550-2825 16.00 0.83 0.38

Linoleic acid Calcium Available phosphorous

% % %

1.10 4.40 0.48

1.60 4.25 0.40

1.60 4.50 0.36

1.60 4.75 0.35

Source: Hy-Line Variety Brown Commercial Management Guide 2009