Appropriate growth rate of broilers

Appropriate growth rate of broilers

Appropriate growth rate of broilers

Growth Rate of Broiler Chickens
Sufficient growth rates in broiler chickens can be achieved only when their daily nutrient requirements are met. The ability of birds to access nutrients depends on the composition of their feed.

For optimal growth and feed efficiency, chickens must have good feed intake. The form of the feed can significantly impact consumption. Poor feed forms can deter birds from eating and negatively affect growth rates.

When the concentration and form of the feed are appropriate, it leads to increased feed intake and optimal performance. Today, broiler chickens are fed pelleted diets. Pelleted feeds improve growth rates and feed efficiency compared to mash feeds (Figure 1).

This improvement is partly related to increased feed consumption. Birds expend less energy eating pelleted diets, allowing more energy to be used for growth. It is important to note that the pellets must be of good quality. High-quality pellets have good durability and minimal broken pellets (fines). Pellet durability is the ability of the pellets to maintain their particle size during transport.

During transportation and storage, the particle size of lower-quality pellets decreases. The density of fines in the feed can reduce growth and increase the feed conversion ratio (FCR). To achieve maximum performance, the density of fines in the feed should be minimized (Figure 2).

Factors Affecting Feed Quality
The form of the diet, particularly the density of fines due to poor pellet quality, negatively impacts broiler performance. Low-quality pellets prevent birds from achieving optimal performance.

Generally, factors affecting pellet quality include:

Raw materials of the diet
Fat content of the diet
Particle size of the diet
Expanding
Expanding is a type of feed processing technology used to improve pellet quality, utilize higher fat levels, enhance performance, and increase the flexibility of feed components in broiler diets.

This technology sterilizes the feed, creating a healthy feed free from pathogens. Most research has focused on improving the weight gain of broiler chickens and feed conversion ratios, which partly depend on the selection of components and enzyme additives in expanded diets.

Results have shown that expanding does not have a uniform effect on all feed components. In diets containing corn and soybean, improved feed conversion ratios have been observed. To reduce viscosity in diets containing wheat and barley, which tends to increase during the expanding process, the addition of enzymes is recommended, and positive effects on weight gain and feed efficiency have been reported in experiments.

Conditioning and Pelleting
Before pelleting, the mash feed must undergo conditioning. In the feed conditioner, moisture and heat are introduced through steam. Fine particles are compressed using mechanical pressure, moisture, and heat, forming pellets. Reducing feed waste and improving palatability and gelatinization of starch leads to enhanced animal performance.

In trials, average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratios improved by 5-8% and 3-5%, respectively, in pelleted feeds. There was also a positive effect on feed hygiene. However, a short residence time in the conditioner is insufficient to eliminate pathogens entirely. Some researchers have indicated that pelleting cannot completely eradicate pathogenic microorganisms.

In a hygienizer, horizontal screws or vertical shafts (similar to the long residence time in conditioners) are used, extending the residence time of materials to three minutes. For proper pellet press operation, limitations on moisture levels (less than 16% moisture) are also applied.

Summary
The type of feed in terms of physical form (mash, pellets, etc.) can play a crucial role in poultry performance and feed consumption levels. The discussion of how birds utilize feed is of great importance. The question arises: which form of feed, pelleted or mash, has a greater impact on poultry performance?

Mont and colleagues (1995) conducted a study examining growth rates and carcass composition of broiler chickens fed pelleted and mash diets from 21 to 42 days and found that weight gain was greater with pelleted diets compared to mash diets. John et al. (1957) reported that weight gain was increased with the use of pelleted diets, attributing nearly half of the weight gain to the higher concentration of pelleted diets.

Another important factor influencing weight gain in poultry consuming pelleted diets is the chemical changes resulting from heating and pressure during the pelleting process. Husar and Raible (1962) cited increased weight gain from consuming pelleted diets compared to mash diets due to increased nitrogen and metabolic energy in pelleted diets.

Morgan et al. (1968) reported in a study that heating during the pelleting of feed causes the breakage of disulfide bonds in proteins, resulting in denaturation and increased effectiveness of digestive enzymes. Ran and Namad (1996) stated that the reason for the weight gain from consuming pelleted diets compared to mash diets is the gelatinization of starch, improved digestibility, and the inactivity of bacteria in the feed. Hamm et al. (1960) found in an experiment that when birds consume pelleted feed, their growth increases due to higher food intake.


Mant et al. found that in a study examining the effects of feeding pelleted, mash, and ad libitum diets to broiler chicks, the amount of feed consumed from 21 to 42 days of age was higher for pelleted diets than the other two types. Jerry et al. (1989) stated in a study that the factors affecting increased feed consumption in chicks fed pelleted diets are not well understood, but it may be because chicks prefer pelleted diets due to the larger particle sizes compared to mash diets.


Johnson et al. (1962) showed in a study that birds consuming mash diets spend more time eating than those consuming pelleted diets. They also suggested that the feed conversion efficiency in chicks fed pelleted diets is better than that of chicks fed mash diets because chicks consume less energy when eating pelleted diets. These results are consistent with findings from many other researchers.


Proudfoot et al. (1982) conducted an experiment and observed that the incidence of Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) in broiler chicks consuming pelleted diets was significantly higher than in those consuming mash diets. Similar findings were reported by Holan et al. (1980), indicating that the mortality rate increases with the consumption of pelleted diets compared to mash diets.


Linstra (1986) concluded in a study that the fat in the abdominal cavity increases with the consumption of pelleted diets compared to mash diets, attributing this increase to the higher energy consumption of pelleted diets by the chicks. A review of the discussed topics indicates that the performance of broiler chicks varies with the physical form of the diet.


John et al. (1957) reported in a study that greater weight gain is achieved with pelleted diets compared to mash diets, attributing this to the increased concentration of pelleted diets and the chemical changes occurring due to heat and pressure during the pelleting process. Jerry et al. (1989) indicated that the higher consumption of pelleted diets is due to their larger particle sizes compared to mash diets. According to their published reports, chicks fed mash diets initially consumed the larger particles and avoided the softer, powdery particles.


Jackson et al. (1982) reported that the better feed conversion ratio in males compared to females is due to their lower fat content. Furthermore, Allard et al. (1957) stated that the feed conversion ratio is better with pelleted diets than with mash diets, as birds consume less energy when feeding on pelleted diets. Additionally, the chemical changes occurring during the pelleting process can enhance feed conversion efficiency.

Yektadam Persian is a producer of various types of concentrates and supplements for poultry, livestock, and aquaculture with the highest quality, ready to assist you.

For more information regarding livestock and poultry supplements, please contact Yektadam specialists.

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