Feeding the br oiler chicken

Part 2 - Feeding lower energy (lower density) diets

To reach the genetic potential of today’s broiler chicken - 2.5 kg liveweight
with feed conversion of 1.72 at 42 days of age, and this potential increases
by around 50 grams growth each year - they must be fed close to their
nutritional requirements. In a five-part series DAVID CRESWELL* explains
how Asian producers can maximise potential.

Table 1: Energy and digestible lysine for broiler diets with different energy levels.

Energy level 1 2 3 4

Starter
Dietary ME, kcal/kg 3000 2900 2800 2700
Grams digest lys/1000 kcal ME 3.83 3.83 3.83 3.83
Dietary digestible lysine % 1.150 1.111 1.072 1.034

Grower
Dietary ME, kcal/kg 3100 3000 2900 2800

T he genetic potential of today’s

broiler chicken is great, with
Grams digest lys/1000 kcal ME
Dietary digestible lysine, %
3.29
1.020
3.29
0.987
3.29
0.954
3.29
0.921

continuous improvements provided Finisher 1

by the major breeding companies. Dietary ME, kcal/kg 3200 3100 3000 2900
Readers are reminded of what this Grams digest lys/1000 kcal ME 2.75 2.75 2.75 2.75
potential is by reference to the Dietary digestible lysine, % 0.880 0.853 0.825 0.798
standards provided by the breeder Finisher 2
companies. For example Dietary ME, kcal/kg 3200 3100 3000 2900
achievement of 2.5 kg liveweight Grams digest lys/1000 kcal ME 2.475 2.475 2.475 2.475
with feed conversion of 1.72 at 42 Dietary digestible lysine, % 0.792 0.767 0.743 0.718
days of age for as-hatched flocks.
This potential increases by around starter 1-18 days, grower 19-35 days, finisher 1 36-45 days, finisher 2 45-56 days
50 grams growth each year.

Table 2: Ideal protein ratios for broilers1. To achieve this density diets. In part 2 of this series,
potential the best way to feed broilers in
Amino acid Starter Grower Finisher performance, broiler these situations is discussed.
chickens must be fed Part 3 will provide information on
Lysine 100 100 100
close to their ingredients, ingredient composition,
Methionine 37 38 40
nutritional and how to use ingredients to meet
M+C 72 75 78
requirements. These the birds’ nutrient requirements.
Tryptophan 16 17 18
requirements are And finally parts 4 and 5 will
Threonine 62 64 68
discussed in part 1 provide formulation examples using
Arginine2 105 108 110
of this series. these ingredients with current
Isoleucine 65 67 69
In many situations availability and prices.
Valine 77 79 81
a decision is made In this 5 part series, we will
1
Based largely on the work of Dr David Baker, University of not to feed to examine the following aspects of
Illinois, USA nutritional broiler feeding:
2
Suggestion of a higher ratio during heat stress, of around
requirements, and 1. What are the nutritional
115
rather, to feed lower requirements of today’s broiler?

16 ASIAN POULTRY MAGAZINE – June 2005

 table 1. For example we have protein ratios” (table 2)
dietary ME levels of 3000, 3100, Requirements should be
3200 and 3200 kcal/kg for starter, established for levels of digestible
grower, finisher 1 and finisher 2 lysine, methionine, methionine +
phases respectively. cystine, tryptophan, threonine,
From these standard energy arginine, isoleucine and valine, as
levels, 3 lower levels were selected, these are essential amino acids that
in increments of 100 kcal ME/kg. So may be “limiting” in some
for the starter period we have 3000 situations, when not formulating
2. How to feed lower energy diets (standard), 2900, 2800 and 2700 with a minimum protein level.
3. Ingredient specifications kcal ME/kg. And so on for the
Nutrient requirements for diets of
4. Formulation examples, high grower, finisher 1 and finisher 2
different energy levels
energy diets periods.
5. Formulation examples, diets of Dietary digestible lysine levels are In tables 3, 4, 5 and 6, the full
differing energy then calculated for each set of the 4 nutrient requirements are shown
This second part discusses the graded energy levels, using the for the 4 feeding periods and with
feeding of lower energy (lower same ratios of lysine to energy the 4 graded energy levels for each
density) broiler diets. (3.83, 3.29, 2.75 and 2.475 grams period. Note that the first data
digestible lysine per 1000 kcal column in each table is the
Why are lower energy diets fed?
ME/kg for starter, grower, finisher 1 requirements for the standard high
There are a number of situations and finisher 2 phases respectively). energy feeding program, as was
in Asian markets where broiler These calculations and the derived discussed in part 1 of this series.
chickens are fed below their digestible lysine levels are shown in
Notes on these tables
nutritional requirements. For table 1.
example this would be when the Once the energy and digestible 1. starter, 1-18 days; grower, 19-35
availability/costs of high energy lysine levels are established, other days; finisher 1, 36-45 days;
ingredients, particularly that of essential amino acids may be finisher 2, 45-56 days
oil/fat, are considered too high. calculated by use of the “ideal 2. for separate sex feeding, lower

Another situation would be where
conditions of climate, husbandry
Table 3: Nutrient requirements for the starter period, 1-18 days.
and housing are such that broilers
are not able to achieve their genetic Energy level, kcal/kg 3000 2900 2800 2700
potential for growth.
And a third situation is where Digestible Lysine, % 1.150 1.111 1.072 1.034
commercial broiler feeds must be Digestible Methionine, % 0.426 0.411 0.397 0.383
priced at certain levels in order to Digestible M+C, % 0.828 0.800 0.772 0.744
be competitive in the feed market. Digestible Tryptophan, % 0.184 0.178 0.172 0.165
These situations are commonly Digestible Threonine, % 0.713 0.689 0.665 0.641
found in Pakistan, India and Digestible Arginine, % 1.208 1.166 1.126 1.086
Vietnam for example. Digestible Isoleucine, % 0.748 0.722 0.697 0.672
Digestible Valine, % 0.886 0.855 0.826 0.796
How to feed lower energy diets Calcium, % 0.88 0.88 0.88 0.88
In this situation, live performance Available Phosphorus, % 0.44 0.44 0.44 0.44
will be maximized by formulating Sodium, % 0.26 0.26 0.26 0.26
correct ratios of energy to amino Choline, mg/kg 1850 1850 1850 1850
acids. Minimum protein levels
should not be used, and
formulations should be based on Table 4: Nutrient requirements for the grower period, 19-35 days.
digestible, rather than total amino
acids. This latter point is Energy level, kcal/kg 3100 3000 2900 2800
particularly important as lower Digestible Lysine, % 1.020 0.987 0.954 0.921
energy diets are likely to contain Digestible Methionine, % 0.389 0.375 0.363 0.350
ingredients of lower amino acid Digestible M+C, % 0.765 0.740 0.716 0.691
digestibility. This may include Digestible Tryptophan, % 0.173 0.168 0.162 0.157
ingredients such as sunflower meal, Digestible Threonine, % 0.653 0.632 0.611 0.590
cottonseed meal, rapeseed meal, Digestible Arginine, % 1.102 1.066 1.030 0.995
and rice bran. Digestible Isoleucine, % 0.683 0.661 0.639 0.617
The calculation of dietary energy Digestible Valine, % 0.806 0.780 0.754 0.728
levels and digestible lysine levels Calcium, % 0.72 0.72 0.72 0.72
starts with the levels used for high Available Phosphorus, % 0.36 0.36 0.36 0.36
specification diets. These were Sodium, % 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.16
shown in part 1 of this series, and Choline, mg/kg 1350 1350 1350 1350
can also be seen in column 1 of

ASIAN POULTRY MAGAZINE – June 2005 17

 Table 6: Nutrient requirements for the finisher 2 period, 43-50 days.

Energy level, kcal/kg 3200 3100 3000 2900

Digestible Lysine, % 0.792 0.767 0.743 0.718

Digestible Methionine, % 0.317 0.307 0.297 0.287
Digestible M+C, % 0.618 0.598 0.579 0.560
Digestible Tryptophan, % 0.144 0.138 0.134 0.129
Digestible Threonine, % 0.539 0.522 0.505 0.488

Digestible Arginine, % 0.871 0.844 0.817 0.790
levels of protein/amino acids may
Digestible Isoleucine, % 0.547 0.529 0.512 0.495
be fed to females, or move to the
Digestible Valine, % 0.642 0.621 0.601 0.581
next phase feed at younger ages
Calcium, % 0.56 0.56 0.56 0.56
3. energy level used depends on
Available Phosphorus, % 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28
economics. In general the higher
Sodium, % 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.16
the ME, the better the FCR.
Choline, mg/kg 1200 1200 1200 1200
However, note that high energy
levels (over 3200 kcal/kg) are
associated with increased Acres type of
mortality from heat stress, ascites bird In this 5 part series, we will examine the following aspects
and heart attack 8. if the last of broiler feeding:
4. the relationship between energy stage feed is
level and protein/amino acids fed for only 3- 1. What are the nutritional requirements of today’s broiler?
2. How to feed lower energy diets
affects leanness (carcass fat). For 5 days it is
3. Ingredient specifications
example a high energy/protein commonly 4. Formulation examples, high energy diets
ratio will increase carcass fatness referred to as 5. Formulation examples, diets of differing energy
5. all amino acids are calculated in a withdrawal
ratio to lysine. Therefore if the feed. For this
lysine level in the feed is feed, the
changed, the levels for other protein/amino acids are quite lower cost diets, lower cost feeding
amino acids should be changed low, and drugs etc may be programs and better live
to maintain these ratios. Notice removed performance than the more typical
the ratios are different for the 9. feed these diets in crumble or approach, which is to feed these
different phase feeds. pellet form for best performance. lower energy diets, with minimum
6. these are digestible amino acid Crumbles to 18 days followed by protein levels of 20-21% in starter,
requirements. Digestible amino pellets. Grind the grain with a down to 17.5-18% in finisher.
acids rather than total amino medium texture for best For proof of this, see the trials
acids should be used in order to development of digestive tract comparing these feeding methods in
take account of the variable levels recent Asian Poultry magazine
How should these requirement articles, based on trials from
of digestibility in many
data be used? Pakistan (Asian Poultry Magazine,
ingredients
7. there are different requirements The tables 3-6 provide sets of October, 2004, page 24 and
for different broiler strains. requirement data which will allow November/December 2004, page
Certainly high breast meat yield the feeding of lower energy diets. 20). In these trials, protein levels of
strains (for example Cobb and Diet specification can be chosen 17% and 15% for starter and
Ross) will have higher amino based on the energy level and cost. finisher gave equal or better
acid requirements than the Arbor This approach to feeding will give performance than protein levels of
20% and 17% respectively, through
use of these above formulation
Table 5: Nutrient requirements for the finisher 1 period, 36-42 days.
methods.
Energy level, kcal/kg 3200 3100 3000 2900 Part 3 of this series, in the next
issue of Asian Poultry Magazine,
Digestible Lysine, % 0.880 0.853 0.825 0.798 will provide information on
Digestible Methionine, % 0.352 0.341 0.330 0.319 ingredients, ingredient composition,
Digestible M+C, % 0.686 0.665 0.644 0.622 and will discuss how to use
Digestible Tryptophan, % 0.158 0.153 0.149 0.144 ingredients to meet the birds’
Digestible Threonine, % 0.598 0.580 0.561 0.542 nutrient requirements.

Digestible Arginine, % 0.968 0.938 0.908 0.877
Digestible Isoleucine, % 0.607 0.588 0.569 0.550
Digestible Valine, % 0.713 0.691 0.668 0.646
Calcium, % 0.64 0.64 0.64 0.64
Available Phosphorus, % 0.32 0.32 0.32 0.32
Sodium, % 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.16 * Dr David Creswell (creswell@zip.com.au) is
Choline, mg/kg 1200 1200 1200 1200 Director of Creswell Nutrition and Technical Editor
of Asian Poultry Magazine.

18 ASIAN POULTRY MAGAZINE – June 2005