Precision nutrition for high performance broilers

By: IAZ Joaquin A. Paulino, consulting nutritionist.

  Precision Animal Nutrition

Introduction

Precision Animal Nutrition, is the effective use of available feed resources in order
to maximize the response of animals to nutrients. It is an ideal method to improve
the productivity of animals in developing countries in view of inadequate feed
resources. The term Precision Animal Nutrition is defined as providing the animal
with feed that precisely meets its nutritional requirements for optimal productive
efficiency and produce products of animal origin of better quality for consumers
and contribute to a cleaner environment and with it ensure the profitability of the
producers.

The tools to achieve precision nutrition include improved feeding and processing
techniques (pelletization, extrusion, expansion, micronization, etc.), precise ration
formulation, use of the ideal protein concept that is the exact balance of amino
acids provided in the ration , which covers all requirements, without excesses or
deficits and considers the genetic, dietary and environmental factors that may
affect amino acid requirements, phase feeding, use of NIRS (Near-Infrared
Spectroscopy) and proximal analysis to determine the exact content Nutritional
ingredients, implementation and use of feed additives.
It is generally accepted that the more feed an animal consumes each day, the
greater the opportunity to increase its daily production, which depends on the
improvement of the digestibility of nutrients. The digestibility of nutrients are key
factors in improving the efficiency of feed utilization. 
Feed additives play a fundamental role in achieving greater efficiency and lower
environmental load per unit of animal product. Supplementation with organic acids,
secondary metabolites of plants, essential oils, eubiotics, probiotics, prebiotics,
symbiotics and enzymes (proteases, carbohydrases, phytases, lipases), 25-OH-D3
improve bone development and reduce locomotor problems, chelated minerals
With high level of absorption.

Lysophospholipids form micelles of smaller size that facilitate and accelerate the
assimilation and transport of fat-soluble nutrients by their conical shape
decompose the cylindrical structure of the components of the intestinal membrane
increasing their porosity and improving the absorption of nutrients.

-Micelle in the fat digestion.

-Lipases act at surface.

Source: Julian Wiseman

Note: I think it is necessary to develop an industrial lipase to support endogenous
lipase.

Functional fiber (Arbocel) improves health and intestinal transit (2-3% of raw fiber
in the diet is adequate), while Rovimix Maxichick improves chick quality.
Dr Peter R. Ferket, North Carolina State University and Zehava Uni Hebrew
University are investigating in ovo nutrition and nano-nutrition in ovo.
In recent years consumers are demanding a chicken free of antibiotics and
anticoccidials, for the complete production of broilers free of anitbiotics (ABF). The
substitution of anticoccidials is imminent, and for this purpose, the best alternative
is the use of vaccines against coccidia. In my experience, using Coccivac-B ™ ®
we managed to properly produce chickens without suffering from outbreaks of
coccidia or coccidiasis. Currently the product has matured to become Fortegra ™
®, with the advantage of producing immunity faster.
The convenience of these products is the use of thick drop spray per day in the
incubator, achieving an application uniformity that guarantees adequate cycling
(Information provided by Dr Nestor Lameda, ex director of MSD Poultry Farming
Central America and the Caribbean).

The key to the production of an antibiotic-free chicken and coccidiostats is:

1-Biosecurity.
2-Vaccines.
3-Use of technological or functional additives (probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotics,
acidifiers, plant extracts, essential oils, enzymes, non-digestible fibers, ect).
Super Pre starter feed.
All technicians and producers know the importance and impact on the final results
of the weight of broilers. At 7 days of age Cobb-Vantress recommends 198 gr., for
every 1gr more we will get 3 to 5 grams more at the end of production.
If we analyze Table 1, for a Cobb 500 chicken to reach a weight of 2,952 gr. At 42
days of age you should increase your weight 69.29 times in 42 days and maintain
an average growth rate of 2.89 gr / hour. Approximately 0.048 gr / minute (Table 1,
graph 1).
To obtain this spectacular growth objective we must start with a super pre- starter
Formulated with highly digestible ingredients.

Graph 1. Cobb 500 chicken growth curve.

 7.000

6.000
f(x) = 0.15 x − 0.77
5.000 R² = 0.96
Weight(Pound)

4.000

3.000

2.000

1.000

0.000
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
AGE (Days)

Table 1. Cobb 500 chicken performance objectives.

Recommendations of highly digestible ingredients that can be included
moderately in a super pre-starter:

1-Fermented soybean meal.

2-Extruded soy flour.

3-Micronized soy flour.

4-Potato protein.

5-Gluten corn and wheat.

6-Protein of animal origin (blood plasma, blood hemoglobin, fish meal, etc).

The digestive system of a chick is immature the first three weeks, the digestive
enzymes have not evolved and the soybean meal contains anti-nutritional factors
(glycine 40% and beta-conglycine 30% of the protein), lectins, saponins, trypsin
inhibitors, Beta-mannanos, oligosaccharides (stachyose , raffinose, verbascose,
ajucose), which affect growth and cause intestinal health problems, rapid transit of
feed and delay the onset of broilers (Table 2 and Graph 2).

Graph 2. Evolution of the enzyme system in birds.

Table 2. Anti-nutritional factors of soybean meal

Substances Units Crude Soybean Soybean Meal

seed
stachyose % 4.00-4.50 4.50-5.00
Raffinose % 0.80-1.00 1.00-1.50
Verbacose % - 0.30-0.40
Trypsin inhibitors Mg/g 25-50 1.60-5.00
Glycine Mg/g 150-200 20-70
Beta-Conglysine Mg/g 50-100 30-40
Lectins Mg/g 2100-3500 20-600
Saponins % 0.50 0.60
Fied phytic acids % 0.38 0.42-0.49
Fuente: Campabadal, 2012.

Soybean meal provides more than 70% of the amino acids in a Soy-Corn diet if
raw or overcooked will negatively impact the performance of chickens, the anti-
nutritional compounds that produce the most negative effects on broilers are
inhibitors of Trypsin, based on studies by Dr. Nelson Ruiz, a maximum level of 0.60
mg of IT / g of feed is recommended and soybean meal should contain less than 3
mg of IT / gr, to avoid the problem of rapid transit, (Carlos Campabadal, 2012).

Intestinal health problems and rapid feed transit.

The multiple factors that can affect the intestinal health of poultry:

- Water quality.

- Breeder intestinal health.

- Incubation condition.

- Early feeding.

- Housing conditions.
- Feedstuff quality.

- Mycotoxin and rancidity.

- Grain drying.

Is necessary to minimize the dysbiosis and enteric diseases.

In ovo nutrition and early feeding.

Early feeding is essential for the development of the gastrointestinal tract of birds,
chicks at birth are anatomically complete, but their digestive, immune and
thermoregulatory system needs to develop.

The first meal of a chick occurs when it consumes amniotic fluid before it starts to
chop the shell, approximately 18 days after incubation.

The technology of nutrition in ovo and nano nutrition in ovo, is a new science that
opens opportunities for greater efficiency in poultry production, this new technique
corrects part of the errors in nutrition and management of breeders, deficiencies in
incubators and improves the weight of chicks at birth by 1 to 7 percent, (Ferket and
Zehava, 2011), in addition:

 -Improves digestive capacity.

-Higher growth rate and food conversion.

-Lower mortality and post-hatching morbidity.

-Better immune response to enteric antigens.

-Lower incidence of skeletal developmental disorders.

-More muscle development and breast performance.

Pre-start feed with high level of protein and low level of energy well balanced in
amino acids has a positive effect on the weight of the chick the first week of life.
The high protein requirement may be due to the high specific growth of the small
intestine (Graph 2).

High energy levels have no effect on the growth of the chick due to the immaturity
of the digestive tract, depth of the crypt and height of the villi.

Enzymatic secretions: lipase, trypsin, amylase, bile salts and lipase secretion can
be a limitation for the digestion and absorption of fat, the digestive tract is immature
and is not able to use high energy levels (Graph 3).

Graph 3. Effect of different levels of protein and energy on the chick's body
weight.
It is advisable to apply 100 grams of super pre-starter feed (meal, Crumble or
preferable micro pellet) in the tray in the incubation room and if transport to the
farms is prolonged apply a moisturizing gel strengthened with vitamins +
electrolytes + Probiotics + 25-OH- D3

Feed + water stimulates the early development of the digestive system of

chickens.

Intestinal wall:
Note:A right start, then a right end.

Ideal protein profile.

An accurate contribution of amino acids is important, which meets the

requirements of amino acids without deficit or excess, an over-contribution of
protein affects intestinal health, the non-absorbed fraction serves as nutrients to
pathogenic bacteria or is oxidative deaminated and skeletons of amino acids in
excess they are used for the production of energy (very expensive), the residual
nitrogen is excreted by the kidneys, which represents a high energy expenditure for
the organism. Birds do not have a crude protein requirement, they only need an
amount that ensures an amount of nitrogen reserve for the synthesis of non-
essential amino acids (Dr Douglas Zaviezo, 2012).

Rostagno et al, suggest that in a diet with a low level of protein the level of glycine
+ serine should be controlled in the initial diets of chickens, isoleucine and valine in
the fattening phase.

Glycine and serine are extremely important amino acids, for high-performance
broilers, because they are related to uric acid excretion.
The ideal protein a as function of age shown a as percent of digestible lysine
(Fixed at 100%):

Source: Hubbard Management Guide

Suggestions of nutritional requirements for high performance chicken

Nutrient Level Recommendations (% per 1000 kcal / kg of ME)

Protein % 7.419 6.929 6.462 6.107
Calcium % 0.323 0.299 0.277 0.260
Phosphorus Av. % 0.161 0.142 0.123 0.107
Sodium % 0.074 0.066 0.058 0.052
Chlorine % 0.055 0.050 0.046 0.046
Potassium % 0.306 0.283 0.262 0.244
Lysine Dig % 0.429 0.391 0.357 0.330
Met+Cist Dig% 0.317 0.289 0.278 0.270
Methionine Dig% 0.176 0.160 0.153 0.148
Threonine Dig% 0.283 0.258 0.243 0.231
Tryptophan Dig% 0.069 0.062 0.061 0.059
Arginine Dig% 0.450 0.410 0.382 0.359
Valine Dig% 0.326 0.297 0.275 0.257
Isoleucine Dig% 0.283 0.258 0.239 0.224
Leucine Dig% 0.459 0.418 0.389 0.366

Example to calculate the crude protein: choose the level of ME kcal / kg an

example: Starter 3175 kcal / kg, then we multiply 3175 * 6.929 / 1000 = 22% of
Crude Protein.
Suggested nutritional requirements for 4 phases.

Nutrients Pre- Starter Grower Finisher

Starter
Age (Days) 0-7 ,8-14 15-22 >23
ME Kcal/kg 3100 3175 3250 3275
Proteín % 23 22 21 20
Razón EM/PC 135 144 155 164
Calcium % 1.00 0.95 0.90 0.85
Phosphorus 0.50 0.45 0.40 0.35
Av. %
Sodium % 0.23 0.21 0.19 0.17
Chlorine % 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15
Potassium % 0.95 0.90 0.85 0.80
Lysine Dig % 1.33 1.24 1.16 1.08
Met+Cist Dig% 0.98 0.92 0.90 0.89
Methionine Dig 0.55 0.51 0.50 0.49
%
Threonine Dig 0.88 0.82 0.79 0.76
%
Tryptophan 0.21 0.20 0.20 0.19
Dig%
Arginine Dig% 1.40 1.30 1.24 1.18
Valine Dig% 1.01 0.94 0.89 0.84
Isoleucine Dig 0.88 0.82 0.78 0.73
%
Leucine Dig% 1.42 1.33 1.26 1.20

Minerals, vitamins and bone health of chickens.

-Electrolyte balance

High-performance chickens develop their genetic potential at their best, electrolyte

balance in the diet is essential.

The electrolyte balance is the balance between: Na +, K + and Cl- and it is

calculated:

DEB (mEq) = Na / 0.023 + K / 0.039 - Cl / 0.035, where Na, K and Cl are in g / kg

of dry matter.
In fattening chicken, the most appropriate balance is between: 220 - 250 optimal
240 mEq / kg of feed (Graph 4).

 The electrolytes are fully linked with the fluid and acid-base balance in the body.
As such, they are part of the most strictly controlled physiological mechanisms in
the body. The mechanisms that affect everything from bone density, heart and
respiration rate, thirst, to the absorption of nutrients in the intestine.

To increase the electrolyte balance, sodium bicarbonate is used, it is economical

and in addition sodium actively participates in the transport of amino acids and
glucose during the process of absorption in the intestine.

Baking soda produces an increase in pH that negatively affects proteolytic

enzymes. Pepsinogen requires a low gastric pH to become pepsin and pepsin in
turn has its optimal activity at pH 2 and stops functioning above pH 6.5. Secondly,
any commercial acidifier added to the diet will effectively neutralize up to 30% with
sodium bicarbonate, for these reasons it is more advisable to use sodium formate
that has acidifying effects (Jason Lorjé, 2017).

 Graph 4 - The optimal average daily gain is achieved at a dEB of 240 mEq for
broilers and fattening pigs.

- Potassium level in broiler diets

Potassium (K) is the main intracellular cation and participates in important
functions such as basic acid balance, osmotic pressure, activates several enzymes
and participates in the absorption / transport of glucose and amino acids.

- Chelated minerals:

Chelated minerals are increasingly used in animal nutrition. Growing restrictions to

the use of antibiotics create opportunities to more public-friendly nutritional
additives that can also improve performance, but using a different pathway. Mineral
chelates have a different involvement in metabolism as compared to inorganic
sources, promoting, among other benefits, better mineral uptake and enhancement
of the immune response. These benefits of supplemental mineral chelates may
resemble those already obtained with other organic minerals present in natural
sources, such as iron in hemoglobin and cobalt in vitamin B12. The formulation of
diets targeting precision nutrition will eventually demand the extensive use of
mineral chelates, which could be added to the feeds to promote specific animals
responses.

Carbo-Amino-Phospho-Chelates or Carbokelates are the new molecules in the

evolution of chelation techniques.

Chemically speaking they are chelation and transquelation complexes with the
minerals associated with a phosphorylation process without essential modifications
of the coordination molecular structure with high bioavailability and low toxicity.

- Advantages of chelated minerals:

- Absorption almost 100%

- Absence of problems of interactions with other macro and microminerals

- Not influenced by the solubility of the medium

- Stable due to not forming other binders with substances in the diet and causing
the precipitation and insolubilization of the metal and, therefore, its absorption.

- High biological availability.

-Improves weight gain and nutritional conversion.

-Reduce medication expenses.

- Reduces morbidity and mortality.

- On the other hand, in chelates with amino acids the metal is chemically inert and
non-reactive, due to its stability (stable and electrically neutral product). All these
properties and characteristics make Carbo-Amino-Phospho-Chelate today, and in
the future, the mineral additives of choice.

-Vitamins 25-OH-D3:

Bone health is vital to maximize the genetic potential of high performance

chickens:

Advantage:

-Improves bone development.

-Reduce locomotor problems (tibial dyschondroplasia, rickets, Pressure of the

spinal cord).

-Reduces total and partial seizures in the slaughterhouse.

-Improves the performance of the carcass and the breast.

-Reduce the incidence of black bone syndrome (BBS).

-Improves calcium absorption and phosphorus.

-Improved feed conversion.

- Strengthens the immune system.

Note: high incidence in high performance chicken.

Use of exogenous enzymes:

Modern genetics has selected animals with a high passage rate: they eat,
digest and excrete quickly and with less time for digestion of nutrients and
there may be significant undigested fractions that serve as a substrate for
pathogenic bacteria and pollute the environment.
It is favorable economic and environmental supplementation with exogenous
enzymes animal diets.
Enzymes are organic catalysts that can trigger or accelerate biochemical
reactions in the body, acting under specific conditions of temperature, pH and
humidity and on a specific substrate.
Most are produced by microorganisms (fungi, yeasts and bacteria) there are
several types and classifications the main enzymes used in poultry production
are the following:
- Carbohydrases: release non-starchy carbohydrates (PNAs).
- Proteases: release proteins and amino acids.
- Phytases: release phytic phosphorus from the ingredients.
- Lipases improve the digestibility of lipids.
They are included in the rations to improve the digestibility of the ingredients,
releasing more nutrients, reducing the action of anti-nutritional factors,
reducing variability in nutritional composition, increasing daily gain and
improving the rate of feed conversion and reduction of feed costs.
Enzymes secreted by the animal are called endogenous. Those added in
animal feed are called exogenous. Commercial enzymes (exogenous) are
used to improve the natural process of digestion. Examples include amylase
(starch) and protease (protein). Other enzymes are used for the digestion of
substrates that are not digested.
 By monogastric animals. This includes phytase (phytic phosphorus and
xylanase-glucanase-pectinases), fiber components.
Most commercial enzymes have been in the latter form, although phytases,
amylases and proteases are being used more frequently and successfully.

Carbohydrases:

Today, we can easily expect a 10% improvement in phosphorus digestibility by

a modern phytase. Similarly, a glucanase or xylanase enzyme can improve
metabolizable energy in the diet by 50 kcal / kg, or even more (up to 150 kcal /
kg, is reasonable in low quality cereals).
Finally, a protease improves the digestibility of the protein by about 2-6%
depending on the type of ingredients used. In the animal industry where profit
margins are small, such improvements as those conferred by exogenous
enzymes are indeed substantial and profitable.
In conclusion, enzymes are natural, safe, and important for the animal.
Supplementation in feed improves the process of digestion, and reduces the
amount of nutrients excreted in feces. This in turn improves animal
 performance, profitability and reduces environmental pollution (Dr. Jon Wilson,
DSM animal nutrition and health).

Carbohydrases Substrates
Xylanases Arabinoxylan
Beta glucanases Beta-glucan
Amylases Starch
Beta-mannanases Beta-Mannan

Feed Granulometry:

- Coarse particles improve production

When coarse particle size is used, a larger size of the gizzard is observed in the
birds and a greater intestinal content is also observed in the gizzard. It has been
reported in the same way that a more developed gizzard increases intestinal
movements through increasing the release of cholecystokinin levels which as a
result stimulates the secretion of pancreatic, biliary and gastro-duodenal reflux
enzymes.

In addition, large particle sizes in birds reduce the rate of passage of intestinal
contents through the gizzard, which increases the exposure time of nutrients to
digestive enzymes, which results in better energy utilization and digestibility of the
nutrients In addition, it has been reported that a reduced pH of the gizzard content
may increase the activity of pepsin, thus improving the digestion of the protein, (Dr
Fausto Solis, 2016).

My recommendations and consultation with Dr. Justina Caldas bird nutritionist and
member of the Cobb World Technical Team, use a particle size of 800 µm in pre-
start and start and 1000 to 1200 µm in growth and fattening, if the quality of the
pellet (PDI), It is not affected may be greater.

 
Conclusions:

-The nutrition for high performance chicken must be very precise to maximize its
great genetic potential, the selection and analysis of the ingredients plays an
important role, supported by a formulation and elaboration of the feed with
precision.

-Using technological additives we can produce an efficient, cost-effective and

environmentally friendly chicken, meeting the expectations of the consumer.

-Compensatory growth in high performance broilers is null or limited, intestinal

health should be monitored and mycotoxins, coccidia, clostridiosis and any enteric
disease that affects nutrient absorption be monitored.

-The level of trypsin inhibitors and the reactive lysine of soybean meal should be
continuously evaluated.

-An optimal electrolyte balance can improve the performance in broilers by 4-7%.

-When formulating we must contemplate the stress and pathological challenges of

birds and immunonutrients that strengthen the immune system.

-Ensuring that broilers digest and absorb every gram of nutrients ingested is the
key to maximum sustainability.
Acknowledgments:

Special recognition for their great contribution to poultry production to the following
research scientists:

- Dr Horacio Rostagno, Federal University of Vicosa, UFV, Brazil.

- Dr. Peter Ferket, University of North Carolina, USA

-Dra. Zehava Uni of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.

 -Dra. Nilva K. Sakomura, University of Sao Paulo, Unesp, Brazil.

-Dr. Steve Lesson and J.D. Summers, Guelph University.

-Dr Nelson Ruiz, Nutrition, LLC.

- Dr Nestor Lameda, Director Poultry Industry MSD Central America and the
Caribbean.

-Dr Aaron Cowienson, Adjunct Professor at the university of Sydney and principal
scientist at DSM animal nutrition and health.

-Dr Layi Aldeola, Purdue University.

-Dra Roselina Angel, Maryland of university

-Dr Fausto Solis, ISA University, Dominican Republic.

 
References

1- Cobb500 Broiler Performance & Nutrition Supplement, 2015.

2-Hubbard Broiler management manual, 2016.

3-Ross308 Broiler nutrition specifications, 2014.

4-The effects of in – ovo feeding, Zehava Uni, Department of animal science,

Hebrew University, Israel

5-Nano-nutrition of chicken embryos, Marta Grodzik, et al, Warsaw University of

life Sciences, Poland.
6-Precision animal nutrition: A tool for economic and eco-friendly animal production
in ruminants, D V Reddy et al, College of Veterinary Science, S V Veterinary
University, India, 2008.

7-Modeling amino acid requirements of poultry, Nilva K. Sakomura et al, 2015.

8- The revolution in mineral nutrition such as chelated minerals participates in

animal nutrition, Bianca Matins, Alltech, www.engormix.com, 2012.

9- Fast transit tied to soybeans, Dr Nelson Ruiz, 2012.

10-Use of soybean paste in animals and levels of incorporation in the diet, Dr.
Carlos Campabadal, 2012.

11- Innovation in enzyme development Vibe Glitsoe (Novozyme), Jean-Paul

Ruckebusch (DSM), Inge Knap (DSM).

12-The current importance of the anti-nutritional factors of soybean meal, Jose

Ignacio Barragan, 2016.

13-Effect of protein and Energy level in feed on posthatch chick performance, R.

Molenaar et al, 2011.

14-Commercial poultry nutrition, S. lesson and J D Summers, 3rd Edition, 2005.

15-Electrolyte Balance: Choosing the right tool for the job, Jason Lorjé, 2017.