Highlights

Focus on withdrawal and finisher feeds   Exercise caution with broiler breeder feeds   Maintain calcium: phosphorus ratios   Review raw material mineral values   Take advice on phytase use   Be cautious in the use of alternative materials   Monitor bird performance

April 14, 2008

 

Poultry producers cautious on cheaper, low phosphate feed alternative

 

 

Poultry producers are forced to review broiler diets due to a global shortage of feed phosphate but great care is required when implementing changes.

 

Feed phosphate suppliers had announced at December 2007 that there would be inadequate supplies to meet the demand from the animal feed industry. In some cases, only 30 percent of ordered tonnage was supplied.

 

The shortage is caused by increased global plantings of cereals and protein crops, which leads to an extremely high demand for fertilisers that contain phosphorus. As a result, producers are having difficulties in meeting the poultry's phosphorus requirements while feed cost will be pushed up even further.

 

Feed formulation are pressurised and nutritionists have to maximise stocks of feed phosphates while keeping formulation cost down. Nutritionists will also try to sustain phosphate stocks by reducing levels in feeds and using alternative ingredients.

 

Any reduction in phosphorus below recommended levels must be carefully managed and several factors should be considered.

 

Broiler starter formulations should be left untouched as phosphorus levels are vital for skeletal development and growth, and a reduction could lead to serious implications for welfare and performance.

 

If reducing the phosphorus levels of broiler feeds, then first consider the final withdrawal of feed, and work backwards towards the grower diet as this method has minimum risk of welfare and performance. Increasing broiler feed intake during the latter phase of the grow-out cycle will lead to a considerable reduction in phosphate use.

 

Broilers show deficiency symptoms at levels of available P of 0.29 percent of total diet so caution is required when setting minimum phosphorus levels. However, factors that would increase phosphorus requirements such as disease exposure and rickets have to be considered as well.

 

Reduction in phosphorus will alter the calcium-to-available-phosphorus ratio, therefore calcium levels should be tailored to keep the ratio at 2:1 to maintain good bone health. 

 

Formulating to digestible phosphorus could reduce required mineral phosphate in the feed while maintaining the correct formulation. However, great care must be taken to ensure the amendment of raw material values.

 

Breeder formulation should also be left untouched unless necessary as low phosphorus levels would affect eggshell quality, hatchability and offspring viability.

 

Alternative ingredient strategies
 

Phytase enzymes may be beneficial but some factors should be considered before implementing their use.

 

If adding phytase to diets that have previously not included it, check with the supplier that the raw material and feed specification values used in ration calculations are correct. The values used for phosphorus, calcium, sodium and other minerals should also be checked.

 

Feeds already containing phytase may benefit from increased dosage as it will save phosphate stocks while also lessening costs. However, consultation is required so as to achieve maximum benefit while ensuring the balance of the feed's mineral content, especially the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio.

 

Quality of alternative ingredients should be consistent to ensure the correct level of minerals supplied to poultry as different sources contain different level of phosphorus.

 

Nutritionists must also be wary of heavy metal contamination in mineral phosphates.

 

A proactive approach through monitoring is recommended. A professional monitoring scheme should be implemented to check on broilers for bone formation and signs of mineral deficiency-related complications. Eggshell quality and productivity should also be monitored to ensure optimal feed intake and adequate mineral intake.