March 2, 2007

Dutch broiler producers report better performance without antibiotics
 

The EU's move to ban antibiotics may prove to be a boon rather than a bane to Dutch broiler farmers, who had better results to show for it.

The broiler producers from a group called "For Farmers" added a 30-percent wheat formulation and other alternative growth promoters in the feed, thus reducing the feed conversion rate from 1.4 to 1.36 ( at 1500 grammes)

The most prolific producers had weight gains of 2 to 57 grammes a day.

Mortality rate was also reduced from 3.7 percent to 3.3 percent.

However, it was noted that the better broiler breeds used have also played a large part in the improved performance.