May 15, 2017

Latest China trial by Trouw Nutrition shows drop in layer mortality

Results from a layer study in China show that animal performance can be improved without using antibiotic growth promoters.

The main conclusions show a decrease in mortality to 0% and a significant increase in yolk percentage.

The efforts of the animal production industry are focused on old and new challenges. Increasing animal performance and profit remains an ongoing effort to achieve competitiveness. The other challenge, however, has started in Europe years ago and is now reaching countries worldwide - reducing antibiotic use. The question is: how can one decrease the use of antibiotics in animal production while keeping up productivity?

Trouw Nutrition performed a trial in China (http://forum.efeedlink.com/contents/05-22-2017/09f712b1-7499-466b-889c-804dbd9fed41-c681.html) to test how the use of a drinking water additive could improve egg production, egg quality and the general health status of laying hens. A total of 240 animals were allocated to two treatment groups. On top of the commercial feeding programme, one of the groups received the drinking water additive. No antibiotic growth promoters were used. During the 12 weeks the trial lasted, the laying hens were monitored on performance and the quality of the eggs was measured.

The results showed that the animals receiving the feed additive, Selko-pH, had a significant decrease in mortality during the whole period. The product works in the animals by improving their health status. As a consequence, the feed additive group showed 0% mortality vs. 4.2% for the control group. Additionally, the eggs from the animals fed Selko-pH on a long term had a higher yolk percentage.

Trouw Nutrition says that the solution for reducing the use of antibiotics does not lean on replacement with another product. The key is reducing the need for them. Decreasing antibiotic use needs an integrated approach, where feed, farm and health management are taken into account. Trouw Nutrition offers knowledge and services together with their products, to help customers solve their challenges and take the next step towards antibiotic reduction.