October 8, 2020

 

Trouw Nutrition's innovative split-feeding system improves broiler performance

 

 

 

Trouw Nutrition developed a split-feeding innovation for broiler breeders.

 

The split-feeding programme has demonstrated improved hatching rates, welfare indicators, and lower feed costs in research centre trials and commercial farm studies.

 

Research conducted on laying hens showed different nutrients impact birds at different times of the day. Birds' protein intake and energy nutrients are higher in the morning when the egg yolk is produced, while calcium intake increases later in the day. This information lead Trouw Nutrition scientists to develop a feeding programme for birds, capitalising on the birds' circadian rhythm to receive different nutrients at different times of the day – energy, protein and phosphorous to support egg-laying production in the morning and nutrients to support eggshell formation in the afternoon.

 

Studies conducted at the Trouw Nutrition Poultry Research & Development Centre and on five commercial farms validated the performance, economic and animal welfare benefits of the split-feeding strategy.

 

Frequency of egg production, time spent eating, bird behaviour, and eggshell quality were evaluated. The research centre studied more than 2,800 broiler breeders and compared the performance parameters of the regularly-fed hens versus another group that received the split-feeding programme. The programme was designed, according to the egg formation need of breeders to provide a more accurate nutrient supply. This dietary strategy also provided less crude protein (CP), apparent metabolisable energy (AME) poultry, calcium (Ca) and digestible phosphorous (dP) compared to the controlled diet.

 

Key findings of the research study included:

 

- Increased production in the split-fed group. Higher number of eggs and hatching eggs, as well as higher chick production, as compared to the controlled group;

 

- Significantly lower cost for feed to the group that received the split-feeding diet;

 

- The group that received the split-feeding programme demonstrated improved feathering, reduced pecking and fewer indication of hunger behaviour.

 

These results were further confirmed by three concept tests of split-feeding programmes on commercial farms. SADA company conducted a farm study involving 122,600 breeders from May 2015 to November 2018.

 

Key findings of the farm study included:

 

- +1.9 chicks hatched in flocks fed the split-feeding programme compared to the controlled group;

 

- 9% reduction in feed cost, from 3% to 7% less, per hatched chick;

 

- Flocks fed with split feeding also displayed significant improvements when it comes to eggshell quality. Eggshell quality parameters include weight, thickness, breaking strength and shell weight (mg) per square centimetre of egg surface area (SWUSA) values.

 

The programme also noted that broiler hens consumed fewer nutrients resulting in less excretion of nutrients into the environment and reduced carbon dioxide emissions for as much as 10%.

 

"Split feeding brings breeders closer to their voluntary and physiological feeding behaviour. This system's ability to address the nutritional requirements of broiler breeders support efficient feeding, producer economics and farmers' sustainability efforts," said Felipe Sanchez Fernandez, global application and solution specialist of poultry and technology transfer at Trouw Nutrition.

 

- The Poultry Site