Right feed nutrition for poultry

Broiler birds a young chicken, usually 6 weeks of age characterised for tender meat with soft skin and breast bone cartilage. There is need to obtain rapid growth in broilers. They convert foods to meat within a very short period of time. Ultimately nutrient requirements are also higher than the chickens being raised for egg production.

Layers birds are reared for egg production these are the birds which are genetically selected breed for highest egg production (usually 330 egg/ year). As the growth of these birds is very slow, layers cannot reared for meat production and hence requirements of protein and energy as compare to broilers is lower. The feeding of layer is generally done in three phases. Feed quality is very important for maintaining a Health, production and profitable business.

There are many companies available, who are manufacturing quality commercial poultry feed for broilers and layers. This type of commercial poultry feeds are suitable for poultry health and maintaining production in terms eggs and meat. You can provide nutritious feed to your broilers and layers by formulating at your feed mill, farm or by purchasing from your nearest market. For making balanced feed for poultry birds, you have to mix the feed ingredients and supplements in proper ratio. Suggested nutrient requirements for commercial broilers and layers are given below.

SUGGESTED NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS FOR BROILERS (BIS’2007)

Characteristic	Broiler Prestarter (0-7 days)	Broiler Starter (8-21 days)	Broiler Finisher (21-42 days)
Moisture, % (Max.)	11.00	11.00	11.00
Crude Protein, % (Min.)	23.00	22.00	20.00
Crude fibre, % (Max.)	5.00	5.00	5.00
Acid insoluble ash, % (Max.)	2.50	2.50	2.50
Salt, % (Max.)	0.50	0.50	0.50
Calcium, % (Min.)	1.0	1.0	1.0
Phosphorous (Available), % (Min.)	0.45	0.45	0.45
Linoleic Acid, % (Min.)	1.00	1.00	1.00
Lysine, % (Min.)	1.30	1.20	1.00
Methionine, % (Min.)	0.50	0.50	0.45
Meth. +cystine, %	0.90	0.90	0.85
Metabolizable Energy (Kcal/Kg) Min.	3000	3100	3200
Ether extract, % (min.)	3.0	3.5	4.0
Minerals and Vitamins:
Manganese, mg/kg	100.00	100.00	100.00
Iodine, mg/kg	1.20	1.20	1.20
Iron, mg/kg	80.00	80.00	80.00
Zinc, mg/kg	80.00	80.00	80.00
Copper, mg/kg	12.00	12.00	12.00
Selenium, mg/kg	0.15	0.15	0.15
Vitamin A, IU/Kg	6000	6000	6000
Vitamin D3, IU/Kg	600	600	600
Thiamin, mg/kg	5.00	5.00	5.00
Riboflavin, mg/kg	6.00	6.00	6.00
Pantothenic acid, mg/kg	15.00	15.00	15.00
Nicotinic Acid, mg/kg	70.00	70.00	70.00
Biotin, mg/kg	0.20	0.20	0.20
Vitamin B12, mg/kg	0.015	0.015	0.015
Folic Acid, mg/kg	1.00	1.00	1.00
Choline, mg/kg	1400	1400	1000
Vitamin E, mg/kg	15.00	15.00	15.00
Vitamin K, mg/kg	1.00	1.00	1.00
Pyridoxine mg/kg	5.00	5.00	5.00

SUGGESTED NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS FOR LAYERS (BIS’ 2007)

Characteristic	Chick Starter (0-8 Wks)	Grower (9-20 Wks)	Layer Phase I (21-45Wks)	Layer Phase II (46-75 Wks)
Moisture, % (Max.)	11.00	11.00	11.00	11.00
Crude Protein, % (Min.)	20.00	16.00	18.00	16.00
Crude fibre, % (Max.)	7.00	9.00	9.00	10.00
Acid insoluble ash, % (Max.)	4.00	4.00	4.00	4.50
Salt, % (Max.)	0.50	0.50	0.50	0.50
Calcium, % (Min.)	1.00	1.00	3.00	3.00
Phosphorous (Available), %	0.50	0.50	0.50	0.50
Linoleic Acid, % (Min.)	1.00	1.00	1.00	1.00
Lysine, % (Min.)	1.00	0.70	0.70	0.65
Methionine, % (Min.)	0.45	0.35	0.35	0.30
Meth. +cystine, %	0.70	0.60	0.60	0.55
Metabolizable Energy (Kcal ME/Kg) Min.	2800	2500	2600	2400
Ether extract, % (min.)	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0
Minerals and Vitamins:
Manganese, mg/kg	90.00	50.00	55.00	55.00
Iodine, mg/kg	1.00	1.00	1.00	1.00
Iron, mg/kg	120.00	90.00	75.00	75.00
Zinc, mg/kg	60.00	50.00	75.00	75.00
Copper, mg/kg	12.00	9.00	9.00	9.00
Vitamin A, IU/Kg	6000	6000	6000	6000
Vitamin D3, IU/Kg	600	600	1200	1200
Thiamin, mg/kg	5.00	3.00	3.00	3.00
Riboflavin, mg/kg	6.00	5.00	5.00	5.00
Pantothenic acid, mg/kg	15.00	15.00	15.00	15.00
Nicotinic Acid, mg/kg	70.00	60.00	60.00	60.00
Biotin, mg/kg	0.20	0.15	0.15	0.15
Vitamin B12, mg/kg	0.015	0.10	0.10	0.10
Folic Acid, mg/kg	1.00	0.50	0.50	0.50
Choline, mg/kg	1300	900	800	800
Vitamin E, mg/kg	15.00	10.00	10.00	10.00
Vitamin K, mg/kg	1.00	1.00	1.00	1.00
Pyridoxine, mg/kg	5.00	5.00	5.00	5.0

Note: It must be noted that above given nutritional requirements are just the guidelines. Always take advice of professional veterinarian before arriving into any conclusion