Broilers Flashcards
What is the goal of broilers?
maximize the amount of edible meat using the smallest amount of feed possible to optimize economic return
Define meat.
skeletal muscle
what are the primary challenges of broilers?
- minimizing environment impacts
- managing bird health
- heat stress
- meat quality
What are the key considerations for a nutritional program?
- product mix
- strain source
- sex
- location
- philosophy
Economic evaluation of feed program
- formula cost, cost per ton
- feed cost per unit of body weight
- feed cost per unit of meat
What is economic goal?
maximize return over feed cost
Why has there been a shift to larger broilers?
- improved genetic selection and management
- demand for further-processed products
- maximizing profit over fixed processing costs
When birds age their energy need goes ____, but their protein needs go ___.
up; down
What is phase feeding?
describes the feeding of several diets for relatively short periods of time to more closely match an animals nutrient requirements.
the feed meets requirements on average, but is always under or over the requirements
Phase Days:
- Starter: 0-10 days
- Grower: 11-24 days
- Finisher 1: 25-39 days
- Finisher 2: 40-51 days
- Withdrawal: 52-60 days
What should be the BW at the end of each phase?
- Starter: 0.618 lbs
- Grower: 2.511 lbs
- Finisher 1: 5.676 lbs
- Finisher 2: 8.361 lbs
- Withdrawal: 10.199 lbs
What is a key indicator of chick quality and brooding?
7-day mortality
How much bigger should birds be at 7 days of age?
4 to 5 times their chick weight
