Feeding and nutrition of broiler chicks

Question 1

BW at hatching

Answer 1

40g

Question 2

BW at slaughter

Answer 2

2.7kg

Question 3

Length of fattening and period

Answer 3

Lasts usually 5-6 wks or 38-40 days

Starter phase is shorter than layers

Question 4

Fattening methods

Answer 4

1. Semi-intensive- 2 phases
2. Intesive: 1 phase, out of season

Question 5

Semi-intensive fattening method

Answer 5

• Intensive fore-rearing: 0-18 days
• Extensive post-rearing: 19 days till slaughetr
  
  • Either dry method or on a lake

Question 6

Aim of feeding

Answer 6

PROTEIN AND FAT INBUILDING

• Protein- requires less E
• Fat requires more than double the E for protein BUT fat is stored in the stomach and so is considered a waste
• Generally the first 2-3 wks is muscle inbuilding and then fat inbuilding

Question 7

Ages of the different stages

Answer 7

• Starter: 0-10 days
• Grower: 11-24 days
• Finisher: 25 – slaughter

Question 8

Nutrient requirements of the different stages and comments

Answer 8

ME (MJ/kg) and CP% for starter vs grower vs finisher

• ME: 12.6 vs 13.0 vs 13.4
  
  • At first is E needed for protein inbuilding and incr to allow for fat inbuilding. Higher E means better feed efficiency!
• CP: 23 vs 21.5 vs 19.5
  
  • Reduces with age because protein inbuilding decr with age
  • Cereals, legumes and supplements

Question 9

Feed efficiency

Answer 9

Is how we meaure feed to gain

1.6 kg/kg

Question 10

Physical form of diet (4)

Answer 10

• Newly hatched require a homogenous diet e.g crumble
• Mash: not good if you want to enhance FI
• Pellet: good for enhancing FI, is used for growers and finishers
• Crumble: is preferred by young chicks
  *

Question 11

Supplements (4)

Answer 11

• Lysine: first limiting factor
• Met + Cys: feathers
• Linoleic acid
• Ca

Question 12

Water

Answer 12

2-2.5L/kg

Bell-type drinkers vs nipple-drinkers