As PoultryWorld notes, feed trials focusing on meeting the nutritional requirements of poultry, supporting gut health, organ and skeletal development, and muscle growth have shown encouraging improvements in foot health, efficiency, and reduced mortality.

Specific Study

The initial stages of the specific study began in January 2022 but were a continuation of activity where ABN analyzed feed quantities in the first 2 weeks of a bird's life.

The initial commercial scale trial of 12 months took place in 9 farms of varying sizes, and the results of the new feed formulations recorded a 32-point increase in the European Performance Efficiency Factor (EPEF) level from 368 for the previous 6 average crops to 400 for the trial average crop.

EPEF figures are based on feed conversion rates, life expectancy, live weight, and bird slaughter age.

The feed conversion rate corrected at 39 days was -0.04 lower for the trial average crop at 1.64 compared to 1.68 for the previous 6 average crops. Live weight for the same 39-day period increased by +130 g, and mortality rates decreased by -0.76%.

Standard Formula

The results were so successful that the new formulation was rolled out with additional customers from early this year and, as of April, has become the standard starter feed offering for ABN's broilers.

Brian Kenyon, senior poultry nutritionist at ABN, said: "We looked at different quantities and product forms as well as the nutritional components of starter diets.

We worked with growers to look for ways to reduce changing quantities while moving birds onto full pellets earlier when bird performance allows it.

"All the results we've seen from the commercial scale trial have been favorable and have gone exactly as we expected and hoped. That's why we were able to launch the new formulation relatively quickly after the completion of the studies," he added. (Photo: Freepik)