Multiphase feeding program for broilers can replace traditional system

Abstract

Broilers are traditionally managed with feeding programs that often consist of three or four phases. In this study we investigated whether a multiphase feeding program (14 phases) of broilers based on the optimal mix of two feeds could replace a traditional four phase system while maintaining broiler performance. To evaluate this prposed program we measured variables of performance, carcass yield, and nitrogen excretion. In addition, we determined if the multiphase feeding program (14 phases) would be equally effective regardless of bird gender. A total of 480 day-old Cobb chicks were used, with an average weight of 44.74 ± 0.16 g (females) and 44.71 ± 0.11 g (males). The birds were distributed in a completely randomized 2 × 2 factorial design. Each treatment consisted of six replicates with 20 animals per experimental unit. Results were analyzed separately in two periods (1-21 and 22-42 days) as determined by slaughter date, as well as for the entire growth period (1-42 days). The multiphase program led to improvements in final body weight and average daily weight gain, in addition to an increase in breast yield.

Precision feeding and precision nutrition: a paradigm shift in broiler feed formulation?

“…Thus, careful consideration needs to be taken to ensure the bird's requirement is estimated correctly for all diets when the number of dietary phases is increased. Hauschild et al [19] blended two feeds in order to create a 14…”

“…The first research to lay the foundation for the precision nutrition approach was done many years ago and explored the use of increasing diet phases beyond one to three diets throughout the production cycle. The concept of increasing diet numbers or phases to improve production efficiency and to reduce the time in the production cycle that nutrients are in under or over supply has been demonstrated, just not to the scale of a diet for every day of production [ 19 – 21 ]. For example, Warren and Emmert [ 21 ] compared broilers offered a three phase regime to those offered a single diet based on NRC recommendations between 40 to 61 days.…”

“…Thus, careful consideration needs to be taken to ensure the bird’s requirement is estimated correctly for all diets when the number of dietary phases is increased. Hauschild et al [ 19 ] blended two feeds in order to create a 14 phase feeding program over 1 to 42 days of production. Implementation of the 14 phase program increased daily weight gain by 2.1% and breast meat yield by 3.1% while not significantly influencing feed conversion in comparison to a standard four phase feeding program.…”

Abstracts from the Proceedings of the 33rd Biennial Conference of the Australian Association of Animal Sciences

“…However commercially, broilers are fed 3-5 phases or diets, meaning nutrients are under and over-supplied throughout production. Increasing diet number or phases has been shown to improve production efficiency as there is less time in the production cycle that nutrients are in under-or over-supply (Hauschild et al 2015;Kleyn 2013;Warren and Emmert 2000).…”

Responses of broiler chickens to the nutrient recommendations of NRC (1994) and the Ross broiler management manual

“…According to some studies, feeding programs that include more phases can lead to better final body weight of broiler chickens (Mehmood et al, 2014;Hauschild et al, 2015). However, no effect of phase feeding on meat quality of birds has been reported (Brewer et al, 2012).…”