Workable Alternatives to Conventional Inputs in Poultry Farming

Abstract

The world’s demand for poultry products is increasing at an alarming rate, therefore the need for innovations to mitigate the required inputs for sustaining this demand. The challenges of poultry farming attributed to their health, and nutritional requirement is vital to successful poultry production either at a subsistence or at a commercial level. Feed accounts for about 70–80% of the overall production costs. Meeting the nutritional requirements of poultry impacts positively on their health performance. Adequate feeding enables the birds attain table weight earlier than their counterpart that are poorly fed, which could be profitable or not as it depends on the costs of inputs in each production cycle. The essence of poultry farming to an investor is to make profit; however, should poultry farmers continuously make profit, they need to apply workable alternatives suitable for the conventional inputs such as protein, energy sources, plant extracts for orthodox medication, and brooding materials.

Effects of Rumex nervosus leaf powder supplementation on carcasses compositions, small intestine dimensions, breasts color quality, economic feasibility in broiler chickens

“…Feed additives are an ideal way to increase profits for poultry farmers. Natural medicines derived from herbs, spices, and various plant extracts have received special attention as possible natural growth promoters ( Al-Mufarrej et al, 2019 ; Alqhtani et al, 2022 ; Anuranj et al, 2022 ; Shehata et al, 2022b ; Ajide et al, 2023 ). Since they are natural, nontoxic, residue-free and readily available and their beneficial effects such as appetite stimulants, increased secretion of digestive enzymes, immunostimulants, antimicroorganisms, and antioxidant properties make them very acceptable as natural feed additives for poultry ( Anuranj et al, 2022 ).…”

The Chemical Composition of Soyhulls and Their Effect on Amino Acid and Nutrient Digestibility in Laying Hens during the Peak of Production

“…The demand for poultry products, especially eggs, is increasing due to their high nutritional value, low cost, and wide acceptance by consumers. However, the cost of feed is a major challenge for poultry producers, as it accounts for 70 to 80% of the total production expenses [1]. Hence, the quest for substitute feed components that can lower feed expenses while enhancing feed efficiency holds crucial significance for ensuring the sustainability and economic viability of the poultry sector.…”

“…1 Test ingredients: SBM = soybean meal; SH1 = soyhulls from Sadiq Brother Feed, Mandra, Pakistan; SH2 = soyhulls from Shabbir Feed, Multan, Pakistan; SH3 = soyhulls from Sindh Feeds, Karachi, Pakistan; SH4 = soyhulls from Hi-Tech Feeds, Lahore, Pakistan.…”

“…a-e Means within the same row with different superscripts are significantly different at p < 0.05 1. Experimental diets: SBM = reference diet prepared by substituting 25% of the basal diet with soybean meal; SH1 = test diet prepared by substituting 25% of the basal diet with soyhulls sourced from Sadiq Brother Feed, Mandra, Pakistan; SH2 = test diet prepared by substituting 25% of the basal diet with soyhulls sourced from Shabbir Feed, Multan, Pakistan; SH3 = test diet prepared by substituting 25% of the basal diet with soyhulls sourced from Sindh Feeds, Karachi, Pakistan; SH4 = test diet prepared by substituting 25% of the basal diet with soyhulls sourced from Hi-Tech Feeds, Lahore, Pakistan.…”