In poultry production, nutrition plays the leading role in determining the health, productivity, and profitability of the flock. Providing poultry with a balanced diet ensures that the birds receive all the necessary nutrients to support growth, reproduction, immunity, and overall well-being.
For broilers used for meat production, layers, or propagation breeders, establishing and maintaining a balanced diet is crucial to ensure optimal performance.
This page provides a comprehensive description of what a balanced poultry diet entails, its significance, its composition, variations according to bird species and age, and practical tips on preparing and utilizing it effectively.
Well-balanced diet promotes:
- Healthier and faster growth in broilers
- Increased egg laying in layers
- Increased fertility and hatchability in breeders
- Increased disease resistance
- Good, balanced poultry diet
- Effective feed conversion ratio (FCR)
Why a Good Balanced Poultry Diet is Important
Here are the following reasons:
- Development and Growth: Chicks, particularly broilers, develop at a fast pace and must consume a well-balanced diet. A poor diet will lead to retarded growth, brittle bones, and poor-quality meat.
- Egg Laying: Layers need proper quantities of calcium and energy to continue egg production. A poor diet can lead to thin eggshells, reduced egg production, and fertility issues.
- Resistance to Diseases: Micronutrients such as vitamins A and E, selenium, and zinc play a crucial role in the development of a robust immune system. Supplementing the diet with vitamins and minerals enhances disease resistance in poultry and reduces death rates.
- Economic Efficiency: In the poultry industry, feed makes up over 70% of total production costs. Well-formulated diet increases FCR, reduces feed loss, and increases profitability.
Components of a Good Poultry Diet
A well-balanced poultry ration should contain the following ingredients:
Sources of Energy
Energy is fuel for carrying out all the physiological processes. The two primary sources of energy in poultry rations are carbohydrates and fats.
General Energy Ingredients:
- Maize (corn)
- Sorghum
- Wheat
- Barley
- Vegetable oils (soybean oil, palm oil)
Proteins
Proteins are necessary for growth, tissue repair, enzyme production, and egg production. The building components of proteins, amino acids, are required.
Protein-High Ingredients:
- Soybean meal
- Fish meal
- Groundnut cake
- Sunflower meal
- Blood meal
Essential Amino Acids in Poultry:
- Lysine
- Methionine
- Threonine
- Tryptophan
Vitamins
Vitamins regulate many metabolic functions and are required in minute quantities.
- Fat-Soluble Vitamins: A, D, E, K
- Water-Soluble Vitamins: B-complex (B1, B2, B6, B12), Vitamin C, Niacin, Folic acid
Minerals
Minerals play a crucial role in bone formation, eggshell quality, metabolic activity, and maintaining water balance.
- Macrominerals: Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Potassium
- Microminerals: Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Copper, Selenium
Fiber
While chickens cannot digest large amounts of fiber, small amounts will be beneficial to bowel health and digestive efficiency. Minuscule amounts of wheat bran, rice bran, and other coarseages or fibres can be added sparingly.
Water
Too often overlooked, fresh and clean water is critical to overall health, digestion, and nutrient utilization. Clean water for drinking should always be offered to birds.
Balanced Poultry Diet by Bird Type
Here are the following:
Broilers (Meat Birds)
Broilers require high-energy, protein-rich rations for rapid growth and muscle development.
Characteristic Nutrient Requirements (Starter Phase):
- Protein: 21–23%
- Energy: 2800–3000 kcal/kg
- Calcium: 0.9%
- Phosphorus: 0.45%
Phases:
- Starter (0–3 weeks)
- Grower (3–6 weeks)
- Finisher (6 weeks to market)
Protein and energy changes should be implemented at each phase.
Layers (Egg-Laying Birds)
Layers need high calcium for eggshell formation and an ideal protein-energy ratio for egg laying.
Characteristic Nutrient Requirements:
- Protein: 16–18%
- Energy: 2700–2800 kcal/kg
- Calcium: 3.5–4.0%
- Phosphorus: 0.45–0.50%
Phases:
- Grower (8–18 weeks)
- Pre-lay (18–20 weeks)
- Laying phase (20 weeks and onwards)
Breeders
Breeders require a more advanced diet to provide high fertility, hatchability, and chick vigour.
- Protein: 16–18%
- Energy: 2700–2800 kcal/kg
- Calcium: 2.5–3.5%
- Reproduction balanced amino acid and vitamin profile.
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