In the production of broiler chickens, feed represents the fundamental pillar, constituting between 60% and 70% of the total costs, optimal nutritional management not only directly impacts on the profitability of the farm, but also guarantees the health, animal welfare and quality of the final product. Broilers, which are genetically selected for rapid growth and efficient feed conversion, have specific nutritional needs that vary throughout their different stages of development.
The diet of chickens should be complete and balanced, providing the following essential nutrients:
- Energy: mainly from cereals such as corn, sorghum and wheat, it is essential for growth, maintenance and activity.
- Protein: coming from sources such as soy cake, fish meal and animal by-products, it is essential for the formation of muscle tissues, the quality of protein is measured by its content of essential amino acids, especially lysine and methionine.
- Minerals: Calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, chlorine and microminerals such as zinc, manganese, copper, iron, selenium and iodine can be named, they are vital for bone formation, metabolic functions and the immune system.
- Vitamins: both fat-soluble (A, D, E, K) and water-soluble (B and C complex). they play critical roles in metabolism, overall health and disease resistance.
- Water: Although it is not a nutrient in the traditional sense, it is the most critical and often the most underestimated component, a constant and quality supply is indispensable for all physiological processes.
To optimize growth and efficiency, broiler feeding is usually divided into several phases, adjusting the composition of the diet to the needs of each stage:
- Initiation (0 to 14 days): This phase is critical to establish the early development of the bird. The diet should be high in protein (about 22-23%) and energy, and highly digestible for a still immature digestive system.
- Growth (14 to 28 days): As the chicken grows, its energy requirements increase, while those of protein may decrease slightly. the diet at this stage usually contains between 19% and 21% protein.
- Completion (28 days until slaughter): At this stage, the goal is to maximize weight gain and lean meat deposition. The diet is usually more energetic and with a slightly lower protein level (18-20%). Some producers use a pre-slaughter phase with specific diets to improve the quality of the carcass.
It should also be taken into account that in addition to the base ingredients, food additives are usually incorporated to improve digestibility, intestinal health, growth and quality of meat. as probiotics that favor the balance of the intestinal microbiota and improve digestive health.
On the other hand, it should be considered that a well-formulated diet is not enough if the feed management is not adequate, aspects such as, for example: feed quality, storing the feed in appropriate conditions to avoid contamination by fungi or bacteria, and ensuring its freshness, ensuring that chickens have continuous access to fresh feed, using feeders that minimize waste and allow easy access for all birds, providing enough space in the feeders to avoid competition and stress, monitor food consumption to detect possible health or management problems and of course water quality, water must be fresh, clean and easily accessible, since water consumption is directly related to food consumption.
| Final considerations |
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In conclusion, dear readers, broiler feeding is a complex science that requires in-depth knowledge of the nutritional needs of birds, the characteristics of raw materials and management strategies. A smart investment in quality nutrition results in healthier birds, faster growth, better feed conversion and ultimately a more profitable and sustainable poultry operation. Constant monitoring and adaptation to the specific conditions of each farm are essential to achieve the maximum potential of broiler production.
Thank you for reading our articles, until a next publication.
| Bibliographic references |
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- Gonzalez, W. (1990) Animal nutrition. Editorial America. Caracas: Venezuela.
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