Feed Management in Broiler Chickens: Feeding Plan, Feed Formula, and Feed Requirement

Today’s breeds of fast-growing broilers have been selected for their fast growth, feed efficiency, and high feed intake, and broilers are processed when they reach the appropriate market weight, typically by six weeks of age. Feeding management of broiler breeders, including hens and roosters, aims to optimize and profit from reproduction.

In broiler production, feeding represents at least 60% of variable costs, especially in intensive rearing systems. Due to its impact on the growth rate, carcass quality, and its role in certain metabolic diseases, energy intake is an essential factor in broiler production.

Feed Management in Broiler Chickens

Method of Feed Formulation

It is a process by which different feed ingredients are mixed in proportion to provide the nutrition needed at a particular production stage. The nutrient composition of feedstuffs and knowledge of nutrient requirements are essential for feed formulation. It is important that the formulated feed is palatable for the birds and does not cause serious digestive disturbances or toxic effects.

A balanced chicken feed is formulated using information about the nutritional value of ingredients, as well as the maximum inclusion levels, depending on several factors discussed above. Following are approximate inclusion levels of various feed ingredients, which vary depending on different factors, in poultry rations:

For Energy

Up to 65 percent maize, 45 percent jowar (sorghum), 25 percent wheat with enzyme, 15 percent wheat bran, 15 percent rice, and 15 percent rice by-products (bran, polishing).

For Protein

You can use soybean meal up to 30%, sesame oil cake up to 10%, corn gluten up to 15%, linseed meal up to 15% (20% in layers), ground nut oil cake up to 20%, safflower meal or sunflower meal up to 10%, meat meal or fish meal up to 10%, blood meal or feather meal up to 2%.

For Energy and Essential Fatty Acids

Fats and oils like tallow, lard, soybean oil, coconut oil, or palm oil up to 5% after three weeks. Poultry fat, fish, and vegetable oils are good linoleic acid sources and dietary essentials in birds. Besides supplying energy, adding fat improves the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins but increases the inclusion of antioxidants. Birds fed diets having higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids tend to produce soft fat.

For Minerals, Vitamins, Essential Amino Acids, and Additives

Calcium can be added as limestone powder (LSP), dicalcium phosphate (DCP), and oyster shells. Phosphorus can be added through manufactured products like dicalcium or monocalcium phosphate. Phytate phosphorus is only available when the phytase enzyme is added to the ration. Sodium and chlorine are usually added in the form of salt (NaCl) at a rate of 0.25%.

Physical Form of Diet for Broilers

The methods provide information about the number of ingredients used in feed formulation. Poultry nutrients are optimally utilized if the formulated feed is given in the appropriate physical form for each bird category. The following physical forms of poultry feed are generally used.

Mash

The term mash refers to ground and completely homogenized feed. All types of birds can consume this feed. It is less expensive to prepare, and less nutrients are lost during processing, but the biggest disadvantage is that mash feed is wasted during handling and consumption.

Pellet

Pellets are formed by compacting ground feed by steaming and forcing it through die openings. All categories of birds over the age of 2 – 3 weeks can use this feed. The preparation cost is higher than that of mash feed. Nevertheless, feed wastage is reduced, and selective feeding is prevented, so nutrients are utilized to the fullest extent possible.

Crumble

Crumble is the term used to describe pelleted feed that has been reduced to granular form. The smaller particle size of this feed makes it more suitable for birds under three weeks of age. Compared to mash feed, preparation costs are higher. Pelletized feed prevents selective feeding and reduces feed wastage.

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Feeding Management of Broiler

Broiler feeding programs emphasize live weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and farmer profitability. For broilers to grow properly, they need a balanced diet of protein and other nutrients. The particle size of the feeds should be appropriate for maximum acceptability during feeding. Crumbled feeds are suitable for babies aged 0-3 weeks, and later mash, or palleted feeds are given. There should be no contamination or fungal infestation in the feed.

Feeding is done with the correct equipment for baby chickens. It is advisable to use a small feeder, and there should be more of them. In proportion to the size of the birds, feeder heights and sizes increase. Two feedings are generally performed daily, in the morning and evening, when feed intake is likely highest due to a cooler environment. Providing the birds with fresh, clean drinking water ensures their optimum performance.

Average Growth Rate and Feed Requirements for Broiler Chicken

Balanced feed	Age in weeks	Daily feed intake/bird (grams)	Weekly total feed intake (Grams)	Cumulative feed intake (grams)	Body weight gain (g)	Total body weight (g)
	0 day	little			40
pre-starter	1st week	25	175	175	188	228
pre-starter	2nd week	45	315	490	440	480
starter	3rd week	70	490	980	790	830
starter	4th week	120	840	1820	1280	1320
finisher	5th week	145	1015	2835	1795	1835
finisher	6th week	150	1050	3885	2290	2330

Effects of Summer Heat on Feed Intake of Poultry Birds

As the environmental temperature increases, the bird’s feed intake decreases. Temperatures between 13 and 20°C are ideal for poultry birds. Feed consumption may decrease by 1.5-2% for every 1°C increase in an ambient temperature between 20°C and 30°C, while feed intake may decrease by 4-5% for every 1°C rise in temperature between 30°C and 40°C. Feed’s energy requirements are reduced in high environmental temperatures, but other dietary nutrients, such as protein, minerals, and vitamins, remain the same.

The levels of these nutrients need to be higher in summer diets. The fall in feed consumption may result in general or specific nutrient deficiencies. The management of heat stress-induced poultry problems can be achieved by implementing temporary feed restrictions or feeding at specific times of the day, increasing the density of nutrients in the diet (because feed intake decreases during heat stress), giving birds extra electrolytes and vitamins (especially through drinking water), or changing the lighting program.

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Conclusion

In broiler nutrition, dietary energy is provided by different feed sources. Dietary energy content strongly influences feed consumption, and energy is the most expensive nutrient in poultry diets. Excess energy intake may also increase fat deposition, affecting meat quality and consumer health.

Feed Management in Broiler Chickens: Feeding Plan, Feed Formula, and Feed Requirement