Animal Nutrition Factors

⏩️Understanding Gut Health Scoring in Poultry: Why It Matters for Performance & Profitability ⏩️Maintaining optimal gut health in poultry is one of the most critical factors influencing flock performance, feed conversion, immunity, and overall profitability. #Key Gut Health Indicators: 🐔1. Gut Ballooning Normal (Score 0): Uniform gut diameter. Abnormal (Score 1): Enlarged segments with liquid, greasy, or gas-filled content. 🐔2. Inflammation (Cranial & Caudal) Normal: No redness; blood vessels non-visible. Abnormal: Significant redness, visible vasodilation, or irritation of serosal/mucosal surfaces. 🐔3. Flaccidity Normal: Gut edges fold naturally, maintaining structural tone. Abnormal: Loss of tone immediately after opening the gut. 🐔4. Abnormal Content Normal: Clean, consistent digesta. Abnormal: Foamy, watery, bloody, or mucoid content. 🐔5. Wall Thickness Normal: Firm, uniform thickness. Abnormal: Thinning, translucency, or fragility. 🐔6. Undigested Feed (Hind Gut) Normal: No residues. Abnormal: Presence of undigested feed indicating malabsorption. 🐔🐔Why this matters: Early detection of gut health issues allows for: ➡️Better control of enteric diseases ➡️Optimized feed utilization ➡️Improved FCR and growth ➡️Reduced medication cost ➡️Stronger immune response ➡️Higher production efficiency

FEEDING GUIDE ON BROILER CHICKS part 4 Starter Feed (0-3 weeks): The starter feed is designed to provide the energy and protein necessary for rapid growth during the first few weeks of a broiler's life. It's typically higher in protein content to support muscle and feather development. Here’s a typical formulation for starter feed: Maize (Corn): 50-60% – Provides energy. Soybean Meal: 25-30% – Rich in protein for growth. Fish Meal/Meat Meal: 5-10% – Additional protein to boost growth. Wheat Bran: 5% – Source of fiber and micronutrients. Limestone: 1-2% – Ensures proper bone development. Dicalcium Phosphate: 1-2% – Provides phosphorus and calcium for bone health. Salt: 0.2-0.3% – Maintains electrolyte balance. Vitamin and Mineral Premixes: As per manufacturer's guidelines for the required nutrients. Probiotics and Enzymes: 0.5-1% – Improves digestion and nutrient absorption. Grower Feed (3-6 weeks): The grower feed formulation is slightly lower in protein than the starter feed but still maintains enough protein to support continued growth and muscle development. Typical grower feed formulation: Maize (Corn): 55-65% – Provides energy for continued growth. Soybean Meal: 20-25% – Protein for muscle development. Sunflower Meal: 5-10% – Additional protein source and enhances digestibility. Rice Bran: 5-10% – Provides energy and fats for increased growth rate. Wheat Bran: 2-5% – Fiber for digestion. Limestone: 1-1.5% – Calcium for bone health. Dicalcium Phosphate: 1-1.5% – Balanced phosphorus and calcium. Salt: 0.2-0.3% – Electrolyte balance. Vitamin and Mineral Premixes: According to manufacturer guidelines. Probiotics and Enzymes: 0.5-1% – Support gut health and nutrient absorption. Finisher Feed (6 weeks until market): The finisher feed focuses on providing the final boost in weight gain and ensures that broilers reach market weight efficiently. It contains less protein than the grower feed, as the chickens are now focusing more on fat deposition

Mannanase Enzyme in Poultry Nutrition: A Comprehensive Guide 1. Introduction to Mannanase Mannanase is a hydrolytic enzyme that specifically targets β-mannan polysaccharides, which are prevalent in common poultry feed ingredients, such as soybean meal. These mannans act as anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) that impair nutrient digestion and gut health in poultry. 2. Biochemical Action **Substrate: β-1,4-mannosidic linkages in galactomannans and glucomannans **Products: Releases mannooligosaccharides (MOS) and mannose **Optimal pH: 4.0-6.5 (matches poultry gut conditions) **Temperature stability: Active at 40-50°C (poultry body temperature) 3. Key Benefits in Poultry Production A. Enhanced Nutrient Utilization **Increases metabolizable energy (ME) by 50-100 kcal/kg feed **Improves crude protein digestibility by 3-5% **Enhances fat absorption by breaking mannan-lipid complexes B. Gut Health Modulation **Reduces gut viscosity by 15-20% **Decreases pathogenic bacteria colonization (Salmonella by 1-2 log units) **Increases villus height (by 20-30μm) in duodenum and jejunum C. Immunomodulatory Effects **MOS acts as a pathogen-binding ligands **Stimulates IgA secretion by 15-25% **Reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) D. Supports Mycotoxin Management **Some mycotoxins (e.g., aflatoxins) bind to mannans in feed. **Mannanase helps release and degrade mycotoxins, reducing their negative effects. 4. Performance Improvements **mweight gain: 4-8% ** FCR: 3-6 points ** Mortality: 10-30% reduction 5. Recommended Inclusion Rates **Broilers: 400-600 IU/kg feed **Layers: 300-500 IU/kg feed **Breeders: 500-800 IU/kg feed 6. Synergistic Combinations **With phytase: 15-20% additional phosphorus release **With xylanase: 30% greater NSP breakdown **With probiotics: 2-fold increase in Lactobacillus populations 7. Practical Application Tips **For soybean-based diets: Use 400-500 IU/kg **For alternative protein diets: Increase to 600-800 IU/kg **During heat stress: Boost by 20% inclusion **In antibiotic-free programs: Combine with organic acids   ***Difference between Yeast MOS and Plant MOS: Yeast MOS: **Short-chain oligosaccharides (2-10 mannose units). **Branched structures due to α-1,2 and α-1,3 linkages. **Often bound to proteins (mannoproteins). Plant MOS: **Longer chains (up to 20+ mannose units). **Linear β-1,4 backbone with galactose side chains (varies by source). **More complex polysaccharides. Conclusion: Mannanase is a Game-Changer ✅ Boosts nutrient absorption (protein, energy, minerals) ✅ Strengthens gut health & immunity ✅ Improves growth & egg production ✅ Reduces feed costs & antibiotic use https://lnkd.in/ddTGRnns #poultry #layer #broiler #mannan #soybean meal All the best., APN360

First-Week Chick Mortality Patterns The first week of a chick’s life is the most critical period in poultry production. Mortality during this stage reflects hatchery quality, brooding management, nutrition, and disease control. More important than total mortality is the pattern of deaths, which helps identify the root cause. 1. Dehydration & Starve-Out Pattern Mortality peaks around days 4–6, then declines. This usually results from poor brooding management—delayed access to feed and water, incorrect temperature, or uneven chick placement. Early nutrient and water deprivation weakens chicks, leading to mid-week losses. 2. Yolk Sac & Early Infection Pattern Mortality is highest in days 1–3 and steadily decreases afterward. This pattern is commonly linked to hatchery hygiene problems, omphalitis (yolk sac infection), or poor navel healing. Early spikes suggest vertical or incubation-related contamination. 3. Bacterial Infection & Vaccine Reaction Pattern Deaths rise after day 4 and may peak around days 7–10. This indicates environmental bacterial exposure, poor litter or ventilation, or vaccine stress. These are typically farm-level management issues rather than hatchery problems. 4. Target Performance Pattern The ideal curve shows slightly higher mortality on day 1, followed by a steady daily decline. A first-week mortality below 1% reflects strong chick quality, proper brooding conditions, good biosecurity, and effective flock management. Why It Matters First-week mortality predicts overall flock performance. Early losses often lead to poorer growth, reduced uniformity, higher medication costs, and lower profitability. Understanding the shape of the mortality curve allows producers to diagnose problems quickly and apply corrective measures, ensuring better flock health and production outcomes.

Less feed retention time in chickens, often referred to as *rapid transit syndrome (RTS)*, occurs when feed passes through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) too quickly, reducing nutrient absorption and causing undigested feed to appear in droppings. This is a multifactorial problem commonly driven by stress, poor diet, and disease. Here are the main reasons for reduced feed retention time in chickens: *1.* *Environmental and Management Stress* Heat Stress: High temperatures cause birds to consume more water to cool down, which increases the passage rate of digesta and leads to wet, poorly formed feces. Overstocking/High Density: Overcrowded conditions create stress and competition, which can trigger digestive imbalances. Sudden Dietary Changes: Abruptly changing feed types can cause intestinal disruption and faster, incomplete digestion. Light/Noise Stress: Environmental stressors like excessive noise or improper lighting programs can cause nervousness, increased feed intake, and rapid transit. *2.* *Nutritional and Dietary Factors* *High-Fiber Diets*: High levels of non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) in diets (like wheat, barley, or rye) can increase viscosity, reduce nutrient absorption, and increase the passage rate. *Fine Grinding/Pellet Quality*: Using finely ground mash diets or pellets that break into fines can cause rapid passage. *Excess Salt Intake:* Increased salt consumption* (due to formulation errors or high-salt, low-quality protein sources) causes higher water consumption, leading to faster movement of food through the tract. *Rancid Fats/Toxins*: Feeding rancid fats or diets contaminated with mycotoxins can cause enteritis and rapid passage of feed. *3.* *Pathological and Microbial Factors* *Coccidiosis*: Damage to the lining of the intestine by E. acervulina or E. maxima parasites reduces the absorption of nutrients and causes faster passage, especially in young birds. *Dysbacteriosis*: An imbalance in the gut microflora (often secondary to other infections) results in poor digestion, leading to rapid transit. *Intestinal Infections*: Viral infections (reovirus, rotavirus, adenovirus) or bacterial infections like Necrotic Enteritis (Clostridium perfringens) can damage the intestine, accelerating passage. Intestinal Parasites: Ascarids and cestodes (worms) can irritate the gut lining and lead to faster passage. 4.Poor Water Quality High TDS/Contamination: Poor quality water with high Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) or microbial contamination causes intestinal irritation, inflammation, and reduced absorption, forcing the feed out faster. Impact of Reduced Retention Time When feed passes too fast, it directly affects economic performance, resulting in: Poor feed conversion ratios (FCR). Lower body weight/reduced weight gain. Wet, sticky, and poorly formed feces, which reduce litter quality. #poultry #vet #gut #health

Nutrition and Digestive Physiology of the Broiler Chick – why the first week matters more than we think I’ve recently spent time reading the review “Nutrition and Digestive Physiology of the Broiler Chick: State of the Art and Outlook”, and it is one of the most comprehensive and practical scientific papers I’ve seen on early broiler development. This paper clearly explains why the first 7 days after hatch are the most critical period in a broiler’s life and how early nutrition, gut development, and digestive capacity directly influence lifetime performance. Key insights from the paper: • At hatch, the chick’s digestive system is immature. Enzyme secretion, bile production, gut surface area, and nutrient transporters are still developing. • The gastrointestinal tract grows faster than the rest of the body during the first week, highlighting how important early feeding is. • Starch digestion is generally efficient early on, but fat and protein digestion are limited due to low bile secretion and immature enzyme activity. • Residual yolk is important, but it should support gut and immune development, not replace early feed intake. • Early access to feed and water stimulates faster gut maturation, better villus development, improved enzyme activity, and stronger immunity. • Poor early nutrition cannot always be fully compensated later, even if birds show temporary “catch‑up growth”. • Strategies such as early feeding, on‑farm hatching, high‑quality pre‑starter diets, enzyme use, emulsifiers, and gut‑health additives can help overcome early physiological limitations. Why this matters in practice: The first week represents up to 25% of the total broiler production cycle. Decisions made during this short period affect: ✔ feed efficiency ✔ gut health and resilience ✔ bone development ✔ immune competence ✔ overall flock uniformity ✔ lifetime performance This paper strongly reinforces a key message for the industry: You cannot fix poor early nutrition later. Sincere thanks to the authors Professor Velmurugu Ravindran and Dr. M. Reza Abdollahi for producing such a high‑quality, science‑based review that clearly connects research with commercial poultry production. Highly recommended reading for nutritionists, veterinarians, advisors, hatchery managers, and anyone serious about broiler performance. #PoultryNutrition #BroilerProduction #GutHealth #EarlyFeeding #ChickDevelopment #AnimalScience #PoultryResearch #FeedEfficiency #GutPhysiology #VasiliiUlitin

Your parent stock genetics account for just 2% of broiler performance variance. Farm management? 40%. This shocked researchers at Wageningen University when they analyzed six years of data from 2,174 Dutch broiler flocks (de Jong & van Riel, 2020). Everyone expected genetics and breeder quality to dominate the results. Instead, the data revealed something different. Farm management explained 40% of growth variance. Hatchery and chick quality contributed 33%. Breeder genetics? Just 2%. The same pattern appeared in mortality data, where farm decisions accounted for 32% of outcomes. Translation: Your daily choices about ventilation, temperature, feed access, and early response have 20 times more impact than your parent stock genetics. What separates top-performing farms? They catch problems before birds look sick. They track weights daily. They respond immediately when patterns shift. Weight data provides your earliest warning system. The research is clear. Your biggest performance opportunities aren't in the hatchery. They're in your houses right now. Cited Sources de Jong, I.C., & van Riel, J.W. (2020). Relative contribution of production chain phases to health and performance of broiler chickens: A field study. Poultry Science, 99(1), 179-188.

A temperature difference of just 5 degrees can cost you 50 grams per bird. Poor air quality creates even bigger problems. Birds exposed to 35 ppm ammonia weighed 694 grams less than birds in clean air conditions. That's nearly a 31% difference in final weight. Heat stress makes birds eat 98 grams less feed daily and gain 151 grams less body weight. When you pack too many birds together, the problem gets worse. Birds housed at 26 per square meter gained 207 grams less than those at 18 per square meter during hot weather. These stress factors work silently. You won't see obvious signs until weeks of poor growth have already happened. The solution is accurate weight monitoring. Weight changes show problems before other symptoms appear. Proper weighing systems like BAT scales help catch these issues early, when you can still fix them. You cannot manage what you don't measure correctly. Sources: Liu, L., et al. (2020). Heat stress impacts on broiler performance. Poultry Science, 99(11), 6205-6211. Son, J., et al. (2022). Effects of stocking density on growth performance under high temperature. Antioxidants, 11(5), 871. Zhou, Y., et al. (2020). Effects of ammonia exposure on growth performance and cytokines. Poultry Science, 99(5), 2485-2493. Quintana-Ospina, G. A., et al. (2023). Effect of environmental and farm-associated factors on live performance parameters. Animals, 13(21), 3312.

SPECIALTY SOY PROTEINS 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 In broilers, the first 7-10 days of life set the trajectory for the entire period. Growth achieved—or lost—during this early phase has a disproportionate effect on lifetime performance. What makes this period unique is the bird’s still-developing digestive system, particularly its 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐞𝐧𝐳𝐲𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲. During these early days, enzyme production is still developing. This means the bird cannot fully compensate for 𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢-𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 (𝐀𝐍𝐅𝐬) such as 𝐭𝐫𝐲𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬. When inhibitors block digestive enzymes, protein breakdown slows, amino acid availability declines, and the pancreas is forced to divert resources into overproduction. The cost is less efficient feed conversion and weaker early weight gain. Even modest digestive disruption has measurable effects. Chicks that fail to digest and absorb protein efficiently show lower uniformity, reduced early body weights, and a performance curve that never quite catches up. Once the starter phase is compromised, the recovery window is narrow with modern genetics that often go to market at 35-42 days of age. I’ve seen how nutritionists who prioritize digestibility early on often achieve more resilient flocks. By minimizing ANFs in starter feeds, they help chicks extract maximum nutrients during this vulnerable period. The payoff is stronger gut development, more efficient feed use, and improved lifetime growth curves. In my work as an external associate of HAMLET PROTEIN, I keep emphasizing that protein digestibility is not a technical footnote—it is the foundation for resilience and performance. Protein sources must not only meet amino acid requirements but also avoid placing unnecessary barriers in front of the young bird’s limited enzymatic capacity. Managing ANFs in the starter diet is not fine-tuning; it is setting the stage for everything that follows. #animalnutrition #soy #anf #feedindustry #poultryindustry #broilers Marisabel Caballero Claire RELANDEAU Cæcilie Brunsvig Sandfeld Megan Megan Bible Jes Klausen Glenn Alfred Ferriol Erik Visser

Ascites and Flip-Over Syndrome in Poultry Ascites and flip-over syndrome are metabolic disorders that mainly affect fast-growing broilers. These conditions are linked to rapid growth, poor ventilation, high energy diets, and stress. Although not caused by an infectious agent, they lead to major losses, especially in commercial broiler production. Cause Ascites develops when the bird’s heart and lungs cannot keep up with the rapid growth of the body. This leads to fluid build-up in the abdomen. Flip-over syndrome occurs when sudden heart failure causes a bird to fall on its back and die suddenly. Both conditions are strongly connected to: * Poor ventilation and low oxygen * Very fast growth rates * High-energy or high-fat diets * Overcrowding * High temperatures * Stress during brooding Symptoms Signs of ascites include: * Swollen abdomen filled with fluid * Difficulty breathing * Slow movement * Pale comb and wattles * Poor growth * Sudden deaths Signs of flip-over syndrome include: * Sudden death without warning * Birds found lying on their backs * Healthy appearance before death * More common in heavy broilers Prevention The best control measures focus on management. * Ensure good ventilation to supply enough oxygen. * Avoid overheating during brooding. * Use balanced feed to reduce excessively fast growth. * Keep stocking density within recommended limits. * Maintain good litter management. * Provide clean drinking water always. * Reduce stress by avoiding loud noises or sudden changes in the house. Treatment There is no specific treatment for ascites or flip-over syndrome. Once severe signs appear, affected birds rarely recover. Management focuses on preventing conditions that lead to the problem. * Improve ventilation immediately. * Reduce heating if temperatures are high. * Adjust feeding to control rapid early growth. * Remove severely affected birds to reduce suffering. Importance of Good Management These conditions show the importance of proper brooding, feeding, and ventilation practices. Well-managed poultry houses with balanced feed and good airflow experience much lower losses from ascites and flip-over.