Creger, C. R.

Hargis, Phillip

English

Texas A&M University

L-1535
FEEDING BROILERS
Phillip Hargis and C. R. Creger*
*Respectively, Extension poultry specialist; and Professor and
Head, Department of Poultry Science, The Texas A&M Universi-
ty System.
The most expensive item in the production of
broilers is feed. Feed represents about 70 to 75
percent of the cost of producing a broiler. Therefore,
it is extremely important that optimal feed conver-
sions be obtained. The following table shows how
differences in feed conversions influence feed costs.
From this we can see that 10 or 20 points differ-
ence in feed conversion significantly affects the feed
cost per bird. Management practices can greatly in-
fluence feed conversions. Feeding equipment and
practices, litter management, ventilation and disease
prevention all playa role. Close attention is necessary
to minimize feed wastage regardless of the feeding
system used. Periodic observations and adjustments
of chain speed, depth of feed in the trough, duration
of running time and trough height should be made to
minimize feed wastage with mechanical feeders. If
chain speed is too slow, the depth of feed in the
trough at the hopper will be too high, resulting in
Increased
Increase in amount of
feed conversion feed
(Ibs.)
.01 .04
.02 .08
.03 .12
.04 .16
.05 .20
.10 .40
.20 .80
Cumulative
Increased cost per bird (based
on a 4 lb. bird and feed at 8¢
per pound)
(cents)
.32
.64
.96
1.28
1.60
3.20
6.40
feed spillage. Running the feeder too long will cause
feed to pile up at the return to the hopper. The height
of the trough should be at the level of the back of the
bird, but not so high as to make feeding difficult. It is
a good practice to allow birds to clean out the feeders
between running periods. How often and how long
the feeders are run will depend on feeder chain
speed, length of feeder line, depth of feed in the
trough and age of the birds. The feeding schedule
should be determined by watching the birds and
adjusting feeding intervals and times to their re-
quirements.
Litter management can indirectly affect feed con-
versions, because disease problems may devel9P in a
flock when poor litter conditions are maintained. Wet
litter is an excellent medium for coccidial, fungal and
bacterial development. Birds grown on wet and caked
litter have an increased chance of developing coc-
cidiosis, enteritis or other diseases. Any disease that
destroys or injures the intestinal lining can drastically
affect feed conversions. When the intestinal lining is
destroyed or injured, the absorption of nutrients is
suppressed. All watering systems should be kept free
of leaks. When wet litter does occur, it should be
removed or stirred under. Caked litter should be
removed.
Proper ventilation is a part of good management.
Over-ventilation in cool weather lowers house tem-
peratures and can contribute significantly to ineffi-
cient feed utilization. Under-ventilation, on the other
hand, can result in poor house conditions leading to
poor growth and disease problems. During hot sum-
mer weather, air movement around the birds should
be maximized to reduce heat stress which can cause
substantial losses in the form of reduced growth rates
and poorer feed conversions. The broiler grower
should ventilate at a rate allowing an optimum bal-
ance between air exchange and an increase in air
temperature. Since houses and even locations within
a given area differ in ventilation characteristics, each
producer should become acquainted with his own
particular situation.
27.11
Texas Agricultural Extension service • The Texas A&M University System • Zerle L. Carpenter, Director • College Station, Texas
Feeding the Birds
By the manipulation of amino acids and energy
levels of the diet, and with proper management, it is
possible to obtain average weights of 4 pounds per
bird with a feed conversion of two or less at approxi-
mately 49 days of age during the fall and spring
months. In winter months, more feed is required to
maintain body temperature when houses are not
properly heated or ventilated.
The accompanying broiler starter, grower and
finisher formulas have given excellent performance in
practical use. Appropriate modification of the grain
and protein sources can be made, depending on their
price and availability.
Protein
For maximum performance, broiler starter for-
mulas should contain approximately 22 percent pro-
tein from sources that will provide a balanced mixture
of the essential acids required by the chick. The
broiler starter is normally fed for the first three weeks
(or two pounds offeed per bird), then a broiler grower
is fed until the birds are approximately 42 days old.
After this, they are fed a non-medicated finisher diet.
Pigmentation
Individual market and consumer preference dic-
tates the degree of skin pigmentation desired. Pig-
Table 1. Broiler feed formulas.
mentation can be decreased by acute or chronic
disease problems. Pigmenting ingredients include
yellow corn, dehydrated alfalfa meal and corn gluten
meal. Pigmentation in the birds can be increased by
raising the level of these ingredients in the formulas.
Vitamins
To insure adequate amounts of micro-nutrients,
the manufacturer's recommended levels of vitamin
premix per ton of finished feed should be added. This
premix should contain: stabilized vitamin A,
7,000,000 IV; vitamin D3 , 2,000,000 leU; vitamin E,
5,000 IV; riboflavin, 4 grams; D-calcium pantothe-
nate, 10 grams; niacin, 30 grams; vitamin B12, 12
milligrams; choline chloride, 454 grams; menadione
sodium bisulfite (vitamin K), 2 grams; and Biotin 25-
30 mg.
Coccidiostat
A good coccidiostat should be included in every
broiler diet. The choice of a specific one usually is
determined after experience has shown which gives
the best results for the local situation. Every coc-
cidiostat should be used according to the directions of
the manufacturer, including withdrawal where neces-
sary.
Starter Grower Finisher
Ingredients 0-21 days 21-42 days 42-49 days
Yellow corn (9%) 1273.00 1383.40 1487.20
Soybean meal (50%) 492.00 400.00 330.00
MIS meal 50% 163.00 145.00 115.00
Defluorinated rock phosphate
(18%,32% Ca) 10.00
Stabilized fat 52.00 56.00 60.00
Salt 4.00 4.00 4.00
MnS04 0.50 0.50 0.50
ZnS04 0.50 0.50 0.50
Vitamin mix
DL-Methionine (98%) or
equivalent amount of MHA 3.00 3.60 3.80
Coccidiostat 2.00 2.00
CaC03 5.00 4.00
Protein, % 22.30 20.00 18.00
Calories (ME/lb.) 1450.00 1475.00 1500.00
Methionine, % + cystine 0.86 0.82 0.78
Lysine, % 1.20 1.03 0.88
Calcium, % 0.94 0.93 0.86
Phosphorus, % (Total) 0.76 0.70 0.62
Xanthophylls (mg./lb.) 7.00 7.58 8.08
·Use vitamin supplier's recommended level of vitamin premix (usually 1 to 5 pounds per ton).
Educational programs conducted by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service serve people ofall ages regardless ofsocioeconomic level, race,
color, sex, religion, handicap or national origin.
Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, The Texas A&M University System and the United States Department of
Agriculture cooperating. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8, 1914, as amended, and June 30, 1914.
1M-6-82 PS 1-2


Feeding Broilers.

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Feeding Broilers.

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