Feed additives are non-nutritive substances included in poultry diets to improve productivity, health, feed efficiency, and egg quality. In layer production, where both bird performance and product quality directly affect profitability, feed additives play a crucial role in achieving optimal outcomes. They serve multiple functions, ranging from nutrient utilization to disease prevention and egg enrichment….
Brooding Phase (0–6 weeks) This is the most critical period for chicks as it sets the foundation for growth, immunity, and future egg production. Objectives: Nutrient Requirements (Starter Diet): Feeding Program: 2. Growing Phase (7–18 weeks) This phase focuses on achieving proper frame size, body weight, and sexual maturity without excess fat deposition. Objectives: Nutrient…
Challenges in Monsoon Weather High humidity (60–90%) reduces feed intake and increases mold growth in feed. Temperature fluctuations cause stress, affecting feed conversion and productivity. Poor feed storage conditions promote fungal growth, leading to mycotoxin contamination. Electrolyte imbalance due to heat and humidity causes reduced egg production. Increased disease risk (coccidiosis, respiratory infections, mycotoxicosis). Birds…
1. Introduction The monsoon season in Pakistan (July–September) brings high humidity, heavy rainfall, and fluctuating temperatures. These conditions increase the risk of feed spoilage, mycotoxin contamination, heat stress, and disease outbreaks in broilers. Optimal nutritional management during this period is critical to maintaining growth performance, feed efficiency, and flock health. 2. Challenges of Monsoon Feeding…
Key Challenges in Monsoon Feeding Fodder spoilage & mycotoxins. Warm, humid conditions accelerate mold growth on green fodders, silages, and concentrates, elevating risk of aflatoxins (AFB₁ in feed; AFM₁ in milk). Pakistan-based field work documents frequent AFM₁ contamination and even herd-level aflatoxicosis events, underscoring the need for strict feed hygiene and binders. ILRIPMCScienceDirect High humidity…
1. Sodium (Na) Functions Metabolism Practical Requirements (typical ranges) Deficiency Excess / Toxicity Major Dietary Sources Interactions Practical supplementation notes 2. Chloride (Cl) Functions Metabolism Practical Requirements (typical ranges) Deficiency Excess / Toxicity Major Dietary Sources Interactions Practical supplementation notes 3. Potassium (K) Functions Metabolism Practical Requirements (typical ranges) Deficiency Excess / Toxicity Major Dietary…
· Feed additives · Nutritional deficiencies and diseases · Anti-nutritional factors · Hot climate feeding management · Pre-breeder and breeder nutrition · Separate sex feeding Role of feed additives in layer feeds Enzymes: Phytase (1000–2000 FTU/kg) reliably improves P availability and supports performance; carbohydrases (xylanase, β-glucanase) enhance energy yield in wheat/barley diets. Probiotics/prebiotics (Lactobacillus, Bacillus,…
. Nutrient requirements of commercial and breeder layers · Feeding programs in brooding, growing, and laying phases · Feed restriction · Egg quality and production factors · Mineral and amino acid-energy ratios Nutrient requirements of commercial and breeder layers Modern commercial layers require diets formulated to meet their energy intake, digestible amino acids (AA), and…
Current Feeding Problems in Pakistan’s Dairy Sector Proposed Solutions
1. Precision Nutrition and AI-Driven Feed Formulation 2. Nanotechnology in Poultry Feed 3. Enzyme Technology and Customized Enzyme Cocktails 4. Microbiome Modulation and Gut Health Enhancers 5. Sustainable Alternative Proteins 6. Thermal Stress Nutrition Management 7. Smart Sensors and Digital Feed Monitoring 8. Feed Additives as Antibiotic Alternatives 9. Conclusion: Global poultry nutrition is moving…
Steps for better feed formulation for ruminants involve creating a balanced diet that meets the nutritional requirements of the animals based on factors such as age, weight, physiological status, production goals, and available feed ingredients. Here are the general steps for feed formulation of ruminants: 1. Identify Nutritional Requirements: 2. Assess Available Feed Ingredients: 3….
Amino acids, vitamins, and minerals play crucial roles in poultry production and health. They are essential nutrients that are required in specific quantities to support various physiological functions, growth, and overall well-being of poultry birds. In the context of nutraceuticals, these nutrients are not only essential for basic survival but also have specific health-promoting properties….
Sample preparation and handling are critical steps in laboratory analysis, as they directly impact the accuracy and reliability of the results. Proper handling ensures that the samples are not contaminated, degraded, or altered before analysis. Here are some general guidelines for sample preparation and handling in laboratory analysis: 1. Sample Collection: 2. Sample Preparation: 3….
Introduction Heat stress is a significant environmental stressor that affects poultry productivity, health, and welfare, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. When ambient temperatures rise above the thermoneutral zone (approximately 21–25°C for poultry), birds experience heat stress, resulting in reduced feed intake, poor growth performance, compromised immunity, and increased mortality. Nutritional strategies play a vital…
