HOUSING SYSTEMS BIOSECURITY HOUSING & BROODING EARLY MANAGEMENT LIGHTING NUTRITION HEALTH HATCHING EGG MANAGEMENT 79 79 LOHMANN › MANAGEMENT GUIDE FEED INTAKE Feed usually makes up 60–75% of production costs, with energy making up 70–75% of that amount In poultry, although metabolisable energy has certain limitations, it is the most commonly used system. Hens obtain energy from dietary nutrients, primarily carbohydrates (e.g., starch), lipids (e.g., oils and fats), and protein (NRC 1994). Hence, the need for a proper evaluation of the raw materials included in the formulation. Hens exhibit responses to the energy content of their feed; therefore, accurately assessing their energy requirements is essential. The energy intakes are determined by the following factors: Feed intake – in cage-free production Production level / daily egg mass (g mass/bird/day) A higher performance (higher egg mass production) will require higher nutrient intake (mg of nutrient/hen/day). Energy, feed density Although today's hens are less responsive to the energy level of the diet (especially when switching to a higher energy diet), practically we can consider that higher energy feed results in lower feed intake and vice versa. Feather condition Health status Feed presentation and particle size Finer particle sizes lead to lower intake, while excessively coarse particle sizes result in feed selection. See the section on feed structure and presentation. Nutritional Imbalances In addition to the hen's potential and previously mentioned factors, feed intake can be affected by limited availability of nutrients in the diet. Hens may eat more to compensate for deficiencies, resulting in excess energy consumption and fat accumulation. Environmental temperature Lower environmental temperatures raise energy demand for thermoregulation, while higher temperatures decrease it. Feather condition also affects this relationship. Live weight of the birds (g/bird) Higher body weight, higher energy requirement due to maintenance. Average daily gain (g/bird/day) FACTORS DETERMINING ENERGY INTAKES Implementing an effective feed distribution programme and early encouragement to feed at least once a day to an empty trough, may increase average retention time and feed-holding capacity of both the crop and gizzard therefore promoting higher feed intake capacity which will optimise the performance level of pullets and layers.
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