LOHMANN BREEDERS - Management Guide Parent Stock

90 90 RECOMMENDED NUTRIENT LEVELS LOHMANN breeders are known for their high reproductive capacity, which in itself demands a significant demand for nutrients. Therefore it is important to avoid any kind of feed restriction, as it may negatively affect both male and female reproduction rates, welfare, and overall health. Ensuring consistent uniformity and adhering to body weight goals are crucial for parent stock. When evaluating breeder’s performance, it is important to consider feed composition, feed form, feeding management, and overall management collectively. Economic analysis of the entire breeder production cycle indicates that minor enhancements in breeder or chick performance can offset the costs associated with improving nutrient levels in breeder feed. Generally, providing a high-quality diet for parent stock is economically advantageous. Breeder flocks must be fed based on egg mass, which is calculated by multiplying the percentage of lay (the proportion of hens laying eggs) by the average egg weight (optimally between 58–61 g). This is crucial for optimising their health and productivity. FORMULATION DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DIET CONCENTRATION AND NUTRIENT INTAKE „Diets should be balanced according to the intake of digestible nutrients. „An excess or deficiency of any key nutrient can negatively affect the overall performance of the flock and their offspring. „By monitoring and adjusting their diet, producers can ensure the birds receive the necessary nutrients. Proper nutrition directly impacts egg size, quality, and production efficiency. „By prioritizing egg mass, producers can achieve the maximum reproductive potential of their birds while ensuring their health and wellbeing. „Note that feed recommendations are based on reference body weights provided below the nutritional tables, environmental temperature (20 °C), and optimal feather condition. Any change in these will result in a change in daily energy needs and therefore in feed consumption. „The nutrient levels in a diet refer to the concentration of essential nutrients (typically expressed in % or ppm), such as crude protein, vitamins, and minerals, formulated to meet the specific needs of parent stock birds. These levels are calculated to ensure optimal health and productivity. „On the other hand, nutrient intake refers to the actual amount of these nutrients (mg/hen/day) consumed by the birds, which can vary based on factors like feed intake, feed macro- and microstructure, and individual bird health. „While the recipe provides nutrient levels, the intake determines the effectiveness of the diet in meeting the birds' nutritional requirements. LOHMANN › MANAGEMENT GUIDE › NUTRITION › PRODUCTION PERIOD

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