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Know How / Layers / Feed and nutrition

Feed is the largest single cost for a poultry farm, and its formulation has a huge potential impact on bird performance. Furthermore, the need to remove antibiotics has led to a plethora of alternative products to supplement standard diets. Here, we cut through the marketing to discover which truly make a difference.

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Case studies

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LAYERS

How a layer producer is cutting carbon footprint with maggots

Millions of black soldier fly larvae, bred in a converted shipping container, are helping to boost the protein content of feed at a laying unit in Powys. The larvae are…

LAYERS

How poultry farm is saving 10% on feed costs with home mill

Milling grain from home-grown wheat and oats as feed for their 64,000 layers is making Allan and Nick Panniers’ free-range egg business more sustainable. Until 2016, they bought their feed from…

LAYERS

Rearer's advice on getting pullets off to a good start

Modern hybrid hens are genetically sophisticated and achieving their productive potential will only be possible if the development period from chick to hen is carefully managed. Attention to detail is…

FEED AND NUTRITION

Why home-mix rations are making a comeback on poultry farms

Market conditions are tough for free-range egg farmers and one of the ways to manage the risk of lower returns, is to take control of the largest input cost any…

FEED AND NUTRITION

Distillers' dried grains with solubles a viable feed

As part of the £2.6m Defra and industry-funded Link programme, “Environmental and Nutritional Benefits of Bioethanol Co-Products (Enbbio)”, recent trials, have proved that wheat distillers’ dried grains with solubles (wDDGS) can be…

Practical advice

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POULTRY

The benefits and uses of lucerne in poultry production

Lucerne is becoming more commonplace in UK poultry systems because of the benefits the crop provides to the welfare and productivity of flocks. Lucerne bales provide hens with important foraging…

POULTRY

Benefits of nutraceuticals for bird nutrition and health

Compound feed should contain everything a bird needs to grow successfully. However, other products – dubbed “nutraceuticals” – can be used to provide a boost to the bird’s nutrition and…

LAYERS

Advice on free-range layer rations, stage by stage

From early chick development to transition into laying, feeding birds the correct nutrition at every stage will help achieve the best possible performance and egg quality. Attention to detail is…

POULTRY

5 areas that can optimise feed efficiency in layer flocks

Feed ingredient prices are at their peak for this quarter, with the global market remaining firm in the face of the ongoing war in Ukraine, weather challenges, sanctions and huge…

POULTRY

6 key ways poultry farmers can control feed costs

Feed prices soared to almost 20% above the five-year average during 2021, driving up poultry farm costs and cutting margins. This has put feed management firmly under the spotlight for…

FEED AND NUTRITION

A poultry farmer's guide to using mycotoxin binders in feed

Fungi produce toxic substances, known as mycotoxins, as a form of defence against the environment. The development of mycotoxins is subject to specific environmental factors, such as warm temperatures, high…

Insights

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POULTRY

Which home-grown proteins may replace soya in poultry diets?

Soya is almost unique in its qualities as a source of highly digestible, high-protein, plant-based feed with a good amino acid profile.  It is also available year round and is…

POULTRY

Everything you need to know about poultry feed additives

According to the British Poultry Council’s latest report, overall antibiotics use on UK poultry meat units fell by more than 80% between 2012 and 2018, to a total of 16.2t.…

LAYERS

100% organic poultry rations: Challenges and solutions

Organic poultry production has long had a challenge in getting feed rations right. Farmers adopting the system accept that bird performance will be lower but, in theory, birds reared under…

POULTRY

Challenges ahead for insect protein in poultry diets

It is with increasing frequency that news comes from an enthusiastic start-up claiming the insect protein problem has been cracked. The idea is certainly an attractive one: turn waste products…

POULTRY

Soya sourcing - are poultry companies acting responsibly?

The World Wildlife Foundation has accused European feed companies – and the businesses they supply – of complacency when it comes to responsible soy sourcing. That the production of soy…

POULTRY

Insects could replace soya in poultry feed

It’s been said that a single pair of breeding flies could produce enough offspring to cover the globe to a depth of 47ft in less than six months, given unlimited…

LAYERS

Top tips for good egg shell quality

Second-quality eggs are a major drain on producers’ incomes, causing headaches throughout the supply chain. Between 6% and 8% of shells are broken, with other problems including pale eggs, ridges,…

POULTRY

Alternatives to soya for sustainable poultry feed

As questions are raised about the long-term use of soya meal in poultry rations, independent consultant Zoe Kay considers the alternatives. There is a movement within the poultry industry to…