Objective
The objective of a defined feeding program is to supply a range of balanced diets that satisfy the nutrient requirements of broilers at all stages of their development and that optimize efficiency and profitability without compromising bird welfare or the environment.
The drinking and feeding systems employed, together with the management of those systems, will impact feed and water intake, thereby affecting bird performance and efficiency.
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Principles
Feed is a major component of the total cost of broiler production. To support optimum performance, formulate broiler rations to give the correct balance of energy, protein and amino acids, minerals, vitamins and essential fatty acids. The choice of feeding program will depend on the target of the business; for instance whether the focus is on maximizing profitability of live birds or optimizing yield of carcass components.
Recommended nutrient levels and feed programs can be found in the current Arbor Acres Broiler Nutrition Specifications, which offers further information on:
The choice of feeding program for a range of production and market situations.
Optimum levels of dietary digestible amino acid levels for growth efficiency, processing yield and profitability.
Supply of Nutrients
Energy
Broilers require energy for growth of tissue, maintenance and activity.
Carbohydrate sources, such as corn and wheat, and various fats or oils are the major source of energy in poultry feeds. Energy levels in diets are expressed in Mega joules (MJ/kg) or kilocalories (kcal/kg or kcal/lb) of metabolizable Energy (ME), as this represents the energy available to the broiler.
Protein
Feed proteins, such as those in cereals and soybean meal, are complex compounds that are broken down by digestion into amino acids. These amino acids are absorbed and assembled into body proteins that are used in the construction of body tissue, e.g. muscles, nerves, skin and feathers.
Dietary crude protein levels do not indicate the quality of the proteins in feed ingredients. Diet protein quality is based on the level, balance and digestibility of essential amino acids in the final mixed feed.
The Arbor Acres broiler is particularly responsive to dietary digestible amino acid levels and will respond well, in terms of growth, feed efficiency and profitability, to diets properly balanced as recommended.
Higher levels of digestible amino acids have been shown to improve profitability by increasing broiler performance and processing yield. This becomes particularly important when broilers are grown for portioning or de-boning.
Macro Minerals
The provision of the correct levels of the major minerals in the appropriate balance is important for high-performing broilers. The macro minerals involved are calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and chloride.
Calcium and phosphorus: Calcium in the diet of broilers influences growth, feed efficiency, bone development, leg health, nerve function and the immune system. It is vital that calcium is supplied in adequate quantities and on a consistent basis. Phosphorus, like calcium, is required in the correct form and quantity to optimize skeletal structure and growth.
Sodium, potassium and chloride: These minerals are needed for general metabolic functions. Shortages can affect feed intake, growth and blood pH. Excess levels of these minerals result in increased water intake and subsequent poor litter quality.
Trace Minerals and Vitamins
Trace minerals and vitamins are needed for all metabolic functions.
Appropriate vitamin and trace mineral supplementation depends on the feed ingredients used, the feed manufacturer and local circumstances.
Due to differences in vitamin levels of various cereals, the level of supplementation of some vitamins must be modified. Accordingly, separate recommendations are usually proposed for some vitamins, depending on the cereals (e.g. wheat versus maize) upon which the diets are based.
Enzymes
Enzymes are now being routinely used in poultry feeds to improve digestibility of feed ingredients. In general, feed enzymes that act on carbohydrates, proteins and plant-bound minerals are available.
Key Points
Use recommended digestible amino acid levels for optimum broiler performance.
Ensure high-quality protein sources are used.
Provide the correct levels of the major minerals in the appropriate balance.
Vitamin and mineral supplementation depends on feed ingredients used, feed manufacturing practices and local circumstances.
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Feeding Program
Starter Feeds
The objective of the brooding period (0–10 days of age) is to establish good appetite and maximum early growth in order to meet the Arbor Acres 7-day body-weight objective. It is recommended that a Broiler Starter feed be fed for 10 days. The Starter represents a small proportion of the total feed cost and decisions on Starter formulation should be based primarily on performance and profitability rather than purely on diet cost.
The benefit of maximizing nutrient intake on early broiler growth and subsequent performance is well established. Feeding broilers the recommended nutrient density will ensure optimal growth is established during this critical period of life.
Grower Feeds
Broiler Grower feed is generally fed for 14 to 16 days following the Starter.
Starter to Grower transition will involve a change of texture from crumbs/ mini-pellets to pellets. Depending on the pellet size produced, it may be necessary to feed the first delivery of Grower as crumbs or mini-pellets.
During this time broiler growth continues to be dynamic. It therefore needs to be supported by adequate nutrient intake. For optimum feed intake, growth and FCR, provision of the correct diet nutrient density (especially energy and amino acids) is critical.
Finisher Feeds
Broiler Finisher feeds account for the major volume and cost of feeding a broiler. It is therefore important that feeds are designed to maximize financial return for the type of products being produced.
Finisher feeds should be given from 25 days until processing. Birds slaughtered later than 42–43 days of age should be given a second Finisher feed specification from 42 days onward.
The use of either one or more broiler Finisher feeds will depend on:
Desired slaughter weight.
Length of the production period.
Design of the feeding program.
Withdrawal periods for drugs will dictate the use of a special Withdrawal Finisher feed. A Withdrawal feed should be fed for sufficient time prior to slaughter to eliminate the risk of pharmaceutical product residues in the meat. Statutory withdrawal periods for prescribed medicines that are specified in product data sheets must be followed. It is not recommended that extreme dietary nutrient reductions be made during the withdrawal period.
Key Points
It is recommended to feed the Starter diet for 10 days. Decisions on Starter feed formulation should be based on performance and profitability.
The Grower feed must ensure that nutrient intake supports the dynamic growth during this period.
Broiler Finisher feeds should be formulated to maximize financial return and be adjusted for bird age, but extreme nutrient withdrawal is not recommended.
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Feed Form and Physical Feed Quality
Broiler growth and efficiency of feed use will generally be better if the Starter feed is crumbs or mini-pellets and the Grower and Finisher feeds are pelleted (Table 2.1). Depending on pellet size fed, it may be necessary to deliver the first delivery of Grower feed as crumbs or mini-pellets.
Poor quality crumbs and pellets will reduce feed intake and performance. On the farm, pay attention during handling to reduce breakage of crumbs and pellets.

Table 2.1: Form of feed by age in broilers
Age Feed Form and Size
0–10 dayssieved crumbs or mini-pellets
11–24 days2–3.5 mm (0.08–0.125 in) diameter pellets or coarse grinded mash
25 days to processing 3.5 mm (0.125 in) diameter pellets or coarse grinded mash

Good quality crumbled and pelleted feeds are preferred to mash feed, however if feeding a mash feed, feed particles should be sufficiently coarse and uniform in size. Mash feeds may benefit from the inclusion of some fat in the formulation to reduce dustiness and improve homogenicity of feed components.
Key Points
Poor physical feed quality will have a negative impact on broiler performance.
Use good quality crumbled and pelleted feed for optimum performance.
When feeding mash, ensure a coarse uniform particle size is achieved. Minimize fine particle (<1 mm/<0.04 in) levels to less than 10%.
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Whole-wheat Feeding
The feeding of compound feed with whole wheat may reduce feed costs per ton. However, this must be offset against loss of eviscerated and breast meat yield.
In formulating the compound or balancer feed, precisely account for the level of inclusion of whole wheat. If an appropriate adjustment is not made, live bird performance will be compromised, as the diet will now have an inappropriate nutrient balance. Safe inclusion guides are given in Table 2.2.
Table 2.2: Safe inclusion rates of whole wheat in broiler rations
Ration Inclusion rate of wheat
Starter 0%
Grower gradual increase to 10%*
Finisher gradual increase to 15%*
* Higher inclusions of wheat are possible if fed in combination with higher concentration compound or balancer feeds.
Remove whole wheat from the feed 2 days before catching to avoid problems of contamination during evisceration at the processing plant.
Key Point
Dilution of diets with whole wheat may reduce performance if the compound feed is not properly adjusted.
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Feed and Heat Stress
Correct nutrient levels and balance, together with the use of feed ingredients with higher levels of digestibility, will help to minimize the effect of heat stress.
Providing optimum crumb and pellet textures will minimize the energy expended to eat the feed and thereby reduce the heat generated during feeding. Optimum feed form will also improve feed acceptability and help compensatory feed intake to occur during cooler periods.
Providing an increase in feed energy from feed fats (rather than carbohydrates) during hot weather has been shown to be beneficial in some situations due to reducing the heat increment of the diet.
Readily available cool, low-salt water is the most critical nutrient during heat stress.
Strategic use of vitamins and electrolytes, either through the feed or water, will help the bird deal with environmental stresses.
Key Points
Providing the correct nutrient levels and using more digestible ingredients will help to minimize the effects of heat stress.
Optimal feed form will minimize heat stress and allow compensatory feed intake to occur.
Provide cool, low-salt water.
Ensure feed is available to the birds during the coolest part of the day.
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Environment
Nitrogen and ammonia emissions can be reduced by minimizing excess crude protein levels in the feed. This is achieved by formulating diets to balanced recommended levels of digestible essential amino acids, rather than to minimum crude protein levels.
Phosphorus excretion rates can be reduced by feeding closely to the bird’s requirement and utilizing phytase enzymes.
Key Points
Formulating feeds to balanced levels of digestible essential amino acids will minimize nitrogen excretion.
Phosphorus excretion can be minimized by feeding closely to the bird’s requirements.
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Litter Quality
Litter quality directly affects the health of the bird. Lower moisture levels in the litter help to reduce respiratory stress by reducing the amount of ammonia in the atmosphere. Good quality litter will also reduce the incidence of foot pad dermatitis.
With suitable management, health and environmental practices, the following nutritional strategies will help to maintain good litter quality:
Avoid excessive levels of crude protein in diets.
Avoid high salt/sodium levels, as this will increase bird water intake and cause wet litter.
Avoid using poorly digestible or high fiber feed ingredients in the diets.
Provide good-quality feed fats/oils in the diet, as this helps avoid enteric disorders which produce wet litter.

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