Animal Nutrition Handbook Section 12: Poultry Nutrition and Feeding Page 316

POULTRY NUTRITION AND FEEDING

C References: Jurgens (2002) & NRC (1994) as the main sources with Hooge (1998) in
Kellems and Church (1998), Waldroup, P. W. [2001. Dietary nutrient allowances for
chickens and turkeys. Feedstuffs 73(29):56-65], and Larbier and Leclercq [1992.
Translation by J. Wiseman (1994)].

INTRODUCTION

1. Poultry Nutrition in General

A. Poultry - Any of the domesticated and commercialized types of birds used for
production of eggs and(or) meat for human food (. . . also for other purposes though!).

B e.g., Chickens, turkeys, pigeons, peafowl, ducks, geese, upland game birds (quail,
pheasant, partridges . . .) and ratites (ostriches, emu . . .).

B. Chickens, turkeys and laying hens have been commercially produced in the confinement
system for more than 70 years:

1) For each species, the NRC includes suggested requirements for 14 amino acids, 12
minerals, 13 vitamins, and one fatty acid.
2) Should be aware that those recommendations are based on limited and, sometimes,
very old information (especially true with some vitamins & trace minerals).
3) Thus, many gaps in the information pool for optimum production exist.

2. Commercial Poultry Production/Industry

A. Has been an innovator and applicator of advancing technology and knowledge to keep
meat and egg prices relatively constant for decades.
B. Feed? Feed cost is the largest single item in poultry production & accounts for 60 to
75% of the total production cost . . . from hatching eggs to processing plant.

1) Much emphasis has been placed on least-cost feed formulation and getting the
lowest feed cost per unit of salable product.
2) To do so, necessary to refine energy and nutrient requirements, disease control,
genetic improvement, and housing & equipment.
3) All those efforts led to steady improvements in growth rate, feed conversion, and
livability under intensive commercial conditions.

POULTRY DIETS IN GENERAL

1. Diet Formulation - Steps involved poultry diet formulation are similar to formulating diets
for pigs.

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Animal Nutrition Handbook Section 12: Poultry Nutrition and Feeding Page 317

2. Feed Ingredients and Additives

A. Corn and soybean meal - Usually the most plentiful and lowest-cost sources of energy
and well-balanced protein, thus extensively used, especially in the US.
B. Fish meals and meat meals - Good sources of protein and amino acids, and also contain
bone, which is a source of highly available Ca and P. Add 2 to 5% of the diet depending
on their prices.
C. Ca & P - Major minerals. Only 30 to 40% of plant P is non-phytin P, which is available
to poultry. Should either increase the availability somehow or supplement with inorganic
sources.
D. Salt - 0.2 to 0.5% is added to most poultry diets.
E. Supplemental lipids (up to 5% of the diet) - May increase energy utilization through a
reduced passage rate an others? Also, can reduce the heat increment.
F. Yellow pigmentation - Use as much yellow corn as possible plus good sources of
xanthophyll, such as alfalfa meal or corn gluten meal, for the yellow coloration of the
shanks, feet, skin, and egg yolks?
G. Non-nutritive additives are used for a variety of reasons - e.g., antibiotics (to stimulate
growth & control diseases), arsenicals and nitrofurans (to improve performance),
antiparasitic compounds, antioxidative, and antifungal compounds.

ENERGY AND NUTRIENTS FOR POULTRY

1. Energy, Protein and Amino Acids

A. Energy requirement:

1) Comfort zone - . 68 to 82F (20 to 27.8C):

a) Can expect "optimum" metabolic activity, i.e., no panting,

cold stress, etc.
b) But, very young birds need a warmer temperature until they can maintain their
body temperature at about 10 d of age. [Fgure - "Thermo-neutral temperature
of the young bird (Larbier & Leclercq, 1992)"]
L Thus, younger birds
can tolerate heat-
stress better -
Broilers over 4 wk
& turkeys over 10
wk of age are most
susceptible to heat
stress!

2) Impossible to set the energy requirement in terms of unit/kg diet because birds
adjust their feed intake to achieve the daily energy intake? [Figure - Effect of the
energy density on feed intake (Larbier & Leclercq, 1992)]

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Animal Nutrition Handbook Section 12: Poultry Nutrition and Feeding Page 318

B. Protein requirement?

1) Dietary energy content must be specified to maintain the proper ratio of protein to
energy so that birds can consume an adequate amount of protein.
2) The protein requirement or amino acid requirements can be defined accurately only
in relation to the energy density. Also, the degree of fat deposition in meat
producing birds can be affected by the relationship.
3) Ideal protein concept? - See Section 7 on "Protein."
4) Some variability in the optimal protein:energy concept?

a) Some combinations of fats and carbohydrates have a protein-sparing effect.

b) Perhaps, deliberately altered in some instances to influence fat deposition.

C. Methionine would be the first-limiting amino acid in grain & soybean meal diets, but Lys
is likely to become the first-limiting amino acid if soybean meal is replaced by another
plant protein supplement such as cottonseed meal.
D. Restricting protein/amino acids (& energy) to retard growth (e.g., pullets of modern
broiler strains grow at a rapid rate and also mature sexually at an early age)?

1) Necessary to retard growth and delay the onset of sexual maturity to optimize the
egg production and the production of viable chicks.
2) Feeding programs to retard growth?

a) From the beginning of the 7th or 9th wk, limit the total feed allowed per bird per
day (to 70%?) - Continue until placing on the standard laying diet at the
beginning of the 23rd wk.
b) Feed the birds on the "skip-a-day program" from the 7th or 9th wk to the 23rd
wk - Allows the pullets all the feed they will consume on one day and only 2 lb
of grain per 100 birds on the alternate day.
c) Use a diet containing only 10 to 10.5% protein - Feed from the beginning of
the 7th or 9th wk until placing on the laying diet.
d) Use a diet that contains 0.40 to 0.45% Lys and 0.60 to 0.70% Arg after the 7th
or 9th wk (12.5 to 13% CP) - Imbalance of amino acids would depresses
"appetite!"

2. Vitamins

A. Vitamin & trace mineral supplementation? Contributions to the overall feed cost are not
much ($2.50 to 7.50/ton), but vitamins & minerals play major roles in the metabolic
functions of poultry.
B. Because of the variations in the content, availability, and stability, premixes are
formulated to assure adequacy, rather than just satisfying the NRC recommendations -
See "Recommended supplemental vitamins for various classes of poultry (per ton of
complete feed (Waldrop, 2001)."

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Animal Nutrition Handbook Section 12: Poultry Nutrition and Feeding Page 319

C. Vitamin D - Expressed in
ICU, which are based on
the activity of D3 because
birds do not use D2.
(Turkeys are especially
sensitive!)
D. Vitamin E -
Requirements vary
greatly depending on
dietary lipids, Se, and antioxidant.
E. Some vitamins that were thought to be adequate in feeds and feed ingredients in the
past, but may be questioned? - Perhaps, associated with the processing method (e.g., the
use of expanders in mills for steam-conditioning feed to reduce/eliminate Salmonella)?

1) Folacin and biotin - Now added to some turkey diets to prevent the deficiency.
2) Niacin - May be required for laying and breeding hens. But, the requirement is so
low that it will always be exceeded by natural feed ingredients?

F. Choline:

1) Growing chickens can use betaine interchangeably with choline for the methylation
function, but it cannot replace choline to prevent perosis. Still, can spare choline!
2) Also, vitamin B12 can reduce the choline requirement.

3. Minerals

A. See some comments for

vitamins in general and the
table containing the
recommended
supplemental trace
minerals (per pound of mixed feed; Waldroup, 2001).
B. Ca - Perhaps, more difficult one to define the requirement, and the problem cannot be
solved by simply adding a generous amount simply because excess Ca interferes with
utilization of P, Mg, Mn, and Zn and it can reduce palatability of the diet.
C. Inorganic P - A greater availability vs. phytin P, but some variations in the availability.
D. The use of phytase in poultry diets has been increasing in recent years.
E. Trace minerals - Ones complexed with amino acids or protein have increased in
commercial use in recent years because of higher availability, e.g., Zn-Met & Se-Met.

4. Unidentified Nutrients?

A. With the identification of vitamins & considering some findings on the essentiality or
significance of some trace mineral elements, many are disregarding the importance of so
called, "unidentified growth factors."

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Animal Nutrition Handbook Section 12: Poultry Nutrition and Feeding Page 320

B. Still some responses? - Attributable to "truly" unidentified nutrient(s), or more likely to

changes in feed palatability and(or) quality, mineral chelation, or simple improvement in
the balance of available nutrients (NRC, 1994)?

5. Some Additives (Briefly mentioned some in the Introduction)

A. Antibiotics - Since 1950 or so, several Xanthophyll and Lutein content (mg/kg): (NRC, 1994)
antibiotics have become important additives in 444444444444444444444444444444444444444
Ingredients Xanthophyll Lutein
broiler and market turkey feeds to improve )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Alfalfa meal, 17% CP 220 143
growth rate and feed efficiency. Also, egg Alfalfa meal, 22% CP 330 -
Alfalfa protein concetrate, 40% CP 800 -
production may be improved with dietary Algae meal 2,000 -
Corn 17 0.12
supplementation. Corn gluten meal, 60% CP 290 120
B. Antioxidants - Compounds used to prevent Marigold petal meal 7,000
)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
-

oxidative rancidity in fat, e.g., BHT, BHA &

ethoxyquin.
C. Grits - Hard insoluble or soluble particles, which remain trapped in the thick-muscled
gizzard to facilitate grinding of feed. e.g., oyster or clam shells, limestone, gravel,
pebbles or granite products. When mash or finely ground feeds are used, the value of
grits is diminished.
D Xanthophylls - Produce a deep yellow color in the beak, skin, shanks, feet, fat, and egg
yolks of poultry. Many consumers believe that a deep yellow color of broiler skin/shanks
and egg yolks is indicative of top quality. (See the table)

VARIOUS POULTRY DIETS

1. Starter Diets [e.g., See the table (Hooge, 1998)]

A. Usually fed first 2 to 3 wk to chickens and 2 to 4 wk to turkeys.

B. Higher energy and nutrient contents vs. others, especially protein/amino acids, but
Leghorn-type pullets are fed diets with lower protein until 6 wk or so.
C. Include high doses of antibiotics to reduce mortality and initiate more rapid growth and
also a suitable coccidiostat.

2. Broiler Diets

A. Fed as a complete feed to meat-type birds - May be fed in crumbles or pelleted form.
B. A higher vitamin supplementation to meet the added requirements for growth under the
stressful conditions encountered in the average broiler operation.
C. May contain 3 to 5% added fat to increase the energy content and the protein content is
adjusted to maintain an optimum protein:calorie ratio.
D. Fortified with antibiotics and should contain a coccidiostat.
E. Generally, two types: grower diets, fed from 3 wk to 6 wk of age, and finisher or
withdrawal diets, fed from 6 wk to market age.

3. Turkey Growing and Finishing Diets

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Animal Nutrition Handbook Section 12: Poultry Nutrition and Feeding Page 321

A. Similar to broiler diets and fed as a complete feed to meat-type birds.

B. Generally, use diets with a different CP content for 4- 8, 8-12, 12-16, 16-20 wk, and
over 20 wk of age.

4. Growing Diets and Developers for Leghorn-Type Chickens

A. Designed to be fed to the replacement stock from 6 wk to sexual maturity.

B. Two types: 1) Complete feed, mash or pelleted - Generally lower in protein than starter
diets, and 2) Mash concentrate - Fed with varying amounts of grain to meet the needs.

5. Laying Diets for Leghorn-Type Examples of broiler starter, turkey starter, and caged layer peak egg
Chickens production feedsa [Hooge (1998) in Kellems & Church (1998)]
444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444
Broiler Turkey Layer
Starter Starter Peak
A. Diets fed to mature hens during Item (%) (%) (%)
egg production (e.g., see the table). )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Ingredient
B. Two ways/types: 1) complete feed Corn, yellow 56.45 47.75 60.50
- mash or pelleted, and 2) mash Soybean meal (47.5% CP) 27.33 38.83 21.50
Meat and bone meal (50% CP) 7.00 - 5.09
concentrate to be fed with a Meat meal (56% CP) - 9.50 -
specified amount of grain or mixed Bakery by-product 6.00 - -
Animal-vegetable fat 1.82 0.31 3.00
with grain & soybean meal. Limestone (or oyster shell) 0.49 0.81 8.66
C. The salt content may be decreased Dicalcium phosphate 0.13 1.54 0.49
Salt 0.10 0.09 0.20
to reduce the incidence of wet Sodium bicarbonate 0.20 0.20 0.20
droppings. Copper sulfate 0.05 0.05 -
Vitamin-mineral premix 0.25 0.25 0.25
D. Cage fatigue? - Perhaps, the result DL-methionine (99%) 0.17 0.24 0.11
L-Iysine HCI (78.4% lysine) - 0.23 -
of a Ca deficiency? If so, the Ca Bacitracin-MD (50 g/lb)' 0.05 0.05 -
content should be increased, or Coban (monensin) 30 g/lb - 0.10 -
Nicarbazin (25%) 0.05 - -
provide a Ca source on a free Liquid mold inhibitor 0.05 0.05 -
choice basis. Calculated analysis
Protein, % (N x 6.25) 22.50 28.00 18.00
E. Hens producing hatching eggs? - ME, kcal/lb 1425 1280 1320
Should be fed a more highly Lysine, % 1.21 1.80 0.94
Methionine + cystine, % 0.92 1.10 0.71
fortified feed (especially, vitamins) Ca, % 0.95 1.45 3.80
than hens kept merely for Available P, %
Na,%
0.48
0.20
0.83
0.19
0.45
0.18
commercial egg production. K, % 0.83 0.94 0.68
Cl,% 0.25 0.24 0.19
F. Increase protein and vitamins )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
during the period of stress or a
CP = crude protein; ME = metabolizable energy; N = nitrogen.
slumps in egg production. Also,
use a higher dose of an antibiotic or
a combination of antibiotics?

MAJOR INGREDIENTS FOR POULTRY DIETS

1. Selecting Feedstuffs - Considerations?

A. Nutrient availability? - Affected by the fiber content, fat content, and amino acid balance.

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Animal Nutrition Handbook Section 12: Poultry Nutrition and Feeding Page 322

B. Palatability? - Affected by the moisture content, contaminants, feed preparation (whole

vs. ground), and color or light reflections.
C. The content of growth inhibitors or undesirable chemicals or pigments.
D. The cost and market availability of feedstuffs.

2. Energy Sources

A. Grains - Corn is the most important & widely used. Also, milo, wheat, barley, and oats
are being used, but, perhaps, inferior to corn in the relative value.
B. Grain by-products - Including various milling by-products (e.g., corn gluten & bran, and
wheat processing by-products), brewery by-products, etc.
C. Molasses - Used as a source of energy but have an adverse laxative effect, thus should
be limited to not more than 2% of the diet.
D. Vegetable & animal fats - Used as energy sources, but also reduce feed dustiness,
increase palatability, and improve texture and appearance of the feed.

3. Protein/Amino Acid Sources

A. Plant sources

1) Soybean meal - Most widely used because of its ability to provide indispensable
amino acids; high in digestibility and low in toxic or undesirable substances.
2) Cottonseed meal:

1) Generally not used for layer diets because of: a) gossypol, which can cause a
mottling and greenish cast to egg yolks, and b) cyclopropenoic fatty acids,
which can impart a pink color to egg whites.
2) May be used to replace up to 50% of the soybean meal in grower poultry diets.

3) Linseed meal - Can use a limited amount but may depress growth and cause
diarrhea. Should not exceed 3 to 5% of the poultry diet.
4) Alfalfa meal and corn gluten meal - Used extensively, both for their high content of
carotenoids. Both should be limited to not more than 10%.

B. Animal sources

1) Fish meals - Often used at 2 to 5% of the diet, but high in fat & tend to create a
fishy flavor in meat and eggs when used in larger amounts.
2) Meat products (animal by-products, poultry meal, blood meal, hydrolyzed poultry
feather) - Often economically priced, thus may replace an equal amount of soybean
meal protein up to about 10% of the diet. Excellent sources of Ca & P.

4. Mineral Sources

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Animal Nutrition Handbook Section 12: Poultry Nutrition and Feeding Page 323

A. Ca - Common supplements are ground limestone, crushed oyster shells or oyster shell
flour, bone meal, and dicalcium phosphate.
B. P - Common supplements are bone meal, dicalcium phosphate, deflourinated rock
phosphate, monosodium phosphate, and rock phosphate.
C. Salt - Common to add 0.2 to 0.5%. Too much salt will result in increased water
consumption and wet droppings.

5. Vitamin Sources

A. Unlike in the past, a wide variety of feedstuffs are not included in poultry diets for their
vitamin content.
B. Vitamin premixes are commonly used to satisfy the vitamin needs.

6. Diet Preparation

A. Most poultry feeds are: 1) mash - grind medium to fine, 2) pellets - composed of mash
feeds that are pelleted, and 3) crumbles - produced by rolling pellets.
B. Pellets or crumbles - Cost slightly more, but can reduce feed wastage & sorting, adapted
to automatic equipment, less feeder and storage space, and improve palatability.

FEEDING PROGRAMS

1. Broilers

A. Broiler chicks - Fed ad libitum for 42 to 56 d to an average weight of 4 to 5 lb.

B. Feed represent 60 to 75% of total production cost. Fed conversion - about 2.0?
C. Use a 3-stage feeding program (starter, grower and finisher) - The starter for the first 2
to 3 wk, the grower for about 2 wk, and the finisher for the remainder.

2. Replacement Pullets

A. Generally divided into three stages:

1) Starter with 18-20% CP & about 3,000 kcal ME/kg from 0 to 6 wk of age.
2) Grower with 14-16% CP & about 3,000 kcal ME/kg from 6 to 12 wk of age.
3) Developer with 12 to 14% CP & about 3,000 kcal ME/kg from 12 wk of age until
lay (approximately 20 wks).

B. Leghorn-type pullets - Seldom fed restrictedly during the growing period because feed
intake & sexual maturity can be controlled by varying lighting during 6 to 20 wk of age.
C. Heavy breeds - Tend to deposit excess body fat, thus common to restrict feed:

1) Most effective program? - Feed daily a controlled amount of a well-balanced diet.

Requires adequate feeder space and a rapid even distribution of the diet.

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Animal Nutrition Handbook Section 12: Poultry Nutrition and Feeding Page 324

2) Alternative? - A skip-a-day feeding program. With adequate feeder and water

space, may produce a more uniform flock.

D. When pullets start producing eggs, their feed intake should increase. Sometimes,
necessary to reduce the energy density at 18 to 19 wk of age to increase feed intake.
E. Laying about five eggs per 1000 birds, the birds should be placed on a pre-lay program,
in which the diet contains about 2% or more Ca.
F. 5% egg production? - Should be placed on a regular layer feed program.

3. Laying Hens

A. Higher concentrations of vitamins (A, D, E, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, niacin, and B12)
and Mn & Zn would be required if eggs are to be used for hatching.
B. White Leghorn - Need about 18 g of protein/bird/d to support optimum egg production,
thus with a 15% CP diet, must consume . 25 to 26 lb of feed/100 birds/day.
C. Met - The first limiting amino acid and economical to use synthetic Met & its analogs.
D. Ca, P, and Vitamin D - Important for egg shell formation?

1) Ca requirement - Varies with the age, ambient temperature, rate of lay, and egg
size, but a general recommendation is 3.4 g Ca/d & 3.8 g Ca/d after 40 wk of age.
2) P? - 0.3 to 0.4% available P, which is equivalent to about 0.5 to 0.6% total P.
3) Adequate vitamin D3 is must.

E. Grits - Can improve feed efficiency slightly, but not when finely ground feeds are fed.
Can be fed in special feeders every 3 wk, mixed in a complete feed at 0.25% of the diet,
or sprinkled on top of the feed at a rate of 5 lb per 1,000 hens every week.
F. Phase feeding - To reduce the waste of nutrients caused by feeding more than necessary:

1) Pullets coming into egg production - 17 to 19% CP and reduce to 15 to 16% after
3 to 4 mo of lay, or when the pullet has attained the adult weight.
2) Feed intake decreases as the temperature increases above 85 to 90F, thus may be
necessary to increase CP to 18 or 20% when temperature exceeds 100F for an
extended period of time.

G. Challenge the flock to lay more eggs?

1) Young pullet flocks may respond to additional feed when their production seems to
be reaching a plateau.
2) "Challenge" the flock with about 2 more pounds of feed per 100 birds. If the flock
does not respond by the 4th day, return to the amount fed prior to the challenge.
Can be repeated as often as necessary depending on the flock response.

H. Peaked in egg production & begun a gradual decline in lay?

1) Sometimes, will produce more efficiently on less feed.

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Animal Nutrition Handbook Section 12: Poultry Nutrition and Feeding Page 325

2) Passed peak & showing a normal decrease (4 to 6%)?

a) Reducing the daily feed by lb/100 birds for a period of 3-4 days. If results in
an abnormal drop in egg production, return immediately to the prior feeding.
b) As production continues to decline normally, this may be repeated as often as
necessary depending on flock response.

I. The bottom line? The objective of feeding laying hens is to produce a dozen eggs of
good quality at the lowest possible feed cost. For lightweight layers, a target should be a
feed efficiency of 3.5 to 4.0 lb or less of feed/dozen eggs.

4. Feeding Turkeys

A. Marketing turkeys:

1) Change diets frequently to adjust to the specific needs and to minimize feed costs.
2) Grow faster than chickens, thus have relatively higher requirements:

a) Protein requirements decrease by age, e.g., 28% with starting poults to 14%
for mature birds.
b) Energy requirements tend to increase during the growing stage; ranging from
2,900 to 3,300 kcal/kg.

3) Upon arrival, poults should be encouraged to consume feed and water as soon as
possible. Using colored feed or placing brightly colored marbles in the feed and
water may help.
4) Antibiotic & coccidiostat? - May be necessary for early starter diets but once past 8
to 12 wk of age, may be optional!
5) Young turkeys - Should be about 2.75 to 3.25 lb of feed/lb live turkey produced.
6) Marketing?

a) Males/toms - 18 to 20 wk of age & 23 to 35 lb live weight. Younger toms for

oven-ready dressed birds & older toms for further processing or restaurant
trade.
b) Females/hens - 14 to 16 wk of age and about 14 lb live weight.

B. Holding and breeding:

1) Feed a "holding diet" from . 16 to 18 wk of age until the beginning of the lighting
program (.2 wk before egg production), which usually occurs about 30 wk of age.
2) "Holding diet?" - Contains less energy than the starter and grower diets & delays
sexual maturity, which may result in desirable effects on later reproductive
performance.
3) After 30 wk or so of age? Should feed the breeder diet.
NUTRIENT REQUIREMENT TABLES

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Animal Nutrition Handbook Section 12: Poultry Nutrition and Feeding Page 326

(Based on NRC, 1994)

1. Table 1. DIETARY Nutrient Requirements of Immature Leghorn-Type Chickens (%

or Unit/kg; 90% DM?)
White-Egg-Laying Strains Brown-Egg-Laying Strains
)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Weeks: 0 to 6 6 to 12 12 to 18 18 to 1st Egg 0 to 6 6 to 12 12 to 18 18 to 1st Egg
Final Body Weight, g: 450 980 1,375 1,475 500 1,100 1,500 1,600
Typical dietary Energy, MEn/kg: 2,850 2,850 2,900 2,900 2,800 2,800 2,850 2,850

Protein and amino acids:

Crude protiena % 18.00 16.00 15.00 17.00 17.00 15.00 14.00 16.00
Arginine % 1.00 0.83 0.67 0.75 0.94 0.78 0.62 0.72
Glycine + serine % 0.70 0.58 0.47 0.53 0.66 0.54 0.44 0.50
Histidine % 0.26 0.22 0.17 0.20 0.25 0.21 0.16 0.18
Isoleucine % 0.60 0.50 0.40 0.45 0.57 0.47 0.37 0.42
Leucine % 1.10 0.85 0.70 0.80 1.00 0.80 0.65 0.75
Lysine % 0.85 0.60 0.45 0.52 0.80 0.56 0.42 0.49
Methionine % 0.30 0.25 0.20 0.22 0.28 0.23 0.19 0.21
Methionine + cystine % 0.62 0.52 0.42 0.47 0.59 0.49 0.39 0.44
Phenylalanine % 0.54 0.45 0.36 0.40 0.51 0.42 0.34 0.38
Phenylalanine + tyrosine % 1.00 0.83 0.67 0.75 0.94 0.78 0.63 0.70
Threonine % 0.68 0.57 0.37 0.47 0.64 0.53 0.35 0.44
Tryptophan % 0.17 0.14 0.11 0.12 0.16 0.13 0.10 0.11
Valine % 0.90 0.80 0.80 2.00 0.90 0.80 0.80 1.80

Linoleic acid: % 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00

Macrominerals:
Calciumb % 0.90 0.80 0.80 2.00 0.90 0.80 0.80 1.80
Nonphytate phosphorus % 0.40 0.35 0.30 0.32 0.40 0.35 0.30 0.35
Potassium % 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25
Sodium % 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15
Chlorine % 0.15 0.12 0.12 0.15 0.12 0.11 0.11 0.11
Magnesium mg 600.0 500.0 400.0 400.0 570.0 470.0 370.0 370.0

Trace minerals:
Manganese mg 60.0 30.0 30.0 30.0 56.0 28.0 28.0 28.0
Zinc mg 40.0 35.0 35.0 35.0 38.0 33.0 33.0 33.0
Iron mg 80.0 60.0 60.0 60.0 75.0 56.0 56.0 56.0
Copper mg 5.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 5.0 4.0 4.0 4.0
Iodine mg 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.33 0.33 0.33 0.33
Selenium mg 0.15 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.14 0.10 0.10 0.10

Fat-soluble vitamins:
Vitamin A IU 1,500.0 1,500.0 1,500.0 1,500.0 1,420.0 1,420.0 1,420.0 1,420.0
Vitamin D3 ICU 200.0 200.0 200.0 300.0 190.0 190.0 190.0 280.0
Vitamin E IU 10.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 9.5 4.7 4.7 4.7
Vitamin K mg 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.47 0.47 0.47 0.47

Water-soluble vitamins:
Riboflavin mg 3.6 1.8 1.8 2.2 3.4 1.7 1.7 1.7
Pantothenic acid mg 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 9.4 9.4 9.4 9.4
Niacin mg 27.0 11.0 11.0 11.0 26.0 10.3 10.3 10.3
Vitamin B12 mg 0.009 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.009 0.003 0.003 0.003
Choline mg 1,300.0 900.0 500.0 500.0 1,225.0 850.0 470.0 470.0
Biotin mg 0.15 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.14 0.09 0.09 0.09
Folic acid mg 0.55 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.52 0.23 0.23 0.23
Thiamin mg 1.0 1.0 0.8 0.8 1.0 1.0 0.8 0.8
Pyridoxine mg 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8

L Some experimental data are lacking, thus some values represent an estimate based on values obtained for other ages or related species (NRC, 1994).
a
Chickens do not have a requirement for crude protein per se. There, however, should be sufficient crude protein to ensure an adequate nitrogen supply for synthesis of
nonessential amino acids. Suggested requirements for crude protein are typical of those derived with corn-soybean meal diets, and levels can be reduced somewhat when
synthetic-amino acids are used.
b
The calcium requirement may be increased when diets contain high levels of phytate phosphorus (Nelson, 1984).

Copyright 2009 by Lee I. Chiba

Animal Nutrition Handbook Section 12: Poultry Nutrition and Feeding Page 327

2. Table 2. DIETARY Nutrient Requirements of Leghom-Type Laying Hens (% or

Unit/kg; 90% DM)
Dietary Concentrations Amounts Required per Hen Daily (mg or IU)
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Type: White-Egg White-Egg White-Egg White-Egg White-Egg Brown-Egg
Layers Layers Layers Breeders Layers Layers
Feed intake, g/hen/daya: 80 100 120 100 100 110

Protein and amino acids:

Crude proteinb % 18.8 15.0 12.5 15,000 15,000 16,500
Argininec % 0.88 0.70 0.58 700 700 770
Histidine % 0.21 0.17 0.14 170 170 190
Isoleucine % 0.81 0.65 0.54 650 650 715
Leucine % 1.03 0.82 0.68 820 820 900
Lysine % 0.86 0.69 0.58 690 690 760
Methionine % 0.38 0.30 0.25 300 300 330
Methionine + cystine % 0.73 0.58 0.48 580 580 645
Phenylalanine % 0.59 0.47 0.39 470 470 520
Phenylalanine + tyrosine % 1.04 0.83 0.69 830 830 910
Threonine % 0.59 0.47 0.39 470 470 520
Tryptophan % 0.20 0.16 0.13 160 160 175
Valine % 0.88 0.70 0.58 700 700 770

Linoleic acid: % 1.25 1.00 0.83 1,00 1,00 1,00

Macrominerals:
Calciumd % 4.06 3.25 2.71 3,250 3,250 3,600
Chloride % 0.16 0.13 0.11 130 130 145
Magnesium mg 625 500 420 50 50 55
Nonphytate phosphoruse % 0.31 0.25 0.21 250 250 275
Potassium % 0.19 0.15 0.13 150 150 165
Sodium % 0.19 0.15 0.13 150 150 165

Trace minerals:
Copper mg ? ? ? ? ? ?
Iodine mg 0.044 0.035 0.029 0.010 0.004 0.004
Iron mg 56 45 38 6.0 4.5 5.0
Manganese mg 25 20 17 2.0 2.0 2.2
Selenium mg 0.08 0.06 0.05 0.006 0.006 0.006
Zinc mg 44.0 35.0 29.0 4.5 3.5 3.9

Fat-soluble vitamins:
Vitamin A IU 3,750 3,000 2,500 300 300 330
Vitamin D3 ICU 375 300 250 30 30 33
Vitamin E IU 6.00 5.00 4.00 1.00 0.50 0.55
Vitamin K mg 0.60 0.50 0.40 0.10 0.05 0.055

Water-soluble vitamins:
Vitamin B12 mg 0.004 0.004 0.004 0.008 0.0004 0.00004
Biotin mg 0.13 0.10 0.08 0.01 0.01 0.011
Choline mg 1,310 1,050 875 105 105 115
Folic acid mg 0.31 0.25 0.21 0.035 0.025 0.028
Niacin mg 12.50 10.00 8.30 1.00 1.00 1.10
Pantothenic acid mg 2.50 2.00 1.70 0.70 0.20 0.22
Pyridoxine mg 3.10 2.50 2.10 0.45 0.25 0.28
Riboflavin mg 3.10 2.50 2.10 0.36 0.25 0.28
Thiamin mg 0.88 0.70 0.60 0.07 0.07 0.08

L Some experimental data are lacking, thus some values represent an estimate based on values obtained for other ages or related species (NRC, 1994).
a
Based on dietary MEn concentrations of approximately 2,900 kcal/kg and an assumed rate of egg production of 90 percent (90 eggs per 100 hens daily).
b
Laying hens do not have a requirement for crude protein per se. However, there should be sufficient crude protein to ensure an adequate supply of nonessential amino
acids. Suggested requirements for crude protein are typical of those derived with corn-soybean meal diets, and levels can be reduced somewhat when synthetic amino acids
are used.
c
Italicized amino acid values for white-egg-Iaying chickens were estimated by using Model B (Hurwitz and Bomstein, 1973), assuming a body weight of 1,800 g and 47 g
of egg mass per day.
d
The requirement may be higher for maximum eggshell thickness.
e
The requirement may be higher in very hot temperatures.

Copyright 2009 by Lee I. Chiba

Animal Nutrition Handbook Section 12: Poultry Nutrition and Feeding Page 328

3. Table 3. DIETARY Nutrient Requirements of Broilers (% or Unit/kg; 90% DM)

Weeka: 0 to 3 3 to 6 6 to 8
Typical dietary energy, MEn/kg 3,200 3,200 3,200

Protein and amino acids:

Crude proteinb % 23.00 20.00 18.00
Arginine % 1.25 1.10 1.00
Glycine + Serine % 1.25 1.14 0.97
Histidine % 0.35 0.32 0.27
Isoleucine % 0.80 0.73 0.62
Leucine % 1.20 1.09 0.93
Lysine % 1.10 1.00 0.85
Methionine % 0.50 0.38 0.32
Methionine + cystine % 0.90 0.72 0.60
Phenylalanine % 0.72 0.65 0.56
Phenylalanine + tyrosine % 1.34 1.22 1.04
Threonine % 0.80 0.74 0.68
Tryptophan % 0.20 0.18 0.16
Valine % 0.90 0.82 0.70

Linoleic acid: % 1.00 1.00 1.00

Macrominerals:
Calciumc % 1.00 0.90 0.80
Chloride % 0.20 0.15 0.12
Magnesium mg 600 600 600
Nonphytate phosphoruse % 0.45 0.35 0.30
Potassium % 0.30 0.30 0.30
Sodium % 0.20 0.15 0.12

Trace minerals:
Copper mg 8 8 8
Iodine mg 0.35 0.35 0.35
Iron mg 80 80 80
Manganese mg 60 60 60
Selenium mg 0.15 0.15 0.15
Zinc mg 40 40 40

Fat-soluble vitamins:
Vitamin A IU 1,500 1,500 1,500
Vitamin D3 ICU 200 200 200
Vitamin E IU 10 10 10
Vitamin K mg 0.50 0.50 0.50

Water-soluble vitamins:
Vitamin B12 mg 0.01 0.01 0.007
Biotin mg 0.15 0.15 0.12
Choline mg 1,300 1,000 750
Folic acid mg 0.55 0.55 0.50
Niacin mg 35 30 25
Pantothenic acid mg 10 10 10
Pyridoxine mg 3.5 3.5 3.0
Riboflavin mg 3.6 3.6 3.0
Thiamin mg 1.80 1.80 1.80

L Some experimental data are lacking, thus some values represent an estimate based on values obtained for other ages or related species (NRC, 1994).
a
0 to 3, 3 to 6, and 6 to 8 week intervals for nutrient requirements are based on chronology for which data were available; hoever, these nutrient requirements are often
implemented at younger age intervals or on a weight-of-feed consumed basis.
b
Broiler chickens do not have a requirement for crude protein per se. However, there should be sufficient crude protein to ensure an adequate supply of nonessential
amino acids. Suggested requirements for crude protein are typical of those derived with corn-soybean meal diets, and levels can be reduced somewhat when synthetic amino
acids are used.
c
The calcium requirement may be increased when diets contain high levels of phytate phosphorus (Nelson,1984).

Copyright 2009 by Lee I. Chiba

Animal Nutrition Handbook Section 12: Poultry Nutrition and Feeding Page 329

4. Table 4. Body Weight and Feed Consumption of Immature Leghorn-Type Chickensa

White-Egg-Laying Strains Brown-Egg-Laying Strains
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Age Body Weight Feed intake Body Weight Feed Intake
(wk) (g) (g/wk) (g) (g/wk)

0 35 50 37 70
2 100 140 120 160
4 260 260 325 280
6 450 340 500 350
8 660 360 750 380
10 750 380 900 400
12 980 400 1,100 420
14 1,100 420 1,240 450
16 1,220 430 1,380 470
18 1,375 450 1,500 500
20 1,475 500 1,600 550
a
Average genetic potential when feed is consumed on an ad libitum basis. Different commercial strains may show different growth rates and different final mature body
weights.

5. Table 5. Estimates of Metabolizable Energy Required per Hen per Day by Chickens in
Relation to Body Weight and Egg Production (kcal)
Rate of Egg Production ( % )
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Body Weight (kg) 0 50 60 70 80 90

1.0 130 192 205 217 229 242

1.5 177 239 251 264 276 289
2.0 218 280 292 305 317 330
2.5 259 321 333 346 358 371
3.0 296 358 370 383 395 408
L A number of formulas have been suggested for prediction of the daily energy requirements of chickens. The formula used here was derived from that in Effect of
Environment on Nutrient Requirements of Domestic Animals (Nrc, 1981): ME per hen daily = W0.75 (173 -1.95T) + 5.5 W + 2.07 EE where W = body weight (kg), T =
ambient temperature (C), W = change in body weight (g/day), and EE = daily egg mass (g). Temperature of 22C, egg weight of 60 g, and no change in body weight were
used in calculations.

6. Table 6. Typical Body Weights, Feed Intake, and Energy Intake of Broilers
Feed Intake (g) Energy Intake (kcal ME/bird)
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Body Weight (g) Weekly Cumulative Weekly Cumulative
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Age (wk) Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female

1 152 144 135 131 135 131 432 419 432 419
2 376 344 290 273 425 404 928 874 1,360 1,293
3 686 617 487 444 912 848 1,558 1,422 2,918 2,715
4 1,085 965 704 642 1,616 1,490 2,256 2,056 5,174 4,771
5 1,576 1,344 960 738 2,576 2,228 3,075 2,519 8,249 7,290
6 2,088 1,741 1,141 1,001 3,717 3,229 3,651 3,045 11,900 10,335
7 2,590 2,134 1,281 1,081 4,998 4,310 4,102 3,459 16,002 13,794
8 3,077 2,506 1,432 1,165 6,430 5,475 4,585 3,728 20,587 17,522
9 3,551 2,842 1,577 1,246 8,007 6,721 5,049 3,986 25,636 21,508
L Values are typical broilers fed well-balanced diets providing 3,200 kcal ME/kg.

Copyright 2009 by Lee I. Chiba

Animal Nutrition Handbook Section 12: Poultry Nutrition and Feeding Page 330

7. Table 7. DIETARY Nutrient Requirements of Turkeys (% or Unit/kg; 90% DM)

Growing Turkeys Breeders
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Males - Age (wk): 0 to 4 4 to 8 8 to 12 12 to 16 16 to 20 20 to 24
Females - Age (wk): 0 to 4 4 to 8 8 to 11 11 to 14 14 to 17 17 to 20
Status: Holding Laying Holding Laying
Dietary energy, MEn/kga: 2,800 2,900 3,000 3,100 3,200 3,300 2,900 2,900

Protein and amino acids:

Proteinb % 28.0 26.0 22.0 19.0 16.5 14.0 12.0 14
Arginine % 1.60 1.40 1.10 0.90 0.75 0.60 0.50 0.60
Glycine + serine % 1.00 0.90 0.80 0.70 0.60 0.50 0.40 0.50
Histidine % 0.58 0.50 0.40 0.30 0.25 0.20 0.20 0.30
Isoleucine % 1.10 1.00 0.80 0.60 0.50 0.45 0.40 0.50
Leucine % 1.90 1.75 1.50 1.25 1.00 0.80 0.50 0.50
Lysine % 1.60 1.50 1.30 1.00 0.80 0.65 0.50 0.60
Methionine % 0.55 0.45 0.40 0.35 0.25 0.25 0.20 0.20
Methionine + cystine % 1.05 0.95 0.80 0.65 0.55 0.45 0.40 0.40
Phenylalanine % 1.00 0.90 0.80 0.70 0.60 0.50 0.40 0.55
Phenylalanine + tyrosine % 1.80 1.60 1.20 1.00 0.90 0.90 0.80 1.00
Threonine % 1.00 0.95 0.80 0.75 0.60 0.50 0.40 0.45
Tryptophan % 0.26 0.24 0.20 0.18 0.15 0.13 0.10 0.13
Valine % 1.20 1.10 0.90 0.80 0.70 0.60 0.50 0.58

Linoleic acd: % 1.00 1.00 0.80 0.80 0.8 0.8 0.8 1.1

Macrominerals:
Calciumc % 1.20 1.00 0.85 0.75 0.65 0.55 0.5 2.25
Nonphytate phosphorusd % 0.60 0.50 0.42 0.38 0.32 0.28 0.25 0.35
Potassium % 0.70 0.60 0.50 0.50 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.60
Sodium % 0.17 0.15 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12
Chlorine % 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12
Magnesium mg 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500

Trace minerals:
Manganese mg 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60
Zinc mg 70 65 50 40 40 40 40 65
Iron mg 80 60 60 60 50 50 50 60
Copper mg 8 8 6 6 6 6 6 8
Iodine mg 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40
Selenium mg 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20

Fat-soluble vitamins:
Vitamin A IU 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000
Vitamin D3e ICU 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100
Vitamin E IU 12 12 10 10 10 10 10 25
Vitamin K mg 1.75 1.50 1.00 0.75 0.75 0.50 0.50 1.00

Water-soluble vitamins:
Vitamin B12 mg 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.003
Biotinf mg 0.250 0.200 0.125 0.125 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.200
Choline mg 1,600 1,400 1,100 1,000 950 800 800 1,000
Folacin mg 1.00 1.00 0.80 0.80 0.70 0.70 0.70 1.00
Niacin mg 60.0 60.0 50.0 50.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0
Pantothenic acid mg 10.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 16.00
Pyridoxine mg 4.50 4.50 3.50 3.50 3.00 3.00 3.00 4.00
Riboflavin mg 4.00 3.60 3.00 3.00 2.50 2.50 2.50 4.00
Thiamin mg 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00

LNOTE Where experimental data are lacking, values typeset in bold italics represent estimates based on valued obtained from other ages or relate species or from
modeling experiments. Also, genetic improvements in body weight gain have led to an earlier implementation of those requirements (e.g., males - 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, 12-
15, and 15-18 wk & females - 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, 12-14, and 14-16 wk) by the industry at large.
a
These are approximate metabolizable energy (ME) values provided with typical corn-soybean-meal-based feeds, expressed in kcal MEn/kg diet. Such energy, when
accompanied by the nutrient levels suggested, is expected to provide near-maximum growth, particularly with pelleted feed.
b
Turkeys do not have a requirement for crude protein per se. There, however, should be sufficient crude protein to ensure an adequate nitrogen supply for synthesis of
noness ential amino acids. Suggested requirements for crude protein are typical of those derived with corn-soybean meal diets, and levels can be reduced when synthetic
amino acids are used. .
c
The calcium requirement may be increased when diets contain high levels of phytate phosphorus (Nelson, 1984).
d
Organic phosphorus is generally considered to be associated with phytin and of limited availability.
e
These concentrations of vitamin Dare considered satisfactory when the associated calcium and phoxphorus levels are used.
f
Requirement may increase with wheat-based diets.

Copyright 2009 by Lee I. Chiba

Animal Nutrition Handbook Section 12: Poultry Nutrition and Feeding Page 331

8. Table 8. Growth Rate, Feed Intake, and Energy Intake in Large-Type Turkeys
Body Weight Feed Intake, Feed Intake, ME Intake,
(kg) per week (kg) Cumulative (kg) Cumulative (Mcal)
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Age (wk) Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female

1 0.12 0.12 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.28 0.28

2 0.25 0.24 0.19 0.18 0.29 0.28 0.53 0.5
3 0.50 0.46 0.37 0.34 0.66 0.62 1.0 1.0
4 1.00 0.90 0.70 0.59 1.36 1.21 2.0 1.7
5 1.60 1.40 0.85 0.64 2.21 1.85 2.5 1.9
6 2.20 1.80 1.10 0.80 3.31 2.65 3.2 2.3
7 3.10 2.30 1.40 0.98 4.71 3.63 4.1 2.8
8 4.00 3.00 1.73 1.21 6.44 4.84 5.0 3.5
9 5.00 3.70 2.00 1.42 8.44 6.26 6.0 4.3
10 6.00 4.40 2.34 1.70 10.78 7.96 7.0 5.1
11 7.10 5.20 2.67 1.98 13.45 9.94 8.0 5.9
12 8.20 6.00 2.99 2.18 16.44 12.12 9.0 6.8
13 9.30 6.80 3.20 2.44 19.64 14.56 9.9 7.6
14 10.50 7.50 3.47 2.69 23.11 17.25 10.8 8.4
15 11.50 8.30 3.73 2.81 26.84 20.06 11.6 9.0
16 12.60 8.90 3.97 3.00 10.81 23.06 12.3 9.6
17 13.50 9.60 4.08 3.14 34.89 26.20 13.1 10.1
18 14.40 10.20 4.30 3.18 39.19 29.38 13.8 10.5
19 15.20 10.90 4.52 3.31 43.71 32.69 14.5 10.9
20 16.10 11.50 4.74 3.40 48.45 36.09 15.2 11.2
21 17.00 - 4.81 - 53.26 - 15.9 -
22 17.90 - 5.00 - 58.26 - 16.5 -
23 18.60 - 5.15 - 63.41 - 17.1 -
24 19.40 - 5.28 - 68.69 - 17.4 -

(-) No data given because females are usually not marketed after 20 weeks of age.

Copyright 2009 by Lee I. Chiba