To ensure optimal growth in chickens, a variety of nutrients are added during feed production. Some nutrients supplement essential dietary elements, while others boost immunity and disease resistance. However, these added nutrients undergo various chemical reactions within the feed, making it important to understand their interactions and impacts on feed formulation and chicken growth.(feed additive)
1. Chicken Feed
1.1 Concept
Chicken feed is a blend of agricultural by-products, such as cornmeal, wheat bran, rice bran, and rapeseed meal, mixed in specific proportions and fermented under airtight conditions. While these ingredients are often agricultural waste, they are still nutrient-rich. Fermentation and blending facilitate interactions between different nutrients, promoting efficient absorption of essential elements by chickens.
1.2 Function
Chicken feed serves as the carrier of necessary nutrients, including carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, and vitamins. These micronutrients are provided solely through feed, which supports growth, enhances immunity, and strengthens disease resistance.
2. Nutrients
2.1 Nutrient Interactions
Chicken feed is rich in various nutrients that don’t act in isolation. Different nutrients coordinate and transform in metabolic processes, enhancing the absorption of essential elements. The interaction between trace elements can change depending on deficiencies or excesses of certain nutrients in the feed.
2.2 Protein and Energy Balance
Protein, in the form of amino acids, helps improve metabolic energy use in feed. However, excessive protein intake not only wastes resources but also burdens the liver and kidneys and may lead to metabolic issues. Therefore, a balanced protein-to-energy ratio is essential in chicken feed. Research from France indicates that for broiler chickens, an ideal ratio of crude protein (20–22%) to metabolizable energy (12.35–13.06 MJ/kg) optimizes protein conversion and energy use.
2.3 Role of Vitamins(vitamins premix)
Vitamins are crucial in feed, affecting both growth rate and production quality in chickens. They work synergistically with other nutrients and, in some cases, limit one another. Most vitamins play a role in enzyme activity, helping enzymes break down nutrients effectively, such as vitamins B1 and B2, which aid in nutrient absorption.