The poultry production sector isalways challenged with high production costs, such as high raw material prices, energy, transport, labor, etc. Feed pricerepresents about 70% of livestock production costs. Currently in India average feed cost is INR 38/kg.When feed prices are higher, achieving production margins become more complex for the producers to achieve the desired profitability.
Organic acids (OA) are commonly added to poultry water to improve gut health, nutrient digestion, and overall performance. However, with high production costs, some producersstop using water acidifiers, others applying less frequently, and some continue to use acidifiers throughout the entire production cycle. But how does the use of OA impact the birds’ performance and, consequently, the producers’ financial outcomes?
How can broiler producers keep profitability when feed costs are high?
Feed conversion ratio (FCR) represents the amount of feed required to produce a given amount of body weight gain. Reducing FCR not only improves the economic efficiency of broiler production but also helps in optimizing feed utilization, reducing environmental impact, and improving overall profitability.
Improving FCR by 1 point may seem like a small change, but it can have a significant financial impact on a broiler farm.Let’s consider, as an example, a broiler scenario to show the1-point FCR reduction in financial numbers: based on feed cost of INR 38/kg , 10,000 broilers with 2.5 kg gains, the result of reducing 1-point FCR (from 1.70 to 1.69/kg) means savings of Rs.9500(FCR x kg gains x n birds) [Table 1].In a larger
scale, this 1-point FCR improvement can translate into substantial savings: if a producer raises millions of birds, the cost savings can be tens or hundreds of thousands in funds annually. The savings are even greater if feed prices are high.
Table 1. Example of 1-point FCR improvement in broilers
1Based on feed cost of INR38/kg, 10,000 birds with 2.5 kg gains. FCR x kg gains x 10,000 (birds).
There are many strategies to support FCR reduction in broilers, such as, optimizing genetics, improving feedformulation and feed quality, environmental, health and stressmanagement, among others, including the use of feed additives. By combining these strategies, producers can achieve better feed efficiency, lower production costs, and improve the overall quality of production.Focusing on reducing FCR is key to ensuring that poultry production is economically viable.
Feed additives to manage highbroiler production costs
Among the different feed additives used, blends containing OA can be an important tool for overcoming high production costs. Considering mode of action deployed by nutritional technologies, special blends of OA can support pH reduction in the crop and gizzard, resulting in a bacteriostatic effect against pathogenic bacteria, while also aiding digestion. The result is a healthier digestive tract and improved broiler performance.
Multiple studies carried out by Trouw Nutrition have demonstrated the benefits of OA blends delivered to broilers via water (Selko pH). A compilation of 20broiler studies conductedin collaboration with research facilities, universities and farmers in different countries, thereby covering different production systems, climate, and housing conditions, show improvement on poultry performance, such as improved body weight gain and FCR.In the context of high production costs, using OA to
improve FCR delivers a financial value. Considering the example above of reducing 1-point FCR (Table 1), if the FCR is further reduced by using Selko pHrecent trial in Gujrat, central India in broilers for 39 days compared with competitor product (by -3.8%, -6 points), the savings are even higher (Table 2).
Table 2. Example of feed cost savings when FCR is reduced by using organic acids in water
1Based on feed cost of INR 38 /kg, 9300 (4650 birds Selko pH & 4650 birds competitor group) birds with 2.240 kg gains. FCR x kg gains x 4650 (each group birds).
2Proven results of Selko pH on broilers’ performance: -3.8 % FCR, 3.7 % final body weight.
Conclusion
While no one can predict the consequences of global economic uncertainty on production costs, the economic effects of it will likely be felt by stakeholders across the industry. Proactive approaches that includeOA blends designed to support bird’s health and efficient production can help support producers’ businesses during uncertain times.
