Feed

[D Kannathasan]

using quality feed ingredients, adding enzymes like phytase and protease, maintaining gut health with probiotics, ensuring proper feed particle size, and balancing nutrients with adequate fiber and minerals.

[Ali Badawi Mohamed]

Probiotics prebiotics enzymes

[Mohamed Nasser]

improving feed digestion in poultry is a key goal in animal nutrition.<source-footnote ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2120402457=””><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2120402457=”” data-turn-source-index=”1″></sup></source-footnote> It involves a multi-faceted approach that combines feed formulation, specialized additives, and proper processing.<sources-carousel-inline ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2571435376=””><source-inline-chips _ngcontent-ng-c2571435376=”” _nghost-ng-c2631690858=””><source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c2631690858=”” _nghost-ng-c3007595896=””></source-inline-chip></source-inline-chips></sources-carousel-inline>

Here are the primary measures that can be taken to improve feed digestion in poultry:

1. Use of Feed Additives (The “Tools”)

This is one of the most common and effective strategies. Additives are added to the feed to help the bird’s digestive system work more efficiently.<source-footnote ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2120402457=””><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2120402457=”” data-turn-source-index=”2″></sup></source-footnote><sources-carousel-inline ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2571435376=””><source-inline-chips _ngcontent-ng-c2571435376=”” _nghost-ng-c2631690858=””><source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c2631690858=”” _nghost-ng-c3007595896=””></source-inline-chip></source-inline-chips></sources-carousel-inline>

• Exogenous Enzymes: Poultry cannot produce all the enzymes needed to break down certain parts of plant-based feed.<source-footnote ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2120402457=””><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2120402457=”” data-turn-source-index=”3″></sup></source-footnote> Adding them to the diet is crucial.<source-footnote ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2120402457=””><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2120402457=”” data-turn-source-index=”4″></sup></source-footnote><sources-carousel-inline ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2571435376=””><source-inline-chips _ngcontent-ng-c2571435376=”” _nghost-ng-c2631690858=””><source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c2631690858=”” _nghost-ng-c3007595896=””></source-inline-chip></source-inline-chips></sources-carousel-inline>

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  • NSPases (e.g., Xylanase, Beta-glucanase): These enzymes break down Non-Starch Polysaccharides (NSPs), which are complex fibers found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye.<source-footnote ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2120402457=””><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2120402457=”” data-turn-source-index=”5″></sup></source-footnote> Breaking down NSPs releases “caged” nutrients (like starch and protein) and reduces the viscosity (thickness) of the digesta in the gut, which improves nutrient absorption.<source-footnote ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2120402457=””><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2120402457=”” data-turn-source-index=”6″></sup></source-footnote><sources-carousel-inline ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2571435376=””><source-inline-chips _ngcontent-ng-c2571435376=”” _nghost-ng-c2631690858=””><source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c2631690858=”” _nghost-ng-c3007595896=””></source-inline-chip></source-inline-chips></sources-carousel-inline>

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  • Phytase: This is a vital enzyme that breaks down phytic acid (phytate).<source-footnote ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2120402457=””><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2120402457=”” data-turn-source-index=”7″></sup></source-footnote> Phytic acid, found in most plant ingredients, binds to phosphorus and other minerals (like calcium and zinc), making them unavailable to the bird.<source-footnote ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2120402457=””><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2120402457=”” data-turn-source-index=”8″></sup></source-footnote> Phytase “unlocks” this phosphorus, improving mineral digestion and reducing the need for costly phosphorus supplements.<source-footnote ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2120402457=””><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2120402457=”” data-turn-source-index=”9″></sup></source-footnote><sources-carousel-inline ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2571435376=””><source-inline-chips _ngcontent-ng-c2571435376=”” _nghost-ng-c2631690858=””><source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c2631690858=”” _nghost-ng-c3007595896=””></source-inline-chip></source-inline-chips></sources-carousel-inline>

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  • Protease: This enzyme helps break down proteins, improving amino acid digestibility.<source-footnote ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2120402457=””><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2120402457=”” data-turn-source-index=”10″></sup></source-footnote> It can also help neutralize certain protein-based anti-nutritional factors.<sources-carousel-inline ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2571435376=””><source-inline-chips _ngcontent-ng-c2571435376=”” _nghost-ng-c2631690858=””><source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c2631690858=”” _nghost-ng-c3007595896=””></source-inline-chip></source-inline-chips></sources-carousel-inline>

  • Amylase: This supplements the bird’s own amylase to improve the digestion of starch, the main energy source.<source-footnote ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2120402457=””><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2120402457=”” data-turn-source-index=”11″></sup></source-footnote><sources-carousel-inline ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2571435376=””><source-inline-chips _ngcontent-ng-c2571435376=”” _nghost-ng-c2631690858=””><source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c2631690858=”” _nghost-ng-c3007595896=””></source-inline-chip></source-inline-chips></sources-carousel-inline>

• Gut Health Modulators: A healthy gut is essential for efficient digestion.<source-footnote ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2120402457=””><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2120402457=”” data-turn-source-index=”12″></sup></source-footnote><sources-carousel-inline ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2571435376=””><source-inline-chips _ngcontent-ng-c2571435376=”” _nghost-ng-c2631690858=””><source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c2631690858=”” _nghost-ng-c3007595896=””></source-inline-chip></source-inline-chips></sources-carousel-inline>

  • Probiotics: These are live, beneficial bacteria (e.g., Lactobacillus) that help establish a healthy gut microbiome.<source-footnote ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2120402457=””><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2120402457=”” data-turn-source-index=”13″></sup></source-footnote> A good microbiome crowds out harmful bacteria and aids in the digestive process.<sources-carousel-inline ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2571435376=””><source-inline-chips _ngcontent-ng-c2571435376=”” _nghost-ng-c2631690858=””><source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c2631690858=”” _nghost-ng-c3007595896=””></source-inline-chip></source-inline-chips></sources-carousel-inline>

  • Prebiotics: These are specific fibers (e.g., MOS, FOS) that act as “food” for the beneficial bacteria, helping them thrive.<source-footnote ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2120402457=””><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2120402457=”” data-turn-source-index=”14″></sup></source-footnote><sources-carousel-inline ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2571435376=””><source-inline-chips _ngcontent-ng-c2571435376=”” _nghost-ng-c2631690858=””><source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c2631690858=”” _nghost-ng-c3007595896=””></source-inline-chip></source-inline-chips></sources-carousel-inline>

  • Acidifiers (Organic Acids): These are added to the feed or water to lower the pH in the upper digestive tract.<source-footnote ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2120402457=””><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2120402457=”” data-turn-source-index=”15″></sup></source-footnote> This acidic environment inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria (like E.<source-footnote ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2120402457=””><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2120402457=”” data-turn-source-index=”16″></sup></source-footnote> coli and Salmonella) and also activates the bird’s own digestive enzymes, like pepsin, which works best at a low pH.<sources-carousel-inline ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2571435376=””><source-inline-chips _ngcontent-ng-c2571435376=”” _nghost-ng-c2631690858=””><source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c2631690858=”” _nghost-ng-c3007595896=””></source-inline-chip></source-inline-chips></sources-carousel-inline>

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• Mycotoxin Binders: If feed ingredients are contaminated with molds, they produce mycotoxins.<source-footnote ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2120402457=””><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2120402457=”” data-turn-source-index=”17″></sup></source-footnote> These toxins severely damage the intestinal lining and impair digestion. Toxin binders “lock up” the mycotoxins, preventing them from being absorbed by the bird.<source-footnote ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2120402457=””><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2120402457=”” data-turn-source-index=”18″></sup></source-footnote><sources-carousel-inline ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2571435376=””><source-inline-chips _ngcontent-ng-c2571435376=”” _nghost-ng-c2631690858=””><source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c2631690858=”” _nghost-ng-c3007595896=””></source-inline-chip></source-inline-chips></sources-carousel-inline>

2. Feed Processing and Physical Form

How the feed is manufactured has a major impact on its digestibility.

• Grinding (Particle Size): The size of the ground grains is critical.<source-footnote ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2120402457=””><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2120402457=”” data-turn-source-index=”19″></sup></source-footnote> A uniform, coarse particle size (rather than a fine powder) is often preferred. This stimulates the gizzard (the bird’s “mechanical stomach”), which grinds the feed and slows down its passage rate, giving enzymes more time to work.<sources-carousel-inline ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2571435376=””><source-inline-chips _ngcontent-ng-c2571435376=”” _nghost-ng-c2631690858=””><source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c2631690858=”” _nghost-ng-c3007595896=””></source-inline-chip></source-inline-chips></sources-carousel-inline>

• Heat Treatment (Pelleting, Extrusion): The process of pelleting uses heat and steam.<source-footnote ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2120402457=””><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2120402457=”” data-turn-source-index=”20″></sup></source-footnote> This heat helps to gelatinize starches, making them much easier for the bird to digest. It also deactivates heat-sensitive anti-nutritional factors (ANFs), such as trypsin inhibitors found in raw soybean meal.<sources-carousel-inline ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2571435376=””><source-inline-chips _ngcontent-ng-c2571435376=”” _nghost-ng-c2631690858=””><source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c2631690858=”” _nghost-ng-c3007595896=””></source-inline-chip></source-inline-chips></sources-carousel-inline>

• Fermentation: Some feed ingredients can be pre-treated using solid-state fermentation (SSF).<source-footnote ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2120402457=””><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2120402457=”” data-turn-source-index=”21″></sup></source-footnote> This process uses microbes to break down complex fibers and ANFs before the feed even gets to the bird, effectively “pre-digesting” it.<source-footnote ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2120402457=””><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2120402457=”” data-turn-source-index=”22″></sup></source-footnote><sources-carousel-inline ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2571435376=””><source-inline-chips _ngcontent-ng-c2571435376=”” _nghost-ng-c2631690858=””><source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c2631690858=”” _nghost-ng-c3007595896=””></source-inline-chip></source-inline-chips></sources-carousel-inline>

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3. Ingredient Selection & Formulation

The foundation of a digestible feed is the ingredients it’s made from.

• Select Highly Digestible Ingredients: Using high-quality, clean energy sources (like corn) and protein sources (like properly processed soybean meal) is the first step.

• Formulate on Digestible Nutrients: Modern nutritionists formulate diets based on digestible amino acids (DAA) rather than just “crude protein.”<source-footnote ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2120402457=””><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2120402457=”” data-turn-source-index=”23″></sup></source-footnote> This more accurately matches the bird’s needs and avoids wasting nutrients.<sources-carousel-inline ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2571435376=””><source-inline-chips _ngcontent-ng-c2571435376=”” _nghost-ng-c2631690858=””><source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c2631690858=”” _nghost-ng-c3007595896=””></source-inline-chip></source-inline-chips></sources-carousel-inline>

• Manage Anti-Nutritional Factors (ANFs): Ingredients like raw legumes, certain grains, and seed meals contain ANFs (e.g., tannins, trypsin inhibitors, gossypol) that interfere with digestion.<source-footnote ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2120402457=””><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2120402457=”” data-turn-source-index=”24″></sup></source-footnote> The solution is to either limit the use of these ingredients or use processing methods (like heat) to neutralize them.<sources-carousel-inline ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2571435376=””><source-inline-chips _ngcontent-ng-c2571435376=”” _nghost-ng-c2631690858=””><source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c2631690858=”” _nghost-ng-c3007595896=””></source-inline-chip></source-inline-chips></sources-carousel-inline>

4. Farm Management

Finally, on-farm practices can influence digestion.

• Clean Water and Feed: Providing clean, fresh water and ensuring feed silos are clean and free of mold is essential.<source-footnote ng-version=”0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER” _nghost-ng-c2120402457=””><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2120402457=”” data-turn-source-index=”25″></sup></source-footnote> Poor water quality or moldy feed can disrupt the gut and negate the benefits of a well-formulated diet.

[Dr Shabir Ahmad]

use of fresh feed,

good storage of feed,

cleanliness of bin, feed lines, litter management,

[Dr Shabir Ahmad]

stress management especially stress and overcrowding,

gut health focus,

good quality feed ingredients, and balanced diet,

proper feed type use,

smooth feed transition,

use of enzymes, prebiotics, probiotics, organic acids, liver tonics,

[Olalekan Danso]

Improving feed digestion in poultry is crucial for optimizing nutrient utilization, growth performance, and feed conversion efficiency. A combination of nutritional, management, and health-related measures can enhance digestive efficiency.

1. Feed Formulation and Ingredient Selection

2. Feed Additives and Enzymes

3. Feed Processing

4. Bird Management

5. Gut Health and Disease Control

6. Nutritional Strategy

Summary Table:

Measure Example Effect:

Enzymes Phytase, Xylanase Better nutrient release

Probiotics/Prebiotics Lactobacillus, MOS Improved gut microbiota

Feed processing Pelleting, fine grinding Enhanced digestibility

Nutrient balance Ideal protein concept Efficient utilization

Gut health management Vaccination, biosecurity Improved absorption

[Md Ahidul Islam]

Thanks

[Pragati Salutgi]

Enzymes are handy tools to digest and release a lot of nutrients and therefore help in saving cost

[Md kayum]

Provide the optimum nutrient

[Muhammad Ahmad]

Add organic acids probiotics in drinking water