Research project Optimization of energy requirements for poultry

General introduction

In poultry farming, standardized and validated energy requirement standards are used to formulate rations and compound feeds. Feed should provide the ideal amount of energy to keep the laying hens and broilers in peak condition, so that they also produce healthy, quality eggs and meat. Currently-used standards date back to the 1980s. EWAKUIK is investigating whether these are still appropriate for today's poultry production. Further, new scientific insights into the origins of nitrogen emissions from manure and poultry housing are taken into account. Optimization of these standards should improve both production as well as the environmental impact of poultry farming.

Research approach

Using a scientific literature review, an existing meta-analysis and the expertise of the research institutions involved, EWAKUIK critically examines the energy requirement standards in light of the needs of today's poultry industry. To correctly determine energy requirement standards and the impact of crude protein content, it is important to measure both heat production and the energy and nitrogen balance of the animals. For layers this knowledge is already available, for broilers the new knowledge is acquired through indirect calorimetry in the respiration chambers of KULeuven. Dose-response tests happen at ILVO's research barns: do the new energy requirements standards affect feed intake? Can this be corrected for? What impact does this have on other nutrients and poultry performance? Optimal protein utilization is also important to avoid nitrogen losses and ammonia emissions. Therefore, the relationship between energy/protein ratio, protein intake and ammonia emissions is investigated. Finally, EWAKUIK is developing a user-friendly, science-based tool to determine poultry energy requirements standards at farm level, in close cooperation with the industry.

Relevance/Valorization

The poultry industry needs accurate and well-validated energy requirements standards to optimize its production. Additional insights into optimal energy/protein ratios also enables the sector to reduce its environmental impact. This provides an economic and environmental win-win for the sector and society.

Financing

VLAIO