Applications of the phase-feeding concept for commercial broiler nutrition programs

摘要

Poultry nutritionists are challenged to stay abreast of production practices that must change rapidly to meet domestic and international consumer demands. The diverse market for poultry requires a variety of management practices that involve grow-out periods ranging from 4 to 10 weeks of age. Moreover, chickens are undergoing continuous genetic alternation, but nutrient requirement recommendations have remained fairly static due to a lack of practical, field-oriented research that addresses the challenges of commercial poultry nutrition programs. The competitive nature of the poultry industry and the availability of advanced diet formulation systems could stimulate the implementation of more sophisticated feeding programs. New feeding systems may increase efficiency and decrease the cost of production, but would likely require substantial deviations from traditional feeding programs.