FAQs

Heat stress is a major challenge in layer production, especially during the hot summer months. It occurs when birds face difficulty in achieving a balance between body heat production and heat loss. This imbalance can lead to several health issues and production losses.

 ⬆ Mortality                   

 ⬇ Gut health                 

 ⬇ Body weight            

 ⬇ Immunity                 

 ⬇ Egg weight                 

 ⬇ Albumin height      

 ⬇ Feed intake

 ⬆ CFCR

 ⬇ Egg production.

 ⬇ Egg shell quality

Mitigating strategies to reduce heat stress

 1. Drinker system management -

• Availability of drinking water
• Sufficient water flow (> 70 ml/minute/nipple drinker)
• Sufficient drinker space
• Additional drinkers for floor-reared flocks
• Keeping water temperature below 25°C
• Flushing water lines during the afternoon
• Vitamin and electrolyte supplements in the drinking water
• Installation of water tank inside the shed
• Pandhal and whitewash for water tank which is outside
• Underground water pipeline
• Covering of pipeline which is not underground

2. Ventilation and Farm management

• Do not disturb the birds during the hottest time of the day
• Adjust work schedules and lighting programs
• Management practices should be done in the early morning hours (beak trimming, transfer and vaccinations)
• Use foggers and misters – Adjust time on the basis of temperature and humidity.
• Using roof sprinklers during times of extremely high temperature
• Do not run the feeders during the hottest time of the day
• Increase the movement of air in open houses with stir fans - minimum velocity of 1.8–2.0 meters/ second
• Do not overstock cages
• Transport birds early in the morning or at night.

3. Lighting Program

• Adjust the lighting program to provide more morning light hours - to encourage feed consumption
• Use a midnight feeding of 1–2 hours to provide an additional feeding
• Lower the intensity of light during the hottest time - to reduce bird activity.

4. Nutritional Management

• Avoid feeding times during hot periods of the day
• Feed distribution at early morning (1/3) & evening time (2/3)
• Feed type – mash /crumble - With crumble diets, presentation of large particle limestone
• Feed should be made denser with nutrients, vitamins, and minerals
• Usage of vegetable or highly digestible protein sources
• Formulate to digestible amino acid targets
• Usage of Fats or oils to adjust feed energy
• Vit. C , Vit. E and betaine
• Feed should be denser with nutrients, vitamins, and minerals
• Use of Maduramycin as an anticoccidials
• Dietary electrolyte balance (molar equivalence of Na+ + K+ – Cl-) - <250 mEq/kg
• Intellibond ZMC

Phytogenics are bioactive components from plants that function as defense mechanisms or signaling compounds. Due to co-evolution, phytogenics can have physiological effects on animals through acting upon molecular receptors along the gastrointestinal tract.

These receptors are conserved across species and are functionally important; when activated they modulate animal immunity, physiology, metabolism, etc.  When used at the right dosage, phytogenics can be deployed as management tools to support the animal in combating many of the challenges faced in livestock production systems

Minerals are crucial for metabolic functions of poultry which helps to support growth & development, enzyme activities, immune functions, health & the reproductive performance during poultry production.

Supplementation of adequate quantity of minerals is critical because large number of feed ingredient used in poultry feed are not having enough mineral composition & bioavailability to recure from the mineral losses during egg and meat production, growth as well as excretion.

Mineral deficiency challenges lead to poor production & health of the birds. That’s why it is advised by nutritionist to add require amount of both major & trace minerals in all phases of poultry feed.

Storage of grains in silos has become important in today’s scenario for greater time lengths due to uncertainties of bad crop affecting unavailability, high prices of raw material etc. The major alterations to stored grain that can be attributed to fungal invasion include discoloration of either the germ or embryo or the entire seed or kernel, mustiness, potential production of harmful toxins, biochemical changes within the grain, and loss in weight and nutritive value. These changes may occur before the mold becomes visible to the naked eye. Fungi are common throughout nature; factors like moisture content of grain, temperature and length of storage plays a part in mold development.

Nutrient loss due to molds is captured in the table:

Treatment with Fylax Forte HC Liq prolongs shelf life of corn, grain, feed ingredients by reducing mould risk​ by preventing moisture loss , maintain less water activity and reducing mould count .

Moisture significantly impacts feed quality, particularly when water absorption is uneven or incomplete. This issue can result in various problems including low pellet quality, nutrient segregation, and spoilage. Both high and low moisture content in feed present challenges. High moisture levels decrease throughput, elevate energy demands during pellet-making processes, promote feed spoilage, and yield dense, brittle pellets. Therefore, maintaining optimal moisture levels is essential to ensure consistent, high-quality feed production.

Moisture loss is problematic for producers and end users, significantly impacting nutrient distribution, inventory loss, feed costs, yield, and profitability.

Trace minerals are metal elements that are essential to optimize animal health, well-being, and performance. Unfortunately, raw materials within the feed often do not contain enough to fulfil the animal’s nutritional requirement. Therefore, different minerals are commonly supplemented in animal feed, such as copper, zinc, magnesium, iron, selenium etc.

In the intricate world of animal nutrition, the significance of supplementing trace elements like Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Iodine (I), and Selenium (Se) cannot be overstated. These elements play a pivotal role in ensuring the health and performance of livestock.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in poultry refers to bacteria in poultry becoming resistant to antibiotics, reducing the effectiveness of these drugs in treating infections. This can pose health risks to both poultry and humans consuming poultry products.

Mycotoxins in feed can be managed through strategies such as proper storage conditions, regular testing of feed ingredients, using mycotoxin binders or adsorbents, and implementing good agricultural and manufacturing practices to prevent mold growth in crops and during feed processing.

Most common mycotoxins in poultry  – aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), ochratoxin A (OTA), T-2 toxin, DON, fumonisin B1 (FB1) and zearalenone (ZEN) – and “emerging” mycotoxins

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by moulds that can infest raw materials and poultry feeds. They can be produced while crops are growing in the fields and at various stages of raw material storage and transportation.

Mycotoxins can be controlled and prevented by implementing good agricultural practices, proper storage conditions, regular monitoring and testing of feed ingredients, using mycotoxin binders or adsorbents, and employing effective feed management techniques.

A premix in cattle feed is a concentrated mixture of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients added to the base feed ingredients to ensure the proper balance of nutrients in the animal's diet.

In poultry feed, a premix refers to a concentrated blend of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other essential nutrients added to the base feed ingredients. This ensures that the feed provides all the necessary nutrients in the correct proportions to support the growth, health, and productivity of poultry birds.

Poultry feed additives are substances added to poultry feed to improve the quality, nutritional value, health, and performance of birds. They include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, probiotics, prebiotics, antibiotics, and growth promoters

The best organic trace minerals for poultry include sources such as organic selenium, zinc, copper, and manganese. These forms are more readily absorbed and utilized by poultry compared to inorganic sources.

A toxin binder is a substance added to animal feed to adsorb or neutralize toxins, such as mycotoxins, present in the feed, preventing their absorption by the animal and minimizing their negative effects on health and performance.

A toxin binder for poultry is a feed additive that helps to adsorb or neutralize toxins, such as mycotoxins, present in the feed, reducing their harmful effects on poultry health and performance.