It is well known that layer chicken producers often choose diets with low nutrients levels to reduce feed cost. However, modern laying strains presently have a small appetite and cannot actually adjust feed intake according to dietary density. It is critical for layer chicken producers to supply sufficient energy and nutrients with relatively low nutrients levels.
Based on a study conducted in Spain in 2012, when the dietary energy level was reduced by 100 Kcal/kg, there is no significant difference in feed intake but the diet with the lower energy level reduced egg production by 3%. Therefore, the net income for a layer chicken farm is strongly related to feed conversion ratio (FCR, kg Feed/kg egg). It is concluded in this study that brown egg-laying hens respond with increases in egg production to increases in energy level of the diet up to 2850 kcal/kg. However, when we calculate the net income per hen (Figure 1 and Figure 2), it is clearly shown that if egg price is relatively cheaper (when egg price is 2 $/kg), the optimal FCR is 2.05, indicating 2650 kcal/kg energy level could achieve the highest income; if egg price is relatively high (when egg price is 4 $/kg), the optimal FCR would be 1.98, indicating that 2720 Kcal/kg energy level could obtain the highest income.
In recent years, adding feed enzymes such as glucose oxidase and β-mannanase to layer chicken diets significantly increased egg production by either increased feed intake β-mannanase) or improved nutrient digestibility (Glucose oxidase), suggesting that even if egg price is relatively cheaper, supplementation of these two enzymes to cheaper layer chicken diets with low energy levels will increase net income.
Figure1 and Figure 2: Net income $ per hen in response to FCR
A study compiled by our Redox Animal Nutritionists.