SEX SEPARATE FEEDING IN BROILERS

Dr Sharon A.J15-MVM-044Dept. of LPT

INTRODUCTION

The objective of the broiler manager should be to achieve the required flock performance in terms of live weight, feed conversion, uniformity and meat yield.Feed is a major component of the total cost of broiler productionTo support optimum performance, broiler rations should be formulated to give the correct balance of energy, protein and amino acids, minerals, vitamins and essential fatty acids.During the rearing period, the feeding program should be designed to achieve uniform bird growth and synchronization of sexual maturity. Full utilisation of the genetic potential available in the bird for FCR, growth rate and meat yield.

SEX SEPARATE REARINGIncrease in technical efficiency and use of new strategies at the farm are two important components in maximizing the margin. Sex-separate feeding and maintaining optimum grow-out period of birds are two strategies that farmers can easily apply to increase the profitability of the farm. The sexual difference of the birds has made a big difference in physiological requirements and also nutrient requirements. The FCR of female broilers is usually higher (less efficient) than that of male birds of the same age, above 30 days or so as the female birds tend to deposit proportionally more fat in the body

SEX-SEPARATE REARING OF BROILERSThe growth rate, floor space and the nutrient requirements of male and female broilers are not the same. The males grow faster than females, Males need higher floor space and nutrients than female broilers. Separate diets are provided for males and females. Male broilers require more protein, whereas the females require less energy and less protein. Due to these reasons, male and female broiler chicks are reared separately, in many countries, from day-old to disposal.

SEPARATE-SEX GROWING The number of birds which achieve live weight at, or close to, the flock mean can be predicted from the CV% of that flock. The variability of a population (the flock) is described by the coefficient of variation (CV%) which is the standard deviation of the population expressed as a percentage of the mean.Variable flocks will have a high CV%, uniform flocks a lower one. It follows that improvements in uniformity can be attained by growing flocks in single-sex populations from placement.

ADVANTAGESSeparate-sex growing can be best exploited when males and females are housed separately.

Both sexes can be managed more efficiently with regard to feeding, lighting and stocking density.

Males grow faster, are more feed efficient and have less carcase fat than females.

FEEDING PROGRAMME A different programme can be employed for the different sexes.

The most practical method is to use the same feeds for both sexes, but to introduce the Finisher feed earlier for females (i.e. before 25 days of age).

It is recommended that the amount or duration of Starter feed be kept the same to ensure proper early development.

REARING SEX SEPARATE Advantages Male gain same weight 4 days before females FCR of male is near about 1.73 while that of female is 1.89

SEX SEPARATED BROILERS Advantages To meet market demands in a better way Sex separated birds have uniformity in weight so ease in processing.

Males grow more quickly and efficiently specially to the larger weight.

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ADVANTAGES

More uniform body weight of flocks can be produced by separate rearing of sexes.Specialized market requirement can be met. The females can be reared, dressed and sold as whole chicken; whereas the male carcasses will be exclusively used for deboning and various cut-up parts.More accurate feeding to meet out the specific requirement of each sex will be possible. This will lead to better growth rate and feed efficiency.Due to flock uniformity, the automatic processing equipment's can be adjusted more accurately for greater processing efficiency and minimum condemnations. Minimise the incidence of cannibalism and peck order, due to more flock uniformity

DISADVANTAGES

Increased costs of sexing.

Larger breeding flocks are necessary to meet the demand for male and female broiler chicks.

In turn, hatcheries may require that their customers always purchase equal number of male and female chicks.

RESEARCH ARTICLES

Nir, I., 1992male broilers have less abdominal fat compared to females

Leenstra and Cahaner, 1992 The male broilers had a significantly higher meat yield in the choice cuts compared to the females. Female broiler chicks are fast feathering and have longer primaries than coverts. Male broiler chicks are slow feathering, and the primaries are shorter (or are of the same length) than the coverts.

Leenstra and Cahaner (1992) that the male broilers had a significantly higher meat yield compared to the females.

Creswell, 2007 The nutrient requirements of males and females are different due to the faster growth and higher meat yield of males and there is a possibility of feeding lower levels of protein or amino acids to the females.Creswell, 2007 As a result of this genetic improvement, today’s broiler is gaining an average of 50 g per day under conditions existing in developed countries, but it is estimated that the same broiler has the potential to double this performance. Kleyn 2002 pointed out that a 38-day cycle length with an 11-day cleanout would lead to an extra harvest per year compared to the traditional practice of 42-day cycles with 14-day intervals.

REFERENCESLeenstra F, and A Cahaner (1992): Effects of low and high temperature on slaughter yield of broilers from lines selected for high weight gain, favourable feed conversion and high or low fat content. Poultry Science 71, 1994–2006.Austic Richard E, MC Nesheim (1990): Poultry Production, Lea & Febiger, Chicago, USA.Nir I (1992): Optimization of poultry diets in hot climates. Proceedings of the 19th World’s Poultry Congress, Vol. 2, pp. 71–76.Creswell, D. (2005). The nutritional requirements of today's broiler. Asian Poultry Magazin May 2005, 18-21. Creswell, D. (2007). Feeding the broiler. Asian Poultry Magazine, July 2007, 20-23. Kleyn, R. (2002). Strategies for managing expensive feed on farm. [on line]. [Accessed on 08.03.2009]. Available at www.spesfeed.co.za/Strategies_for_managing_Expensive_Feed_on_Farm