1. Significance of Balanced Poultry Feeding
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Anything, which is provided to the bird to fulfill its nutritional requirements, is called feed. A balanced
feed contains all the essential nutrients in proper form and proportion. In a farm, as we’ve already
discussed in the case of small ruminants, feed takes most (about 70-75%) of the total expenditures. So,
“how to make an economical and balanced feed?” is the most valuable question while operating an
animal/poultry farm.
Why Balanced Feed is Important?
The production of an individual (animal/bird) depends upon two factors i.e. Genetics and Environment.
Genetics is improved by selection, while Environment can be made better by better Feeding,
Management and Disease Control. Feeding is also important in the way that it also helps in other
fields. For instance, a balanced feed is required to explore the complete genetic potential and to
develop the economic traits of an animal/bird. Similarly, better feeding makes disease-control
easy.
How a Balanced Feed helps in developing the economic traits of birds (poultry)?
Balanced feed is very important to develop the economic traits of poultry. As economic traits are
different for different types of poultry, we will discuss Layers and Broilers separately.

2. Economic Traits of Layers:
Egg Production Percentage or Total Number of Eggs: Production percentage means how
many of the 100 birds lay eggs in one day. While, “Total number of eggs” is the count of the
eggs, laid by a bird in its whole life. Both of these traits are very much dependent upon the feed
quality and quantity. If the feed is insufficient or of low quality, it reduces the number of eggs,
decreasing the production.
Age of Maturity: It the age of bird, when it starts laying. The laying stage comes after rearing
and pre-laying stage. It depends upon environment as well as feed. If the feed is proper, the age
of maturity is normal, giving maximum production.
50% Egg Production: It is the point when half of the birds start laying eggs. It is also very much
dependent on the feed quantity and quality.
Peak Production: The phase, when we get maximum number of eggs per day, is known as
Peek Production phase. It is followed by the terminal phase. The amount and duration of peak
production depends upon many factors, including proper feeding.
Egg Size: Egg Size specially matters in the countries, where eggs are sold by weight. In some
countries (like Pakistan), eggs are sold in numbers. But egg size is still important.
Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR): Feed Conversion ratio depends upon the breed as well as the
type and quality of feed. Less FCR means more profit.
Egg Quality: External (e.g. egg shell thickness and structure) and Internal (e.g. yolk/albumin
quantity and quality) Egg Quality also depends, majorly, on the quantity, quality and type of feed
being fed to the birds.
Mortality: If mortality is high, there will be no profit. One basic factor to control mortality is to
improve the standard of the feed, provided to the birds.
Economic Traits of Broilers:
Growth Rate or Body Weight: Growth Rate or Body Weight is the major economic trait in the
case of broilers. It is directly linked to the feed quality and quantity.
Carcass Quality: The quality of the meat has basic role in setting the price of its products. So, it
is also very important parameter in broiler farming. Quality feed is necessary to achieve the
required carcass quality.
Dressing Percentage: Dressing percentage shows the ratio of desired and waste material in
the body of animal/bird. For Example, Chickens usually have 60-65% dressing percentage. It is
also somewhat related to the feed.
Breast Width: Breast width is not only a symbol of beauty in the birds but also a direct indicator
to the quality and quantity of meat. It also may be achieved by good feeding.
FCR and Mortality: Other economic traits of Broilers may include FCR and Mortality
percentage. These traits are already discussed in the Layer portion.
How the Health Status of Birds is dependent upon feed?
Health status of animals/birds is very much dependent upon the feed type. Health status can be studied
by the following Parameters:
Immunity: Immunity depends upon the antibodies, which are protein in nature. Proper feed is
necessary for proper immunity.
Disease Incidences & Morbidity: A balanced feed helps in lowering the disease incidences
and provides power to fight against diseases.

3. Mortality: Mortality can also be controlled by improving the standard of feed.
What are the common Feed Quality Measures?
There are different measures, which may be used to check the quality of feed. Some of them are
discussed below:
Physical Examination: It is the Examination of Feed Material by naked eye. It includes the
examination of Color, Size, Moisture, Taste, Smell etc. of feed particles to check any
contaminations. These are general examinations, but require a certain degree of expertness.
Read More about Physical Examination!
Microscopy: It involves the examination of feedstuff under microscope.
Proximate Analysis: In this type of analysis, different chemical tests are used to check the quality
of feed. It may include moisture, protein, fiber content, ether extract and ash determination or
estimation. Some other estimations, such as Neutral Degraded fiber (NDF), Acid Degraded fiber
(ADF), Basic Degraded Fiber may also be performed in proximate analysis.
Amino-Acid Analysis: It is specially used in poultry and human. In this analysis, protein is
further tested to check its amino acid profile. It helps in increasing the quality of protein in a
balanced feed.
Biological Techniques: Different biological techniques are used to check the feed quality and
palatability. It includes biological testing to check the feed intake and its digestibility. Read More
about Biological Techniques!
Bacterial Examination: It is specially used in the feed from Animal sources. It tests the
presence of any pathogenic bacteria.
Mycotoxins Analysis: This test is performed to check the presence of mycotoxins (e.g.
aflatoxins). Read More about Mycotoxins!
Related Articles:
Physical Examination of Feed
Biological Techniques to Check Digestibility
Mycotoxins
Necropsy: Viewing the Dead
Small Ruminants Farm Starter Guide