Broiler Management

Typical nutrient partitioning in broilers. Nitrogen and phosphorus intake and excretion on typical broiler farms.

Nitrogen flows on poultry farms. Improving protein utilization in the broiler is the most cost effective way to reduce nutrient losses from the farm.

Phosphorus flows on poultry farms. Assuming typical phosphorus utilization in broilers, phosphorus accumulates in farm soils. All corn and soybean meal used for animal production is needed as a local crop to use up the phosphorus in poultry litter. However, improving phosphorus utilization in the bird, for example by using phytase in the diet, will enable broiler production on imported feeds without exporting manure from the region.

Ways to improve nutrient utilization. Over the years, many improvements in broiler production have resulted in reduced nutrient excretion per unit of broiler meat produced.

Nutrients excreted per kg live weight of broiler: 1957 vs. 1991. There has been a 57% reduction in nitrogen excretion to manure per unit of broiler meat produced, and an 70% reduction in phosphorus excretion per unit of broiler meat produced. These responses were only accounting for improved genetics and nutrition, not management (e.g. ventilation, lighting).

Most programs to reduce the environmental impact of animal agriculture have targeted litter management. Improving nutrient utilization in the animal will continue to have a substantial impact on reducing nutrient losses to water resources. Improving nutrient utilization in the animal through better nutrition, genetics, and management is the most cost effective measure to reduce nutrient pollution.

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