Application of Feed Intake Principles to Poultry Care and Management

Abstract

It is well documented that feed intake theories developed from research with other species are applicable in some form in the avian species. One of the first places that application of feed intake principles appears in the literature is in the science of nutrition. By the early 1950’s some nutritionists had begun to report nutrient requirements on a daily intake basis. In 1971, the National Research Council (NRC) listed nutrient requirements both as percentages of the diet and daily intake needs. In 1981 the NRC published a special bulletin entitled “Effect of Environment on Nutrient Requirements of Domestic Animals.” Although nutritionists have always been more or less aware of the influence of feed consumption on ration content needs, it is clear that the development of related knowledge has tended to heighten awareness of the need to carefully consider feed intake in ration formulation. Poultry management specialists and applicators have also developed interest in feed intake considerations. Today, the better managers (especially egg production managers) maintain accurate feed intake records along with time of hatch (age) and environmental notes to relate to production level. These data are analyzed sometimes by hand, but often by computer, and used to make daily or weekly adjustments in feed formulation, ventilation rate, and in some instances housing density and other management decisions.