What specific amino acids, vitamins, and minerals are crucial for the digestive development of poultry?5 answersThe specific amino acids crucial for the digestive development of poultry include arginine, threonine, and methionine. These amino acids are required to stimulate the immune and digestive response in poultry, and their levels need to be higher than those required for maximizing productive performance. In addition to amino acids, vitamins and minerals also play a crucial role in poultry nutrition. Essential vitamins such as vitamin D3 are important for calcium and phosphorus metabolism, which are essential for proper performance and growth in poultry. Minerals like calcium and phosphorus are the two most abundant macro minerals required for poultry, and their requirements are usually met through inorganic sources added to poultry diets. Overall, a balanced combination of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals is necessary for the digestive development and overall health of poultry.
What is the egg production performance of exotic chicken?5 answersExotic chicken breeds have shown higher egg production performance compared to local and crossbred chickens. The average number of eggs laid by exotic breeds ranged from 44.71 to 235.86 eggs per hen per year, depending on the specific breed and management system. Indigenous chicken breeds, on the other hand, have a lower egg production potential, ranging from 30 to 60 eggs per hen per year. The egg production performance of exotic chickens is significantly higher than that of local chickens, with some exotic breeds producing around 250 eggs per hen per year. However, it is important to note that the overall egg production of exotic chickens is still considered low in Ethiopia. Improving the management practices and introducing high egg-producing strains of exotic chickens could help enhance their productivity and contribute to the livelihood of smallholder farmers.
What ARE the importance of Nutrition is an important factor that influences hen welfare?4 answersNutrition is an important factor that influences hen welfare. Adequate and balanced nutrient supply is essential for maintaining homeostasis and allowing for physiological responses to challenges such as temperature, gastrointestinal health, pathogen exposure, metabolic disorders, and stress. Proper nutrition is necessary for maximizing egg production, maintaining egg quality, extending the laying cycle, and ensuring hen health and welfare. Ingesting essential nutrients at the right time and in the right way is crucial for physical and mental processes, as well as for maintaining internal balance and homeostasis. Good nutrition can optimize productive efficiency and health, and alleviate the impacts of metabolic disorders and stresses in poultry. Feeding farm animals effectively is a major welfare issue, as unsuitable diets can lead to suffering and deficiencies, and undernutrition can have serious consequences for livestock health and survival.
What is nutrition in poultry science?3 answersNutrition in poultry science refers to the study of the dietary requirements and feeding practices for poultry species, such as chickens, turkeys, and ducks. It involves understanding the specific nutritional needs of poultry at different stages of development and for different species. Poultry nutrition is crucial for the overall health, growth, and productivity of birds, as well as the profitability of poultry production. Key nutrients, including protein, energy, fat, fiber, minerals, vitamins, and water, must be provided in appropriate amounts to meet the birds' requirements. Cereal grains, such as wheat and maize, are commonly used as the main ingredient in poultry feeds, but they need to be supplemented with protein sources like soybean or rapeseed meal. Poultry nutrition research has made significant advancements in identifying essential nutrients, determining optimal dietary compositions, and addressing challenges such as finding alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters.
How inadequate nutrition can lead to diseases, suboptimal growth, decreased egg production, or poor meat quality. in exotic chickens.?5 answersInadequate nutrition in exotic chickens can lead to various health issues and suboptimal growth, as well as decreased egg production and poor meat quality. Deficiencies or disturbances in nutrition can arise from insufficient amounts of nutrients in the diet, substances that inhibit nutrient absorption/utilization, or disturbances in metabolism. Inadequate amounts of antioxidants, such as vitamin E, in the feed can result in conditions like nutritional encephalomalacia, which affects the brain and can lead to decreased egg production. Additionally, toxic levels of certain feed ingredients, such as vitamin A, selenium, and ionophore antibiotics, can generate free radicals and cause diseases in poultry. Diseases and syndromes, including bacterial and viral infections, can indirectly affect egg production and quality by impacting the overall health of the bird. Overall, proper nutrition is crucial for maintaining the health and productivity of exotic chickens, and deficiencies can have significant negative effects on their growth, egg production, and meat quality.
How can nutrition affect layers chicken growth?3 answersNutrition can affect the growth of layer chickens in several ways. The expression of somatotropic genes, such as somatostatin (SS) and growth hormone (GH), as well as the levels of plasma GH, can be influenced by nutrition. Additionally, the mRNA expression of the growth hormone receptor (GHR) in the liver can be affected by diet. In a study where layers were fed a broiler diet, their body weight increased significantly, indicating the impact of diet on growth. Furthermore, the composition of the feedstuff can play a role in the growth and egg-laying performance of layer chickens. Calcium supplements, for example, can affect eggshell thickness and the percentage of cracked eggs. Overall, nutrition plays a crucial role in the growth and development of layer chickens, influencing gene expression, body weight, and egg production.