Selko shared findings from two poultry research studies that spotlighted a combination approach to support broilers and layers at the Australian Poultry Science Symposium (APSS).
Selko, the feed additives brand of Nutreco, presented findings from two poultry research studies during a poster session on February 19, 2024, at the 35th Australian Poultry Science Symposium (APSS). The studies’ findings offer insights into combined dietary strategies to enhance gut functionality, support growth performance in broilers, and improve layers’ productive traits and eggshell quality. The poster presentations expanded upon key themes and topics discussed during the symposium, including flock productivity, nutrition, gut health, and antibiotic reduction. Following are key takeaways from the Selko posters shared at APSS.
EFFECT OF SYNERGISTIC ORGANIC ACID BLEND
Building on scientific insights about how organic acid blends influence gut health and growth, a study involving 646 broiler chicks evaluated the efficacy of a water acidifier containing a synergistic blend of free and buffered short-chain fatty acids (Selko®-pH [SPH]) on growth performance, gut histology, and nutrient digestibility. Birds were allocated into two treatment groups — an antibiotic-free corn-soya basal diet (control) and the same diet plus SPH supplemented at 1 L /1000 L water. Growth performance indicators, including body weight (BW), average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), average daily water intake (ADWI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were tracked for 35 days. Additionally, researchers evaluated birds’ gut morphology including villus height (VH) and crypt depth (CD) on day 14. Nutrient digestibility was assessed on day 35.
Findings reveal that birds receiving SPH had considerably enhanced growth performance throughout the entire production period. Compared to control birds, the birds receiving SPH had a 5.1% greater BW, a 5.3% improvement in ADG, and a 9.3% lower FCR (P<0.05). Gut morphology improvements were observed in the SPH supplemented birds: significantly higher VH (1260.6 vs. 1050.8 µm, P=0.002) and VH:CD ratio (8.5 vs. 7.2, P=001). Considering digestibility, SPH supplemented birds had an increased digestion coefficient for dry matter (78.6% vs. 73.3%, P=0.05), gross energy (75.6% vs. 71.5% P=0.03) and nitrogen (71.7% vs. 61.6% P=0.10) compared to birds in the control group. There was no treatment effect on ADFI, ADWI, and mortality rate (P>0.10).
The study findings suggest that adding Selko®-pH in water is a strategy that can enhance gut functionality and support broilers’ growth performance.
COMBINATION OF ORGANIC ACID AND COPPER HYDROXYCHLORIDE
While multiple studies have evaluated the use of both organic acids and copper to support flock health and performance without antibiotics, little research has explored the performance effects of combining these additives. A study investigated how supplementing an organic acid blend with copper hydroxychloride may support hen performance and egg quality indicators. The study involving 400 laying hens evaluated how a synergistic blend of short- and medium-chain fatty acids that includes slow-release lauric acid, target-release butyrate, and a phenolic compound (Presan®-FY [PFY]) in combination with copper hydroxychloride (IntelliBond® C [IB]) affected layer performance and egg quality during the early phase of laying.
Across the 23-week study, hens were allocated to two dietary treatments: AGP (basal diet plus 180 g/t Virginiamycin + 115 ppm CuSO4), and PFY+IB (basal diet plus 1 kg/t Presan®-FY + 125 ppm IntelliBond® C). Researchers tracked hen-day egg production, egg weight, feed consumption (ADFI), and FCR from 21 to 42 weeks. Egg quality parameters were measured at weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, and 24.
Study findings showed that egg weight (+1.6 g/egg) and egg mass (+2.4 g) increased significantly with PFY+IB supplementation (P<0.05). Additionally, hens supplemented with PFY+IB tended to have a higher hen-day egg production (+1.63%) and significantly lower FCR (–9 pts) compared to hens receiving the AGP. Overall, feeding PFY+IB supplemented diets tended to increase yolk weight compared to AGP (14.36 g vs. 14.07 g, P=0.07) and significantly reduced the number of shell-less eggs (0.01% vs. 0.05%, P=0.04). The results suggest that combined supplementation with PFY+IB is an effective replacement for in-feed antibiotics that can enhance the production performance of layers and reduce shell defects during the early stages of laying.
“As producers strive to reduce antibiotics and maintain performance, these findings demonstrate that science-based approaches to precision nutrition can support flock performance and nurture gut health,” said Jose Manuel de La Fuente, Selko Performance & Health Lead.
