Sustainable Poultry Production: broilers and breeders

Using less resources, improving production and producing less waste translates to better profitability for broiler and breeder operations. The Zinpro team partners with producers to create a more efficient system that encourages poultry sustainability and thereby positively impacts bird health, welfare and performance.

Poultry remains a critical in-demand protein source as the global population continues to grow. As the need to produce safe, quality chicken increases, conversations about sustainability are making their way to the forefront. Consumers desire a sustainably sourced product that is raised ethically. As the industry continues to explore sustainable options for poultry production and management, implementing solutions that drive animal efficiency, enhance poultry welfare and sustainability will be key to linking sustainability and profitability together.

BALANCING SUSTAINABILITY WITH POULTRY PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT DEMANDS
It’s often thought that productivity and sustainability work against each other. In reality, sustainable practices create an opportunity for optimizing productivity, which enriches the social, environmental and economic fabric of the communities that constitute the poultry industry.

For social sustainability, broiler and breeder operations need to provide enough high-quality, safe protein to feed the population. The poultry industry should also consistently provide a dependable product, through a supply chain that works more efficiently with less disruptions.

To preserve the environment, poultry production systems also need to focus on managing waste and using less water, land and energy resources. With a more efficient system, birds can more easily utilize inputs and help us be better environmental stewards.

We know an efficient system cannot be maintained if it is not profitable. That is why economic sustainability also needs to be considered. Sustainable solutions need to promote continuous improvements that lead to both economic growth and a responsible impact on animals’ and people’s health and wellbeing.

Finally, as we work to implement more efficient and profitable systems, the wellbeing of the birds needs to remain a priority. If poultry welfare standards are not met, broilers and breeders can become less productive and produce an end-product that does not meet consumer expectations.

How can we ensure that broiler and breeder operations continue to advance in a way that promotes sustainability and contributes to a better return on investment? We need to focus on optimizing management systems for poultry productivity.

BROILERS
Sustainable Production and Profitability
• Improved feed conversion rate by up to 2.7 points
• Improved carcass yield by 0.9%
• Improved breast meat yield by 0.9%

Health, Welfare and Livability
• Maintained strong bird health without negative impacts to livability
• Decreased incidence of mild footpad dermatitis by 71% and increased the normal footpad by 7%

BREEDERS
Sustainable Production and Profitability
• Increased hatchability of set and of fertile eggs by 0.7%
• Increased chicks per hen housed produced by an average of 9.8%

Health, Welfare and Livability
• Reduced embryo mortality by 0.5%

OPTIMIZING POULTRY PRODUCTION SYSTEMS FOR GREATER SUSTAINABILITY WITH ZINPRO^®
Using less resources, improving production and producing less waste translates to better profitability for broiler and breeder operations. The Zinpro team partners with producers to create a more efficient system that encourages poultry sustainability and thereby positively impacts bird health, welfare and performance.

NUTRITION
With the right organic trace minerals for poultry production, you can equip birds to be more efficient without sacrificing health and wellbeing. When fully replacing inorganic trace minerals in broiler diets, Zinpro^® Performance Minerals^® improve sustainability by:
• Reducing fecal excretion of Zn, Mn and Cu by an average of 33, 49 and 65%, respectively.

Alongside these environmental benefits, broilers and breeders can be more productive with less mineral input. Supplementing with reduced levels of a more bioavailable source of trace minerals can improve performance with:

TOOLS TO SUPPORT YOUR SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS
To make sure poultry sustainability and productivity can be maintained, benchmarking production and identifying opportunities is critical. Using innovative tools, the Zinpro team helps create and monitor progress toward sustainability goals.

SUPPORT POULTRY SUSTAINABILITY
Poultry sustainability is key to optimizing your broiler and breeder production. Implementing proven nutrition, solutions and innovative methods of measurement, our poultry team helps you manage your operation in a sustainable and profitable way.

About Raquel Burin
Dr. Raquel Burin earned her doctoral degree in immunology and infectious disease from the Washington State University. She is a veterinarian that serves as an account manager for the poultry team at Zinpro.