REVEAL™ Layers represents a transformative leap in poultry farming, offering a non-invasive, real-time solution to monitor and optimize laying hen body condition. This technology not only helps address the growing global demand for animal protein but also supports the welfare and productivity of hens, leading to sustainable and profitable egg production.
Research Scientist – Poultry
Cargill ANH
Poultry Technology Lead
Cargill ANH
REVEAL™ Layers, developed by Cargill Animal Nutrition and Health (ANH), is a groundbreaking, non-invasive technology that enables real-time monitoring of laying hen body condition. By leveraging near-infrared (NIR) technology, REVEAL™ Layers provides precise data to support diet optimization, long-term egg production, and possible cost reduction.
This innovative tool is trusted and implemented globally, and most importantly proven in the field. In this article we will look at why we need to extend laying periods, why hen body composition is important, and how REVEAL™ Layers solves industry challenges and helps producers take their laying hen performance to the next level.
REAL PROBLEM
Global demand for animal protein is rising, with poultry meat and egg consumption expected to grow by 15% by 2032, making up 41% of all meat protein consumed. This increase is driven by population growth, higher incomes, and poultry’s feed efficiency. Eggs, being affordable and nutrient-rich, are crucial to meeting this demand, with worldwide production projected to grow by 18% by 2050, necessitating advancements in hen laying productivity.
Understanding body condition is essential for long-term layer performance, supporting overall hen welfare, liver health, and efficient nutrient metabolism, all of which are crucial for sustained egg production. Maintaining the right body condition with precise nutrition also prevents fattening issues that can negatively impact laying performance and the general well-being of a hen. However, this means producers must first know their flock’s condition to make the right dietary decisions.
A challenge to this has been the inability to non-invasively assess hens in the field, which Cargill ANH solves with REVEAL™ Layers.
REAL SOLUTION
REVEAL™ Layers is a first-of-its-kind, non-invasive near-infrared technology that monitors poultry body condition. This innovation supports poultry producers by helping to:
• Make real-time decisions: REVEAL™ Layers provides real-time data on body condition, enabling precise adjustments to diet composition based on flock insights. This can help improve performance and increase profitability,
• Support long-term egg production: Optimal body condition supports sustained egg production over the long term, ensuring that hens remain productive whilst maintaining good health,
• Improve profitability: By combining REVEAL™ Layers with Cargill’s nutritional expertise, producers can possibly reduce feed costs while increasing egg production.
REVEAL™ is also used effortlessly in three easy steps:
• Scan the hen: REVEAL™ technology uses NIR light absorbed through the skin to measure fat pads,
• Collect results: The NIR device connects via Bluetooth to a mobile device, displaying results directly on the screen,
• Interpret results: Compare the flock’s results to the optimal range for the age of the laying hens to provide precise nutritional advice.
Click here to see a video demonstration of how it works.
REAL VALUE
By modifying diet formulations and/or management practices to optimize body condition based on the results of the REVEAL™ scanning we can increase egg production.
Producers report significant increases in egg production per hen housed over the productive cycle of up to 100 weeks, depending on the starting point of deployment and duration of use. This supports producers in working towards the genetic potential of laying hens, which can produce 500 eggs per hen in a lifetime. Additionally, it supports extended laying periods of up to 10 weeks, increasing profitability while reducing costs associated with hen replacement. With a potential ROI of 15:1, even a 1% improvement in egg production can significantly enhance revenue.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Cargill’s scientists are continuously conducting research to improve production outcomes, and to ensure that solutions, including REVEAL™ Layers, are based on strong scientific evidence.
Cargill Senior Scientist Lieske van Eck and Poultry Technology Lead Inês Carvalhido, in collaboration with Wageningen University, recently conducted a 55-week study evaluating the impact of nutrition on laying persistency and the body composition of laying hens. The findings underscore the importance of precision nutrition for egg-producing hens.
This study, published in the acclaimed Poultry Science journal, highlights that precise and tailored nutrition plays a crucial role in influencing both laying persistency and body composition. By carefully adjusting the diet to meet the specific needs of the hens at different stages of their life cycle, it is possible to enhance their overall productivity and health. This includes ensuring that the hens receive the right balance of proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
MAXIMIZING POTENTIAL
REVEAL™ Layers represents a transformative leap in poultry farming, offering a non-invasive, real-time solution to monitor and optimize laying hen body condition. This technology not only helps address the growing global demand for animal protein but also supports the welfare and productivity of hens, leading to sustainable and profitable egg production.
If you are interested to see how REVEAL™ Layers can benefit your own egg production, or you want to read more about the technology, click here today.
About Lieske van Eck
Lieske van Eck is a senior researcher in the global R&D team at Cargill Animal Nutrition. She specialized in laying hen nutrition and is now responsible for research focusing on laying hen and broiler breeder nutrition, hen body composition, laying persistency, egg(shell) quality, and mineral nutrition.
She is finalizing her Ph.D. at Wageningen University, studying the effects of rearing and laying hen nutrition on body composition and long-term egg production.About Inês Carvalhido
Inês Carvalhido works as Poultry Technology Lead in Cargill Animal Nutrition and Health, based in The Netherlands. The main role is to make a bridge with R&D and business to implement new technologies and understand the market needs.
Carvalhido finished a Bachelor in Animal Science in Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro University in Vila Real, Portugal and a Master in Animal Nutrition in Wageningen University in 2012. Then, for five years, has held a role in an animal nutrition company. Since 2017, she has gained experience in Cargill.
