PoultryUSA - April 2018 - 36
36 ❙ WATTPoultryUSA POULTRY FEED FORMULATIONS Feed conversion ratio of cage-free hens vs. caged hens Feed conversion is lower Feed conversion is the same Feed conversion is 1 to 3% higher Feed conversion is 4 to 7% higher Feed conversion is 8 to 11% higher Feed conversion is 12 to 15% higher Feed conversion is 16% or more higher Not applicable/don't know 0 5 10 15 Response percentage (%) 20 25 Source: WATT Global Media Twenty-one percent of respondents producing cage-free eggs report 1 to 3 percent higher feed conversion than caged hens; 17 percent cite 4 to 7 percent higher feed conversion. Sixteen percent feel their feed conversion ratio has stayed the same after switching from caged hens to cage-free production. Effectiveness of additive combinations for AGP replacement Response percentage (%) Effective 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Organic acids + phytogenics Source: WATT Global Media Moderately effective Probiotics + functional fibers Organic acids + medium-chain fatty acids Ineffective Don't know Zinc + copper at micro-dosage levels against bacteria Phytase + citric acid Antioxidants + mycotoxin binders Survey respondents report positive experiences with organic acids-phytogenic feed additive (40 percent) and antioxidant-mycotoxin binder (41 percent) combinations. www.WATTAgNet.com ❙ April 2018