POULTRY NUTRITIONAL

REQUIREMENTS AND INGREDIENT

INCLUSION LEVELS
Understanding and meeting the nutritional needs of poultry is crucial for ensuring optimal
growth, health, and productivity in both broilers (meat-type chickens) and layers (egg-laying
chickens). This piece will look into the major nutrients in broiler and layer chicken feed and
the actual amounts that are required in these chicken’s diets to ensure optimal growth
performance, health and welfare of the birds. Apart from the major nutrients i.e Energy,
Proteins, Minerals and Vitamins, other accompaniments of feed like water, fibre,
environmental factors and the rest, usually play a crucial role in ensuring optimum utilisation
of the key nutrients and therefore cannot be ignored. Finally, this article will also look into
the inclusion levels of ingredients used to prepare poultry feeds.

Broiler Chicken Nutritional Requirements

● Energy: Broiler chickens have high energy demands to support their rapid growth
and development. The recommended energy levels for broiler starter (0-3 weeks) and
grower/finisher (3+ weeks) diets are 3000-3200 kcal ME/kg. This energy can be
provided through a combination of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the diet.

● Protein: Protein is essential for building muscle tissue and supporting various
physiological functions in broilers. The protein requirement for broiler starter diets is
20-23%, while for grower and finisher diets, it decreases to 18-20% and 16-18%,
respectively. It's important to ensure an adequate balance of essential amino acids,
particularly lysine and methionine, to support optimal protein utilization.

● Minerals: Broilers require various minerals for bone development, enzyme function,
and overall health. The calcium (Ca) requirement for both starter and finisher diets is
0.9-1.0%, while the available phosphorus (P) requirement is 0.45-0.55% for starters
and 0.35-0.45% for finishers. Sodium chloride (common salt) should be included at
 0.3-0.5%. Other essential minerals include potassium, magnesium, manganese, zinc,
copper, iron, selenium, and iodine.

● Vitamins: Vitamins are crucial for various metabolic processes, immune function,
and overall well-being in broilers. Vitamin A, vitamin D3, and vitamin E are
particularly important. The vitamin A requirement is typically 6000 IU/kg, while the
vitamin D3 requirement is around 1000-2000 ICU/kg. Vitamin E levels should be
around 20-50 IU/kg. Other essential vitamins include B vitamins (thiamine,
riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, folic acid, and vitamin B12),
vitamin K, and choline. Usually all these vitamins are offered in a pre-prepared
vitamin supplement that is added into the chicken feeds instead of adding each of
these vitamins.

● Feed additives: In addition to essential nutrients, various feed additives such as

enzymes, probiotics, prebiotics, and phytogenics can be incorporated into broiler diets
to improve nutrient utilization, gut health, and overall performance. However, it's
important to use these additives judiciously and follow recommended guidelines.

Layer Chicken Nutritional Requirements

● Energy: Layer chickens have lower energy requirements than broilers as their
primary focus is egg production rather than rapid growth. The recommended energy
levels for layer starter (0-6 weeks), grower (6-18 weeks), and layer (18+ weeks) diets
are 2800-2900 kcal ME/kg, 2600-2700 kcal ME/kg, and 2700-2800 kcal ME/kg,
respectively.

● Protein: Protein is essential for egg production and maintaining body condition in
layers. The protein requirement for layer starter diets is 18-20%, while for grower and
layer diets, it decreases to 14-16% and 16-17%, respectively. Adequate levels of
essential amino acids, especially methionine and lysine, are crucial for optimal egg
production.
 ● Minerals: Calcium is of utmost importance for layers due to its role in eggshell
formation. The calcium requirement for starter and grower diets is 0.8-1.0%, while for
laying hens, it increases to 3.5-4.0%. The available phosphorus requirement for starter
and grower diets is 0.45-0.55%, while for laying hens, it is 0.35-0.45%. Sodium
chloride (common salt) should be included at 0.3-0.5%.

● Vitamins: Similar to broilers, layers require a balanced supply of vitamins for various
physiological functions and optimal egg production. The vitamin A requirement
increases for laying hens, reaching 8000 IU/kg. The vitamin D3 requirement for
layers is around 2000-4000 ICU/kg. Other essential vitamins include B vitamins,
vitamin E, vitamin K, and choline.

WHAT HAVE WE LEFT OUT?

1. Water: While not a nutrient in the traditional sense, water is absolutely essential for
poultry health and productivity. Both broilers and layers need constant access to clean,
fresh water to regulate body temperature, aid in digestion, transport nutrients, and
eliminate waste products. Inadequate water intake can lead to dehydration, reduced
feed consumption, and impaired performance.
2. Fibre: While not a major energy source for poultry, dietary fibre plays a crucial role
in gut health and digestion. It helps maintain gut motility, promotes beneficial gut
microflora, and reduces the risk of digestive disorders. However, excessive fibre can
reduce nutrient digestibility and energy utilisation. Therefore, it's important to include
an appropriate amount of fiber in poultry diets, typically around 3-5% for broilers and
5-7% for layers.
3. Feed Form: The physical form of feed (mash, pellets, or crumbles) can affect feed
intake, nutrient utilization, and overall performance. Generally, pelleted or crumbled
feeds are preferred for broilers and layers as they reduce feed wastage, improve feed
efficiency, and minimize selective feeding. However, the choice of feed form should
also consider the age and type of bird, as well as the specific feeding system.
4. Antioxidants: Poultry diets should include adequate levels of antioxidants like
vitamin E and selenium to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
 Oxidative stress can impair immune function, reduce growth performance, and affect
egg quality. The specific antioxidant requirements can vary depending on the diet
composition and environmental conditions.
5. Bioavailability: While meeting the recommended nutrient levels is important, it's
equally crucial to consider the bioavailability of those nutrients. Factors such as feed
processing, ingredient interactions, and gut health can influence how well nutrients
are absorbed and utilized by the bird. Therefore, it's important to use high-quality
ingredients, optimize feed processing techniques, and maintain good gut health to
maximize nutrient bioavailability.
6. Environmental Factors: Environmental conditions like temperature, humidity, and
ventilation can significantly impact poultry nutritional requirements. For example,
high temperatures can increase water intake and reduce feed consumption, requiring
adjustments in nutrient density and electrolyte balance. It's essential to consider the
specific environmental conditions when formulating poultry diets.
7. Individual Variation: While standard nutrient recommendations provide a good
starting point, it's important to recognize that individual birds within a flock can have
varying nutrient needs based on their genetic makeup, health status, and production
stage. Therefore, it's beneficial to monitor flock performance and adjust feeding
programs as needed to cater to individual variations.
SUMMARISED TABLES OF NUTRITIONAL
REQUIREMENTS FOR BROILERS AND
LAYERS

NOTE: The nutritional values provided in this article are intended as general guidelines and
may not be applicable to all situations. It is essential to consult with a qualified poultry
nutritionist to determine the specific nutrient requirements for your flock.
INCLUSION LEVELS OF
INGREDIENTS USED IN POULTRY
DIET PREPARATION
REFERENCES
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https://www.hyline.com/literature
● Lohmann Tierzucht. (n.d.). Lohmann layer management guide.
● MSD Veterinary Manual. (n.d.). Nutritional Requirements of Poultry.
https://www.msdvetmanual.com/poultry/nutrition-and-management-poultry/nutritiona
l-requirements-of-poultry
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