Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-ndmmz Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-05-20T06:59:02.665Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Practical and economic advantages of choice feeding systems for laying poultry

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2007

Y.L. Henuk  and
J.G. Dingle
Y.L. Henuk*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nusa Cendana, New Campus, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, 85361, Indonesia School of Animal Studies, University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Gatton, Queensland 4345, Australia
J.G. Dingle
Affiliation:
School of Animal Studies, University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Gatton, Queensland 4345, Australia
*
*Corresponding author: e-mail: yusufhenuk@hotmail.com
Get access

Abstract

Poultry can be managed under different feeding systems, depending on the husbandry skills and the feed available. These systems include the following: (1) a complete dry feed offered as a mash ad libitum; (2) the same feed offered as pellets or crumbles ad libitum; (3) a complete feed with added whole grain; (4) a complete wet feed given once or twice a day; (5) a complete feed offered on a restricted basis; (6) choice feeding. Of all these, an interesting alternative to offering complete diets is choice feeding which can be applied on both a small or large commercial scale. Under choice feeding or ‘free-choice feeding’ birds are usually offered a choice between three types of feedstuffs: (a) an energy source (e.g. maize, rice bran, sorghum or wheat); (b) a protein source (e.g. soyabean meal, meat meal, fish meal or coconut meal) plus vitamins and minerals and (c), in the case of laying hens, calcium in granular form (i.e. oyster-shell grit). This system differs from the modern commercial practice of offering a complete diet comprising energy and protein sources, ground and mixed together. Under the complete diet system, birds are mainly only able to exercise their appetite for energy. When the environmental temperature varies, the birds either over- or under-consume protein and calcium. The basic principle behind practising choice feeding with laying hens is that individual hens are able to select from the various feed ingredients on offer and compose their own diet, according to their actual needs and production capacity. A choice-feeding system is of particular importance to small poultry producers in developing countries, such as Indonesia, because it can substantially reduce the cost of feed. The system is flexible and can be constructed in such a way that the various needs of a flock of different breeds, including village chickens, under different climates can be met. The system also offers a more effective way to use home- produced grain, such as maize, and by-products, such as rice bran, in developing countries. Because oyster-shell grit is readily available in developing countries at lower cost than limestone, the use of cheaper oyster-shell grit can further benefit small-holders in these countries. These benefits apart, simpler equipment suffices when designing and building a feed mixer on the farm, and transport costs are lower. If whole (unground) grain is used, the intake of which is accompanied by increased efficiency of feed utilisation, the costs of grinding, mixing and many of the handling procedures associated with mash and pellet preparation are eliminated. The choice feedstuffs can all be offered in the current feed distribution systems, either by mixing the ingredients first or by using a bulk bin divided into three compartments.

Keywords

choice feedingeconomic advantageslaying hensperformance
Type
Reviews
Information
World's Poultry Science Journal , Volume 58 , Issue 2 , June 2002 , pp. 199 - 208
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2002

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Anonymous (1998a) Indonesia after Soeharto. Asian Poultry Magazine 05/06: 14–15.Google Scholar
Anonymous (1998b) Indonesia – severe shortage forecast. Poultry International 06: 14.Google Scholar
Appleby, M.C., Hughes, B.O., Elson, H.A. (1992) Poultry Production Systems – Behaviour, Management and Welfare. CABI, Wallingford.Google Scholar
Bebb, D.L. (1990) Mechanised Livestock Feeding. BSP Professional Books, Oxford.Google Scholar
Belyavin, C. (1994) Poultry International 12: 42, 46, 48 and 50.Google Scholar
Blair, R., Dewar, W.A. and Downie, J.N. (1973) Egg production responses of hens given a complete mash or unground grain together with concentrate pellets. British Poultry Science 14: 373–377.Google Scholar
Blake, A.G., Mather, F.B. and Gleaves, E.W. (1984) Dietary self-selection of laying hens inadequate to overcome the effects of high environmental temperature. Poultry Science 63: 1346–1349.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cheeke, P.R. (1999) Applied Animal Nutrition – Feed and Feeding, 2nd Edition. Macmillan Publishing Company, New York.Google Scholar
Cowan, P.J. and Michie, W. (1979) Choice feeding of the fowl during rearing and lay. World Review of Animal Production 07–09: 47–50.Google Scholar
Cowan, P.J., Michie, W. and Roele, D.J. (1978) Choice feeding of the egg-type pullet. British Poultry Science 19: 153–157.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cumming, R.B. (1984) Choice feeding of laying birds. Proceedings of the Poultry Husbandry Research Foundation Symposium. University of Sydney, NSW, Australia, pp. 68–71.Google Scholar
Cumming, R.B. (1992) Village chicken production: problems and potential. In: Newcastle Disease in Village Chickens: Control with Thermostable Oral Vaccines. ACIAR Proceedings No. 39 (Spradbrow, P.B., Ed.), Australian Centre for Agricultural Research, Canberra, pp. 21–24.Google Scholar
Cumming, R.B., Mastika, I.M. and Wodzicka-Tomaszewska, M. (1987) Practical aspects of choice feeding in poultry and its future role. In: Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition in Australia 1987 (Farrell, D.J., Ed.), University of New England Printery, Armidale, pp. 283–289.Google Scholar
Desmayati, Z., Wahyu, J., Sugandi, S. and Kompiang, I.P. (1983) Free choice feeding for laying hens. In: Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition in Australia 1983 (Farrell, D.J. and Vohra, P., Eds), University of New England Publishing Unit, Armidale, p. 22A.Google Scholar
Dingle, J.G. and Henuk, Y.L. (2001) Benefits and problems of free range laying hens in villages and commercial farms. Malaysian Journal of Animal Science 7: 43–49.Google Scholar
Dove, F.W. (1935) A study of individuality in the nutritive instincts and of the causes and effects of variations in the selection of food. American Naturulist 69(Supplement): 469–543.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Emmans, G.C. (1975) Problems in feeding laying hens: can a feeding system based on choice solve them? World's Poultry Science Journal 31: 31.Google Scholar
Emmans, G.C. (1977) The nutrient intake of laying hens given a choice of diets in relation to their production requirements. British Poultry Science 18: 227–236.Google Scholar
Emmans, G.C. (1978) The response of old hens to a choice between a laying mash and whole or ground barley at different trough space allowances. World's Poultry Science Journal 34: 52–53.Google Scholar
Emmans, G.C. (1979) Free-choice of laying poultry. In: Recenr Advances in Animal Nutrition – 1978 (Haresign, W. and Lewis, D., Eds), Butterworth, London, pp. 31–39.Google Scholar
Emmans, G.C. (1981) Alternative feeding systems. Proceedings of the Scottish Poultry Conference, East of Scotland College of Agriculture, Edinburgh, pp. 29–40.Google Scholar
Emmans, G.C. (1982) Choice feeding – birds know best. World Poultry Industry 46(04): 22–25.Google Scholar
Ewing, W.R. (1963) Poultry Nutrition. The Ray Ewing Company Publisher, Pasadena, California.Google Scholar
Feltwell, R. (1992) Small-Scale Poultry Keeping: A Guide to Free-Range Poultry Production, 2nd Edition. Faber and Faber, London.Google Scholar
Forbes, J.M. (1999) Natural feeding behaviour and selection. In: Regulation of Feed Intake (van der Heide, D., Huisman, E.A., Kanis, E., Osse, J.W.M. and Verstegen, M.W.A., Eds), CABI, Wallingford, pp. 3–12.Google Scholar
Forbes, J.M. and Covasa, M. (1995) Application of diet selection by poultry with particular reference to whole cereals. World's Poultry Science Journal 51: 149–165.Google Scholar
Forbes, J.M. and Shariatmadari, F. (1994) Diet selection for protein by poultry. World's Poultry Science Journal 50: 7–24.Google Scholar
Fraser, A.F. and Broom, D.M. (1997) Farm Animal Behaviour and Welfare, 3rd Edition. CABI, Wallingford.Google Scholar
Funk, E.M. (1932) Can the chick balance its ration? Poultry Science 11: 94–97.Google Scholar
Graham, J.C. (1934) Individuality of pullets in balancing the ration. Poultry Science 13: 34–39.Google Scholar
Hearn, P.J. (1979) Choice feeding—theory and practice. Poultry International 06: 54, 56, 58 and 59.Google Scholar
Henuk, Y.L. (1995) The effect of temperature on responses of laying hens to choice feeding and feed and water restriction. MRurSc Thesis, University of New England, Armidale.Google Scholar
Henuk, Y.L., Thwaites, C.J., Hill, M.K. and Dingle, J.G. (2000a) The effect of temperature on responses of laying hens to choice feeding in a single feeder. In: Proceedings of the Australian Poultry Science Symposium (Pym, R.A.E., Ed.), University of Sydney, Sydney, pp. 117–120.Google Scholar
Henuk, Y.L., Thwaites, C.J., Hill, M.K. and Dingle, J.G. (2000b) Dietary self-selection in a single feeder by layers at high environmental temperature. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 13 (07 – Supplement A): 208.Google Scholar
Henuk, Y.L., Thwaites, C.J., Hill, M.K. and Dingle, J.G. (2000c) The effect of fluctuating environmental temperature on responses of laying hens to choice feeding in a single feeder. In: Proceedings of the Queensland Poultry Science Symposium (Dingle, J.G., Ed.), The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, pp. 1–8.Google Scholar
Henuk, Y.L., Thwaites, C.J., Hill, M.K. and Dingle, J.G. (2000d) Dietary self-selection in a single feeder by layers at normal environmental temperature. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society of Australia 24: 131.Google Scholar
Hill, F.W., Anderson, D.L. and Dansky, L.M. (1956) Studies of the energy requirements of chickens. 3. The effect of dietary energy level on the rate and gross efficiency of egg production. Poultry Science 35: 54–59.Google Scholar
Holcombe, D.J., Roland, D.A. Sr and Harms, R.H. (1975) The ability of hens to adjust calcium intake when given a choice of diets containing two levels of calcium. Poultry Science 54: 552–561.Google Scholar
Holcombe, D.J., Roland, D.A. Sr and Harms, R.H. (1976) The ability of hens to regulate protein intake when offered a choice of diets containing different levels of protein. Poultry Science 55: 1731–1737.Google Scholar
Hughes, B.O. (1972) A circadian rhythm of calcium intake in the domestic fowl. British Poultry Science 13: 484–493.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hughes, B.O. (1984) The principles underlying choice feeding behaviour in fowls – with special reference to production experiments. World's Poultry Science Journal 40: 141–150.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hughes, B.O. and Wood-Gush, D.G.M. (1971) Investigations into specific appetites for sodium and thiamine in domestic fowls. Physiology and Behaviour 6: 331–339.Google Scholar
Karunajeewa, H. (1978a) The performance of cross-bred hens given free choice feeding of whole grains and a concentrate mixture and the influence of source of xanthophylls on yolk colour. British Poultry Science 19: 699–708.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Karunajeewa, H. (1978b) Free-choice of poultry: a review. In: Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition 1978 (Farrell, D.J., Ed.), University of New England Printing Unit, Armidale, pp. 57–70.Google Scholar
Karunajeewa, H. and Tham, S.H. (1984) Choice feeding of the replacement pullet on whole grains and subsequent performance on laying diets. British Poultry Science 25: 99–109.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kempster, H.L. (1916) Food selection by laying hens. Journal of the American Association of Instructors and Investigators in Poultry Husbandry 3: 26–28.Google Scholar
Kiiskinen, T. (1987) Influence of choice feeding on the performance of growing pullets and laying hens. Annales Agriculturae Fenniae 26: 131–144.Google Scholar
Krebs, J.R. and Davies, N.B. (1981) An Introduction to Behavioural Ecology. Blackwell, Oxford.Google Scholar
Leeson, S. and Summers, J.D. (1978) Voluntary food restriction by laying hens mediated through self-selection. British Poultry Science 19: 417–424.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Leeson, S. and Summers, J.D. (1979) Dietary self-selection by layers. Poultry Science 58: 646–651.Google Scholar
Leeson, S. and Summers, J.D. (1997) Commercial Poultry Nutrition, 2nd Edition. University Books, Guelph.Google Scholar
Mastika, I.M. (1987) Some basic principles underlying free-choice feeding of growing chickens. PhD Thesis, University of New England, Armidale.Google Scholar
Mongin, P. and Sauveur, B. (1974) Voluntary food and calcium intake by the laying hen. British Poultry Science 15: 349–360.Google Scholar
Moran, E.T. Jr (1982) Comparative Nutrition of Fowl and Swine – The Gastrointestinal System. University of Guelph, Guelph.Google Scholar
Morris, T.R. (1984) Nutritional research: past, present and future. In: Nutrient Requirements of Poultry and Nutritional Research (Fisher, C. and Boorman, K.N., Eds), Butterworths, London, pp. 1–7.Google Scholar
Nolan, J.V. and Hinch, G.N. (2000) Optimisation of the protein and amino acid supplies to laying hens. In: Proceedings of the Australian Poultry Science Symposium, (Pym, R.A.E., Ed.), University of Sydney, Sydney, pp. 59–66.Google Scholar
North, M.O. and Bell, D.D. (1990) Commercial Chicken Production Manual, 4th Edition. Chapman & Hall, New York.Google Scholar
Overmann, S.R. (1976) Dietary self-selection by animals. Psychological Bulletin 83: 218–235.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Petersen, V.E. (1976) The influence of feeding methods on the performance of laying pullets. Proceedings of the 5th European Poultry Conference 1: 107–118.Google Scholar
Rose, S.P. and Kyriazakis, I. (1991) Diet selection of pigs and poultry. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 50: 87–98.Google Scholar
Rozin, P. (1976) The selection of foods by rats, humans, and other animals. In: Advances in the Study of Behaviour (Rosenblatt, J.S., Hinde, R.A., Shaw, E. and Beer, C., Eds), Academic Press, New York, pp. 21–76.Google Scholar
Rugg, W.C. (1925) Feeding experiments, free choice of feeds. Victoria Department of Agriculture Bulletin 54: 36–56.Google Scholar
Sainsbury, D. (2000) Poultry Health and Management – Chickens, Ducks, Turkeys, Geese, Quail, 4th edition, Blackwell Science Ltd, London.Google Scholar
Savory, C.J. (1986) Influence of ambient temperature on feeding activity parameters and digestive function of domestic fowls. Physiology and Behaviour 38: 353–357.Google Scholar
Scott, T.A. and Balnave, D. (1988) Comparison between concentrated complete diets and self-selection for feeding sexually-maturing pullets at hot and cold temperatures. British Poultry Science 29: 613–625.Google Scholar
Scott, T.A., Balnave, D. (1989) Responses of sexually-maturing pullets to self-selection feeding under different temperature and lighting regimes. British Poultry Science 30: 135–150.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Scott, T.A. and Balnave, D. (1991) Influence of temperature, dietary energy, nutrient concentration and self-selection feeding on the retention of dietary energy, protein and calcium by sexually-maturing egg-laying pullets. British Poultry Science 32: 1005–1016.Google Scholar
Shariatmadari, F. and Forbes, J.M. (1993) Growth and food intake responses to diets of different protein contents and a choice between diets containing two concentrations of protein in broiler and layer strain of chicken. British Poultry Science 34: 959–970.Google Scholar
Sheppy, C. (2001) Enzymes in Farm Animal Nutrition (Bedford, M.R. and Partridge, G.G., Eds), CABI, Wallingford, pp. 1–10.Google Scholar
Stadelman, W.J. (1995) Egg-production practices. In: Egg Science and Technology, 4th Edition (Stadelman, W.J. and Cotterill, O.J., Eds), Food Press Products, New York, pp. 9–37.Google Scholar
Summers, J.D. and Leeson, S. (1979) Diet presentation and feeding. In: Food Intake Regulation in Poultry (Boorman, K.N. and Freeman, B.M., Eds), British Poultry Science Ltd, Edinburgh, pp. 445–469.Google Scholar
Tauson, R. and Elwinger, K. (1986) Prototypes for application of choice feeding in caged laying hens using flat chain feeders. Acta Agriculture Scandinavia 36: 129–146.Google Scholar
Tauson, R., Jansson, L. and Elwinger, K. (1991) Whole grain/crushed peas and concentrate in mechanised choice feeding for caged laying hens. Acta Agriculture Scandinavia 41: 75–83.Google Scholar
West, B. and Zhou, B. (1989) Did chickens go north? New evidence for domestication. World's Poultry Science Journal 45: 205–218.Google Scholar
Wilson, B.J. and Emmans, G.C. (1979) The animal's relationship to its food. In: Food lntake Regulation in Poultry (Boorman, K.N. and Freeman, B.M., Eds), British Poultry Science Ltd., Edinburgh, pp. 3–10.Google Scholar