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birds for optimal growth and is related to immune

function. The digestive system of the bird at hatch

has limited ability to digest and absorb nutrients. It is

therefore vital to provide a diet that contains highly

digestible and available nutrients. The metabolizable

energy and amino acid digestibility of grains are lower

in young birds, and indigestible nutrients can serve as

substrate for undesirable gut microorganisms.

“Correct doses of phytase, protease and carbohy-

drase enzymes all play a role in optimizing digestion

and the gut environment at this time,” said Adam

Smith, DSM market development manager – feed

enzymes EMEA. “This will help to overcome the fact

that digestibility of ingredients is lower and that endog-

enous enzyme levels are still on the increase.”

What is a broiler super pre-starter?A diet fed to broiler chicks for the � rst four days is

often referred to as a super pre-starter. As for standard

starter diets, highly digestible ingredients are selected,

but high-quality, high-value raw materials are used, more

Ef� ciency is key to success in broiler production, and

the importance of a good start in life is discussed for

all species. In the case of broilers, the � rst three to � ve

days actually represents a very signi� cant proportion

of a broiler's life – around 10 percent. The principle is

therefore that what it eats during this time can impact

its future performance.

The primary aim of a super pre-starter ration is to ful-

� ll the speci� c nutritional needs of the young chick, sup-

porting its transition from eating the yolk sac to the � rst

diet consumed. Availability of nutrients immediately after

hatch is critical for growth and development.

Young chick nutritionGood intestinal development is essential in young

Opinions differ on the ability of a diet fed only for a few days to improve growth throughout the broiler lifecycle.

6 ❙ FeedInternational FeedInternational ❙ 7

How broiler super pre-starter diets impact bird growthBy targeting the needs of the young chick, its performance can be improved, but the investment needs to make overall economic sense

BY ZOE KAY

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8 ❙ FeedInternational

IMPACT BIRD GROWTH

consideration. Its specialized nature means a standard feed

mill would not have the specialist raw materials or equipment

or expertise necessary to produce such a diet. This means

higher handling costs and coordination with more than one

feed supplier.

Economic implicationsUniformity is an important aim for broiler producers.

To achieve this, feed intake should be maximized at criti-

cal stages to support gastrointestinal development. Closing

the growth gap will be most cost effective when the birds

are still young chicks.

"I believe that all broiler producers would bene� t from

using a broiler super pre-starter,” Dijkslag said. “It has

been demonstrated that feeding the ForFarmers prestart

increases return per broiler by EUR4.5 cents.”

Current and future trendsDevelopment of the gastrointestinal and immune

systems is important in modern broiler production to

support growth and performance. By feeding a diet that

speci� cally meets the requirements of a chick in the � rst

few days of life is the best way to ensure a good start. It

is a signi� cant investment with the aim of promoting ef-

� ciency throughout the cycle.

Integrators are probably best placed to bene� t directly

from any improvement in growth rates or feed conversion.

However, the bene� ts may not be universal or appropriate

for all production systems. Where producers are reducing

antibiotic usage, additional early support may be of par-

ticular use, as well as when using new hatching methods

that provide immediate access to feed. Others question

whether the money could be better spent on improving

starter diets as a whole. ■

than doubling their cost. Different sources

of protein, fats and carbohydrates will be

used. They will have speci� c vitamin, mineral

and amino acid speci� cations.

“It is important to provide the neonatal chick with op-

timal nutrients in the right ratio and the right feed form,”

said Albert Dijkslag, ForFarmers innovation manager

and  poultry nutritionist. “Ingredients should be highly pal-

atable as well as easily digestible. You need to stimulate the

metabolism from the beginning and, as well as gut health,

it is essential to focus on skeletal development.”

What are their aims?■ Promoting gut development

The gastrointestinal tract grows four times faster than

the rest of the body during the � rst two weeks of life.

It is this organ that is driving body weight gain and as

such requires up to 40 percent of the energy and protein

that the young bird consumes. High protein content is

also necessary in diets for young birds, apart from for

growth to help maintain body temperature. Probiotics

may added to diets to seed the gut with bene� cial bacte-

ria or protect it from pathogens.

■ Supporting the immune system

Development of the immune system starts in the em-

bryo and continues after hatching. In the � rst week of

life, there is a rapid increase in the number of leuco-

cytes, due to the growth of the lymphoid organs. The

synthesis of immune cells is a metabolically expensive

process and is highly dependent on the presence of

nucleotides. These protein building blocks can be

found in signi� cant amounts in certain concentrated

protein products.

■ Antioxidant protection

A speci� c vitamin and mineral pre-mix would be

used in super-pre starters to meet the speci� c needs.

Focusing on other potential negative in� uences, such

as oxidative stress, can also optimize a bird’s poten-

tial. As such, diets may contain particular levels and

highly available sources of vitamin E and selenium.

For example, selenoproteins play an important role in

protecting the body from damage by free radicals.

And how do they work?The aim should be to kick start the digestive system of

the young chick as soon as possible. Food particle size and

feed presentation will play a signi� cant role in this. The

diets are often in the form of crumbs or mini pellets and

should be highly palatable and dust free.

“Dextrose is included as a source of fast energy,”

Dijkslag said. “We make use of egg powder as a highly di-

gestible form of protein as well as adapting the amino acid

pro� le of the diet.”

The ideal ratio of total sulphur amino acids to

lysine ratio for young chicks has been the focus of

investigations. By supplying pure amino acids, the

chick doesn’t have digest protein before bene� ting.

Their source may also be important; for example,

those forms of methionine that are passively

absorbed may be particularly suited to the still

maturing gut.

Commercial applicationThere is a lot of interest in increasing the robustness of

chicks and, as such, producers are testing super pre-starters.

Many nutritionists, while believing in the aims of broiler

super pre-starters, are not seeing large-scale commercial

use. “Investment also needs to be made in chick placement

and management,” Garland said. “Seeing a bene� t at seven

days does not always carry through to slaughter.”

Logistically, the use of super pre-starters needs some

FeedInternational ❙ 9

Zoe Kay is an independent consultant providing technical services to the animal health and nutrition industry. She can be reached at cuckooconsulting@gmail.com.

Read more online: The importance of implementing a mycotoxin control program, www.WATTAgNet.com/articles/11823

IT IS IMPORTANT TO provide the neonatal chick with optimal nutrients.