Dr.

D Sapcota,
Prof & head
Dept. of Poultry
Science, CVSc, AAU
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM AND DIGESTION IN
CHICKEN
 ENZYMES

of the digestive tract of

CHICKEN
Location pH Enzyme/Secretion Substrate Product

Mouth 7.0-7.5 Saliva Lubricates and softens the feed

Amylase Starch Dextrin

Dextrin Glucose

Crop 4.5 Mucus Lubricates and soften the feed

Proventric 2.5 Hydrochloric acid Lowers digesta pH and initiates protein

ulus and cleavage
Gizzard

Pepsin Protein Polypeptide

Duodenu 6.0-6.8 Amylase Starch Maltose

m Dextrin Glucose

Trypsin, Proteins Peptides

Chymotrypsin Peptides Amino acids
Location pH Enzyme/Secretion Substrate Product

Carboxypeptidase Peptides Amino acids

Bile Emulsification of fats

Lipase Fat Fatty acids, Mono-glycerides,
Di-glycerides

Cholesterol Cholesterol esters Fatty acids, Cholesterol

esterase

Jejunum 5.8-6.8 Maltase Maltose Glucose

Isomaltase Isomaltose

Sucrase Sucrose Glucose and fructose

Peptidases Peptides Dipeptides, Amino acids
Caeca 5.7-5.9 Microbial activity Cellulose, Volatile fatty acids, Vit K and
polysaccharides, B- Vitamins
starch and sugars
 Classification of common feed
ingredients and their nutrient
composition:

Energy source: Maize, rice polish, wheat bran, de-oiled rice

bran, molasses, sorghum and fats and oils.

A) Proteinaceous (animal origin): Fish meal,

meat meal, slaughter house by-products meal, hydrolyzed
poultry feathers, hatchery by-product meal and silk
worm pupae meal.

B) Proteinaceous (plant origin): Soybean meal,

ground nut/pea nut cake, cottonseed cake, sesame cake
and canola meal.

Mineral supplement: Dicalcium phosphate, Limestone

and oyster shell
Fig: Maize/Corn
Figure: Rice polish Figure: Wheat bran
Figure: Sorghum (Jowar) Figure: Ragi / Finger millet
(Eleusine coracana).

Figure: Sorghum (Jowar) Figure: Ragi / Finger millet

(Eleusine coracana).
(A)

(B)

Fig: (A) Bajra plant (B) Bajra seeds

(A)

(B)

Fig: (A) Canola Seeds (B) Plant

Fig: Ground nut (Pea nut)
 (A)

(B) (C)

Fig: Cotton (A) Plant with puffs (B) Seeds (C) Extract
(A) (B)

(C) (D)

Fig: Soybean (A) Plant (B) Pod (C) Extract (D) Seed
(A) (B)

Fig: Sesame (A)Plant (B) Seed

Fig: Shell Grit
Fig: Fish Fig: SWP
Nutrient composition and
level of inclusion of
common poultry feed
ingredients
Ingredient Crude protein (%) ME (Kcal/kg) Inclusion level (%)

Yellow maize 8.8 3300 0-60

White jowar 9.0 3100 0-40

Bajra 12.0 2650 0-40

Ragi 10.0 2550 0-15

Broken rice 8.7 2900 0-30

Wheat broken 10.0 3100 0-25

Rice polishing 12.2 3000 0-30

Deoiled sunflower cake
28.0 1900 0-15
Deoiled Groundnut cake
45.9 2200 0-30
Expeller groundnut cake
42.0 2500 0-30
Rotarary groundnut cake
38.0 2800 0-20
Deoiled soybean cake
46.0 2300 0-20

Dry fish 45.0 2580 5-10

Meat meal 55.0 2100 0-4

 Nutrient Requirements
• Birds are fed in groups, the nutrient
requirements are not expressed on individual
basis.

• Nutrients are expressed on unit weight of feed.

• Hence feed intake influences the nutrient

requirements.

• Nutrient requirements are influenced by the age,

sex, size, production level, energy content of the
ration, physical form of diet, nutritional adequacy
of the diet and environmental temperature.
 Nutrient requirement vs
allowance.
• Losses of nutrients occur due to: composition variation,
storage losses, destroyed in GIT etc.

• An increase in the supply of the nutrient over the minimum

requirement is made as a safety margin called as nutrient
allowance.

• Minerals and vitamins are more prone for destruction.

• Majority of the vitamins, usually twice the requirements are

added.

• Majority of minerals, 20 to 30 % are added.

Nutrient requirements
for different age
groups of chicken (BIS)
 Aprox
Age ME Kcal/ Protein P (%)
Category Type of feed Ca (%) Qnty. reqd.
(wk) kg (min) % (Avail)
(kg)

0-8 Chick Starter 2800 20 1.0 0.5 2.0

mash

9-20 Grower Gr. mash 2600 16 1.0 0.5 5.5

>21 Layer Layer mash 2650 18 3- 3.5 0.5 40 (110

g/d/ bird

>21 Breeder Br. mash 2700 18 3- 3.5 0.5 --

0-4 Broilers Br. starter 2900 22 1.0 0.5 1- 1.25

5-6 Broilers Br. finisher 3000 19-22 1.0 0.5 1.7- 1.9
 Poultry feed formulation
• Feed is the largest component of expenditure,
>75% of the total cost of production.

• Nutrients
1. Proteins
2. Carbohydrates
3. Fats
4. Minerals
5. Vitamins
6. Water
 Protein
• They are the building blocks of the body.
• They are essential for proper growth and health
buildup.
• Grains generally contain lower level (8-9 per cent)
• Animal or vegetable proteins contribute higher
levels (30-50 per cent).
 Protein contd..
• Protein is made up of several amino acids.
• Essential AA:
Arginine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine,
Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine,
Threonine, Tryptophan and Valine.
• Non essential Amino acids.
• 'Critical Amino acids': Lysine and Methionine
 Carbohydrates
• Occurs in feed as a soluble form, mostly starch, sugars and
crude fibre.
• The CF in chicken is digestible not beyond 7%.
• Every 1% increase in the CF lessens the digestibility by 2% and
useful energy by 3-6%.
• The most frequently used to describe the energy value of
ingredients is the Metabolisable Energy (ME).
• It is calculated as gross energy minus energy voided through
droppings (faeces + urates) and gases and is expressed as
Kilocalorie per Kg of feed. 1 Kcal = 4.18 KJ.
• Bird takes feed to satisfy its energy requirement.
• Adjustment of nutrients in summer and winter.
• Calorie: Protein ratio or C: P ratio
 Fats
• Fats are concentrated source of energy, yield 2.25 times
more energy than carbohydrates.

• Reduces dustiness, increases palatability, gives high

energy, supplies essential fatty acids, fat soluble vitamins.

• However, excess of fat may lead to rancidity and spoilage.

• All edible oils and animal fats included up to 5 per cent in

poultry rations.
 VITAMINS
• Trace organic substances required in small amounts for overall
health, growth and reproduction.
• Cannot be synthesized by the body, therefore should be added
as supplements.
• Classified into two groups, viz. Fat Soluble Vitamins (A,D,E and
K) and Water Soluble Vitamins (B complex group and C).
• B complex Vits are Thiamin (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin(b3),
Pantothenic Acid, Pyridoxine (B6), Biotin (Vit-H), Choline, Folic
Acid (Vit-B9) and Cobalamine (B12).
• Vitamins, A, B2 and D3 are called 'Critical Vitamins' for poultry
as any severely impairs growth rate and egg production.
• FS Vitamins need storage in light-proof conditions at
temperatures below 72oF.
 Minerals
• These are essential for bone, blood and egg shell formation.

• Aid in digestion, absorption and utilization of other nutrients.

• About 1% of the broiler meat, 11% of the egg and 40% of

bones contain minerals.

• Are classified as 'Macro', 'Micro' and 'Trace' minerals

depending on their level of requirement.

• Excessive levels of some minerals may also be harmful.

• Common sources: Limestone, Di-calcium phosphate, Shell grit,

Common salt etc.
 Minerals
Macro Micro Trace

Calcium Manganese Selenium

Phosphorous Zinc Cobalt

Magnesium Iron &Copper

Sodium and Iodine

potassium
 Water
• Half of the chicken’s body is water.

• Birds can survive for a long time (2-3 days) without

feed but not beyond 12 hours without water.

• Feed ingredients also supply water, but it should

not exceed 7-12%.

• Excess of moisture leads to mould growth. Usually

birds drink water double the quantity of feed.
 How to formulate a
poultry ration:

No feed ingredient is essential but all nutrients are

essential.

 The feed formulated shall be able to meet all the

recommended nutrients, with the least possible
cost.
 How to formulate a
poultry ration:
Important points:
 Type of feed to be formulated.

 Nutrient requirements of the birds at different ages.

 Local availability of different feed ingredients and their

cost.

 Level of inclusion of particular feed stuff

 The nutrient composition of the feed ingredients.

 Step-wise feed
formulation
• First, formulate a tentative feed formula and
calculate the critical nutrient levels with the help
of the data.

• Compare these values with the recommended

levels.

• If the calculated nutrient levels are on par with the

recommended levels, the feed formula can be
adopted as such.
 Step-wise feed
formulation
• If not, make slight alterations in the feed
formula, to satisfy the nutrient levels.

• Again check the composition and alter the

formula if necessary until the nutrient levels
are met.

• Now add the feed additives/ supplements

recommended.
 Preparing mash
• Initially, weigh all the ingredients to be ground;
grind them together.

• Then add the weighed quantities of mineral

mixture and feedstuffs which do not need
grinding.

• Prepare a premix of all the medicines/

supplements/ additives; mix them with small
quantity of some ground ingredients.
 Preparing mash
• Add to the rest of the feed ingredients and mix
thoroughly.

• Ensure thorough mixing in a horizontal/ vertical mixer.

• If needed, change the feed formulae based on the local

availability, cost and quality of the feed ingredients.

• Never make drastic changes in the formulae, but bring

only gradual changes.
 FEEDING SYSTEMS

1. Whole grain feeding

2. Mash and grain feeding

3. Complete mash feeding

4. Pellet feeding

5. Crumble feeding
FEEDING SYSTEMS

Whole grain
2. Mash and grain
feeding:
 Feeding of Broilers
• Fed with high energy, high proteineous diet
ad lib.

• Fed with ‘BROILER-STARTER’ diet up to 4

weeks and then ‘BROILER-FINISHER’ diet
thereafter.

• Latest trend: ‘PRE-STARTER’ diet for the first

2 weeks.
 Feeding of Eggers

• Fed with different diets depending upon their

age :
AGE TYPE OF MASH
0 TO 8 WEEKS CHICK MASH

8-20 WEEKS GROWER MASH

21 -72 WEEKS LAYER MASH

 Feeding eggers:
• Chicks should be fed with finely grounded maize for the first
day.

• from 2nd day with chick mash containing CP 20%, ME 2800

Kcal/kg, lysine 1%, Methionine 0.35%, calcium 1% and
phosphorus 0.5%.

• Grower mash contains CP 16%, ME 2600 Kcal/kg, Lysine

0.7%, Methionine 0.25%, calcium 1% and Phosphorus 0.5 %.

• Shell grit should be provided from 18th week onwards.

• Changeover of feed should be gradual.

 Restricted or Controlled feeding method:
Various feed restriction programmes can be followed during the
growing period of breeder pullets (6 – 20 weeks) …….

• Restriction on quantity i.e. feed intake.

• Restriction of feeding time

• Restriction of a nutrient, like protein or energy.

• Skip-a-day programme.

• Alternate day feeding programme

 Restricted or Controlled feeding

Advantages:

• Reduced cost of feeding,

• Delayed sexual maturity,

• Better egg production curve,

• Reduction in the number of small eggs laid

 Separate Male Feeding
• Males are reared separately for breeding purpose.

• Underfed males lose libido; whereas, excess

feeding leads to overweight affecting fertility.

• Broiler breeder males are fed a ration containing CP

12-14 % and ME 2630 -2800 Kcal/kg

• Broiler breeder females are fed a ration containing

CP 17-18 % and ME 2760-2800 Kcal/kg
Feed additives including herbal bio-enhancers

• Is a substance or mixture of substances,

• other than the bulk and basic feedstuffs,

• used in small quantities (<1%) in the

compounded feeds,
Feed additives including herbal bio-enhancers

• in order to supplement and complement

certain nutrients or non-nutrients

• to improve the quality of the feed and

performance of the birds fed.
 Functions of feed additives
• Prevent various deficiency diseases.

• Improve the nutritive value of the feed and feed

efficiency.

• Improve the growth rate and egg production.

• Protect from stress and improve the immune status.

• Prevent the spoilage of feed due to microbes,

rancidity and other physical conditions.
 Functions of feed additives
• Enhance the colour, flavour, palatability and general
appearance.

• Help to prevent caking, dustiness and loss of feed during

storage, handling and feeding.

• Improve the quality of the egg, yolk colour, shell thickness and
meat quality.

• Have sparing action on certain nutrients and prevent nutritional

imbalance.

• Cause thinning of gut wall and thereby facilitate better

absorption of nutrients.
Feed additives are classified two :

1. Nutrient feed additives

2. Non-nutrient feed additives

Nutrient feed additives

• Contain certain essential nutrients necessary for

normal growth and production of the birds.

• Deficiency of these will lead to anatomical and

physiological abnormalities, deficiency diseases,
poor growth rate, low egg production and low
disease resistance.

• They need to be added if the formulated feed is not

expected to contain such nutrients in required
levels.
Nutrient feed additives Ex…..

• VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS
 Fat Soluble Vitamins : Vitamins A, D3, E and K
 Water Soluble Vitamins: B-Complex group and Vitamin C.

• MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS
 Macro : Ca, P, Mg, Na, K and S.
 Micro : Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu and I.
 Trace elements: Se, Co, Mo and Cr.

Contd..
• EAA: Lysine, methionine and tryptophan.
• Protein hydrolysates: A predigested protein such as
hydrolysed feather meal, hair meal etc. supplying
essential amino acids and other nutrients.

• Liver extract: Supplies essential nutrients in the

most assimilable form.

• Live yeast and yeast extract: Supplies essential

nutrients, dig. enzymes and UGF.

• Fermentation by-products: Supply various essential

nutrients and U.G.F.
 NON-NUTRIENT FEED ADDITIVES
• They do not have direct nutritional role.

• But are added in order-

 To reduce the mortality or morbidity due to
diseases and stressors;

 Improve the feed efficiency by better

digestion, absorption and utilization of
nutrients;
 To enhance the colour, flavour, consistency and
quality of the feed

 To improve the shelf life of the feed by preventing

caking, moulds, mustiness, oxidation and other
physical, chemical and micro-biological
degradation.

……Examples of NNFA are ……

1. Antibiotic feed supplements
2. Non-antibiotic antimicrobial feed
supplements
1. Antibiotic feed supplements:
• Used to control sub-clinical bacterial infections and
thereby boost the performance.

• Ex: Tetracyclines, lincomycin, bacitracin,

flavomycin, avilamycin, zinc bacitracin,
virginiamycin etc.

• However, several antibiotics have been banned in

certain developed countries for their residual effect
and development of resistant strains.
2. Non-antibiotic antimicrobial feed
supplements:

• Check bacterial infections and promote the

performance.

• Ex: Furazolidone, chlorhydroxy-quinoline.

3. Mould inhibitors/ Antimycotic agents:
• Prevent mould growth and production of toxins.

• Ex: Gentian violet, copper sulphate, propionic acid,

calcium propionate, sodium benzoate.

4. Coccidiostats:
• Prevent outbreaks of coccidiosis especially under
deep litter system.

• Ex: Dinitro-ortho-toluamide, salinomycin,

robenidine, nicarbazine, monensin, maduramycin,
ionophores etc.
5. Anti-parasitic additives
• Check various parasitic infestations. .
• Ex: Dichlorophan, Niclosamide, Praziquantel etc.
6. Anti-oxidants:
Used to prevent oxidative rancidity of fats present in
ingredients like rice polish, fish meal etc.
• Ex. B.H.T., B.H.A., Ethoxyquin,vitamin E, selenium etc.
7. Enzymes:
• Inherent enzyme of birds may not be adequate to
digest their feeds properly for which extraneous
enzymes are added.
• Ex: protease, lipase, cellulase, amylase, pectinase etc.
8. Arsenicals:
• Arsenicals (0.01% or less) promote growth rate,
feed efficiency and carcass finish
• Eg: 3-Nitro-4-hydroxy phenyl arsanilic acid.

9. Adsorbents:
• Adsorb (bind) toxins and prevent their absorption
from the intestine.
• Eg: Zeolites, activated charcoal, hydrated sodium
calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS).
10. Pellet binders:

• Used for pelleting the feed in preparation of

crumbled feed for broilers
• Eg-bentonite, sodium alginate, lignin sulphate,
gelatine, lignosulphonate, carragenan, guargum etc.

11. Emulsifiers:

• Emulsifiers increase the surface area of fat for

digestion and absorption.
• These are fed especially in first week to improve fat
digestion. Ex. Lecithin.
12. Deodorizing agents:
• On feeding these agents ammonia production in the
litter will be reduced. Eg: Yucca extract.

13. Aromatics/ Flavouring agents:

• Added to improve the feed flavour or mask original
unpleasant flavour or to impart new flavour.
• Eg: Essential oils, fish oils etc.

14. Pigments:
• Impart attractive colour to the feed as well as to the
products like egg yolk and skin.
• Eg: Canthaxanthin, Leutin, Zeaxanthin etc.
15. Herbal preparations:
• Tone up the liver, protect kidneys,, stimulate
immunity, improve the appetite and increase the
disease and toxin resistance power of the birds.
• Eg: Extracts of herbs.
16. Performance boosters:
• Improve the overall performance of the birds, by
various means.
• Eg-nitrovin, avoparcin etc.
17. Immunostimulants:
• Stimulate antibody production, CM immunity and
general resistance to diseases.

• Eg: Tetrahydropheny + limidazole, immogen,

levamisole etc.

18. Miscellaneous feed additives:

• Perform certain specific functions in the body or
feed and thereby improve the performance.

• Eg: electrolytes, egg-up, eggtonner etc.

19. Probiotic or Direct Fed Microbials (DFM):
Probiotic preparations are made from bacteria, yeast and fungi
or combinations.
• Common bacterial strains: Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc,
Bifidobacterium, Pediococcus and Streptococcus.
• Common fungal strain: Aspergillus.
• Common yeast strain: Saccharomyces.
Probiotic is a live microbial feed supplement which beneficially
affects the host animal by ------
 Improving its intestinal microbial balance (Competitive
exclusion).
 Better feed efficiency.
 Improving digestion.
 Boosting immunity.
 Improved growth.
20. Prebiotics:
• These are non digestible feed ingredients that beneficially
affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth of gut
bacteria.
• Ex: DOS, MOS, Inulin etc.

21. Synbiotics:
• Probiotic + Prebiotic = Synbiotic
• The effect of probiotics is always better if exposed to proper
prebiotics.
22. HERBAL BIO-ENHANCERS :
• Are phytomolecules that at low doses promote and
augment the bioavailability or bioactivity of drugs.

• They may reduce the dose, shorten the treatment

period and thus reduce drug resistance problems.

• Due to dose economy, they make treatment cost-

effective, minimize drug toxicity.

• They are effective when used in combination with

antibiotics, antiviral and antifungal drugs.
 PHASE FEEDING

• Phase feeding is practiced in layers according

to age and level of production.

• referred as reduction in protein and amino

acids level of the diet as bird progress through a
laying cycle.

•Concept of phase feeding is as birds get older

their feed intake increases, their egg production
decreases.
 Nutrient Phase I Phase II Phase III

ME KCal/Kg 2500 2450 2450

CP (%) 17.5 16 15.5

Methionine 0.40 0.30 0.30

Lysine 0.80 0.70 0.70

Ca 3.6 4.0 4.0

Available P 0.35 0.30 0.30

Two reasons of decrease in CP and Metheonine content

• To reduce feed cost
• To reduce egg size
• Because CP & Methionine increases Egg size
 PHASE FEEDING
Age in Egg
CP Methionine Calcium P
weeks production

<35 wks 90 17 0.35 3.8 0.42

45 85 16 0.32 4.0 0.40

55 80 15.5 0.31 4.1 0.38

70 75 15.0 0.30 4.2 0.36

80 70 14.5 0.29 4.3 0.34