Feed Components by Dr. Anthony Quant, Kalmbach Feeds, Poultry Nutritionist NAGA Sponsors Gamebird Nutrition: Feed Additives DIAMOND SPONSORS That Deliver Performance and Value Kuhl Corporation ne of the key components to of beneficial bacteria in the intestine Beavers Game Farm, LLC Elkhorn Farms & Hatchery success when raising game of the bird. A probiotic or direct fed O birds is providing optimum microbial (DFM), is classified as ben- SPONSOR MEMBERS nutrition feed. Since feed represents eficial bacteria fed directly to the bird one of the highest input costs for to promote optimum gut health and 3T Products the game bird producer, select feed nutrient absorption. A prebiotic is a Addieville East based not only on the quality of the non-digestible, complex-carbohy- ADM Alliance Nutrition, LLC product, but also the overall value drate type of fiber that promotes the Vern & Claudette Beavers to your business and your birds. The intestinal growth of beneficial bac- Blue HIll Gamebirds ideal game bird feed contains the teria by acting as a food source for Boot Hill Gamebirds, LLC perfect balance of essential nutri- these bacteria. Since both probiotics Braune Quail Farm ents such as protein (amino acids), and prebiotics promote an increase Cargill Animal Nutrition energy, vitamins, and in the population Fuzzy’s Pheasant Farm minerals for optimal of “good” bacteria, Gisi Pheasant Farms, LLC growth, feathering, they consequently Harper’s Game Farm and bird health. reduce the popula- Hidden Valley Pheasantry & Through extensive tion of pathogenic Warriors Mark research, Kalmbach bacteria through Insect Guard of Virginia, Inc. Feeds has incorpo- competitive exclu- Krug’s Northwood Game Birds, Inc. rated several differ- sion (both compete Ladd Johnson & Associates ent game bird feed for the same food Lake Elaine Game Farm, Inc. additives that offer added value over source). Improved intestinal health Little Canyon Shooting Preserve standard feeds, that can improve the equates to better performance and health and performance of growing better livability of growing game MacFarlane Pheasants, Inc. pheasants, quail, chukar, and other birds. Mahantongo Game Farms, LLC game birds. The benefits of feeding probiot- Martz’s Game Farm, FLP ics have been confirmed in multiple Metzer Farms Probiotics/Prebiotics internal research studies. In bob- Murray McMurray Hatchery Bird naturally have a living popula- white quail, probiotic supplementa- Oak Ridge Pheasant Ranch, Inc. tion of bacteria in their intestines, tion significantly improved livability OutDoors Agency,USA including both beneficial bacteria at 10 weeks of age (97.1% vs. 91.9%) Outdoorsman Hunting Club such as Lactobacillus spp., and harm- versus the un-supplemented control QC Supply, LLC ful or pathogenic bacteria such as diet (Figure 1). Feeding probiotics R & R Game Birds coliforms (E. coli). A healthy bird will improved the feathering score of Red Oak Wild Bird Farm typically have a higher proportion bobwhite quail by over 40% at 10 Ringneck Ranch, Inc. of beneficial bacteria in the gut; Rockers Pheasant Farm however in times of stress, this bal- Sharon Pheasant Farm ance can shift in favor of the patho- Show-Me-Birds Hunting Resort, LLC genic bacteria with a negative impact Spring Farm, Inc. on overall health and the bird’s Star Labs/Forage Research, Inc ability to absorb nutrients properly. Suncoast Shavings, Inc. Maintaining a high population of Trace Pheasantry, Inc. beneficial bacteria in the growing Whistling Wings, Inc. game bird is critical for maintaining Wild Wings of Oneka optimum health and growth per- Jim Zindl formance. Supplementing poultry feed with probiotics and prebiotics helps pro- mote the growth and proliferation 12 NAGA News November/December 2014 weeks of age. In addition, probiotic away from the phytate compound, to more efficiently utilize the feed supplementation potentially negates increasing the amount of phospho- by increasing the amount of avail- the effects of coccidiosis in grow- rus available to the bird for diges- able nutrients. Research is required ing game birds, with or without the tion and absorption. Fiber degrading to determine the exact dosage and specific strain of enzyme to be used that maximizes the feed and nutrient utilization by game birds. Chelated Minerals As with protein and energy, game birds have a specific requirement for minerals to support optimal growth and health. A complete game bird feed is fortified with optimum levels FIGURE 1 Percent mortality and Feather Score through 10 weeks of age for Bobwhite quail fed diets supplemented with a probiotic. addition of a coccidiostat. Different enzymes have also shown value probiotics perform differently in when incorporated poultry diets. different species, therefore, real These enzymes, such as a xylanase, research is required to determine partially break down the previously which is most appropriate and indigestible fiber component of the effective for game birds. Many pro- diet, yielding carbohydrates which biotics are destroyed by the pellet- can be utilized as an energy source. ing process, an added factor to be In an internal research study, we FIGURE 2 Feed conversion ratio: (pounds of feed: pounds of gain) through 5 weeks of considered. demonstrated that feeding phytase age in birds supplemented with phytase and and a fiber-degrading enzyme in the xylanase in the diet. Enzymes feed effectively improved growth Birds naturally produce many differ- and feed conversion ratio though of both macro-minerals (Calcium, ent enzymes throughout the diges- 5 weeks of age (Figure 2). Adding Phosphorus, Sodium, and Chloride) tive tract that assist with digestion enzymes to the diet enables the bird and trace Additives, continued on page 15 of key nutrients such as carbohy- drates, proteins, fats, and minerals. However, there are some enzymes that birds either cannot naturally produce, or produce enough of, to fully digest some feed ingredients. Enzymes can be added to game bird diets to enhance the bird’s ability to utilize nutrients in the feed that they may not have been able to ac- cess otherwise. Phosphorus is an essential nutri- ent required for both bird bone development and energy metabo- lism. The phosphorus that naturally exists in corn or soybeans is stored as phytate, a compound that the bird cannot readily digest, render- ing the phosphorus unavailable to the bird. Phytase is an enzyme that cleaves the phosphorus molecules November/December 2014 NAGA News 13 are available and searchable at www. mwpoultry.org/MPRPProjectDB.php. Welcome New Advertiser! If you know of an undergradu- Jornada Setters, See ad page 5. ate student who would be a good fit for the Center of Excellence Welcome New Members! Scholarship/Internship Program, Pheasant Haven Lodge, Scott Bruhn, Elkhorn, NE please encourage them to apply by Hickory Tree Farms, Wayne Shepard, Wellington, AL completing the online application at Tara Miller, Peck, ID www.mwpoultry.org/COE_applica- tion.php. The deadline for applica- Blue Mountain Gamebirds, Sean & Melinda Blue, Claremore, OK tions is December 3, 2014. H Larry Negangard, Urbana, IL Beth Nelson has served as Little Canyon Shooting, Andy Hairston, Peck, ID President of the Midwest Poultry Bill Basham, Potlatch, ID Consortium since 2001. Nelson began Nadine Rice, Endicott, WA her career as the Executive Director Woodsy Lane Quail Farm, Fred McWhinney, of the Minnesota Egg Council and Laotto, IN later worked as exhibits manager Texas Ranches to Buy.com, Evelyn Gladwin, Whitney, TX for the Midwest Poultry Federation. Liberty Gamebirds, Levi Fisher, Nottingham, PA Through her company, Beth Nelson Spur L Ranch, Dwight Luna, Tijeras, NM & Associates, she also serves as president of four other agricultural Plus 3 New Associate Members associations including the National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance. Additives, continued from page 12 minerals or manganese oxide. However these improve feathering condition, bone (Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Iodine, sources vary significantly in bioavail- development, as well as provide and Selenium). Trace minerals play an ability, how much the bird can ab- support to a healthy immune and especially important role in the bird sorb. There has been recent interest reproductive system. by supporting a variety of biological in feeding chelated or organic trace functions including bone develop- minerals with higher bioavailability Summary ment, immunity, skin and feather which the bird will be able to bet- Kalmbach Feeds is committed to development. These trace minerals ter absorb and utilize compared to staying on the cutting edge of nutri- typically originate from an inorganic inorganic sources. When fed to game tion, providing the highest quality (mined) source such as zinc sulfate birds, chelated trace minerals can feeds that deliver improved bird performance and greater profitabil- ity for today’s game bird producers. Nutrition has significant impact on SALES Experience is something you don’t get until just after you need it. the birds overall performance, and Mature Bird Sales • Char Debroux [email protected] with more new and exciting products Day Old Chick Sales • Sarah Pope ® [email protected] coming to market more than ever be- Food Product Sales • Sarah Pope [email protected] fore, only those companies dedicated Visit our food product website at: to doing the research will have the www.pheasantfordinner.com CHINESE RINGNECK products that game bird producers TECHNICAL ADVICE K THUNDER need for tomorrow. H Hatchery Manager • Ben