CLAY AN ALTERNATIVE TO ANTIBIOTIC GROWTH PROMOTERS IN POULTRY.

A clay sourced from Australia,the clay supplement (brand name: Barnyard Grit) has been shown to have a set of positive effects on poultry performance and health. This Australian clay formulation, developed by the company Multi Minerals Australia Pty Ltd, can be added to feed and can serve as an alternative for antibiotic growth promoters.

 The additional benefits include better production, reduced feed costs, improved health and lower mortality. The clay product has been formulated from a combination of various clay levels in the company's long held mine in the Australian State of New South Wales.

 There has been several trials done by Australian poultry institutions, Universities and commercial poultry users. Trials in broilers show a 9% reduction in mortality at day 42, compared to the control group that received antibiotics from day 3.

Furthermore, a 16.5% decrease in viscosity was shown in broilers fed a wheat diet combined with Barnyard Grit, 9% in a sorghum diet. No trials have yet been done with soybean meal. Also breast meat yield was improved in the group that received the clay feed supplement.

An increase of 6.5% was observed, compared to the control group. Barnyard Grit also substantially increased thigh meat yield by 5.8% over control.

 Reduction in cracked eggs was noted in the trials,as the effect of the clay supplement was also tested in layers (aged 56 – 70 weeks) yielding better results. The trial group performed better in terms of average hen day production (+0.04%) over layers that didn't receive the supplement.

It was also shown that the clay supplement reduced the number of eggs needed to be pulped by 2.0% over layers which were not fed with clay in the diet. Using specific gravity, the eggs from layers (aged 60-70 weeks) were found to be significantly superior and the operator reported considerable reduction in cracked eggs.

 Additionally, flock uniformity was improved by 4.1% in chickens from 0-15 weeks, compared to the control group. The clay supplement (brand name: Barnyard Grit) has been sold successfully into the commercial poultry market in Australia.

The product has also been exported to Thailand. The product has been primarily supplied to the poultry industry, but field trials have shown benefits with other commercial animals.

 Research is ongoing for the cattle, dairy cow, aquaculture, pet food, and natural fertilizer industries. Source ; materials from all about feed.

AGRIBUSINESS:HOW TO TAKE CARE OF CHICKENS.

AGRIBUSINESS:HOW TO TAKE CARE OF CHICKENS. AGRIBUSINESS:HOW TO TAKE CARE OF CHICKENS. The success of the venture depends on following strict health protocols that are wrapped around simple but effective bio security protocol.The health protocol involves vaccinations coupled with medications.The use of drugs take into consideration the withdrawal time,so as not to process birds with antibiotic residue for human consumption. Vaccination refers to a method of disease prevention in healthy animals by challenging the animal with an attenuated/killed agent of a disease so as to elicit the production of antibodies. When vaccinations are done properly and immunity conferred,the animal is said to have been immunized against such causative agents of disease.Vaccination though stimulates antibodies production to protect the animals ,but if not done properly ;the desired immunity will not be conferred.When immunity is not conferred,2 major causes are fingered.These are vaccine failure or vaccine break. When immunity is not conferred due to vaccine break,the following are causes; 1)when the cold chain is broken; usually from point of sale to area you need them.The vaccines are to be transported in coolers with enough ice packs for the trip.The potency of the vaccines cant be guaranteed when this occurs,and when used the required immunity is not conferred. 2) when using inappropriate dilution and concentration; this nullifies any effect the vaccine should have on the birds. 3)when expired vaccines are used,definitely no immunity can be conferred. While vaccine failure could occur in any of the following scenarios;1)using inappropriate dose; under/overdosing will not elicit any antibody reaction. 2)wrong dilution/route. 3)vaccination of sick birds. 4)stress on birds during handling especially in hot weather. 5)Use of chemicals along side the vaccines especially water purification solutions. 6)vaccinating birds when signs of diseases are visible in flock. AGRIBUSINESS:HOW TO TAKE CARE OF CHICKENS. Vaccinations,though very essential ,if not properly carried out will just be a waste of resources. When planning to vaccinate; keep it simple. 1)place vaccine in ice pack. 2)engage qualified personnel. 3) use vaccine as directed by manufacturers.