ABSTRACT
Layer farmers aim to produce eggs that meet breed standards. However, productivity often declines due to nutrient deficiencies resulting from limited feed availability, rising feed costs, and variation in raw materials. To overcome these challenges, premixes are added to poultry diets to supply essential nutrients, support bird health, and improve productivity. These premixes are formulated cost-effectively to enhance growth, egg production, immunity, livability, and overall product quality.
The present study evaluated the effect of two different premixes on the productivity of laying hens. A total of 30,900 laying hens (29 weeks old) from a single shed were selected and observed over five experimental periods, each lasting five weeks, including one control and four treatment periods.
The experimental design was as follows:
- T1 (Control): Diet supplemented with premix supplied by Competitor Company.
- T2, T3, T4, and T5 (Treatment): Diet supplemented with premix supplied by Kemin Company (KEPREX™ LR PRO)
Both premixes were added at a rate of 5kg per metric ton of feed, with their nutritional matrix considered during ration formulation.
At the end of the experiment, egg production, feed consumption per egg, mortality, and cost efficiency were evaluated. The results showed that laying hens fed with premix based on KEPREX™ LR PRO exhibited higher egg production and better feed efficiency compared to the control group. Additional egg production of 1,22,330; 1,62,830; 1,59,040; and 1,37,360 eggs were recorded during the T2, T3, T4, and T5 periods, respectively, compared to the T1 control period.
Feed consumption per egg during the T1 control period was 135.23g, which was 13.12g, 16.98g, 15.43g, and 13.92g higher than T2, T3, T4, and T5 treatment periods, respectively.
This improvement in efficiency resulted in a cost advantage of INR 3,76,290; INR 5,12,231; INR 4,71,463 & INR 4,01,081 in favor of the KEPREX™ LR PRO treatment periods compared to the competitor product control period. Consequently, a return on investment (ROI) of 4:1, 5:1, 5:1, and 4:1 was achieved in the KEPREX™ LR PRO groups.
Based on these results, KEPREX™ LR PRO is a practical and cost-effective solution that ensures uniform delivery of precisely dosed feed additives, leading to improved performance and profitability for poultry farmers.
