As modern poultry production evolves, an emphasis on precision feeding has emerged, optimizing nutrient intake to meet the growth potential of each bird. One highly effective method is sex-separated rearing, enabling nutritionists to tailor diets for male and female birds based on their distinct growth needs. This method minimizes variability and boosts feed efficiency, although nutrient utilization can still vary among birds.
Phytogenic feed additives, derived from plants, have gained traction for their role in enhancing digestion and nutrient absorption. Xtract 6930, a microencapsulated phytogenic blend by ADM, aims to optimize nutrient utilization. Recent research from ADM examined its performance in broilers subjected to varied sex and diet combinations, revealing valuable insights into the potential of phytogenics for enhancing precision nutrition programs.
Study Design: Investigating Sex-Diet Interactions
A controlled trial involving 1,152 Ross broilers was conducted, comparing results from separate-sex and mixed-sex rearing. Two distinct diet formulations were utilized: a standard diet that reflects conventional nutrient density, and a female-specific diet containing roughly 5% fewer digestible amino acids and 50 kcal/kg less metabolizable energy than the standard option.
Half of the pens in both groups were supplemented with Xtract 6930 at 100 ppm, while the other half served as control groups. Various performance metrics, including body weight, feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio, were monitored on days 9, 27, 34, and 42. On day 43, selected birds were processed to evaluate carcass characteristics, including breast and tenderloin yields.
Performance Outcomes: Consistent Improvements
Birds supplemented with the phytogenic additive exhibited notable improvements in overall performance and carcass quality when data was aggregated across sexes and diet types. Specifically, those receiving Xtract 6930 showed a numerical increase in hot carcass weight (+27.1 g) and breast weight (+15 g), coupled with a significant enhancement in tenderloin yield (+3.3%; p = 0.03). These results suggest that the additive amplifies nutrient utilization and muscle deposition, thereby increasing carcass value at processing.
The findings indicate that phytogenic compounds hold potential for improving feed efficiency and carcass quality, two critical elements for profitability in contemporary broiler farming. While birds equipped with the additive displayed enhanced nutrient processing, responses varied between sexes and diet types.
Tenderloin Yield: A Valuable Advantage
Carcass analysis revealed significant improvements in high-value cuts, particularly in the tenderloin, which showed increased weight among supplemented birds (Figure 1). This enhancement was particularly pronounced in female birds on the female diet, indicating improved protein deposition and muscle growth even when nutrient supply was limited.
Male birds on the standard diet also experienced a trend towards higher tenderloin weights, though the magnitude of this response varied. From an economic standpoint, even minor gains in tenderloin yield can greatly enhance carcass value, making this finding significant for integrators and processors alike.
Different Diets, Distinct Responses
This study underscored that the effectiveness of phytogenic additives varies based on both sex and diet composition. Females on the lower specification diet demonstrated nearly a 2% improvement in feed conversion ratio (Figure 2) paired with greater tenderloin yield, suggesting that the additive helps mitigate the effects of reduced nutrient density. Females on the standard diet exhibited stable performance, indicating their nutritional requirements were sufficiently met.
How Phytogenics Drive Efficiency
Phytogenic compounds enhance digestive enzyme activity while supporting gut integrity, which optimizes nutrient absorption and protein utilization. Improved digestion enables dietary amino acids to be more effectively allocated toward muscle growth, thus enhancing growth performance and carcass yield without necessitating increased feed density. This aligns with the industry objective of maximizing output while minimizing resource use, fostering sustainability alongside profitability.
Practical Implications for Producers
Research by ADM shows that sex-specific feeding strategies can be further optimized through the strategic application of phytogenic additives. With an inclusion rate of 100 ppm, Xtract 6930 demonstrated significant enhancements in broiler performance and carcass quality across both diet types.
For producers engaged in separate‑sex rearing, this additive helps to sustain feed efficiency and carcass quality across diverse diet densities while reinforcing flock resilience and uniformity. The resultant benefits translate into substantial economic advantages through improved feed conversion rates, higher yields of tenderloin, and enhanced carcass returns, thereby contributing to more efficient and sustainable production systems.
