3 minute read
Sheep 2
Preface
The idea for this book on broiler breeders was launched soon after the Novus Key Opinion Leaders Breeder Workshop held in February 2019 where several experts addressed fundamental questions such as, “Have we already reached the full potential of broiler breeder production?” and “Are there multi- and transgenerational ways to create profitable broilers?”. It was also clear during the event that parent breeder populations play a pivotal role in the poultry sector.
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The workshop was a success notwithstanding the fact that the group concluded that not all issues in broiler breeder production have been solved. Hence, the necessity to summarize relevant information in a reference book that could also serve as the basis for continuing the discussions regarding further optimizations of breeder reproduction and offspring performance.
This book is perhaps needed now more than ever as we see the escalating increase in meat protein production and consumption worldwide. This increase in meat production and consumption is happening at an even faster pace than increases in the global human population. It has also become evident that the production of poultry meat has overtaken that of pork meat and, surely, of red meat. To meet this demand for poultry meat (mainly broiler), it is obvious that the pillars of the poultry industry, including companies providing breeding and genetics, nutrition, climate control and housing (including precision livestock farming), disease control and prevention, and finally parent reproduction performance and incubation must act together in the effort of providing safe, healthy, affordable meat to the market. In addition, attention must be paid to the economic and societal impacts, animal welfare and ethics, and, perhaps most importantly, to the overall sustainability of the poultry sector.
It was decided at the start of creating this book that the contributions of international experts from the academic world, the industry, and breeding companies
be represented in a balanced way. With respect to the latter, we are extremely pleased to have the collaboration of some of the major broiler breeder and light breeder companies explaining their particular viewpoints and perspectives.
Due to the complexity of our sector, it was important to provide a sound structure of the topics addressed. You’ll see a clear distinction was made between quantitative and qualitative feeding strategies for breeder populations during rearing as well as during the laying period and providing details on their distinct effects on breeder reproductive performance, behaviour, and welfare. Addressing the importance of the male breeder, breeder diseases and control, recent developments in precision feeding, and breeder macro- and micronutrient requirements were also considered paramount.
The avian world has recently shown more interest in the concept of epigenetics. Is it possible to alter the performance, immunity, physiology, behaviour, and welfare of the next generation (multigenerational) or of generations (transgenerational) of broilers by manipulating the parent population in one way or another? This question is considered in detail in this reference book.
The scientific coordinators acknowledge the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) for allowing us to include the chapter compiled by Aviagen experts previously published in a CABI book as part of this Novus reference book unaltered.
Along with Novus International, the scientific coordinators are much indebted to all the experts from different fields for their valuable contributions. Without their contributions, it would not have been possible to compile this reference book titled “Breeder management and nutrition: Moving the industry forward”.
Special thanks to the communications team who participated in the creation, organization and supervision of the contents that made the launch of this book possible, Susana Candel, Elizabeth Davis, Megan Hayes, Raquel Vázquez and others Novus colleagues.
Enjoy your reading!
Prof. Johan Buyse, KU Leuven Belgium Sandrine Durox, Novus International, Inc Dr. Silvia Peris, Novus International, Inc
Chapter index
1/ Global (poultry) meat production: a holistic view.
Eddy Decuypere, PhD 2/ Quantitative feed restriction and reproductive performance.
Aitor Arrazola, PhD 3/ Effects of breeder feed restriction on behaviour, welfare, reproduction, and health.
R.A. (Rick) van Emous, PhD, and A.J.W. (Annemarie) Mens, PhD 4/ The effects of qualitative feed restriction on performance, behaviour and welfare of broiler breeders.
Henk Enting, PhD 5/ Trace mineral nutrition in breeder hens.
Stanislaw Budnik, PhD, and Silvia Peris, PhD 6/ Macrominerals: calcium, phosphorus, and electrolytes.
Hugo Romero-Sanchez, PhD, and Dinabandhu Joardar, PhD 7/ Housing, equipment and management of broiler breeders.
R.A. (Rick) van Emous, PhD 8/ Management and nutrition of the male breeder.
Edgar Orlando Oviedo Rondón, PhD, and Hugo Romero-Sanchez, PhD 9/ Maternal programming of the offspring.
Rebecca Forder, PhD
