CaPlus ME – new results in poultry nutrition

With the development of the Ca^Plus - blends, a concept was realised that allows for highly effective acids in animal nutrition which are easy to handle.

What kind of results can be expected with the application of acids in poultry nutrition? Especially young birds have not yet developed a very complex micro-flora compared to adult birds. Even though their bacteria concentration reaches the magnitude of older birds within a few days, however, the micro-flora composition is rather basic and contains only few species and strains. This deficiency weakens the microbial barrier and makes the chicks susceptible to infections of the gut.

 

Apart from their efficacy as preservatives and mould inhibitors, organic acids are also utilised to influence the intestinal micro flora. The acids inhibit the development of pathogenic bacteria and support a positive gut environment. Consequently they have to reach the part of the gut where they are supposed to have an effect. Ca^Plus ME is a combination of different organic acids which are in part micro encapsulated to allow for a gradual release of the active ingredients throughout the digestive tract.

Efficacy of CaPlus ME

Two consecutive trials were conducted with the University of Berlin to test the efficacy of Ca^Plus ME in broiler nutrition.

Per trial 240 animals were randomly allocated to two different treatments. There were 6 replicates per treatment with 20 birds respectively. The trial period comprised 35 days. The trial diets were based on wheat, maize and soybean meal. The trial period was divided into the starter phase, the grower and the finisher phase.

In both trials the final weight of the broilers could be numerically increased by the application of Ca^Plus ME. Feed conversion rate was also improved by the treatment, in the second trial significantly (figure 1).

Figure 1: Effect of Ca^Plus ME on the feed conversion rate of broilers

Conclusion

With the application of Ca^Plus ME the efficacy of different organic acids and salts is optimally combined. The fraction of microencapsulated acids guarantees a slow release in the hind gut of broilers. These advantages of Ca^Plus ME have recently been proven in two trials and are reflected in an improved performance of the birds.