Delta® Stimflash improves overall production performance

• the development of techniques for measuring animal immunity and stress levels
• but also the development of a unique database analysing the antioxidant capacity of more than 210 plant extracts used in animal nutrition.

Oxidative stress, a reality on the ground, a lever for improving breeding performance

The process of oxidative stress is now well understood. Highly reactive molecules produced by the body, known as ‘free radicals’, constantly alter the body’s vital tissues. Under normal circumstances, these molecules are neutralised by the body’s protective mechanisms called antioxidants. These antioxidants prevent free radicals from reaching their targets and damaging them.

Free radicals are the result of stress experienced by the animal:

• pathogenic aggression
• environmental changes (temperature, feed transitions, handling, etc.)
• high metabolism, particularly during periods of high production (peak egg-laying, growth)

Oxidative stress impacts performance

During periods of stress or pathogenic pressure, the production of free radicals is greater than that of antioxidants, leading to oxidative stress and/or inflammation. Many micronutrients are then mobilised to strengthen the natural defences instead of being used for meat or egg production. This nutritional reallocation then has a direct impact on the decline in zootechnical performance.

It is estimated that 70% of the decline in performance is due to reduced consumption and 30% to the immune response, which reallocates part of the intake to activate the immune response (white blood cells and antibodies in particular) – Journal of Pathology, vol. 181: 257–266, 1997).

Greater control of these oxidative stress problems therefore represents a real lever for improving the performance of broiler, laying and breeding poultry.

Metabolic reallocation: less muscle protein produced under stress

Delta® Stimflash improves overall production performance, particularly in poor conditions
Thanks to its unique composition (resulting from CCPA research), rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, Delta® Stimflash protects the animals and prevents a drop in consumption during periods of stress. It therefore helps to reduce metabolic diversion and refocus feed intake on production (meat, eggs, etc.) to maintain and improve performance.

Proven benefits

• Laying breeding: laying persistence
  Experimental Station trial, 2009
  3 distributions of Delta® Stimflash at 55 weeks, 57 weeks and 59 weeks of age (Lohman brown)

• Broilers: 30% improvement in chick-feed margin
  Technical and economic results for 2008-2010 for 34 batches of ROSS chickens
  PM3 from the same farm with Delta® Stimflash

To be used during tricky periods

• Broilers: start-up, vaccine management, feed transitions.
• Pullets: vaccine management, transfer.
• Laying hens: start of laying and peak laying.
• Breeders: after viral infections and to improve chick quality.