Performance and animal protection
- 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 known. Highly reactive molecules produced by the body, known as “free radicals”, are constantly damaging the body’s vital tissues. Normally, these molecules are neutralised by the body’s own protective mechanisms called “antioxidants”. These antioxidants prevent the free radicals from reaching their targets and damaging them.
Free radicals are the result of stress suffered 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 natural defences instead of being used to produce meat or eggs. This nutritional reallocation then has a direct impact on the decline in zootechnical performance.
It is estimated that 70% of the drop in performance is due to the drop in consumption and 30% to the immune response which reallocates part of the ingested feed to activate the immune response (white blood cells and antibodies in particular) – Journal of Pathology, vol. 181: 257-266, 1997).
Better control of these problems of oxidative stress therefore represents a real lever for improving rearing performance in 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
2008-2010 technical and economic results based on 34 batches of ROSS PM3 chickens from the same farm using 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.