Wynnstay alter layer diets to reduce phosphate excretion

Recent changes to Wynnstay poultry diets have shown a 13.4% reduction in poultry phosphate excretion can be achieved through simple diet changes, which lowers the levels of monocalcium phosphate (MCP) required.

Wynnstay head of poultry, Jim Turner, says that following concerns around phosphate contamination from poultry farms, the company has adapted rations to reduce phosphate requirements and therefore reducing potential excretion into the environment.

“Following the addition of a triple dose of a phytase enzyme in all layer diets, on average, there’s been a 10.4% reduction in total phosphorus content in the diet and a 13.4% reduction in phosphorus excretion per bird per year, achieved by birds mobilising bound phosphorus from the raw materials,” explains Mr Turner.

“As a result, the inclusion of MCP can be reduced,” he adds.

Mr Turner says, that MCP is a finite resource that is more expensive than it has been historically.

“It’s important to have an alternative option that doesn’t affect the cost of the ration or the performance of the bird, and therefore the most economic and sustainable option is to increase the dose of the phytase enzyme.”

Eloise Lawlor poultry nutritionist at Premier Nutrition, has been working alongside Wynnstay to make these changes to the diet.

She adds that a large proportion of phosphorus found in poultry diets is in the form of phytate phosphorus which is indigestible and an anti-nutritional factor (ANF).

“ANF’s can influence nutrient utilisation, so reducing the level of MCP and where suitable incorporating a triple dose of a phytase enzyme, helps to increase calcium and phosphate availability and utilisation. This results in improved feed efficiency and reduces the amount of phosphorus being bypassed and excreted by the bird,” explains Ms Lawlor.

She says that with MCP being a finite resource and phosphate contamination high on the agenda, making changes to the diet which will result in an overall increase in efficiency while protecting bird health, welfare and the environment is a win-win.