Progut in layer feed, trials and experiences

The effect of Progut™ on the prevention of E.coli based problems and on production performance in layers (and broiler breeders) has so far been tested in Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Latvia and in Finland. Due to the fact that Progut™in layer application is mainly used as a problem solver it has mostly been tested against problems (oviduct infections, high mortality, diarrhea, wet litter and dirty eggs) in practical farm conditions.

Switzerland

In Switzerland all egg production is carried out through free-range systems; cages have been banned for several years. Diarrhoea, oviduct infections and high mortality of layers are a common problem. The testing of Progut in layer feeds started in 2001 and commercial use in 2002. Testing has shown to solve E.coli based problems in 2-3 days.

Finland, Norway and Sweden

In Finland Progut™ was tested in layer flocks suffering from diarrhoea, oviduct infections and high mortality. Feeds containing Progut™ clearly decreased the problems and the product was taken in to commercial layer feeds in 2002. Progut™ is used today in pre-layer, phase 1 and phase 2 feeds. In broiler breeder feeds the use of Progut™ has shown an effect on water consumption, litter quality and the amount of clean, hatchable eggs. Progut™ has been used commercially in hatching feeds for broiler breeders since 2002. The inclusion rate in layer and breeder feeds is 0,15 %.

A Norwegian feed company started to test the product in layer feeds in order to decrease the amount of dirty eggs, which was a common problem. They added Progut™ into commercial layer feeds first at one of their factories and compared the results:

- With previous results from farms using the feeds from that factory

- With results from farms using the same feeds produced in their other factories

This practical, large-scale study showed that feeds containing 0,15 % Progut remarkably decreased (up to 40 %) the amount of dirty eggs compared with previous results from the test farms or results from other farms using the same basic feeds without Progut™. Currently the same Norwegian feed company is using 0,15 % Progut™ in all of their layer feeds. They are also using it partly in their hatching feeds for broiler breeders.

In Sweden Progut™ has been tested in layer feeds at problem farms with good results.

Results from a layer feeding trial between 21 and 37 weeks of age, 2002

There were 4000 Lohmann LSL layers in the control group and 4000 in the trial group placed in similar stables. The trial period was from 21 until 37 weeks of age. The same basic feed was used for both groups, 0,2 % of Progut™ was added in the trial feed.

Egg laying- % was over 90 % between weeks 23 and 37 in both groups. In the trial group the laying peaked higher and stayed at few percentages higher during the trial period (see figure below).

layer trial (poultry)

EGG LAYING (%)

There was a clear difference in mortality between the groups (see figure below).

Mortality between groups (poultry)

MORTALITY BETWEEN GROUPS