On Day 25, the flock transitions toward Finisher feed. Finisher diets feature increased dietary energy (3,175–3,225 kcal/kg ME) and reduced crude protein (18.0–19.0%) with higher fat inclusion. An abrupt feed change alters gut microflora, causing transient enteritis, wet droppings, and growth stalls.
The finisher phase accounts for >50% of total flock feed cost. Proper pellet physical quality (3.5mm diameter, pellet durability index >95%) drives maximum feed intake and optimal feed conversion ratio (FCR) during this rapid meat accretion phase.
•Switching 100% to Finisher feed in a single delivery, shocking the bird's digestive tract and causing flock-wide diarrhea.
•Accepting feed loads with high percentage of fines (>15%), which reduces feed consumption and clogs automatic auger lines.
•Leaving feeder lines too low during the transition, allowing heavier birds to shovel feed out of pans with their beaks.
•Overlooking water sanitation during feed change, allowing opportunistic pathogens like Clostridium perfringens to proliferate.
•The transition to high-energy finisher diets creates an ideal environment for Clostridium perfringens overgrowth if intestinal mucosal integrity is compromised. Keep water acidified (pH ~6.0) and avoid feed interruptions that cause gorging.
•Clinical escalation trigger: If necropsy reveals thin, ballooned intestines with 'Turkish towel' pseudomembrane lining (Necrotic Enteritis) or mortality spikes >0.10%/day, immediately consult the veterinarian for therapeutic intervention.
•Let the flock clean out the feeder pans once a day for 30 to 45 minutes around 10:00 AM. This prevents fine dust from accumulating at the bottom of the pan and ensures birds eat all essential vitamins and minerals.
•Smell the feed as it unloads from the delivery truck: it should smell fresh and toasted, never sour, musty, or paint-like.
As broilers grow larger, their maintenance energy requirements increase while their relative protein requirement for muscle tissue synthesis tapers slightly. Higher energy density (3,200 kcal/kg) maximizes daily caloric intake for rapid breast meat deposition while optimizing economic feed efficiency.
If using a single silo, run the silo down until approximately 1.5–2 days of Grower feed remains, then order the Finisher feed delivery on top. The natural funnel flow during extraction will create a gradual blend in the auger boots over 36–48 hours.
Dusty feed reduces intake by up to 10% because broilers prefer to peck intact pellets. Contact your feed supplier immediately. In the interim, shorten feeding intervals and run augers more frequently in smaller batches to keep fresh feed moving.
