The data in Table 1 shows that there were some differences between UAE factories’ feed products and the
international standards of NRC (1994 revised edition) with regards to the nutrient requirements provided in
their feeds.
The crude protein, fat, calcium, zinc and phosphorus percentages in the broiler starter feeds
produced by the UAE feed industry were similar to the international standards of NRC.
Feed mill B produced
broiler finisher feed containing nutrients similar to the minimum nutrient requirements set by the NRC.
However, the magnesium and copper percentages of broiler starter and finisher feeds were higher and lower
than the minimum requirements set by the NRC, respectively.
Table
2 shows the nutrient composition of
pullet starter & grower and layer feeds produced by the UAE feed industry compared to the minimum nutrient
requirements of the NRC.
Similar trends were observed with the pullet starter feeds produced by
UAE feed
companies, i.e., the crude protein, fat, calcium, zinc and phosphorus percentages were similar to the
international standards of the NRC.
Pullet grower feeds produced by UAE feed companies were different in
the crude protein, calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc compared to the minimum requirements set by the
NRC.
The largest differences in feed composition for layers were in the crude protein percentage, followed by
calcium, magnesium and copper percentages.
Poultry feeds produced by only one of the three companies
(feed mill B) gave the nearest chemical analysis to the international standards of the NRC (1994 revised
edition).
The results of the second study showed that broiler body weight and body weight gain at 14 and 21 days of
age were not significantly different between the two feed treatments.
However, at 28 days of age, body weight
(1080 vs. 1138 g/bird) and body weight gain (1031 vs. 1091g/bird) were significantly different (p