A recent research study determined that feeding ProsperEO™ in addition to a conventional coccidiostat program to turkeys starting at 9 weeks of age improved both rate of growth and feed efficiency resulting in an additional 14,440 lbs. at the processing plant. ProsperEO is an everyday antibiotic-free feed additive containing patented essential oils and prebiotics.
“Our goal with this study was to help turkey producers accelerate growth after the brood barn and achieve more total pounds at processing,” said Dr. Tim Broderick, Poultry Research & Development Manager for Ralco. “Turkeys require greater feed and time investment than any other poultry. Toms grow for 16-20 weeks and consume 80-100 lbs. of feed per bird to reach 40 lbs. Finishing birds strong is critical for producers to achieve a better return on investment.”
The study resulted in an additional 14,440 lbs. at the processing plant with a ROI of 5:1 for the producer, equating to a return of $7,500 on the flock using ProsperEO.
“This research study demonstrated the efficacy of ProsperEO in turkey production,” said Dr. Broderick. “Improved gut health and nutrient absorption led to increased body weight gain in the flock.”
Research Details The study was conducted at a commercial research facility where two flocks were raised congruently using identical brooder and finisher barns, with each group consisting of 10,600 Hybrid Converter toms. A traditional coccidiostat program was fed to both groups’ during the brood phase. When toms were moved to the finisher barns, ProsperEO was included at 0.6 lbs. from week 9-14 and 0.5 lbs./ton from week 14 to market.
The results of the study showed that turkeys fed ProsperEO starting at 9 weeks of age had improved growth rate and feed efficiency. ProsperEO turkeys were 1.64 pounds heavier with a 6-point weight adjusted feed conversion advantage.
Turkeys fed ProsperEO overall had significantly greater weight gain resulting in an additional 14,440 lbs. at the processing plant compared to non-supplemented birds.
“We saw these performance results due to the unique essential oil blend in this product and patented Ralco technologies which allow us to successfully alter tissues in the gut for greater nutrient absorption and gain,” said Dr. Broderick.
Product Information
ProsperEO is NEXUS™ formulated with a patented combination of phytonutrients including essential oils and prebiotics that are specifically chosen for their antimicrobial, nutrient conversion, antioxidant, immune regulation, and competitive exclusion properties to help strengthen the gut wall and improve nutrient absorption so birds are better able to maintain everyday health and focus more energy on growth.
Over 20 years ago, Ralco pioneered the mainstream use of phytonutrients for animal health and nutrition. “With expertise in phytonutrients and the NEXUS formulation approach, we were able to match up the precise properties needed to improve immunity, health and the tissues in the gut itself leading to enhanced nutrient absorption,” said Dr. Broderick.
Villi are finger like projections responsible for nutrient absorption and feed conversion in the small intestine. In previous research studies, the phytonutrients in ProsperEO increased the length and surface area of villi in the gut leading to greater nutrient absorption. A similar response was observed in this commercial study where ProsperEO turkeys had greater gain from an enhanced ability to absorb nutrients from feed.
“Ultimately, the small changes we made in the gut with ProsperEO resulted in big changes in total pounds received at processing and profits for the producer,” concluded Dr. Broderick.
ProsperEO is also available for organic poultry production as an extension to Ralco’s growing line of OMRI Listed® products.
About Ralco Ralco is a third-generation family-owned multinational company with distribution in more than 40 countries. Ralco is a leading global provider of natural solutions to maximize nutrient conversion in plants and animals. Learn more at https://ralcoagriculture.com/.