Avian Nutrition & Feed Technology

Research Activities & Achievements

1.      Precise nutrient supply

           Nutrient requirements and dietary inter-relationships of energy, protein and amino acids, calcium, phosphorous, manganese, zinc, copper, Iron, selenium, lysine, methionine, folic acid, biotin, vitamins A, E and D etc. for different classes and ages of diversified poultry including new breeds and varieties developed at Institute, under tropical conditions have been established. Comparative efficacy of DL-methionine and methionine hydroxyl analogue (MHA) has been evaluated in the diet of broiler chickens and quails. The nutrient requirements for broilers and growing and laying quails have been successfully partitioned for developing feeding standards. These recommendations are being used by poultry farmers, feed manufacturers, researchers and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

2.      Alternate feed resources

             A comprehensive database on the nutritive and feeding value, as well as safe inclusion levels, of various alternate feed resources has been developed. These includes distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), cottonseed meal, rice gluten meal, maize gluten meal, rapeseed/mustard oil cake, de-oiled rice bran, rice kani, wheat bran, guar korma, tapioca meal, sunflower cake, niger meal, sorghum, pearl millet (bajra), molasses, apple pomace, neem seed kernel, meat meal, liver meal, slaughter house and hatchery wastes, poultry droppings etc. Based on the nutritional evaluation of these resources, low-cost feed formulae have been developed.

3.      Augmenting nutrient bio-availability

            Over the years, significant research contributions have been made towards the development and evaluation of safe, efficient and sustainable feed additives for augmenting nutrient bio-availability in poultry, with a strong focus on reducing dependence on antibiotic growth promoters. The Division has evaluated a number of feed additives including enzymes, mineral chelates, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, organic acids, feed sanitizers, phytogenics, antioxidants, immunomodulators, parabiotics, postbiotics and marine biomass-based additives, establishing their potential to improve nutrient utilization, gut health, immunity and productivity. This has led to innovative technologies and value-added products including CARIHERBIGROW, CARIBOOST and CARIHERBISTRESSMIN. The Division has also developed effective approaches such as fermentation, enzymatic treatment, fungal processing, roasting, autoclaving and chemical processing to enhance the nutritive value of unconventional feed resources. Collectively, these innovations are contributing to cost-effective, residue-free sustainable poultry production safe for human being.

4.      Feed safety

          The safety and feeding value of genetically modified crops, including Bt cotton, Bt brinjal, Bt corn and Quality Protein Maize (QPM), have been evaluated for their potential use in poultry nutrition. A thin-layer chromatography (TLC) method for the detection of aflatoxin B₁ was developed at ICAR-CARI and subsequently adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Tolerance levels of aflatoxins in poultry have also been established, and dietary strategies for mitigating the adverse effects of mycotoxins and pesticide residues have been investigated. These efforts culminated in the development of CARITOXOMIN, an herbal toxin binder designed to mitigate the adverse effects of mycotoxins in poultry feed. Mycotoxin contamination in procured feed ingredients and compounded feeds is routinely monitored to ensure feed safety, safeguard poultry health, and maintain optimal productivity.

5.      Feed Formulation Software Developed

       Window based unique computer software “Make Feed” poultry has been developed for formulation of low cost, efficient balanced feed for a wide variety of poultry like layer and broiler chicken, quails, guinea fowls, turkeys etc. The software incorporates a comprehensive feed ingredient and nutrient database developed under diverse agro-climatic conditions of India, enabling formulation of economical diets using locally available feed resources.

6.      Feeding management

           Feeding management packages of quails, turkey, guinea fowl, chicken, new breeds and improved varieties of indigenous chicken at Institute were developed for various agro-climatic conditions to optimize the genetic potential for growth, egg production, feed efficiency, reproductive performance and overall productivity. Scientific feed formulae were designed for small/marginal farmers using locally available feed ingredients and resources. These feeding strategies enable farmers to reduce feed costs, minimize dependence on expensive commercial feeds and improve the efficiency and profitability of poultry production.

7.      Designer eggs

         Developed low-cholesterol and omega-3 fatty acid enriched chicken eggs through dietary interventions using copper sulphate, herbs, spirulina, coriander seed powder, dried ginger and garlic powder, black cumin, fenugreek, holi basil or curry leaves, statins, chromium, fish oil, turmeric, flaxseed meal and other bioactive components. These interventions help improve the nutritional and functional value of  meat and eggs, providing opportunities for product diversification, better consumer health benefits and development of premium poultry products with enhanced market potential.

8.      In ovo feeding

          In ovo feeding and vaccination protocols have been standardized for chicken and turkey, with identification of key nutrients and their associated growth and immunity-related genes. Based on these findings, a comprehensive in ovo intervention package has been developed for broiler chickens to support improved post-hatch growth, immune development and overall performance.

Teaching Activities

Faculty Profile