Poultry Research Achievements in Kuwait and Way Forward

Abstract

Poultry researchers in Kuwait conducted many projects during the past three decades in collaboration with the poultry producers and collected valuable scientific achievements. The poultry group improved broiler feed efficiency from 2.00 to 1.4. Feed efficiency of the Lohmann strains was 1.66 for brown and 1.64 for white, and of Hy-Line was 1.78 for brown and 1.87 for white, which is lower than the company guide feed efficiency. The protein requirement of the growing local chickens was reduced from 21% to 18% and from 17% to 15% for layers. Broilers raised at 32-42\(^{\circ}\)C significantly gained more weight when received 25 or 50% more vitamin mix than the standard. Results also showed that the protein step-down phase feeding regimen (18-16-14%) of hens improved egg production and feed efficiency. Under a hot environment, high levels of calcium (4.25%), phosphorus (0.9%), salt (0.5%), and a moderate level of metabolizable energy (2800 kJ/kg) are recommended for layers. Using a combination of restricted lighting (8 hr light/d) and restricted feeding (8 hr feed/d) and high (3200 kJ/kg) or low (2900 kJ/kg) dietary energy resulted in a significant improvement of broiler feed efficiency at 36\(^{\circ}\)C. Using 1.5 or 3.0% of black seed significantly improved the immune status of Hy-Line hens. Using 10% flaxseed resulted in better feed efficiency (1.45) than 17% flaxseed (1.98). Furthermore, using omega-3 fatty acids resulted in less total lipids (900.9 mg versus 1820.62 mg) and a higher level of omega-3 fatty acids (21.96 mg versus 104.45 mg). The omega-6/omega-3 ratio was reduced from 6.76 to 1.19 for the enriched broilers. In eggs, this ratio was reduced from 11.73 to 4.36 for the enriched eggs. Therefore, the goal of the current paper is to show the major achievements of poultry research, identify the gaps, and propose solutions to improve productivity and enhance industry competitiveness.