Compromising on game feed quality can be costly
Shoots are risking their reputation, clientele and income by compromising on the quality of feed which they provide for game birds, according to the UK’s leading supplier.
“The high cost of rearing game birds makes it essential to maximise their survival, health and quality. Feed represents such a small percentage of overall rearing costs that skimping on the quality of products that are used as part of this process is therefore a false economy,” emphasises Simon Evans of Marsdens Game Feeds.
Whilst the use of cheaper, lower-density feed might apparently ‘save’ 10p per poult, Mr Evans says it puts at risk the survival and wellbeing of a bird which could be worth £3.60 at 6½ weeks. Going into early summer many keepers will, he suggests, be wishing they’d invested slightly more in high-quality feed to more fully meet the birds’ nutritional requirements and ensure the availability of sufficient high-quality poults to sell-on or send to the laying pens.
Rather than focusing on a ‘least cost’ approach to feeding game birds, Mr Evans points out that better-managed, more successful shoots appreciate that high-protein, energy-dense, highly-palatable, consistent-quality rations based on fishmeal are ultimately far more cost-effective. These, he adds, produce healthy, well-feathered birds which are capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions, fly better and are always in demand by discerning sportsmen.
Independent trials by Newton Rigg College have proved unequivocally that cheap feed is a false economy. In 2011 rearing trials at four sites compared the performance of 1200 Red-legged Partridge and 580 Common Ring-Necked Pheasant fed various diets, one a Marsdens high-fishmeal ration, the others containing low- or no-fishmeal. Every two weeks, from day-old to point of release, 50 birds were selected at random from each shed and assessed for general condition and weight gain. To ensure a fair, accurate trial all other factors were identical.
Researchers found that birds fed the high-protein diet performed to a much higher level and gained more weight, more quickly than those on the low/no fishmeal diet, the difference between the groups being obvious even at two weeks and increasing over time. Birds on the low/no fishmeal ration had to eat more feed to gain condition and ultimately cost more to produce: despite consuming an additional 88kg, they gained less weight, while a greater amount of feed was scattered and wasted, which had adverse implications in terms of cost, hygiene and disease.
“Since the use of Emtryl (dimetridazole or DMZ) ceased in 2005 keepers have been forced to address disease pressures through better management, which has meant that game bird nutrition has become far more important,” emphasises Simon Evans. “Marsdens’ approach is to select ingredients which create the correct environment in the gut to help birds counteract the challenges which come their way. Using a high-quality diet based on fishmeal is ultimately far more cost-effective and nowhere is this more evident than where keepers use our Carta Carna Gold Medal products. These are formulated to a high nutritional level and supported by our unique feed concept which encompasses fishmeal, Mos, betaine, organic acids, essential oils and organic selenium, together with high levels of essential vitamins and minerals.”
Sales of Marsdens Game Feeds have doubled during the last 10 years, a key reason being that they are manufactured ‘in-house’. A wholly-owned subsidiary of BOCM PAULS, the United Kingdom’s leading animal feed manufacturer, Marsdens have access to technical resources and expertise which competitors are unable to justify, giving the company a huge advantage in terms of supporting its customers.
ENDS
For further press information please contact:
Julian Cooksley, Kendalls Communications
T: 01394 610022
E: julian.cooksley@kendallscom.co.uk
Digital images are available to support this press release. Please contact:
Kerry-Anne Rookyard, Kendalls Communications
T: 01394 610022
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Marsdens Game Feeds was established in the 1950s as Marsdens of Leyland by Lancashire entrepreneur Duncan Marsden, a keen shooting man with a great interest in game rearing who set out to produce game feeds of high nutritional value containing only the very best ingredients. In 1986 t company was purchased by BOCM Silcock and has since become part of BOCM PAULS, the UK’s largest animal feed manufacturer.
The UK’s leading game feed manufacturer, Marsdens exports to a number of countries, including Ireland, Denmark, Finland and Cyprus. The four BOCM PAULS mills which manufacture Marsdens products focus on game feed during the important summer months, with staff appreciating the need to produce ‘dust-free’ pellets, give good service and ensure quick, reliable deliveries.
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