Family Flock Nutrition &

Management

2008

Why Do We Own Birds?

For Viewing Pleasure?

For Show?

As Pets?

For Eggs?

Getting Started• Chicks never get over a poor startChicks never get over a poor start

• Basic preparation increases successBasic preparation increases success

• Home environment topics:Home environment topics:

– DryDry

– Correct Temperature Correct Temperature

– SpacingSpacing

– HH22O & FeedersO & Feeders

Environment• Keep it clean…keep it dry!Keep it clean…keep it dry!• Warm, dry housing – make it draft freeWarm, dry housing – make it draft free

• Make it predator proofMake it predator proof

• Clean & Disinfect Everything Before Chicks ArriveClean & Disinfect Everything Before Chicks Arrive

– House, Waterers, FeedersHouse, Waterers, Feeders

• Bedding 2-5” Deep (Wood shavings, straw, etc.)Bedding 2-5” Deep (Wood shavings, straw, etc.)

• Disinfect RegularlyDisinfect Regularly

Totally Enclosed/High & Dry

Open Air Ventilation/Curtain Sides

Temperature• Avoid the “Big Chill”Avoid the “Big Chill”• Day Old Chicks – pre-heat area to 90º -95º with Day Old Chicks – pre-heat area to 90º -95º with

heat lamp/light bulb approx 20” above chicksheat lamp/light bulb approx 20” above chicks

• Place thermometer at chick levelPlace thermometer at chick level

• Comfort can be observedComfort can be observed

– If chicks huddle together under light – it’s too coldIf chicks huddle together under light – it’s too cold

– If chicks huddle in corners – it’s too hotIf chicks huddle in corners – it’s too hot

• Reduce 5º each week until 65º minimumReduce 5º each week until 65º minimum

Adequate Temp Control

Inadequate Temp Control

Spacing• No “Crowding” Allowed!No “Crowding” Allowed!

• Hatch to 6 weeks – Hatch to 6 weeks –

– Allow 0.8 – 1.5 sq. feet per chickAllow 0.8 – 1.5 sq. feet per chick

• 6 Weeks and Older6 Weeks and Older

– Allow 1.5 – 3 sq. feet per chickAllow 1.5 – 3 sq. feet per chick

• Watch growth rate to allow for more roomWatch growth rate to allow for more room

Spacing

Spacing

The Importance of H2O• Disinfect waterers prior to use – then weeklyDisinfect waterers prior to use – then weekly

• One 1-quart fount per 25 chicks One 1-quart fount per 25 chicks

• Use fresh, cool (not cold) HUse fresh, cool (not cold) H22O – refresh dailyO – refresh daily

• Dip beaks to induce drinkingDip beaks to induce drinking

• Elevate waterer after 1Elevate waterer after 1stst week week

– Reduces contaminationReduces contamination

– Waterer should not be higher than chick’s back Waterer should not be higher than chick’s back

• Double H2O capacity at 6 weeksDouble H2O capacity at 6 weeks

Plenty of Feeders/Waterers

Not Enough Feeders/Waterers

•Turkey Poults: Turkey Poults:

• Slow to understand eating & drinking: Slow to understand eating & drinking: monitormonitor

• To get started – dip beaks in HTo get started – dip beaks in H22O & feedO & feed

•Ducklings/Goslings:Ducklings/Goslings:

• May swim in HMay swim in H22O after 4 weeksO after 4 weeks

• Keep dry until thenKeep dry until then

• Place marbles in waterer to reduce splashingPlace marbles in waterer to reduce splashing

Starting “Other” Poultry

CCoolloorr!!•Show birds:Show birds:

•Want bright Want bright feathers & shanksfeathers & shanks

•Layers/Broilers:Layers/Broilers:

• Want yolks & meat Want yolks & meat that doesn’t look that doesn’t look “store-bought”“store-bought”

Nutritional Hot Topics

Sources:• Marigold extract • Corn, corn gluten

How many of you have experiencedHow many of you have experienced

““CannibalismCannibalism or or Feather-pickingFeather-picking?”?”

•Caused By:Caused By:

•Poor nutritionPoor nutrition

•Overcrowding or OverheatingOvercrowding or Overheating

•Very bright lightingVery bright lighting

•Boredom & or Longer daylight Boredom & or Longer daylight hourshours

Behavior Issues:

•More spaceMore space

•Better Better ventilationventilation

•Less lightLess light

•More feed, waterMore feed, water

•Scratch feedScratch feed

•Feed formFeed form

Corrective Measures

How many of you have How many of you have experienced “experienced “Egg-Egg-eatingeating?”?”

• Starts by accidentStarts by accident

• Very difficult to stopVery difficult to stop

• Thin shellsThin shells

• Not enough nest materialNot enough nest material

• Eggs in nest too longEggs in nest too long

Behavior Issues

•Gather eggs frequentlyGather eggs frequently

•Feed adequate calciumFeed adequate calcium

•More nesting materialMore nesting material

•Cull problem birdsCull problem birds

Corrective Measures

Family Flock Product Line

All SunFresh® Recipe Diets Contain:

• Natural plant proteins – no animal proteins or by-products

• Proprietary level of Vitamin E for healthy immune system

• Proprietary level of Marigold Extract to enhance coloring

•Feed from hatch to lay (18-20 Feed from hatch to lay (18-20 weeks)weeks)

•18% protein for proper start18% protein for proper start

•Medicated Option Available with Medicated Option Available with AmproliumAmprolium

• To prevent coccidiosisTo prevent coccidiosis

•Excellent for layer chicksExcellent for layer chicks

Start & Grow® SunFresh® Recipe

•Excellent feed for meat birds Excellent feed for meat birds (broilers)(broilers)

•Feed from hatch to market Feed from hatch to market weightweight

• Can be fed to turkey after 8 Can be fed to turkey after 8 weeksweeks

•20% protein20% protein

•Available with AmproliumAvailable with Amprolium

• Will not harm ducks Will not harm ducks

Flock Raiser® SunFresh® Recipe

•Pellet, Crumble, Pellet, Crumble, or Mash for hensor Mash for hens

•16% protein16% protein

•Elevated levels of Calcium & Elevated levels of Calcium & Manganese for strong shellsManganese for strong shells

•Not medicatedNot medicated

•Excellent feed for all adult Excellent feed for all adult birds birds

Layena® SunFresh® Recipe

•Simple mix of 2 or 3 grainsSimple mix of 2 or 3 grains

•8% protein (not for layers)8% protein (not for layers)

•Feed for “fun” - not nutritionFeed for “fun” - not nutrition

• Should not be more than Should not be more than 10% of adult birds diet10% of adult birds diet

Scratch SunFresh® Grains

Supplemental Feeding• FLOCK BLOCK™

• Similar to Scratch

• Whole Grain Supplement

• Restores Pecking Instincts

• Going on Vacation?• Try Flock Block™

• 25# Block

• Feeds up to 25 birds for 2-3 days (maybe longer)

Game Bird StartenaGame Bird Startena®®

•Feed from 0 – 8 weeksFeed from 0 – 8 weeks

•28% protein28% protein

•Not medicatedNot medicated

•From 9 – 18 weeksFrom 9 – 18 weeks

• Feed Flock RaiserFeed Flock Raiser®®

Turkey Poults

• New recipe for Purina’s premium poultry feeds

• Takes “natural” to a whole new level:

• No animal proteins or fats

• Highest quality natural sun-grown grains and plant proteins

• Natural with vitamins, minerals and other trace nutrients (amino acids)

• Healthier chickens and wholesome eggs

• Why Purina Mills’ natural is better

• Our guarantee of quality

• Exceed industry standards for ingredient quality and handling, manufacturing and final product testing

Standards No animal proteins or fats (use only natural plant proteins)

Natural – with vitamins, minerals and other trace nutrients (amino acids)

  Only the finest ingredients from approved ingredient suppliers

  Industry-leading standards for ingredient selection and handling

  Proprietary infra-red ingredient screening process

Standards  Superior standards ensure constant nutrition from batch to batch

No hormones

  Top research guidelines

  Employee Quality Training Schools

  Over 200 quality inspections on each batch of feed

  Precision manufacturing procedures

  Finest product testing

Has this bird been eating Deer Chow® AntlerMax®?

The End.

Questions?