Indian River Broiler Manual

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Indian River Broiler Management Manual

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FOREWORD

The manual

The purpose o this manual is to help Aviagens customers achieve optimum perormancerom their birds. It is not intended to provide denitive inormation on every aspect o

management. The manual draws attention to important issues, which, i overlooked or

inadequately addressed, may depress fock perormance. The management techniques

contained in this manual have the objectives o (a) achieving good overall bird perormance,

when live and through processing, and (b) maintaining bird health and welare.

Aviagen applies a balanced approach to genetic progress in characteristics o commercial

importance, such as growth rate, eed conversion ratio, liveability and meat yield, while

improving bird welare traits such as leg health, cardiovascular tness and robustness.

Achieving the genetic potential created within the birds depends on:

Managementtoprovidebirdswiththeirrequiredenvironment Adietaryregimethatoffersnutrientsintheappropriateprole Effectivebiosecurityanddiseasecontrol

I any one o these elements is sub-optimal, broiler perormance will suer. The three sectors,

environment, nutrition and health, are also interdependent. Thereore, a shortall in any one

will bring negative consequences to the others.

In practice, the guidance o a manual such as this cannot wholly protect against perormance

variations which may occur or a wide variety o reasons. While every attempt has been

made to ensure the accuracy and relevance o the inormation presented, Aviagen accepts

no liability or the consequences o using this inormation or the management o chickens.

Inormation presented in this manual combines data derived rom internal research trials,

published scientic knowledge and the expertise, practical skills and experience o the

Aviagen Technical Transer and Service teams.

Technical Services

For urther inormation on the management o Indian River stock, please contact your local

TechnicalServiceManagerortheTechnicalDepartment.

Newbridge Cummings Research Park

Midlothian 5015BradfordDriveEH288SZ Huntsville,Alabama35805Scotland, UK USA

Tel:+44(0)1313331056 Tel:+12568903800Fax:+44(0)1313333296 Fax:[email protected] [email protected]

www.aviagen.com

Foreword



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USING THIS MANUAL

Finding a Topic

Printed tabs appear on the right-hand side o the manual. These allow readers immediate

access to those sections and topics in which they are particularly interested.

The contents list gives the title o each section and subsection.

An alphabetical Key Word Index is given at the end o the manual.

Key Points

Key Points Where appropriate, Key Points have been included which emphasise important

aspects o husbandry and management. They are highlighted in a orange outlined

box

Perormance Objectives

Supplements to this manual contain perormance objectives that can be achieved with good

management, environmental and health control.

Using This Manual



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CONTENTS

Introduction 5

Section one - CHICK MANAGEMENT 9

Principles 11ChickQualityandBroilerPerformance 12

ChickArrival 13

EnvironmentalControl 16

BrooderManagement 18

Section two - PROVISION OF FEED AND WATER 23

Principles 25

SupplyofNutrients 25

FeedingProgramme 26

FeedFormandPhysicalFeedQuality 28

Whole-wheatFeeding 28

FeedandHeatStress 29

Environment 29

LitterQuality 30

WaterQuality 30

DrinkingSystems 32

FeedingSystems 37

Section three - HEALTH AND BIOSECURITY 39Principles 41

Biosecurity 41

Vaccination 43

Disease Investigation 44

Disease Recognition 47

Section our - HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENT 49

Principles 51

Housing and Ventilation Systems 54Minimum Ventilation Systems 56

Transitional Ventilation Systems 57

Tunnel Ventilation Systems 58

Evaporative Cooling Systems 59

Lighting or Broilers 61

Litter Management 64

Stocking Density 66

Contents



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CONTENTS

Section ve - MONITORING LIVE WEIGHTAND UNIFORMITY OF PERFORMANCE 69

Principles 71

Predictability o Live Weight 71

Flock Uniormity (CV%) 72

Separate-sex Growing 74

Section six - PRE-PROCESSING MANAGEMENT 75

Principles 77

Preparation or Catching 77

Catching 78

Processing 81

APPENDICES 83

Appendix 1. Production Records 85

Appendix 2. Conversion Tables 87

Appendix 3. Eciency Calculations 90

Appendix 4. Feather Sexing 91

Appendix 5. Classication o Months 92

Appendix 6. Problem Solving 93

Appendix 7. Ventilation Rates and Calculations 95

Key Word Index 98

Contents



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INTRODUCTION

Aviagen produces a range o genotypes suitable or dierent sectors o the broiler market.

All Aviagen products are selected or a balanced range o characteristics in both parent stock

and broiler birds. This approach ensures that the products are capable o perorming to the

highest standards in a wide variety o environments.

Aviagen applies a balanced approach to genetic progress. Characteristics o commercial

importance such as growth rate, eed conversion ratio (FCR), liveability and meat yield are

consistently improved together with genetic advances made in bird welare traits such as, leg

health, cardiovascular tness and robustness.

Achievement o the genetic potential inherent in the birds depends upon:

Anenvironmentthatismanagedtoprovidebirdswithalltheirrequirementsforventilation, air quality, temperature and space

Theprevention,detectionandtreatmentofillhealth Theprovisionofnutrientrequirementsthroughthecompoundingofappropriatefeedingredients and the proper management o the provision o eed and water

Attentiontobirdwelfarethroughout,especiallypriortoprocessing

All o these are interdependent. I any one element is sub-optimal, then broiler

perormance overall will suer.

Figure 1:LimitstoBroilerGrowthandQuality

Health

Lighting

Feed Supply

Stocking Density

Ventilation

Water Supply

Nutrition

Temperature

Vaccinal Status

Introduction



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Economicandcommercialissuescontinuetoinuencethewaybroilersaremanaged:

Anincreasingconsumerdemandforproductqualityandfoodsafety Theneedforocksofbroilerswhichcanbegrowntoevermorepredictableand

pre-dened specications

Arequirementtominimisevariabilitywithinocksandhencevariabilityofthenalproduct

Thedemandforbirdwelfareenhancement FullutilisationofthegeneticpotentialavailableinthebirdforFCR,growthrateand

meat yield

Minimisationofavoidablediseasessuchasascitesandlegweaknesses

As broiler production systems become more sophisticated, their management requires ever

higher levels o responsiveness and the availability o ever better inormation.

The broiler growing phase is only one part o the integrated total meat production process.

This encompasses parent stock arms, hatcheries, broiler growing units, processors, retailersand consumers.

Figure 2: ProducingQualityBroilerMeat-TheTotalProcess

PARENT STOCK MANAGEMENT

EGG COLLECTION

EGG STORAGE

TRANSPORT

EGG HATCHERY

INCUBATION

CHICK PROCESSING AND HANDLING

TRANSPORT

BROODING

GROWTH MANAGEMENT

DEPLETION

TRANSPORT

PROCESSING

RETAIL

LOCATION OPERATION OBJECTIVE

PARENT STOCK FARM

HATCHERY

BROILER FARM

PROCESSING PLANT

To maintain chick quality

To develop appetiteTo develop immune unction

To allow optimum development o

skeleton and cardiovascular systemTo optimise carcase quality

The KeyProductionManagementPhases

To produce high quality chicks

DISINFECTION

CLEANOUT

Introduction



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The objective o the broiler manager should be to achieve the required fock perormance

in terms o live weight, eed conversion, uniormity and meat yield. The rst two weeks o

lie in a broiler fock are critical and require particular attention. Chick handling, brooding

andearlygrowthmanagementareallofmajorimportance.Broilerproductionisasequentialprocess, with ultimate perormance being dependent on each step being completed

successully. For maximum perormance to be attained each stage must be assessed criticallyand improvements made wherever required.

The complexity o broiler production means that livestock managers should have a clear

understanding o the actors aecting the whole production process as well as o those

directly infuencing bird management on the arm. Changes may be necessary in the hatchery,

on the broiler arm, during transport or in the processing plant.

Within broiler production, there are several stages o development o the bird. The hatchery

deals with hatching eggs and chicks. The broiler arm deals with chicks and growing broilers.

The processingplantdealswith broilersand carcases. Between each ofthesestagesis atransition phase. Transitions must be managed with minimum bird stress. The key transitions

or the broiler producer are:

Chickemergence Takeoff,storageandtransportationofthechick Developmentofgoodappetiteintheyoungchick Changeoverfromsupplementaryfeedinganddrinkingsystemstothemainsystem Catchingandtransportofthebroileratdepletion

Aviagens Technical Transer Team has designed this manual with the ollowing principles in

mind:

Considerationofbirdwelfareatalltimes Understandingoftheproductionchainandtransitionphases Attentiontoqualityoftheendproductthroughouttheentireprocess Theneedforobservationofchangesinthebirdsandtheirenvironment Appropriatemanagementinresponsetotheconstantlychangingrequirementsofthe

bird

No two broiler houses are the same, and every fock o broilers will dier in its requirements.

The broiler arm manager should understand the birds requirements and, through application

o responsive management as described in this manual, supply the individual requirements

to ensure optimum perormance in every fock.

Introduction



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Introduction

NOTES



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Section one

CHICK MANAGEMENT

Objective

To promote early development of feeding and drinking behaviour, which will allow the target body-

weight prole to be achieved with maximum uniformity and good welfare.

ContentsPrinciples 11

Chick Quality and Broiler Performance 12

Chick Arrival 13

Environmental Control 16

Brooder Management 18

7

Sectionone:CHICKMANAGEMENT

9


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CHICK MANAGEMENT

Principles

For the best broiler perormance, the chicks should be delivered to the broiler arm as soon

as possible and ed immediately. They must be provided with the correct environment whichshould be managed to meet all their requirements.

Duringthersttendaysoflifethechicksenvironmentchangesfromthatofthehatchertothatofthebroilerhouse.Decienciesintheearlyenvironmentwilldepressbothcurrentand nal fock perormance. Chicks must adapt to establish healthy eeding and drinking

behaviours i they are to achieve their genetic potential or growth.

A chick experiences a series o critical transitions in the rst seven to ten days o its lie, all o

which aect how and rom where it receives its nutrients. This is why the management in this

period is so essential or optimum fock perormance.

In the nal stages o incubation and as a very new hatchling, the chick receives all o its nutrients

rom the egg yolk. Once on the arm, the chick is oered Starter eed in a sieved crumb or mini

pellet orm in the automated eeding system and on paper on the house foor. As soon as eed

enters the gut, the residual yolk within the chick is mobilised, and, provided the chick is ed

promptly ater hatch, it will receive a useul boost to growth rom these nutrients.

Residual egg yolk provides the chick with a protective store o antibodies and nutrients or

the rst three days. Absorption o the yolk sac precedes the initiation o growth and thereore

growth will be minimal until the chick starts to eat eed. Normally, residual yolk sac absorption

israpidduringtherst48hoursanditshouldbelessthanonegrambythreedaysofage.A

fock in which some o the chicks have not started to eat or one or two or three days will beuneven and the average fock weight at slaughter will be signicantly reduced.

Havingfoundfeedatoorlevelintherstdaysofitslife,thechickhasthentonditagaininthe automated eeding system, whether pan or track, between our and six days o age. The

chick then has to cope with a urther change rom a crumbled eed or mini-pellet to a pelleted

eed at ten days o age. It is important that both these transitions are made as easy as possible

or the chick i perormance is not to be adversely aected. Feed should be easily accessible

rom the automated eeding system. Flooding pan eeders, or example, will encourage eeding.

The provision o a good quality pellet at ten days o age will limit the impact o the change in

eed texture at this time.

I the entire fock has coped well with all o these transitions, and presuming that no

environmental or nutritional actors are impeding growth, then the seven-day weight should

be4.5-5timesgreaterthantheday-oldchickweight.

Seven-day live weight should be routinely monitored and action taken where the target is not

achieved. Perormance targets can be ound in the L.I.R. Broiler Perormance Objectives.

Section One - Chick Management



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Chick Quality and Broiler Perormance

Final broiler perormance and protability are dependent upon attention to detail throughout

the entire production process. This involves good management o healthy parent stock,

careul hatchery practice and ecient delivery o chicks which are o good quality and

uniormity. Chick quality may be infuenced at every stage o the process.

Planning

Chick quality results rom the interaction between parent stock management, parental health

and nutrition as well as incubation management. I a good quality chick is provided with

proper nutrition and brooding management during the rst seven days, mortality should be

lessthan0.7%andtargetliveweightachieveduniformly.

Placementsofbroilerocksshouldbeplannedtoensurethatdifferencesinageand/orimmune status o donor parent focks are minimised. One donor fock per broiler fock

is the ideal. I mixed focks are unavoidable, keep similar parent fock ages together Vaccinationofdonorparentsmaximisesmaternalantibodyprotectionintheoffspring

and is successul in protecting broilers against diseases which compromise perormance

(such as inectious bursal disease, chicken anaemia virus and reovirus)

Agoodqualitychickshouldbecleanafterhatch.Itshouldstandrmlyandwalkwell,be alert and active. It should be ree o deormities, with the yolk sac ully retracted and

have a healed navel. It should vocalise contentedly

Ifchickqualityislowerthandesired,thegrowercanprovidetimely,accurate,systematic, specic and measurable eedback to the hatchery

Achickqualityproblemwillbemadeworsebyincorrectbroodingmanagement

The hatchery and transport system should ensure that:

Thecorrectvaccinesareadministeredtoallchicksatthecorrectdosageandinthecorrect orm

Afterbeingsexedandvaccinated,chicksareheldinadarkenedareainwhichtheenvironment is controlled correctly to allow them to settle beore transport

Chicksareloadedthroughcontrolled-environmentloadingbaysintopreconditionedlorries or transport to the broiler arm (see Table 1)

Theexpecteddeliverytimeofthechicksisestablishedbeforehandsothattheymaybeunloaded and correctly placed as quickly as possible

Chicksarefedandhaveaccesstowaterassoonaspossibleafterhatch




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Table 1: SummaryofOptimumConditionsChickHoldingandTransport

Chick holding conditions 22-24oC Ambient Temperature*

Minimum 50% Relative Humidity (RH)

0.71 m3/min per 1,000 chicks air exchange

Transport conditions 22-24oC Ambient Temperature*Minimum 50% Relative Humidity (RH) or long haul**

0.71 m3/min per 1,000 chicks air exchange

Note:These conditions in the holding area or transport vehicle should give temperatures o 30-35oC

and RH o 70-80% amongst the chicks. It is more important to obtain these temperatures rather

than just ollowing the advised temperature setting or the transport truck, as settings may vary

depending on the manuacturers recommendations.

* Temperatures should be adjusted according to actual chick temperature. Vent temperatures

should be between 39-40oC.

** Humidity should be provided during long haul transport in cold weather, when the heaters

are operational or long periods or where the air is dry.

Key Points

Planplacementstominimisephysiologicalandimmunedifferencesbetweenchicks. Use single donor focks i possible

Holdandtransportchicksinconditionswhichpreventdehydrationandothertypes o stress in chicks

Providefeedandwatertothechicksassoonaspossibleaftertake-offfromthehatcher

Maintainhighstandardsofhygieneandbiosecurityinthehatcheryandduringtransport

Chick Arrival

Farm preparation or the next cycle

Individual sites should manage birds o a single age (that is they should be managed on theprinciplesofall-in,all-out).Vaccinationandcleaningprogrammesaremoredifcultandless eective on multi-age sites and it is ar more likely that health problems will occur andsub-optimal perormance will be achieved.

Houses,theareassurroundingthehouses,andallequipmentmustbethoroughlycleanedanddisinected beore the arrival o the bedding material and chicks (see Section 3, Health andBiosecurity). Subsequently, management systems should be in place to prevent pathogensenteringthebuilding.Beforeentry,vehicles,equipmentandpeopleshouldbedisinfected.

Littermaterialshouldbespreadevenlytoadepthof8-10cm.Whereoortemperaturesareadequate(28-30oC) the litter depth can be reduced when litter disposal costs are an issue.Uneven bedding material can restrict access to eed and water and may lead to a loss in fockuniormity.

Key Points

Providechickswithbiosecure,cleanhousing

Controlspreadofdiseasebyusingsingle-age,(i.e.all-in,all-out)housing Spreadlitterevenly




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Chick placement

Chickscannotregulatetheirownbodytemperatureuntiltheyarearound12-14daysofage.Optimal body temperature must be attained through provision o optimal environmental

temperature. Floor temperature at chick placement is as important as air temperature, so

preheating o the house is essential. Temperature and relative humidity should be stabilisedforatleast24hourspriortochickarrival.Recommendedvaluesare:

Airtemperatureof30oC (measured at chick height in the area where eed and water arepositioned)

Littertemperatureof28-30oC Relativehumidityof60-70%

These should be monitored regularly to ensure a uniorm environment throughout the whole

brooding area, but by ar the best indicator o temperature is chick behaviour.

Prior to delivery o chicks, a nal check must be made o eed and water availability and

distribution within the house. All chicks must be able to eat and drink immediately on

placement in the house.

The longer the chicks remain in the boxes, the greater the degree o potential dehydration.

This may result in early mortality and reduced growth as indicated by seven-day and nal

live weight.

Chicks must be placed quickly, gently and evenly onto paper within the brooding area. Feed

and water should be reely and immediately available. The empty boxes should be removed

rom the house without delay.

Chicks should be let to settle or one to two hours to become accustomed to their newenvironment. Ater this time, a check must be made to see that all chicks have easy access

to eed and water. Adjustments should be made to equipment and temperatures where

necessary.

Fortherstsevendays,provide23hourslightwith30-40luxintensitytohelpthechickadapt to the new environment and encourage eed and water intake.

Adequate resh, clean water must be available at all times to all birds with access points at

an appropriate height(see Section 2, Provision o Feed and Water). Nipple lines shouldbeinstalledat12birdspernippleandbelldrinkersataminimumofsixdrinkersper1,000

chicks.Inaddition,sixsupplementarymini-drinkersortraysper1,000chicksshouldalsobe provided.

Initially, textured eed should be provided as a dust-ree crumble or mini-pellet on eeder

trays(1per100chicks)andonpapertogiveafeedingareaoccupyingatleast25%ofthebrooding area. Chicks should be placed directly onto paper so that eed is immediately ound.

Automated eeding and drinking systems should be placed in the vicinity o the paper.




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I the mixing o chicks rom dierent parent focks is unavoidable, chicks rom dierent

parent sources should be brooded in separate areas within the house. Chicks rom a young

donorockoflessthan30weekswillrequireawarmerstarttemperature(+1oC warmerthanthegiventemperatureprole)comparedtoanolderockofmorethan50weeks.

Key Points Pre-heatthehouseandstabilisetemperatureandhumiditypriortoarrivalof

chicks

Unloadchicksandplacethemquickly

Makefeedandwateravailabletothechicksimmediately

Arrange equipment to enable the chicks to reach eed and water easily

Positionsupplementaryfeedersanddrinkersnearthemainfeedingand drinking systems

Leavechickstosettleforonetotwohourswithaccesstofeedandwater

Checkfeed,water,temperatureandhumidityafteronetotwohoursandadjust

where necessary

Chick start assessment

In the period immediately ater the chicks are introduced to eed or the rst time they are

hungry, which means that they should eat well and ll their crops. Check a sample o birds

eightand24hoursafterarrivalonthefarmtomakesurethatallthechickshavefoundfeedandwater.Todothis,samplesof30-40chicksshouldbecollectedatthreeorfourdifferentplacesinthehouse.Eachchickscropshouldbefeltgently.Inchicksthathavefoundfoodand water, the crop will be ull, sot and rounded (see Figure 3). I the crop is ull, but the

original texture o the crumb is still apparent, the bird has not yet consumed enough water.Targetcropllateighthoursafterdeliveryis80%andat24hoursafterdelivery95-100%.

Figure 3: CropFillafter24Hours.

The chick on the let has a ull, rounded crop while the

chick on the right has an empty crop.




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Environmental Control

Introduction

Optimal temperature and humidity are essential or health and appetite development.

Temperature and relative humidity should be monitored requently and regularly; at leasttwice-daily in the rst ve days and daily thereater. Temperature and humidity measurements

and sensors or automatic systems should be sited at chick level. Conventional thermometers

should be used to cross-check the accuracy o electronic sensors controlling automatic

systems.

Ventilationwithoutdraughtsisrequiredduringthebroodingperiodto:

Maintaintemperaturesandrelativehumidity(RH)atthecorrectlevel Allowsufcientairexchangetopreventtheaccumulationofharmfulgasessuchascarbon

monoxide (from oil/gasheatersplaced inside thepoultryhouse), carbondioxideand

ammonia

It is good practice to establish a minimum ventilation rate rom day one, which will ensure

that resh air is supplied to the chicks at requent, regular intervals (see Section 4, Housing

and Environment). Internal circulation ans can be used to maintain evenness o air qualityand temperature at chick level.

I a choice has to be made, maintenance o brooding temperatures should take priority over

ventilation and air exchange. Young chicks are prone to wind-chill eects, thereore actual

oor/airspeedshouldbelessthan0.15metrespersecondoraslowaspossible.

Key Points Monitortemperatureandrelativehumidityregularly

Ventilatetoprovidefreshairandremovewastegases

Avoiddraughts

Humidity

RelativeHumidity(RH)inthehatcherattheendoftheincubationprocesswillbehigh(approx.80%).Houseswithwhole-househeating,especiallywherenippledrinkersareused,canhaveRHlevelslowerthan25%.Houseswithmoreconventionalequipment(suchasspotbrooders, which produce moisture as a by-product o combustion, and bell drinkers, which

haveopenwatersurfaces)haveamuchhigherRH,usuallyover50%.Tolimittheshocktothechickswhentransferringfromtheincubator,RHlevelsintherstthreedaysshouldbe60-70%.

RH within thebroiler house should be monitored daily. If it falls below50% in the rstweek, the environment will be dry and dusty. The chicks will begin to dehydrate and bepredisposed to respiratory problems. Perormance will be adversely aected. Action shouldbetakentoincreaseRH.

I the house is tted with high-pressure spray nozzles (oggers or misters) or cooling in hightemperatures,thenthesecanbeusedtoincreaseRHduringbrooding.Alternatively,RHcanbe increased by using a backpack portable sprayer to spray the walls with a ne mist.




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Asthechickgrows,theidealRHfalls.HighRH(above70%)from18daysonwardscancausewetlitteranditsassociatedproblems.Asthebroilersincreaseinliveweight,RHlevelscanbe controlled using ventilation and heating systems.

Interaction between temperature and humidity

All animals lose heat to the environment by evaporation o moisture rom the respiratorytractandthroughtheskin.AthigherRH,lessevaporativelossoccurs,increasingtheanimalsapparent temperature. The temperature experienced by the animal is dependent on the drybulbtemperatureandRH.HighRHincreasestheapparenttemperatureataparticulardrybulbtemperature,whereaslowRHdecreasesapparenttemperature.Thetargettemperatureprole in Table 2assumesRHintherangeof60-70%.TherighthandsideofTable 2 showsthe dry bulb temperature required to achieve the target temperature prole in situationswhereRHisnotwithinthetargetrangeof60-70%.

Table 2:DryBulbTemperaturesRequiredtoAchieveTargetApparentEquivalentTemperaturesatVaryingRelativeHumidities

Dry Bulb Temperature at RH%Target Ideal

Age(days) Temp

oC RH%range 40 50 60 70 80

Day Old 30.0 60-70 36.0 33.2 30.8 29.2 27.0

3 28.0 60-70 33.7 31.2 28.9 27.3 26.0

6 27.0 60-70 32.5 29.9 27.7 26.0 24.0

9 26.0 60-70 31.3 28.6 26.7 25.0 23.0

12 25.0 60-70 30.2 27.8 25.7 24.0 23.0

15 24.0 60-70 29.0 26.8 24.8 23.0 22.0

18 23.0 60-70 27.7 25.5 23.6 21.9 21.0

21 22.0 60-70 26.9 24.7 22.7 21.3 20.0

24 21.0 60-70 25.7 23.5 21.7 20.2 19.0

27 20.0 60-70 24.8 22.7 20.7 19.3 18.0

Source: Dr Malcolm Mitchell (Scottish Agricultural College)

Table 2illustratestherelationshipbetweenRHandeffectivetemperature.IfRHisoutsidethe target range, the temperature o the house at chick level should be adjusted in line withthe gures given inTable 2.Forexample,ifRHislowerthan60%thedrybulbtemperaturemay need to be increased. At all stages, chick behaviour should be monitored to ensurethat the chick is experiencing an adequate temperature (see Brooder Management). Isubsequent behaviour indicates that the chicks are too cold or too hot, the temperature othe house should be adjusted accordingly.

Key Points

Achievetargetseven-dayliveweightbymanagingthebroodingenvironmentcorrectly

Usechickbehaviourtodetermineiftemperatureiscorrect

Usetemperaturetostimulateactivityandappetite

MaintainRHbetween60-70%fortherstthreedaysandabove50%fortheremainder o the brooding period

AdjusttemperaturesettingsifRHincreasesabove70%orfallsbelow60%,whilstresponding to changes in chick behaviour




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Brooder Management

Two basic systems o temperature control are used or brooding broiler chicks:

Spot brooding (canopy or radiant heaters). The heat source is local so chicks can move

away to cooler areas and thus select or themselves a preerred temperature

Whole-house brooding. The heat source is larger and more widely spread so chicks

are less able to move to select a preerred temperature. Whole-house brooding reers to

situations where the whole house or a dened part o the house is heated by orced air

heaters only and the aim is to achieve one temperature in the house or air space

In both spot and whole-house brooding systems, the objective is to stimulate both

appetite and activity as early as possible. Achieving the optimum temperature is critical.

Broodingtemperatures,forRH60-70%,aregiveninTable 3.

Table 3: BroodingTemperatures

Spot BroodingTemp oC

Temp oCEdge oBrooder

(A)

2m rom Edgeo Brooder

(B)

Day Old 30 32 29

3 28 30 27

6 27 28 25

9 26 27 25

12 25 26 25

15 24 25 24

18 23 24 24

21 22 23 23

24 21 22 22

27 20 20 20

Whole-houseBrooding



Age

(days)


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Spot brooding

The layout or a spot brooding set up is shown in Figure 4,whichwouldbetypicalfor1,000chicksondayone.Chicksareplacedina5x5metresquare(25m2), which gives an initial

stockingdensityof40chickspersquaremetre.Ifstockingdensityisincreased,thenumber

o eeders and drinkers, and the heating capacity o the brooder, should also be increasedaccordingly.

Figure 4: TypicalSpotBroodingLayout(1,000chicks)

B BAA

Brooder

- Edge of Brooder

- 2m from Edge

of Brooder

A

B

2m 2m

5m

Automatic

Pan Feeder

Nipple Line

60% Paper Cover

Mini Drinker

BROODER

Within the context o the set up in Figure 4, Figure 5 shows the areas o temperature gradientssurroundingthespotbrooder.ThesearemarkedA(EdgeofBrooder)andB(2mfromEdgeofBrooder).Respectiveoptimumtemperaturesareshownin Table 3.

Figure 5:SpotBrooding-AreasofTemperatureGrad ients




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Spot brooding behaviour

Chick behaviour is the best indicator o correct brooder temperature. With spot brooding,

correct temperature is indicated by chicks being evenly spread throughout the brooding

area as shown in Figure 6. In the diagram, the brooder (area A, as shown in Figure 5) is

shown as the orange centre circle.

Figure 6:BirdDistributionUnderBrooders

A picture o contented spot-brooded birds at the right temperature is shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7: ChicksinCorrectSpotBroodingConditions




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Whole-house brooding

In whole-house brooding, there is no temperature gradient within the house, although

supplementary brooders might also be provided. The main whole-house heat source can be

direct or indirect (using hot air). A layout or whole-house brooding is shown in Figure 8.

Figure 8:TypicalLayoutofaWhole-houseBroodingSystem

Within the context o the set up in Figure 8, optimum temperatures are as shown in thelet-hand side oTable 3.

Whole-house brooding behaviour

Chick behaviour is the best indicator o correct temperature. Figure 9 shows the dierentdistribution o chicks in whole-house brooding at dierent temperatures. With whole-

housebrooding,correcttemperatureisindicatedbychicksforminggroupsof20-30,withmovement occurring between groups. There should be continuous eeding and drinking

within the fock.

Figure 9: TypicalBehaviourofChicksinWhole-houseBroodingatDifferentTemperatures

When whole-house brooding is practiced, particular attention must be paid to monitoring

and controlling house temperature and humidity (see section on Interaction between

Temperature and Humidity).

Automatic

Pan Feeder

Nipple Line

Paper

Mini Drinker




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A picture o contented whole-house brooded birds is shown in Figure 10.

Figure 10:ChicksinCorrectWhole-houseBrooderConditions

Key Points Temperatureiscriticalandshouldbemaintainedasrecommended

Temperaturesshouldbecheckedmanuallyatchicklevel

Chickbehaviourshouldbecloselyandfrequentlyobserved




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Section two

PROVISION OF FEED AND WATER

Objective

To provide a dened feeding programme to supply a range of balanced diets which satisfy the nutrient

requirements of broilers at all stages of their development and which optimise efciency and protability

without compromising bird welfare or the environment.

The drinking and feeding systems employed, together with the management of those systems, will

impact upon feed and water intake, and thereby on bird performance and efciency.


Supply of Nutrients 25

Feeding Programme 26

Feed Form and Physical Feed Quality 28

Whole-wheat Feeding 28

Feed and Heat Stress 29

Environment 29

Litter Quality 30

Water Quality 30

Drinking Systems 32

Feeding Systems 37

Sectio

ntwo:PROVISIONOFFEEDANDWATER

23


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26/10625

PROVISION OF FEED AND WATER

Principles

Feed is a major component o the total cost o broiler production. To support optimumperormance, broiler rations should be ormulated to give the correct balance o energy,protein and amino acids, minerals, vitamins and essential atty acids. The choice o eedingprogramme will be dependent on the target o the business; or instance whether the ocusis on maximising protability o live birds or optimising yield o carcase components.

Recommended nutrient levels and eed programmes can be ound in the current L.I.R.Broiler Nutrition Specications, which oer urther inormation on:

Thechoiceoffeedingprogrammeforarangeofproductionandmarketsituations Optimumlevelsofdietarydigestibleaminoacidlevelsforgrowth,efciency,processing

yield and protability

Supply o Nutrients

Energy

Broilers require energy for growth of tissue, maintenance and activity. Carbohydratesources, such as corn and wheat, and various ats or oils are the major source o energyinpoultryfeeds.EnergylevelsindietsareexpressedinMegajoules(MJ/kg)orkilocalories(kcal/kg) of Metabolisable Energy (ME), as this represents the energy available to thebroiler.

Protein

Feed proteins, such as those in cereals and soybean meal, are complex compoundswhich are broken down by digestion into amino acids. These amino acids are absorbedand assembled into body proteins which are used in the construction o body tissue, e.g.muscles, nerves, skin and eathers.

Dietarycrudeproteinlevelsdonotindicatethequalityoftheproteinsinfeedingredients.Dietproteinqualityisbasedonthelevel,balanceanddigestibilityofessentialaminoacidsin the nal mixed eed.

The L.I.R. broiler is particularly responsive to dietary digestible amino acid levels andwill respond well, in terms o growth, eed eciency and protability, to diets properlybalancedasrecommended.Higherlevelsofdigestibleaminoacidshavebeenshownto

improve protability by increasing broiler perormance and processing yield. This becomesparticularly important when broilers are grown or portioning or de-boning.

Macro minerals

The provision o the correct levels o the major minerals in the appropriate balanceis important or high-perorming broilers. The macro minerals involved are calcium,phosphorus, sodium, potassium and chloride.

Calcium and phosphorus: Calcium in the diet o broilers infuences growth, eedeciency, bone development, leg health, nerve unction and the immune system. It is vitalthat calcium is supplied in adequate quantities and on a consistent basis. Phosphorus, like

calcium, is required in the correct orm and quantity to optimise skeletal structure andgrowth.

Section Two - Provision o Feed and Water



27/10626

Sodium, potassium and chloride: These minerals are needed or general metabolic

functions.Shortagescanaffectfeedintake,growthandbloodpH.Excesslevelsoftheseminerals result in increased water intake and subsequent poor litter quality.

Trace minerals and vitamins

Trace minerals and vitamins are needed or all metabolic unctions. Appropriate vitamin and

trace mineral supplementation depends on the eed ingredients used, the eed manuacture

and on local circumstances.

Duetodifferencesinvitaminlevelsofvariouscereals,thelevelofsupplementationofsomevitamins must be modied. Accordingly, separate recommendations are usually proposed

or some vitamins, depending on the cereals (e.g. wheat versus maize) upon which the diets

are based.

Enzymes

Enzymes are now being routinely used in poultry feeds to improve digestibility of feedingredients. In general, eed enzymes are available that act on carbohydrates, proteins and

plant-bound minerals.

Key Points

Userecommendeddigestibleaminoacidlevelsforoptimumbroilerperformance

Ensurehigh-qualityproteinsourcesareused

Provide the correct levels o the major minerals in the appropriate balance

Vitaminandmineralsupplementationdependsonfeedingredientsused,feedmanuacturing practices and local circumstances

Feeding Programme

Starter eeds

Theobjectiveof thebrooding period(0-10daysof age)is toestablishgoodappetiteandmaximum early growth in order to meet the Indian River seven-day body-weight objective.

Itis recommended that Broiler Starterfeedbe fed for tendays. The Starterrepresentsasmall proportion o the total eed cost and decisions on Starter ormulation should be based

primarily on perormance and protability rather than purely on diet cost.

The benet o maximising nutrient intake on early broiler growth and subsequent

perormance is well established. Feeding broilers the recommended nutrient density will

ensure optimal growth is established during this critical period o lie.

Grower eeds

BroilerGrowerfeedisgenerallyfedfor14-16daysfollowingtheStarter.StartertoGrowertransitionwillinvolveachangeoftexturefromcrumbs/mini-pelletstopellets.Dependingon the pelletsize produced, it may be necessary to feed therst delivery of Grower ascrumbs or mini-pellets.




28/10627

During this time broiler growth continues to be dynamic. It therefore needs to be supported byadequate nutrient intake. For optimum eed intake, growth and FCR, provision o the correct diet

nutrient density (especially energy and amino acids), is critical.

Finisher eeds

BroilerFinisherfeedsaccountforthemajorvolumeandcostoffeedingabroiler.Itisthereforeimportant

that eeds are designed to maximise nancial return or the type o products being produced.

Finisherfeedsshouldbegivenfrom25daysuntilprocessing.Birdsslaughteredlaterthan42/43days

mayneedasecondFinisherfeedspecicationfrom42daysonwards.

The use o either one or more broiler Finisher eeds will depend on:

Desiredslaughterweight

Lengthoftheproductionperiod

Designofthefeedingprogramme

Withdrawal periods or drugs will dictate the use o a special Withdrawal Finisher eed. A Withdrawal

eed should be ed or sucient time prior to slaughter to eliminate the risk o pharmaceutical product

residues in the meat. Statutory withdrawal periods or prescribed medicines that are specied in product

data sheets must be ollowed. It is not recommended that extreme dietary nutrient reductions be made

during the withdrawal period.

Key Points

ItisrecommendedtofeedtheStarterdietfor10days.DecisionsonStarterfeedformulation

should be based on perormance and protability

TheGrowerfeedmustensurethatnutrientintakesupportsthedynamicgrowthduringthis

period

BroilerFinisherfeedsshouldbeformulatedtomaximisenancialreturnandbeadjustedfor

bird age, but extreme nutrient withdrawal is not recommended




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Feed Form and Physical Feed Quality

BroilergrowthandefciencyoffeedusewillgenerallybebetteriftheStarterfeediscrumbsormini-pelletsandtheGrowerandFinisherfeedsarepellets(Table 4).Dependingonpelletsizefed,itmaybenecessarytoprovidetherstdeliveryofGrowerfeedascrumbsormini-

pellets.

Poor quality crumbs and pellets will reduce eed intake and perormance. On the arm,attention should be given to reduce breakage o crumbs and pellets during handling.

Table 4:FormofFeedbyAgeinBroilers

Age Feed Form and Size

0-10 days Sieved crumb or mini-pellets

11-24 days 2-3.5 mm diameter pellet or coarse grinded mash

25 days to processing 3.5 mm diameter pellet or coarse grinded mash

Goodqualitycrumbledandpelletedfeedsarepreferredtomashfeed;however,iffeedingamashfeed,feedparticlesshouldbesufcentlycoarseanduniformin size.Mashfeedsmaybenet rom the inclusion o some at in the ormulation to reduce dustiness and improvehomogenicity o eed components.

Key Points

Poorphysicalfeedqualitywillhaveanegativeimpactonbroilerperformance

Usegoodqualitycrumbledorpelletedfeedsforoptimumperformance

Whenfeedingmash,ensureacoarseuniformparticlesizeisachieved.Minimiseneparticle(


30/10629

Feed and Heat Stress

Correct nutrient levels and balance, together with the use o eed ingredients with higher

levels o digestibility, will help to minimise the eect o heat stress.

Providing optimum crumb and pellet textures will minimise the energy expended to eat

the eed and thereby reduce the heat generated during eeding. Optimum eed orm will

also improve eed acceptability and help compensatory eed intake to occur during cooler

periods.

Providing an increase in eed energy rom eed ats (rather than carbohydrates) during

hot weather has been shown to be benecial in some situations due to reducing the heat

increment o the diet.

Readily available cool, low-salt water is the most critical nutrient during heat stress.

Strategic use o vitamins and electrolytes, either through the eed or water, will help the birddeal with environmental stresses.

Key Points

Providingthecorrectnutrientlevelsandusingmoredigestibleingredientswillhelp to minimise the eects o heat stress

Optimalfeedformwillminimiseheatstressandallowcompensatoryfeedintaketo occur

Providecool,low-saltwater

Ensurefeedisavailabletothebirdsduringthecoolestpartoftheday

Environment

Nitrogen and ammonia emissions can be reduced by minimising excess crude protein levels

in the eed. This is achieved through ormulating diets to balanced recommended levels o

digestible essential amino acids, rather than to minimum crude protein levels.

Phosphorus excretion rates can be reduced by eeding closely to the birds requirement and

utilising phytase enzymes.

Key Points Formulatingfeedstobalancedlevelsofdigestibleessentialaminoacidswill

minimise nitrogen excretion

Phosphorusexcretioncanbeminimisedbyfeedingcloselytothebirdsrequirement




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Litter Quality

Litter quality directly aects the health o the bird. Lower moisture levels in the litter reduce

the amount o ammonia in the atmosphere, which helps reduce respiratory stress. Foot Pad

Dermatitisincidenceisalsoreducedifthelitterisofgoodquality.

Provided suitable management, health and environmental practices are ollowed, the

ollowing nutritional strategies will help to maintain good litter quality:

Avoidexcessivelevelsofcrudeproteinindiets

Avoidhighsalt/sodiumlevels,asthiswillincreasebirdwaterintakeandcausewet

litter

Avoidusingpoorlydigestibleorhigh-brefeedingredientsinthediets

Providegood-qualityfeedfats/oilsinthediet,asthishelpsavoidentericdisorderswhich produce wet l itter

Water Quality

Water is an essential ingredient or lie. Any reductions in water intake or increased water

losscan have a signicant effectonthelifetime performanceofthechick. More detailedinormation can be ound in the Indian River Inormation Water Quality, February2008.

Water supplied to broilers should not contain excessive amounts o minerals. Water should

not be contaminated with bacteria. Although water supplied as t or human consumption

will also be suitable or broilers, water rom bore holes, open water reservoirs or poor quality

public supplies can cause problems.

The water supply should be tested to check the level o calcium salts (water hardness),

salinity and nitrates.

Ater house cleaning and prior to chick delivery, water should be sampled or bacterial

contamination at the source, the storage tanks and the drinker points.

Table 6 shows the maximum acceptable concentration o minerals and organic matter in

the water supply.




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Table 6: MaximumAcceptableConcentrationsofMineralsandOrganicMatterintheWaterSupply

MaterialAcceptable

Concentration

(ppm or mg per litre)

Comment

Total dissolved solids(TDS)

0-1,000Higher levels will cause wet droppings andreduce perormance

Faecal coliorms 0 Higher levels indicate contaminated water

Chloride 250I sodium is higher than 50, acceptablechloride concentrations are much lower (lessthan 20)

Sodium 50

Calcium salts (hardness) 70

pH 6.5-8.5 Acid water will corrode equipment and disrupthealth interventions

Nitrates trace

Sulphates 200-250Maximum desirable level. Higher levels willincrease wetness o droppings

Potassium 300

Magnesium 50-125Higher levels will exacerbate infuence osulphates

Iron 0.3

Lead 0.05Zinc 5

Manganese 0.05

Copper 0.05

The levels presented in Table 6 are unlikely to be exceeded i water is taken rom a mainssupply.

Water rom wells or bore holes however, may have excessive nitrate levels and high bacterial

counts. Where bacterial counts are high, the cause should be established and rectied.

Bacterialcontaminationcanoftenreducebiologicalproductionperformancesbothonthearm and at the processing actory.

Water that is clean at the point o entry to the broiler house can become contaminated

by exposure to bacteria within the house environment (Figure 11). Chlorination of 3-5ppm at drinker level will reduce the bacterial count, especially where drinker systems with

openwatersurfacesareinuse.UltraViolet(UV)irradiationisalsoeffectiveincontrollingbacterial contamination.

I the water contains high levels o iron or calcium salts and is hard, drinker valves and pipes

may become blocked. Sediment will also block water pipes and, where this is a problem, it

isadvisabletolterthesupplywithameshof40-50microns.




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Figure 11: IncreaseinBacterialCountinDrinkersWhereWaterisExposedtotheBroilerHouseAtmosphere

Key Points

Provideunrestrictedaccesstofresh,good-qualitycleanwater

Testthewatersupplyregularlyforbacteriologicalandmineralcontaminantsandtake any necessary corrective action

Drinking Systems

Water must be available to broilers 24 hours per day. Inadequate water supply, either involume or in the number o drinking points, will result in reduced growth rate. To ensure

that the fock is receiving sucient water, the ratio o water to eed consumed each day

should be monitored.

Water consumption measurement can be used to monitor system ailures (eed & water), to

monitor health and to assess perormance.

At21C,thebirdsareconsumingsufcientwaterwhentheratioofwatervolume(litres)toeed weight (kg) remains close to:

1.8:1forbelldrinkers 1.6:1fornippledrinkerswithoutcups 1.7:1fornippledrinkerswithcups

Water requirement will vary with eed consumption.

Birdswilldrinkmorewaterathigherambienttemperatures.Waterrequirementincreasesbyapproximately6.5%perdegreecentigradeover21C. Intropicalareasprolongedhightemperatures will double daily water consumption.

Verycoldorver ywarmwaterwillreducewaterintake.Inhotweather,itisgoodpracticeto fush the drinker lines at regular intervals to ensure that the water is as cool as possible.

Adequate water storage must be provided on the arm, in case o ailure o the mains supply.

Ideally,sufcientstoragetoprovide24hourswateratmaximumconsumptionisrequired.

The measurement o water consumption by metering is a vital daily management practice.

Typicalwaterconsumptionat21Cisgivenin Table 7.

after clean-out

0 0 0 0

40,000

15,000

10,000

0 0

day old 5 days old

Total Count

S.aureus

E.coli

40,000

35,000

30,000

25,000

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

0

BacterialCoun

t




34/10633

A reduction o water consumption gives an advanced warning o potential health and

production issues.

Water meters must match fow rates with pressure. A minimum o one meter is required per

house, but preerably more to allow within-house zoning.

Table 7: TypicalWaterConsumptionbyBroilersat21CinLitresper1,000BirdsperDay(M=Males,F=Females,AH=As-Hatched(mixedmalesandfemales))

Age obirds(days)

Nipple drinkerswithout cups

Nipple drinkerswith cups

Bell drinkers

M F AH M F AH M F AH

7 51 48 50 54 51 53 58 54 56

14 106 96 101 112 102 107 119 108 113

21 178 158 168 189 168 179 200 178 18928 251 226 238 267 240 253 283 254 268

35 310 282 296 330 299 315 349 317 333

42 352 323 338 374 343 359 396 364 380

49 374 349 362 398 371 384 421 392 407

56 381 358 370 405 381 393 428 403 416




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Nipple drinkers

Nippledrinkersshouldbeinstalledat12birdspernipple;additionalsupplementarydrinkers

shouldbesupplied(sixper1,000chicks)fortherst3-4days.

The actual number o birds per nipple will depend on fow rates, depletion age, climateand design. Water lines need to be managed daily during the fock to obtain optimum

perormance.

A high drinker line water pressure can result in more water wastage and wet litter. A low

drinker line water pressure can result in reduced water intake and a subsequent reduction

in eed intake.

Drinkerlineheightshouldbestartedlowatthebeginningoftheockandincreasedasthe

birdsgetolder.Drinkerlinesthataretoohighcanrestrictbirdwaterconsumptionwhile

water lines that are too low can result in wet litter.

In the initial stages o brooding, the nipple lines should be placed at a height at which the

birdisabletodrink.Thebackofthechickshouldformanangleof35-45withtheoorwhilst drinking is in progress. As the bird grows, the nipples should be raised so that the

backofthebirdformsanangleofapproximately75-85withtheoorandsothatthebirdsare stretching slightly or the water (Figure 12).

Figure 12: NippleDrinkerHeightAdjustment




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Feeding Systems

Feedshouldbeprovidedintheformofsievedcrumbsormini-pelletsfortherst10daysoflie. Feed should be placed in fat trays or on paper sheeting so that it is readily accessible to

thechicks.Atleast25%oftheoorshouldbecoveredwithpaper.

Thechangetothemainfeedingsystemshouldbemadegraduallyovertherst2-3daysaschicks begin to show interest in the main system. Where photoperiod duration and pattern

are used to modiy growth, particular attention should be paid to eeding space, to allow or

the extra competition created.

Actual diets provided to the birds will depend on live weight, depletion age, climate and type

o house and equipment construction.

Insucient eeding space will reduce growth rates and cause poor uniormity. The number

o birds per eeding system will ultimately depend on the live weight at slaughter and design

o system.

The main automated eeding systems available or broilers are:

Panfeeders:45-80birdsperpan(thelowerratioforbiggerbirds) Flatchain/auger:2.5cmperbird(40birdspermetreoftrack) Tubefeeders:38cmdiameter(70birdspertube)

All types o eeder should be adjusted to ensure minimum spillage and optimum access or

the birds. The base o the trough or pans should be level with the birds backs (Figure 15).The height o pan and tube eeders may have to be adjusted individually. The height o chain

eeders is adjustable by winch.

Figure 15: HeightofFeeders

Incorrect eeder adjustment can increase eed spillage. When this happens, estimates o

eed conversion will become inaccurate and the spilled eed, when eaten, is likely to carry a

higher risk o bacterial contamination.

With all eeding systems it is good practice to allow the birds to clear the eeders, by

consuming all the eed available in the tracks or pans, once daily. This will reduce eedwastage which results in improved eciency o eed use.




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Section three

HEALTH AND BIOSECURITY

Objective

To maximise ock performance by minimising or preventing poultry diseases and infections of public

health concern through good husbandry, biosecurity and welfare practices.


Biosecurity 41

Vaccination 43

Disease Investigation 44

Disease Recognition 47

Sectionthree:HEALTHAN

DBIOSECURITY

39


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42/10641

HEALTH & BIOSECURITY

Principles

Bird health is of utmost importance in broiler production. Poor chick health will have anegative impact on all aspects o production and fock management, including growth rate,eed conversion eciency, condemnations, liveability and processing traits.

The fock should start with day-old chicks o good quality and health. The chicks should besourced rom a minimal number o breeder focks with similar health status; ideally, one donorfock per house.

On-arm disease control programmes involve:

Diseaseprevention Earlydetectionofillhealth Treatmentofidentieddiseaseconditions

Regular monitoring o production parameters is vital or early detection and targetedintervention.Earlyinterventioninoneockwillhelppreventdiseaseinsurroundingandsuccessive focks.

Productionparameters,suchasbirdsdeadonarrival(D.O.A.),seven-daybodyweight,dailyand weekly mortality, water consumption, average daily gain, eed conversion eciencyand processing condemnations, should be reviewed closely and compared with companytargets. When monitored production parameters ail to meet their established goals, a properinvestigation should be conducted by trained veterinary personnel.

Biosecurityandvaccinationarebothintegraltosuccessfulhealthmanagement.Biosecurityto

prevent the introduction o disease in the rst place and appropriate vaccination programmesto address endemic disease.

Biosecurity

A robust biosecurity programme is critical to maintain fock health. Understanding andollowing agreed biosecurity practices must be part o everyones job. Regular education and

sta training is essential to ensure this.

Biosecurity will prevent ock exposure to disease-causing organisms. When developing abiosecurity programme, three components should be considered:

Location: Farms should be located so that they are isolated rom other poultry andlivestock. Single-age sites are preerable so that recycling o pathogens and live vaccinestrains is limited

Farm design: Abarrier(fence)isnecessarytopreventunauthorisedaccess.Housingshould be designed to minimise trac fow, to acilitate cleaning and disinection, andconstructed to be bird and rodent proo

Operational procedures: Procedures must control the movement o people, eed,equipment and animals on the arm to prevent the introduction and spread o disease.

Routine procedures may have to be modied in the event o a change in disease status

Section Three - Health and Biosecurity



43/10642

Figure 16 presents many o the potential routes o disease exposure.

Figure 16:ElementsofDiseaseExposure

Key Points

Restrictvisitors

Establishvisitationrequirementsforanyvisitor,whichincludesariskassessmentprotocol or that individual, which must be completed prior to entry

Stipulatefarmentryprotocols,includingachangeofclothingandfootwearforsta and visitors

Provideachangeoffootwearordisposablebootsattheentrancetoeveryhouse

Noequipmentshouldbebroughtontothefarmunlessithasbeencleanedanddisinected

Allvehiclesmustbecleanedpriortofarmentry

Establishclearandimplementedproceduresforhousecleaninganddisinfection

Establishclearandimplementedproceduresforlittermanagementanddisposal

Reducepathogencarryoverbyallowingadequatedown-timeforfarmcleaning

Establishclearandimplementedproceduresforfeedhygiene,transportanddelivery

Establishclearandimplementedproceduresforwatermanagementandsanitation

Establishanintegratedpestcontrolprogramme

Establishproceduresfordeadbirddisposal

Chicks

Feed

Housing

Rodents

Water

Wild Birds

Other Poultry,

Livestock & Pets

People

Litter

Insects

Hatchery

Equipment & Vehicles




44/10643

Vaccination

Table 9 lays out some essential actors or successul vaccination o broilers.

Table 9: FactorsforaSuccessfulVaccinationProgramme

Vaccination programme(s)design

Vaccine administration Vaccine eectiveness

Programmes must be based onveterinary advice tailored to speciclocal and regional challenges basedon health surveys and laboratoryanalysis

Follow manuacturerrecommendations or producthandling and method oadministration

Seek veterinary advice priorto vaccinating sick or stressedbirds

Single or combined vaccines mustbe careully selected according toage and health status o focks

Properly train vaccineadministrators to handle andadminister vaccines

Periodic and ecient housecleaning ollowed by placemento new litter material reduces the

concentration o pathogens in theenvironment

Vaccination must result in thedevelopment o consistent levelso immunity while minimisingpotential adverse eects

Maintain vaccination records Adequate down-time betweenfocks helps to reduce the build-up o normal house pathogensthat can aect fock perormance

when re-using litter

Breeder programmes shouldprovide adequate and uniormlevels o maternal antibodies toprotect chicks against several viraldiseases during the rst weeks olie

When live vaccines are given inchlorinated water, use a vaccinestabiliser (such as non-atpowdered or liquid milk) addedto the water prior to the vaccine toneutralise the chlorine. Chlorinecan reduce vaccine titre or causeinactivation

Regular audits o vaccinehandling, administrationtechniques and post-vaccinalresponses are critical to controlchallenges and improveperormance

Maternal antibodies may intererewith the chicks response to somevaccine strains. Levels o maternalantibodies in broilers will declineas the breeder source fock ages

Ventilation and managementshould be optimised post-

vaccination, especially duringtimes o vaccine-induced reaction

Key Points

Vaccinationalonecannotprotectocksagainstoverwhelmingdiseasechallenges

and poor management practices Vaccinationprogrammesforbroilersshouldbedevelopedinconsultationwith

trained poultry veterinarians

Vaccinationismoreeffectivewhendiseasechallengesareminimisedthroughwell-designed and implemented biosecurity and management programmes

Vaccinationprogrammesmustbebasedonlocaldiseasechallengesandvaccineavailability

Everybirdmustreceivetheintendeddoseofvaccine

Breederockvaccinationprogrammesmustbefactoredintothedesignofanappropriate vaccination programme or broiler progeny




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46/10645

Tables 10 and 11 highlight examples o mortality parameters possibly related to bird qualityand bird health. The tables also suggest potential investigative actions using the systematic

approach or troubleshooting health issues outlined on the previous page.

Table 10: Troubleshooting Common Issues in the 0-7DayBroodingPhase

Observe Investigate Likely causes

Poor chick quality

Increased dead on arrivals(D.O.A.)Sluggish chick behaviourGeneralchickappearance Unhealednavels Redhocks/beaks Darkwrinkledlegs Discolouredormalodorous

yolks or navels

Feed, Sanitation, Air and Water

Source fock health and hygienestatus

Egghandling,storageandtransport

Hatcherysanitation,incubationand management

Chick processing, handling and

transport

Inadequate diet o source fock

Healthandhygienestatusofsourceock,hatchery and equipment

Incorrect parameters or egg storage,relative humidity, temperatures andequipment management

Inadequate moisture loss during

incubation

Dehydrationcausedbyexcessivespreado hatch time or late removal o chicksrom the hatchers

Small chicks days 1-4 Feed, Light, Air, Water andSpace

Cropllat24hourspostchickplacement

Availability and accessibility toeed and water

Birdcomfortandwelfare

Lessthan95%ofchickswithadequatecropllby24hourspostplacement

Weak chicks

Inadequate eeders and drinkers

Inadequate eed and water levels

Equipmentlocationandmaintenanceissues

Inappropriate brooding temperature andenvironment

Runted and Stunted Chicks

Small birds, as early as4-7days

Feed, Light, Litter, Air, Water,Space, Sanitation and Security

Flock source

Hydrationstatusofchicks

Broodingconditions

Feed quality and accessibility

Down-timebetweenocks

Diseasechallenge

Flock source variation

Dehydrationofthechicks

Poor quality eed

Poor quality brooding conditions

Short down-times between focks

Inadequate cleaning and disinection

Disease

Poor biosecurity and hygiene practices




47/10646

Table 11: TroubleshootingCommonIssuesafterSevenDaysofAge

Observe Investigate Likely causes

Disease

metabolic bacterial viral fungal protozoal parasitic toxins

Stress


Broilerfarmhygiene

Local disease challenge

Vaccinationanddiseasepreventionstrategies

Feed quality and supply

Lighting and ventilation

Potential stressors:

temperature management immunosuppressivedisorders

Poor environmental conditions

Poor biosecurity

Highdiseasechallenge

Low disease protection

Inadequate or improper

implementation o disease prevention

Poor eed quality

Inadequate eed supply

Excessiveorinsufcientlighting

Excessiveorinsufcientventilation

Inadequate arm management

Inadequate equipment

Inadequate bird comort and welare

High number obirds D.O.A. to theprocessing plant

Highplantcondemnation rate


Flock records and data

Healthstatusofock

Historyofockduringthegrow-outperiod (such as eed, water or power

outages)

Potential equipment hazards on the

arm

Birdhandlingbythecatchers,handlersand hauliers

Experienceandtraininglevelofindividuals handling and hauling birds

Conditions during catching and

hauling (such as weather and

equipment)

Healthissuesduringgrow-out

Managementofrelevanthistoricalevents aecting bird health and

welare

Improper bird handling and hauling

by crews

Harshconditions(weatherorequipment related) during handling,

catching or transport to the

processing plant




48/10647

Key Points

Knowwhattoexpectandbealerttodeviationsfromtheexpected

Observe.Investigate.Identify.Act

Useasystematicapproach

Disease Recognition

The recognition o health problems involves several steps.

In diagnosing a disease problem, and planning and implementing a control strategy, it is

important to remember that the more thorough the investigation, the more thorough the

diagnosis and the more eective the controlling actions.

Earlydiseaserecognitioniscritical.

Table 12 highlights some o the ways in which signs o disease can be recognised.

Table 12: RecognisingSignsofDisease

Observations by FarmPersonnel

Farm and LaboratoryMonitoring

Data and TrendAnalysis

Dailyassessmentofbirdbehaviour

Regular arm visitation Dailyandweeklymortality

Birdappearance(suchaseathering, size, uniormity,

colouring)

Routine post-mortem examinationso normal and diseased birds Water and eed consumption

Environmentalchanges(such

as litter quality, heat or cold

stress, ventilation issues)

Proper sample collection size and

type

Proper choice o subsequent

analysis and actions ollowing post-

mortem examination

Temperature trends

Clinical signs o illness

(such as respiratory noise or

distress, depression, aecaldroppings, vocalisation)

Routine microbiological testing o

arms, eed, litter, birds and other

appropriate material

D.O.A.afterplacementonthearm, or ater arrival at the

processing plant

Flock uniormity Appropriate diagnostic testing

Appropriate serology

Condemnation at slaughter

Key Points

Dailyobservation

Accuraterecording

Systematicdiseasemonitoring




49/10648


NOTES



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52/10651

HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENT

Principles

The principle means o controlling the birds environment is by control o ventilation. It isessential to deliver a constant and uniorm supply o good quality air at bird level. Fresh air

is required at all stages o growth to allow the bird to remain in good health and achieve ull

potential.

Ventilationhelpstomaintainin-housetemperatureswithinthebirdscomfortzone.Duringthe

early part o the production period keeping birds warm enough is the primary concern, but, as

they grow, keeping birds cool enough becomes the main objective.

The housing and ventilation systems used will depend upon climate, but in all cases eective

ventilation should remove excess heat and moisture, provide oxygen and improve air quality

by removing harmul gases.

Sensors which monitor ammonia, carbon dioxide, relative humidity and temperature are

available commercially and can be used in conjunction with automated ventilation systems.

As broilers grow they consume oxygen and produce waste gases and water vapour. Combustion

by brooders contributes urther waste gases in the broiler house. The ventilation system must

remove these waste gases rom the house and deliver good air quality.

Air

The main contaminants o air within the house environment are dust, ammonia, carbon dioxide,

carbon monoxide and excess water vapour. When in excess, they damage the respiratory tract,

decreasing the eciency o respiration and reducing bird perormance.

Continued exposure to contaminated and moist air may trigger disease (e.g. ascites or chronic

respiratory disease), aect temperature regulation and contribute to poor litter quality, as

shown in Table 13.

Table 13:EffectsofCommonBroilerHouseAirContaminants

Ammonia Canbedetectedbysmellat20ppmorabove>10ppmwilldamagelungsurface>20ppmwillincreasesusceptibilitytorespiratorydiseases>50ppmwillreducegrowthrate

Carbon Dioxide >3,500ppmcausesascitesandisfatalathighlevels

Carbon Monoxide 100ppmreducesoxygenbindingandisfatalathighlevels

Dust Damagetorespiratorytractliningandincreasedsusceptibilityto disease

Humidity Effectsvarywithtemperature.At>29Cand>70%relativehumidity, growth will be aected

Section Four - Housing and Environment



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Table 14:HeatLossinBroilers

EnvironmentalTemperature

Heat Loss %

Sensible(Radiation & Convection)

Insensible(Evaporation)

25oC 77 23

30oC 74 26

35oC 10 90

Panting allows the bird to control its body temperature by evaporation o water rom the

respiratory suraces and air sacs. This process uses energy. In conditions o high humidity

panting is less eective. Where high temperatures are maintained or long periods, or

humidity is high, panting may be insucient to control body temperature and the bird

may then experience heat stress. As the bird passes into a condition o heat stress, vent

temperature increases, heart rate and metabolic rate increase and oxygenation o the blood

decreases. The physiological stress induced by these reactions can be atal.

I the birds are observed to be panting then general house temperature may be too high,

or local house temperature may be elevated due to a problem with uniormity o the air

distribution.

To reduce heat stress:

Reducestockingdensity

Ensurecool,fresh,low-saltdrinkingwaterisavailableatalltimes

Feedduringthecoolestpartoftheday

Increaseairowoverthebirdto2-3m/sec

Minimisetheeffectsofradiantheatfromthesun

Reduceeffectsof excessivetemperaturesbyplacingsexesseparatelyat lowerstocking

densities




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Housing and Ventilation Systems

There are two basic types o ventilation system;natural and power

Natural(Open-sidedHousing)canbenon-mechanicallyormechanicallyassisted.

Power(ControlledEnvironmentHousing)canbeminimum,transitionalandtunnel,evaporativepadorfogging/misting.

Natural ventilation: open-sided housing

Natural ventilation reers to an open-sided house with curtains, faps or doors (Figure 18).Natural ventilation involves opening up the side o the house to allow convection currents

to fow air into and through the house. Sidewall curtains are the most common and natural

ventilation is oten reerred to as curtain ventilation. When it gets warm, the curtains are

opened to let in outside air. When it gets cold, the curtains are closed to restrict the fow o

air.Figure 18: AnExampleofNaturalVentilation

Curtainventilationrequirescontinuous24-hourmanagementifhouseenvironmentistobesatisactorily controlled. The constant monitoring o conditions and adjustment o curtains

is required to compensate or changes in temperature, humidity, wind velocity and wind

direction. Open-sided, naturally-ventilated housing is now less popular on account o itshigh management demand and controlled environment housing is seen as delivering better

liveability, growth rate, eed conversion eciency and bird comort.

When open, house curtains allow a large volume o outside air through the house, equalising

inside and outside conditions. Curtain ventilation is ideal only when outside temperature is

close to the target house temperature.

The air exchange rate depends on outside winds, and an assistance improves the ecacy o

air circulation. On warm to hot days with little wind, ans provide a wind chill cooling eect.

Foggers or misters should be used with circulation ans to add a second level o cooling.

In cold weather, when curtain openings are small, heavy outside air enters at low speed and

drops immediately to the foor, which can chill the birds and create wet litter.




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Minimum Ventilation Systems

Minimumventilationisusedforcoolerweatherandforyoungbirds.

The aim o minimum ventilation is to bring in resh air and exhaust in-house stale air, sucient

to remove excess moisture and harmul gases whilst maintaining required air temperature.

Temperature

Temperaturerequirementsforchicksupto21daysaregiveninSection 1, Chick Management,

ofthismanual.Guidelinetemperaturesatchicklevelfallfromarecommendationofaround

30Catday-old,to20Cat27days.Subsequently,therecommendationisfor20 C through

to slaughter. Actual and eective temperatures will, o course, vary rom these guidelines

according to circumstance and chick behaviour as detailed here and in Section 1.

Ventilation

No matter what the outside temperature, it is essential to ventilate the house or at least

some minimum amount o time. Table 15 gives typical minimum ventilation rates or a

20,000birdhouse.

Table15: MinimumVentilationRates(20,000BirdHouse)

Bird age (days) m3 per hour per bird Total m3 per hour

1-7 0.16 3,200

8-14 0.42 8,400

15-21 0.59 11,800

22-28 0.84 16,800

29-35 0.93 18,600

36-42 1.18 23,600

43-49 1.35 27,000

50-56 1.52 30,400

The key to successul minimum ventilation is creating a partial vacuum (negative pressure)

so air comes through all inlets at sucient speed. This will ensure that incoming air is mixed

with warm in-house air above the birds rather than dropping directly onto the birds and

chilling them. The speed o incoming air should be the same through all inlets to ensure

uniorm airfow.

This type o ventilation is preerably timer-driven, calculated as shown overlea. As birds grow

or as outside air temperatures increase, the timer should be overridden to provide adequate

ventilation according to bird needs. The override should be operated by thermostats set to

operateforeach1C rise in temperature.




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Calculation or minimum ventilation an timer settings

To determine the interval an timer settings or achieving minimum ventilation the ollowingsteps are employed (all these steps are laid out with example calculations inAppendix 7):

ObtaintheappropriateminimumventilationrateasrecommendedinAppendix 7. Theexact rates will vary with breed, sex and or each individual poultry house. Check withthe company o manuacture and local Aviagen Technical Services Representative ormore specic inormation. The rates given inAppendix 7are or temperatures between

-1and16C; or lower temperatures a slightly lower rate may be required and or highertemperatures a slightly higher rate.

Calculatethetotalventilationraterequiredforthehouse(totalcubicmetresperhour(cmh)) as:

minimum ventilation the number o birds

rate per bird in the house

Calculatethepercentagetimeforrunningthefansas:

total ventilation needed

total capacity o the ans used

Multiplythepercentageoftimeneededbythetotalfantimercycletogivethetimethat

the ans require to be on in each cycle

Key Points

Minimumventilationisusedforyoungchicks,nighttimeorwinterventilation

Itisessentialtoprovidesomeventilationtothehousenomatterwhattheoutsidetemperature to provide resh air and remove waste gases and excess moisture

Minimumventilationshouldbetimer-driven

Transitional Ventilation Systems

Transitional ventilation operates using two ventilation principles based on the outsidetemperature and the age o the birds. It is used where both hot and cold periods areexperienced.

Whereas minimum ventilation is timer-driven, transitional ventilation is temperature-driven.

Transitional ventilation begins when a higher than minimum air exchange rate is required.That is, whenever temperature sensors or thermostats override the minimum ventilationtimer to keep ans running.

Transitional ventilation works in the same way as minimum ventilation, but a larger ancapacity gives a larger volume o air exchange. Successul transitional ventilation requiressidewall inlets linked to a static pressure controller so heat can be removed without switchingto tunnel ventilation. Usually, transitional ventilation may be used when outside temperatureisnotgreaterthan6Cabovethetargethousetemperature,oriftheoutsidetemperatureisnotgreaterthan6Cbelowthetargethousetemperature.

Total minimum ventilation = x

Percentage o time =




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Ifoutsidetemperatureismorethan6Cabovethetargethousetemperature,thenthefansused or transitional ventilation will not provide adequate cooling and tunnel ventilation

willneedtobeemployed.Ifoutsidetemperatureismorethan6Cbelowthetargethousetemperature, then the ans used or transitional ventilation will risk chilling the birds.

Key Points Transitionalventilationis temperature-driven based on theoutside temperature

and the age o the birds

Transitional ventilation is used when a higher than minimum air exchange isrequired

Ingeneral, transitionalventilationmaybeusedwhenoutsidetemperatureisnotgreaterthan+/-6Coftargethousetemperature

Tunnel Ventilation Systems

Tunnel ventilation keeps birds comortable in warm to hot weather and where large birds

are being grown by using the cooling eect o high-velocity airfow.

Tunnel ventilation provides maximum air exchange and creates a wind chill cooling eect.

Each122cmfanforbirdsunderfourweeksofagewillgenerateawindchillof1.4C. Forbirdsoverfourweeks,thisguredropsto0.7C.

As air velocity increases, the eective temperature elt by the birds alls. The rate o all is

twiceasgreatforyoungerbirdsascomparedtoolderbirds.Thus,withoutsideairat32 C,anairvelocityof1metrepersecondwillcauseayounger(fourweekold)birdtofeelaneffectivetemperatureofabout29C.Ifairvelocityincreasesto2.5metrespersecond,thesamebirdwillfeelaneffectivetemperatureofabout22 C,afallof7C. In the case o an

older bird (seven weeks), the all is about hal o that (around 4C).

Birdbehaviouristhebestwaytoassessbirdcomfort. Ifthehousedesignpermitstunnelventilation only, then considerable caution should be practiced with young chicks which are

pronetowindchilleffects.Foryoungchicks,actualoorairspeedshouldbelessthan0.15metres per second, or as low as possible.

In tunnel houses birds will tend to migrate toward the air inlet end in hot conditions. Where

airfow is correct, temperature dierences between inlets and exits should not be large.

A house with bird migration problems can lose the production advantage o the tunnel

environment.Installingmigrationfencesat30metreintervalspriorto21daysofagewill

prevent bird migration problems. Solid migration ences should be avoided as they willrestrict airfow.

Key Points

Tunnelventilationisusedinwarmtohotweatherorwherelargebirdsaregrown

Coolingisachievedthroughhigh-velocityairow

Usebirdbehaviourtoassessifenvironmentalconditionsarecorrect

Careshouldbetakenwithyoungchickswhicharepronetowindchill

Installationofmigrationfencesshouldbeconsidered




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Evaporative Cooling Systems

The high-velocity airfow o tunnel ventilation means that it is well suited to the addition

ofanevaporativecoolingsystem.Evaporativecoolingisusedtoimproveenvironmental

conditionsinhotweatherandenhancestheefciencyoftunnelventilation.Evaporative

cooling systems use the principle o water evaporation to reduce the temperature in the

house.

Evaporativecoolingisbestimplementedtomaintainarequiredtemperatureinthehouse,

rather than to reduce temperatures that have already become stressully high.

The three actors which directly aect evaporative cooling are:

Outsideairtemperature

Relativehumidity(RH)ofoutsideair

Evaporationefciency

There are two primary types o evaporative cooling systems; Pad cooling with tunnel

ventilationandFoggingorMisting.

Pad cooling with tunnel ventilation

Pad cooling systems cool air by drawing it through wetted cellulose pads (see Figure 20).

The dual eect o pad cooling and air speed allows control o environment when house

temperaturesareabove29C.Excessivelyhighhousehumiditycanbeminimisedbymaking

surethatevaporativecoolingpads/foggingsystemsdonotoperateattemperaturesbelow

27Cinareaswheretheambienthumidityishigh(greaterthan80%).

Figure 20: PadCoolingwithTunnelVentilation




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Fogging/Misting

Fogging systems cool incoming air by evaporation o water created by pumping water

through ogger nozzles. Fogging lines must be placed near the air inlets to maximise the

speed o evaporation and additional lines should be added throughout the house.

Figure 21: ExampleFoggingSystem

There are three types o ogging system:

Lowpressure,7-14bar,dropletsizeupto30microns Highpressure,28-41bar,dropletsize10-15microns

Ultrahighpressure(misting),48-69bar,dropletsize5microns

With low pressure systems larger particle sizes can cause wet litter i house humidity is high.

Highpressuresystemsminimiseresidualmoisturegivinganextendedhumidityrange.Fine

droplet size will help avoid wet litter, which is especially important during the brooding

period.

Key Points

Keepfans,foggers,evaporatorsandinletsclean

Evaporativecoolingisusedtoenhancetunnelventilationinhotweather

Therearetwotypesofsystem;padcoolingandfogging/misting

Pad coolingdrawsair through wetted cellulose padsand allows controlof the

environmentwhenhousetemperaturesareabove29C

Fogging systems cool incoming air by evaporation of water pumped through

foggers.Highpressuresystemsminimiseresidualmoisture




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Alightintensityof3040luxfrom0-7daysofageand5-10luxthereafterwillimprovefeedingactivity and growth. The intensity o light should be uniormly distributed throughout the

house (refectors placed on top o lights can improve the distribution o light).

WithintheEuropeanUnion,lightingrequirementsarebasedonCouncilDirective2007/43/

EC.Thesestipulatethatalightintensityofatleast20luxduringthelightingperiodmustbeprovided at all ages.

Toattainastateofdarkness,al

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