13335 Aviagen Broiler Text Single pages - …

1 ManagementManual 2009 BROILER13335 Aviagen Broiler Cover-Dividers 15/1/09 11:59 Page 113335 Aviagen Broiler Cover-Dividers 15/1/09 11:59 Page 2 The ManualThe purpose of this Manual is to help Aviagen s customers to achieveoptimum performance from their birds. It is not intended to providedefinitive information on every aspect of management. The Manual drawsattention to important issues, which, if overlooked or inadequatelyaddressed, may depress flock performance . The management techniquescontained in this Manual have the objectives of (a) achieving good overallbird performance , when live and through processing, and (b) maintainingbird health and applies a balanced approach to genetic progress incharacteristics of commercial importance, such as growth rate, feedconversion ratio, liveability and meat yield, while improving bird welfaretraits such as leg health, cardiovascular fitness and robustness.

2 Achievingthe genetic potential created within the birds depends on: Management to provide birds with their required environment. A dietary regime that offers nutrients in the appropriate profile. Effective biosecurity and disease any one of these elements is sub-optimal, Broiler performance will three sectors, environment, nutrition and health, are alsointerdependent. Therefore, a shortfall in any one will bring negativeconsequences to the others. In practice, the guidance of a Manual such as this cannot wholly protectagainst performance variations which may occur for a wide variety ofreasons. While every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy andrelevance of the information presented, Aviagen accepts no liability for theconsequences of using this information for the management of presented in this Manual combines data derived from internalresearch trials, published scientific knowledge and the expertise, practicalskills and experience of the Aviagen Technical Transfer and Service teams.

3 Technical ServicesFor further information on the management of Ross stock, please contactyour local Technical Service Manager or the Technical Research ParkMidlothian5015 Bradford DriveEH28 8 SZHuntsville, Alabama Scotland, UK35805, USATel: + 44 (0) 131 333 1056 Tel: +1 256 890 3800 Fax: + 44 (0) 131 333 3296 Fax: +1 256 890 Aviagen Broiler Text Single pages 15/1/09 11:48 Page 3 Contents06 IntroductionSection 1 Chick Management11 Principles12 Chick Quality and Broiler Performance13 Chick Arrival16 Environmental Control18 Brooder ManagementSection 2 Provision of Feed and Water27 Principles27 Supply of Nutrients29 Feeding Programme30 Feed Form and Physical Feed Quality30 Whole-Wheat Feeding31 Feed and Heat Stress32 Environment32 Litter Quality32 Water Quality34 Drinking Systems38 Feeding SystemsSection 3 Health and Biosecurity43 Principles43 Biosecurity45 Vaccination46 Disease Investigation50 Disease Recognition4 Using this ManualFinding a TopicColoured tabs appear on the right-hand side of the Manual.

4 These allowreaders immediate access to those sections and topics in which they areparticularly Contents List gives the title of each section and alphabetical Keyword Index is given at the end of the PointsWhere appropriate, Key Points have been included which emphasiseimportant aspects of husbandry and management. They are highlighted in a red ObjectivesSupplements to this Manual contain performance objectives that can be achieved with good management, environmental and health control. ROSS Broiler MANAGEMENT MANUAL: Contents13335 Aviagen Broiler Text Single pages 15/1/09 11:48 Page 45 Section 4 Housing and Environment55 Principles57 Housing and Ventilation Systems60 Minimum Ventilation Systems61 Transitional Ventilation Systems62 Tunnel Ventilation Systems63 Evaporative Cooling Systems65 Lighting for Broilers69 Litter Management70 Stocking DensitySection 5 Monitoring Live Weight and Uniformity of Performance77 Principles77 Predictability of Live Weight78 Flock Uniformity (CV%)80 Separate-Sex GrowingSection 6 Pre-Processing Management85 Principles85 Preparation for Catching86 Catching90 ProcessingSection 7 Appendices95 Appendix 1: Production Records98 Appendix 2: Conversion Tables101 Appendix 3: Efficiency Calculations102 Appendix 4: Feather Sexing103 Appendix 5.

5 Classification of Months104 Appendix 6: Problem Solving106 Appendix 7: Ventilation Rates and Calculations109 Keyword IndexROSS Broiler MANAGEMENT MANUAL: Contents13335 Aviagen Broiler Text Single pages 15/1/09 11:48 Page 5 IntroductionAviagen produces a range of genotypes suitable for different sectors ofthe Broiler market. All Aviagen products are selected for a balanced rangeof characteristics in both parent stock and Broiler birds. This approachensures that the products are capable of performing to the higheststandards in a wide variety of environments. The range of Ross genotypes allows users to select the Ross productwhich best meets the needs of their particular operation. Aviagen applies a balanced approach to genetic progress. Characteristicsof commercial importance such as growth rate, feed conversion ratio(FCR), liveability and meat yield are consistently improved together withgenetic advances made in bird welfare, leg health, cardiovascular fitnessand robustness.

6 Achievement of the genetic potential inherent in the birds depends upon: An environment that is managed to provide birds with all theirrequirements for ventilation, air quality, temperature and space. The prevention, detection and treatment of ill health. The provision of nutrient requirements through the compounding ofappropriate feed ingredients, and the proper management of theprovision of feed and water. Attention to bird welfare throughout, especially prior to of these are interdependent. If any one element is sub-optimal, then Broiler performance overall will suffer. Figure 1:Limits to Broiler Growth and Quality6 ROSS Broiler MANAGEMENT MANUAL: IntroductionNutritionTemperatureWater supplyVaccinal statusHealthFeed supplyLightingVentilationStocking density13335 Aviagen Broiler Text Single pages 15/1/09 11:48 Page 67 ROSS Broiler MANAGEMENT MANUAL: IntroductionEconomic and commercial issues continue to influence the way broilersare managed: An increasing consumer demand for product quality and food safety.

7 The need for flocks of broilers which can be grown to ever morepredictable and pre-defined specifications. A requirement to minimise variability within flocks and hence variabilityof the final product. The demand for bird welfare enhancement. Full utilisation of the genetic potential available in the bird for FCR,growth rate and meat yield. Minimisation of avoidable diseases such as ascites and Broiler production systems become more sophisticated, theirmanagement requires ever higher levels of responsiveness and theavailability of ever better Broiler growing phase is only one part of the integrated total meatproduction process. This encompasses parent stock farms, hatcheries, Broiler growing units, processors, retailers and 2:Producing Quality Broiler Meat - The Total ProcessLocationOperationObjectiveParent Stock FarmHatcheryBroiler FarmProcessing PlantParent Stock ManagementEgg CollectionEgg StorageTransportEgg HatcheryIncubationChick Processing & HandlingTransportBroodingGrowth ManagementDepletionTransportProcessingRe tailThe Key Production Management PhasesTo produce high quality chicksTo maintain chick qualityTo develop appetiteTo develop immune functionTo allow optimum development of skeleton and cardiovascular systemTo optimise carcase qualityDisinfectionCleanout13335 Aviagen Broiler Text Single pages 15/1/09 11.

8 48 Page 7 The objective of the Broiler manager should be to achieve the requiredflock performance in terms of live weight, feed conversion, uniformity andmeat yield. The first two weeks of life in a Broiler flock are critical andrequire particular attention. Chick handling, brooding and early growthmanagement are all of major importance. Broiler production is asequential process, with ultimate performance being dependent on eachstep being completed successfully. For maximum performance to beattained, each stage must be assessed critically and improvements madewherever complexity of Broiler production means that livestock managersshould have a clear understanding of the factors affecting the wholeproduction process as well as of those directly influencing birdmanagement on the farm.

9 Changes may be necessary in the hatchery, onthe Broiler farm, during transport or in the processing Broiler production, there are several stages of development of thebird. The hatchery deals with hatching eggs and chicks. The Broiler farmdeals with chicks and growing broilers. The processing plant deals withbroilers and carcases. Between each of these stages is a transition must be managed with minimum bird stress. The keytransitions for the Broiler producer are: Chick emergence. Take off, storage and transportation of the chick. Development of good appetite in the young chick. Change over from supplementary feeding and drinking systems to the main system. Catching and transport of the Broiler at s Technical Transfer Team has designed this Manual with thefollowing principles in mind: Consideration of bird welfare at all times.

10 Understanding of the production chain and transition phases. Attention to quality of the end product throughout the entire process. The need for observation of changes in the birds and their environment. Appropriate management in response to the constantly changingrequirements of the bird. No two Broiler houses are the same, and every flock of broilers will differin its requirements. The Broiler farm manager should understand the birds requirements and, through application of responsive management asdescribed in this Manual, supply the individual requirements to ensureoptimum performance in every flock. 8 ROSS Broiler MANAGEMENT MANUAL: Introduction13335 Aviagen Broiler Text Single pages 15/1/09 11:48 Page 8 ObjectiveTo promote early development of feeding and drinkingbehaviour, which will allow the target body-weight profile to be achieved with maximum uniformity and good Quality and Broiler Performance13 Chick Arrival16 Environmental Control18 Brooder ManagementCHICK MANAGEMENTCHICKMANAGEMENTS ection 1: 13335 Aviagen Broiler Cover-Dividers 15/1/09 11:59 Page 313335 Aviagen Broiler Cover-Dividers 15/1/09 11:59 Page 4 Chick ManagementPrinciplesFor the best Broiler performance , the chicks should be delivered to thebroiler farm as soon as possible and fed immediately.