BROILER - Aviagen

1 Management Handbook 2014 BROILERAn Aviagen Brand022014 ross BROILER MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK: 0202 This HandbookThe purpose of this Handbook is to help Aviagen customers to optimize the performance of their BROILER stock. It is not intended to provide definitive information on every aspect of BROILER stock management, but to draw attention to important issues which if overlooked may depress flock performance. The management objectives given in this Handbook have the purpose of maintaining flock health and welfare, and achieving good flock performance both live and through information presented is a combination of data derived from internal research trials, published scientific knowledge and the expertise, practical experience and skills of the Aviagen Technical Transfer and Technical Service Teams.

2 However, the guidance within this Handbook cannot wholly protect against performance variations which may occur for a number of reasons. Aviagen therefore, accepts no ultimate liability for the consequences of using this information to manage BROILER ServicesFor further information on the management of BROILER stock please contact your local Aviagen Technical Service Department or Manager, or access this HandbookFinding a TopicBlue tabs appear on the right-hand side of the Handbook. These tabs allow readers immediate access to those sections and topics in which they are particularly Table of Contents gives the title and page number of each section and alphabetical Keyword Index is given at the end of the Points and Useful Information Look for this symbol to find Key Points that emphasize important aspects of husbandry and critical procedures.

3 Look for this symbol to find suggestions for further Useful Information on specific topics in this Handbook. These documents can be found in the Technical Library of the website unless otherwise to this HandbookSupplements to this Handbook contain performance objectives that can be achieved with good management, nutritional, environmental, and health control; nutrition specifications are also available. All technical and management information can be found online at , by contacting your local Aviagen representative, or by emailing BROILER MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK.

4 0303 Table of Contents5 Introduction7 StockmanshipSection 1 - Chick Management11 Objective11 Principles11 Introduction11 Chick Quality and BROILER Performance14 Chick ManagementSection 2 - Provision of Feed and Water25 Objective25 Principles25 BROILER Nutrition26 Supply of Nutrients27 Feeding Program28 Feed Form and Physical Feed Quality30 Testing Feed Physical Quality31 Whole Grain Feeding32 Feeding Under Hot Environmental Temperatures33 Environment33 Litter Quality34 Drinking Systems37 Feeding SystemsSection 3 - BROILER Nutrition39 Objective39 Principles40 Supply of Nutrients42 Macro Minerals44 Trace Minerals and Vitamins44 Non-Nutritive Feed Additives45 BROILER Diet Specifications46 Designing BROILER Feeding Programs47 Feed Quality49 Feed Processing and Feed Form50 Whole Grain Feeding51 Feeding Under Hot Environmental Temperatures52 Litter Quality53 Welfare and EnvironmentSection 4 - Health and Biosecurity55 Objective55 Principles55 Bird Health and Biosecurity55 Biosecurity64 Decreasing the Risk of Disease66 Disease Investigation69

5 Disease RecognitionContents042014 ross BROILER MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK: 04 Section 5 - Housing and Environment71 Objective71 Principles71 Air72 Water72 Temperature72 Heating72 Housing and Ventilation Systems88 Lighting for Broilers94 Litter Management96 Stocking DensitySection 6 - Monitoring Live Weight and Uniformity of Performance97 Objective97 Principles97 Predictability of Live Weight98 Manual Weighing99 Automatic Weighing Systems100 Inconsistent Weight Data100 Flock Uniformity (CV%)103 Separate-Sex GrowingSection 7 - Pre-Processing Management105 Objective105 Principles105 Preparation for Catching107 Catching110 Transport110 DeliveryAppendices113 Appendix 1 - Production Records115 Appendix 2 - Conversion Tables118 Appendix 3 - Key Performance Parameters121 Appendix 4 - Feather Sexing122 Appendix 5 - Problem Solving124 Appendix 6 - Ventilation Rates and CalculationsKeyword Index127 Keyword IndexContents052014 ross BROILER MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK.

6 IntroductionIntroductionAviagen produces a range of breeds suitable for different sectors of the BROILER market. This allows users to select the bird that best meets the needs of their particular operation. All Aviagen chickens are selected for a balanced range of characteristics in both parent stock and BROILER birds. This approach ensures that the birds are capable of performing to the highest standards in a wide variety of environments. Characteristics of commercial importance such as growth rate, feed conversion ratio (FCR), livability, and meat yield are consistently improved with continued genetic advances also being made in bird welfare, leg health, cardiovascular fitness, and of the genetic potential inherent in the birds depends upon making sure that all the factors shown in the figure below are given full and correct attention.

7 All of these are interdependent. If any one element is suboptimal, then BROILER performance overall will 1: Factors affecting BROILER growth and quality. Aviagen s Technical Transfer Team has designed this Handbook with the following principles in mind: Consideration of bird welfare at all times. Understanding the elements of the production chain and the transition phases between them. Attention to quality of the end product throughout the entire process. The need for observation of changes in the birds and in their environment.

8 Appropriate management responses to the continually changing requirements of the bird. No two BROILER houses are the same, and every flock of broilers will differ in the management needed to meet its requirements. The BROILER farm manager should understand the birds requirements and, through application of responsive management as described in this Handbook, supply the individual requirements to ensure optimal performance in every flock. Economic and Commercial IssuesEconomic and commercial issues continue to influence the way broilers are managed, including: An increasing consumer demand for product quality, food safety, and high animal welfare.

9 The need for flocks of broilers which can be grown to ever more predictable and pre-defined specifications. A requirement to minimize variability within flocks and hence variability of the final product. Full utilization of the genetic potential available in the bird for FCR, growth rate, and meat yield. Minimization of avoidable diseases such as ascites and leg weaknesses. Meeting the requirements of the customer inside the processing plant is key to successful BROILER management. A processing plant's requirements will differ depending on the product mix they are selling and their need to meet tight product weight specifications in terms of both target weight and variation, and bird quality.

10 Deviation from these specifications incur cost. Cost/benefit may however need to be assessed. For example, separate-sex growing and close monitoring of bird growth both give benefit at processing but add costs to supplyVaccination statusHealthFeed supplyLightingVentilationStocking densityChick qualityBird welfare062014 ross BROILER MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK: IntroductionGood BROILER welfare is complementary to good commercial performance. Well cared-for birds will more closely meet target kill weights and are less liable to downgrading in the processing of customer BROILER data by Aviagen have consistently shown that increasing stocking density or reducing the time betw