Broiler Management Guide - Ditto V

1 Broiler Management Guide 2009. arbor Acres Broiler Management Guide 2. Using This Manual Finding a Topic Red markers appear on the right-hand side of the manual. These allow readers immediate access to those sections and topics in which they are particularly interested. The Contents List gives the title of each section and subsection. An alphabetical Keyword Index is given at the end of the manual. Key Points Where appropriate, Key Points have been included to emphasize important aspects of hus- bandry and Management . They are highlighted in red. Performance Objectives Supplements to this manual contain performance objectives that can be achieved with good Management , environmental and health control.

2 3. arbor Acres Broiler Management Guide Contents Section 1: Chick Objective ..9. 10. Chick Quality and Broiler 10. Chick 11. Environmental 12. Brooder 13. Section 2: Provision of Feed and 17. 18. Supply of 18. Feeding 18. Feed Form and Physical Feed 19. Whole-wheat 19. Feed and Heat 20. 20. Litter 20. Water 20. Drinking 21. Feeding 23. Section 3: Health and Objective .. 25. 26. 26. 27. Disease 27. Disease 29. Section 4: Housing and 31. 32. 4. Housing and Ventilation 33. Minimum Ventilation 34. Transitional Ventilation 35. Tunnel Ventilation 35. Evaporative Cooling 36. Lighting for 36. Litter 38. Stocking 39. Section 5: Monitoring Live Weight and Uniformity of Objective.

3 41. 42. Predictability of Live 42. Flock Uniformity (CV%).. 42. Separate-Sex 43. Section 6: Pre-processing Objective .. 45. 46. Preparation for 46. 46. 48. Appendix 1. Production 52. Appendix 2. Conversion 53. Appendix 3. Efficiency 54. Appendix 4. Feather 55. Appendix 5. Classification of 56. Appendix 6. Problem 57. Appendix 7. Ventilation Rates and 59. Keyword 5. arbor Acres Broiler Management Guide Forward The Manual This manual is designed to help Aviagen's customers achieve optimum performance from their birds. While not intended to provide definitive information on every aspect of manage- ment, this manual does draw attention to important issues that if overlooked or inadequately addressed may depress flock performance.

4 The objective of this manual is to provide man- agement techniques that help growers achieve good overall bird performance from day one through to processing while promoting bird health and welfare. Aviagen applies a balanced approach to genetic progress, concentrating on commercial traits such as growth rate, feed conversion ratio, livability and meat yield, while improving bird welfare in areas such as leg health, cardiovascular fitness and robustness. Achieving the genetic potential of the birds depends on three key factors: Management to provide birds with their required environment. A dietary regimen that offers nutrients in the appropriate profile. Effective biosecurity and disease control programs.

5 These three sectors, environment, nutrition and health, are interdependent. A shortfall in any one will bring negative consequences to the others and if any one of these elements is sub-optimal, Broiler performance will suffer. In reality, the guidance of a manual such as this cannot wholly protect against performance variations that may occur for a wide variety of reasons. While every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the information presented, Aviagen accepts no liability for the consequences of using this information for the Management of chickens. Information presented in this manual combines data derived from internal research trials, published scientific knowledge and the expertise, practical skills and experience of the Aviagen Technical Transfer and Service teams.

6 Technical Services For further information on the Management of arbor Acres stock, please contact your local Technical Service Manager or the Technical Services Department. Cummings Research Park Newbridge 5015 Bradford Drive Midlothian Huntsville, Alabama 35805 EH28 8SZ USA Scotland, UK Tel: +1 256 890 3800 Tel: +44 (0) 131 333 1056 Fax: +1 256 890 3919 Fax: +44 (0) 131 333 3296 6 An Aviagen Brand arbor Acres Broiler Management Guide Introduction Aviagen produces a range of genotypes suitable for different sectors of As Broiler production systems become more sophisticated, their manage- the Broiler market. All Aviagen products are selected for a balanced range ment requires ever higher levels of responsiveness and the availability of of characteristics in both parent stock and Broiler birds.

7 This approach ever better information. ensures that the products are capable of performing to the highest The Broiler growing phase is only one part of the integrated total meat standards in a wide variety of environments. production process. This includes parent stock farms, hatcheries, Broiler Aviagen applies a balanced approach to genetic progress. Characteristics growing units, processors, retailers and consumers. of commercial importance such as growth rate, feed conversion ratio (FCR), livability and meat yield are consistently improved together with genetic advances made in bird welfare, leg health, cardiovascular fitness Producing Quality Broiler Meat . The Total Process and robustness.

8 LOCATION OPERATION OBJECTIVE. Achievement of the genetic potential inherent in the birds depends Parent Stock Farm Parent Stock Management upon: Egg Collection An environment that is managed to provide birds with all their Egg Storage requirements for ventilation, air quality, temperature and space. Transport The prevention, detection and treatment of ill health. Hatchery Egg Hatchery The provision of nutrient requirements through the compounding of appropriate feed ingredients, and the proper Management of the Incubation provision of feed and water. The Key Chick Processing and Handling To produce high quality chicks Production To maintain chick quality Attention to bird welfare throughout, especially prior to processing.

9 Management Phases Transport All of these are interdependent. If any one element is sub-optimal, then Broiler Farm Brooding To develop appetite overall Broiler performance will suffer. Disinfection To develop immune function Growth Management To allow optimum development of skeleton, cardiovascular system Cleanout Depletion To optimize carcass quality Limits to Broiler Growth and Quality Transport Processing Plant Processing Health Nutrition Retail Feed supply Temperature Lighting Water supply The Broiler manager should strive to achieve the required flock perfor- Ventilation Vaccinal status mance in terms of live weight, feed conversion, uniformity and meat yield.

10 Stocking density The first two weeks of life in a Broiler flock are critical and require par- ticular attention. Chick handling, brooding and early growth Management are all of great importance. Broiler production is a sequential process and ultimate performance is dependent on the successful completion of each step. Each stage must be assessed critically and improvements made Economic and commercial issues continue to influence the way broilers wherever required for maximum performance. are managed: The complexity of Broiler production means that livestock managers An increasing consumer demand for product quality and food safety. should have a clear understanding of the factors affecting the whole pro- The need for flocks of broilers that can be grown to ever more pre- duction process as well as of those directly influencing bird Management dictable and pre-defined specifications.