Broiler And Game Birds Flashcards
What are the main characteristics of broiler birds
Liveability >95% at 42 days
Conformation
Live body weight 2-2.3kg
Feed conversation ratio 1.8-2
Skeletal strength
What if the performance of broiler birds influenced by
Genetics
Management
Nutrition
Health
What is included in preparation for broiler birds
Farm location
Farm, house hygiene
Equipment and material ready
Temp 30 degrees for whole house at brooding
Temp 32 degrees at edge of brooder for spot brooding
Feed and water
Ventilation without drafts
Humidity 60-70% first 3 days
>50% until 10 days
How do we access prior to chicks
Chick placement
Ensure feed and water
Monitor temp and humidity
Monitor ventilation / draft
Chick start assessment
Crop fill
Vent temperature
Body weight recorded at 0 and 7 days
Calculate CV%
What breeds are usually broiler birds
Hybrid
What must broiler nutrition do
Ensure daily requirements (feed intake x nutrient content of food)
Balanced
Routine laboratory analysis of diet - alert suppliers with inadequencies and to modify feed management
What do the feed ingredients contain
Wheat; Maize; Soya meal, Full fat soya; Sunflower meal; Rapeseed meal; Oils and Fat; Limestone; Phosphate; Salth; Sodium bicarbonate; Mineral and vitamis; other additives – enzymes, mycotoxin binders, acids etc.
What are the feed components for broiler birds
Energy
Protein
Macro minerals
Trace minerals
Vitamins
What are feed additives for broiler chickens
Enzymes
Medicines
Pro and pre biotics
Feed preservation and antioxidants
Pelleting agents
What do starter, grower and finisher birds eat
Starter - crumble/mini pellets (1.5-3mm)
Grower feed - mini pellets (1.6-3/1.5-3mm)
Finisher - pellets (3.9-4/5-8mm)
Why is the efficiency the best when feeding pellets
Decrease in feed waste
Reduced selective feeding
Decreased ingredient segregation
Less time and energy spent eating
Destruction of pathogenic organisms
Thermal medication of starch and protein
Improve feed palatability
What age is a starter, grower and finisher
Starter - 0-10 days
Grower - 11-25 days
Finisher - after 25 days
How do we change how we feed chicks
First 10 days - feed on plate trays or paper sheets 80% floor covered with paper
Transition from flat to automated feeding system within 6-7 days
Feeder types - pan feeder, flat chain/auger or tube feeders
What are the nutrition specifications for broiler birds
Energy starter = 3000kcal, grower = 3100kcal, finisher = 3200kcal
Crude protein starter = 23%, grower = 21.5%, finisher = 20%
Calcium starter = 0.96%, grower = 0.87%, finisher = 0.81%
Available phosphorus starter = 0.48%, grower = 0.435%, finisher = 0.405%
Look at table for vitamins
How do broiler farmers reduce nitrogen and ammonia
Minimising crude protein in feed
What is literal quality and what can of affect
Main with quality wood shavings, straw etc
Wet and moist litter results in increased in welfare issues, also triggers respiratory issues and footpad dermatitis.
Litter quality can be affected the followings:-
Protein quality
Minerals
Raw material digestibility
Anti-nutritional factors
Fat quality
Feed physical form
Anti-coccidial programme
What drinker systems do we have for broiler birds
Nipple drinkers with cup
Nipple drinkers without cups
Bell drinkers
What temperature should the water be for broilers
18-21 degrees
How is ventilation adjusted for broiler birds
Adjusted to weight of the birds
Kept in comfort zone from day old to slaughter
Look at time table for how to work out
What must the lighting be like for broiler birds
1-7 days old, 30-40 lux of lighting
Later, reduce to 5-10 lux
Light must be uniformly distributed throughout the house
Use light meter to verify the light intensity
How is target live body weight affected
Depends of breed of birds
Influenced by
Brooding temperature
Feed quality
Access to feed and water
Health of chicks
Age of parent stock
When do we check live body weight in broilers
At chick place,ent
Weekly
Calculate uniformity
Check power point for table
How do we achieve the best bio security for broiler farms
Farm location - 3.2km away from other farms
Orientation for the farm blocks - one way flow, easy cleaning and disinfecting, control of movement or people feed and equipment
Risk areas = dead birds disposal and rodent control
How are turkeys bred and how many are bred per year
Breeders same as chickens - pyramid selective breeding strategy
17 million/year (10mil for Christmas market)
