FLAWSS Flashcards
What is FLAWSS?
F Feed
L Light
A Air
W Water
S Space
S Sanitation
3 most important feed factors
- Quality
- Volume
- Accessibility
important questions to ask about feed when we get to a barn
Who is the feed supplier?
Is the ration correct for the age/sex/type of bird
(see feed guides — Wallenstein, Masterfeeds,
W-S, New Life)?
Is the consistency correct for the age of bird
(e.g. crumble, pellet)?
Feeders — proper height? are there enough?
working properly?
Medicated? Additives? Look at feed invoices!
Variations in feed consumption can be:
indicative of a disease
associated with:
> hot and cold weather
> the feed itself (energy, fiber, particle size)
> the birds’ needs (e.g. point of lay)
lighting 2 most important factors, and why?
Duration
> Influences growth rate, skeletal development, total feed intake
Intensity
> Also has an effect on feed and water intake
how to measure light intensity, and what is a normal value for a barn vs other places?
Measured in lux or foot-candles (10 lux = 1
foot-candle)
Broiler barns: 5 to 20 lux
Surface of an office desk: 400 to 500 lux
Bright sunny day in mid-summer: 80,000 lux
how do we measure light intensity in a barn?
lux meter
lighting program - how do light intesity and hours of dark change throughout the life of the flock?
- day 1: 20 lux, 1 hour dark > want them to find feed and water
- day 7: 5 lux, 6 hours dark
- day 21: 5 lux, 5 hours dark
- … shipping: 5 lux, 1 hour dark
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Note that day-length is shortened early in life to control the growth rate
> and lower stress via melatonin release
lighting program rationale: for days 1-3, and after that
In general, 23 hours of light is necessary during brooding (first 1 – 3 days) so that chicks can find feed and water
6 hours of continuous darkness will improve development of the immune system, and overall welfare and performance
3 most important factors regarding barn air
- Quality (CO2, CO, NH3, dust)
- Temperature
- Relative humidity
what factors determine air quality?
(CO2, CO, NH3, dust)
Outside temperature -> ventilation -> litter quality -> air quality
air quality is mainly dependent on what factor?
Ventilation
Number of vents
Set-up / distribution of fans
Ammonia > must be measured
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Drafts
ammonia: how do we detect it? what are levels of note?
Must be measured
Cannot detect until > 10 ppm
Eyes water above 25 ppm
Air – Temperature and Humidity
- how it changes through life of flock, in general
Day 1: 32-33°C (90-91°F)
Day 42: 23°C (73°F)
> can’t thermoregulate when young
how should we measure temp in the barn?
Measure the T° at bird height in various places
what level of RH corresponds to wet litter issues? what problems?
Problems with wet litter when RH is > 70%
> pododermatitis, hockburn, ammonia, cycling of coccidia & necrotic enteritis
Air Quality Guidelines
CO2
CO
NH3
Inspirable dust
RH
CO2: 3,000 ppm (recommended)
CO: 10 ppm
NH3: 25 ppm (required)
Inspirable dust: 3.4 mg/m³ (.0001 oz/35.3 ft³)
RH: 70% (recommended)
Air - Temperature
- how to assess via bird behaviour?
Look at bird distribution and behaviour
before entering barn
Too hot:
> Crowding away from heat sources
> Panting, frequent spreading of wings, frequent
wing flapping, pasty excreta on the cloacal area
Too cold:
> Gathering near heat sources
> Feather ruffling, rigid posture, trembling,
huddling, distress vocalization, piling
water quality considerations
Colour, clarity, turbidity
pH
Water treatment / additives (e.g.
chlorine, acids, medications)
Source (municipal, well) – testing?
water considerations for birds size and number, etc… considerations about equipment
Are the waterers at the proper height?
Are there enough waterers for the
number of birds in the barn/cage?
Are nipples patent throughout entire
line?
Is the pressure appropriate for age of bird
and even throughout the line?
height of bell type drinker
base of drinker aligned with birds back
Space tope 3 considerations
- Distribution throughout the barn
a) Even distribution?
b) Huddling? - Stocking density
- Number of feeders and drinkers vs.
number of birds
Stocking Density for Broilers
- what is it and how do we calculate?
Mass of birds per unit of space
Calculated using interior dimensions of the available barn space and the expected shipping weight of the birds
Must not normally exceed 31 kg/m2
See Code of Practice for Chickens, Turkeys
and Breeders
Feeder Space for Broilers
Pan feeders – 65 birds per pan (33 cm
[13 in.] diameter)
Trough feeders – 2.5 cm (1 in.) per bird
