FLAWSS

Question 1

What is FLAWSS?

Answer 1

 F Feed
 L Light
 A Air
 W Water
 S Space
 S Sanitation

Question 2

3 most important feed factors

Answer 2

1. Quality
2. Volume
3. Accessibility

Question 3

important questions to ask about feed when we get to a barn

Answer 3

 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!

Question 4

Variations in feed consumption can be:

Answer 4

 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)

Question 5

lighting 2 most important factors, and why?

Answer 5

 Duration
> Influences growth rate, skeletal development, total feed intake
 Intensity
> Also has an effect on feed and water intake

Question 6

how to measure light intensity, and what is a normal value for a barn vs other places?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

how do we measure light intensity in a barn?

Answer 7

lux meter

Question 8

lighting program - how do light intesity and hours of dark change throughout the life of the flock?

Answer 8

• 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
  <><><><>
  Note that day-length is shortened early in life to control the growth rate
  > and lower stress via melatonin release

Question 9

lighting program rationale: for days 1-3, and after that

Answer 9

 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

Question 10

3 most important factors regarding barn air

Answer 10

1. Quality (CO2, CO, NH3, dust)
2. Temperature
3. Relative humidity

Question 11

what factors determine air quality?

Answer 11

(CO2, CO, NH3, dust)
Outside temperature -> ventilation -> litter quality -> air quality

Question 12

air quality is mainly dependent on what factor?

Answer 12

Ventilation
 Number of vents
 Set-up / distribution of fans
 Ammonia > must be measured
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Drafts

Question 13

ammonia: how do we detect it? what are levels of note?

Answer 13

Must be measured
 Cannot detect until > 10 ppm
 Eyes water above 25 ppm

Question 14

Air – Temperature and Humidity
- how it changes through life of flock, in general

Answer 14

 Day 1: 32-33°C (90-91°F)
 Day 42: 23°C (73°F)
> can’t thermoregulate when young

Question 15

how should we measure temp in the barn?

Answer 15

Measure the T° at bird height in various places

Question 16

what level of RH corresponds to wet litter issues? what problems?

Answer 16

Problems with wet litter when RH is > 70%
> pododermatitis, hockburn, ammonia, cycling of coccidia & necrotic enteritis

Question 17

Air Quality Guidelines
CO2
CO
NH3
Inspirable dust
RH

Answer 17

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)

Question 18

Air - Temperature
- how to assess via bird behaviour?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

water quality considerations

Answer 19

 Colour, clarity, turbidity
 pH
 Water treatment / additives (e.g.
chlorine, acids, medications)
 Source (municipal, well) – testing?

Question 20

water considerations for birds size and number, etc… considerations about equipment

Answer 20

 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?

Question 21

height of bell type drinker

Answer 21

base of drinker aligned with birds back

Question 22

Space tope 3 considerations

Answer 22

1. Distribution throughout the barn
   a) Even distribution?
   b) Huddling?
2. Stocking density
3. Number of feeders and drinkers vs.
   number of birds

Question 23

Stocking Density for Broilers
- what is it and how do we calculate?

Answer 23

 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

Question 24

Feeder Space for Broilers

Answer 24

 Pan feeders – 65 birds per pan (33 cm
[13 in.] diameter)
 Trough feeders – 2.5 cm (1 in.) per bird

Question 25

Drinker Space for Broilers

Answer 25

 Nipples – 5-20 birds per nipple
 Bell drinkers/cups – 1 per 120 birds
 Troughs – 2.5 cm (1 in.) per bird

Question 26

sanitation - what is evidence of a good biosecurity program?

Answer 26

 Signs at farm gate and barn door, visitor log
 Footwear / clothing / hand washing
 Rodent and insect control
 Cleanliness of anteroom / entrance
 Deadstock / manure disposal

Question 27

sanitation between flocks

Answer 27

 C & D between flocks, incl. water lines
> removal of bedding and dry cleaning is the minimum standard after every flock
> full dry clean, wet clean, disinfection required per year

Question 28

should we keep feed and manure equipment together?

Answer 28

 Separate equipment for feed and manure

Question 29

Sanitation - Litter: what matters, what should we be wary of?

Answer 29

 Type of bedding (shavings, straw, peat moss)
 Depth / evenness of bedding
 Moisture / dryness
> Litter is too moist if it keeps its shape after
squeezing a handful in your fist
 Puddles around waterers?
 Evidence of litter beetles?
 Litter treatment (U.S. and turkeys in Canada)?