Poultry Husbandry

Question 1

The three types of commercial poultry farms

Answer 1

1. broiler farm (males)
2. layer farm (females)
3. broiler/layer breeding farms

Question 2

KPIs per farm

Answer 2

Broilers –> main KPI=feed conversion ratio (FCR)
= total feed consumption / total
liveweight produced, g/bird/day
Also 7d mortality % (should be <1.5%), 7d weight, final mortality %, final weight
Layers and Breeders –> egg/hen/day, final mortality %, feed consumption, average egg weight, liveability 100 wks

These factors are determined by brooding condition, temperature, feed quality, light intensity and ease of access to food.

Question 3

What is an Integrator ?

Answer 3

Companies that own the majority of the food chain in one sector, for example, one company owns the feed mills, rearing farms, breeding farms, hatcheries, broiler farms and processing plants - in total control. May even control the behind the scene, like staff, marketing, e.g.

Examples in poultry = 2 Sisters Food Group, Moy Park, Faccenda and Cargill

Question 4

Economic pressures on poultry farming

Answer 4

Mainly the high production costs vs “cheap” prices of meat (£3.25 per kg for breast (highest quality cut)) and eggs (estimated at 6.88p per egg going to the farmer in free range sales).

Production costs :
* feed prices
* housing, inc. rent, development, heating, bedding, lighting, etc…
* transport and equipment
* veterinary support, inc. vaccinations
* human skills like training, research, paperwork, salaries, etc…

Question 5

Political pressures on poultry farming

Answer 5

6 main political pressures :
* high welfare requirements
* reduction of waste
* safety of products
* reduction of antimicrobial use
* free from growth promoters
* environmental impact -> CO2 production, litter disposal, water usage, shed heating and growth/transport

Question 6

The role of the vet on chicken farms

Answer 6

production, disease control, nutrition, welfare, hygiene, disease prevention, drug and disinfectant trials.

Mainly safe food and animal welfare.

Question 7

The Broiler Cycle

Answer 7

placed = 45g, 0d
vaccinated and feed change = 189g, 7d
vaccinated and feed change = 480g, 14d
feed change = 929g, 21d
thinned before 2144g, 35d
cleared at 2144g, 35d

Question 8

3x Routine Procedures

Answer 8

1. laser beak trimming (blunt/round beak end, mitigate pecking)
2. de-spurring (horn-like protrusions above the foot, avoid injuries)
3. de-clawing (avoid injuries)

Question 9

Broiler Rations

Answer 9

1. starter crumb
2. starter pellet
3. grower
4. finisher
5. withdrawal

^ all increasing in energy and decreasing in protein

Question 10

Breeding and Layer Diet

Answer 10

Adequate calcium for shell quality, increasing as hen grows
Protein for antibodies and chick quality (more for breeders)
Adequate Ca:Ph and vitamin D for egg quality - helps Ca2+ stay in the intestinal tract longer, leading to increased absorption

Question 11

Egg Production Cycle

Answer 11

1. egg laid 9 hours after lights out
2. 6am lights on
3. chicken eats
4. few hours after eating, another egg starts production

Question 12

Egg Formation within the uterus

Answer 12

shell forms last and needs stillness, calcium must be available during this time.

Question 13

Poultry Handling

Answer 13

comfortability (inc. spread, activity, flock chart information, etc…)
environment (housing, ventilation, floor, bedding, feed, water)
biosecurity