Poultry Laying Flock Flashcards
How are eggs formed
Female birds at certain age produce eggs
Ovary biggest falls on - infundibulum - rolls in tube - magnum synthesis of albumin started 2-3hours - isthmus synthesis of cell membrane 2-3hours - uterus synthesis of shell remains 18-26 hours
Takes 23-26 hours for one egg
What is important in egg production
Fertility, mating (appropriate body weight increases this and activity)
Hen to box ratio = 1:5 look at bread guidance
Egg collection - minimise floor eggs and remove, frequent egg collection
How do we disinfect the eggs
Formaldehyde if permitted
Advantages - not wetting egg shell surface, no damage to egg cuticles, no injury to developing embryo
Alternatives - hydrogen peroxide chlorine
What are good characteristics of good disinfectant
Egg shell count before and after treatment
Egg content bacterial count after treatment
Impact on egg cuticle cover
Hatch ability
What are egg storage conditions on the farm
Ideally sell eggs within 7 days
If eggs left more than 7 days = 1% drop in hatch ability
Appropriate temperature, humidity 70-80%, ventilation and safety
What does the hatchery provide
Controlled environment for optimal incubation for viable chicks
What does the hatchery look for in eggs
Too large eggs - double yolk obstructs air flow, risk of overheating eggs may crack
Too small eggs - fertility?
Clean shells to reduce contamination
Shell quality
How do we cool down eggs
Cool eggs gradually
40-41 degrees = hen body
24-29 degrees = house
21-25 = egg storage
20-23 = egg truck
19-21 = hatchery egg room
After cooling the eggs what happens
Pre warm the eggs from 19-21 to 24-27 degrees then into setter 37.5-37.8
What happens while in storage
1 day in storage adds an hour to incubation time
More than 6 days storage - 0.5-1.5% losses
Chick quality affected eggs stored 14 days = body weight of broiler reduced
What are the incubation days for poultry species
Chicken - 21 days
Turkey - 28 days
Ducks - 28 days
Duck Muscovy - 35 days
Pheasant - 24-26 days
Partridge - 23-24 days
Pigeon - 16-19 days
Geese - 28-33 days
Quail - 16-18 days
What are the incubation needs
Temperature - 37.8-38 degrees
Humidity - 55-60%
Ventilation - as much as possible
Microbial - shell hygiene and integrity
How do we turn eggs and why
Turn 5-6x day 45 degrees
Avoid embryo adhering onto shell membranes
For better yolk sac and allantoic vascular development
Improve blood vessels under the shell to maximise oxygen absorption
For better embryo positioning before hatching
What does candling eggs do
Provides information on
Conditions in farm
Percentage fertility
Storage condition of eggs
Condition of embryos of the incubation process
When do we candle eggs and why
Candling at 6 days, 10 days and transfer then 18days
Early detection of problems on farm
Male condition and general health
Storage issues
Estimate percentages of hatchable chicks
Optimise space in setter and Hatcher
What are the conditions in a hatcher
No egg turning
Humidity higher than incubator
Incubated eggs transferred to Hatcher
In ovo vaccination at transfer 18 days
At 21 days Pull chicks - 95-97% hatched
65-70% hatched 12 hours before pull
Less than 25% chicks hatched 24 hours before pull
What is included in chick processing
Grading
Automated separation from shell
Manual handling
Sexing
Feather / vent
How are chicks sexed
Female primary feathers longer than coverts
Male primary feathers shorter or same size as coverts
Look at genitalia female down male pointed up
What vaccinations do we give chicks
Spray - Newcastle disease infectious bronchitis, avian metapneumovirus
SC injections - Mareks disease and infectious bursa disease
In ovo - Mareks disease and infectious bursas disease and laryngotracheitis
What else happens in chick processing
Break trimming for commensal layers
Cleaning disinfecting
What are the signs of good chicks after processing
Normal looking
Alert, active, standing well
Uniformity
Good yolk sac absorption with a soft belly
Legs in perfect condition not dehydrated or damaged no red hooks
Beaks clean and not damaged or inflamed, carnucles perfect
Full condition vaporised dry with nice smell
Yellow colour of chicks - pale = poor yolk pigment mobilisation or use of formaldehyde
What are the ideal conditions for chicks transportation
Temperature 39.5-40.5 degrees
Humidity - 50-65%
Ventilation = minimum of 0.71 cubic metre per minute of fresh air per 1000 chicks
Clean and hygienic
What are hatchery rules and legislation
Control of salmonella in poultry order 2007
Animal welfare act 2006
Welfare of animals at time of killing regulations 2013
The welfare of animals transport act 2006
