“Perfect start for broilers and breeders”

By Maciej Kolanczyk /HYBRO b.v.

Broilers and breeders?

What do they have in common?

Broilers and breeders?Broilers and breeders? - differences - - differences -

• Broilers are sprinters• Short distance to run• Start - very important• Small mistakes make

a lot of difference• Relatively simple task• No severe feed

restriction

• Breeders are long distance runners

• More time available• More complex

problem• Bigger variability of

possible mistakes• Sever feed restriction

Breeders and broilers?Breeders and broilers?- similarities -- similarities -

• The same genetic background (type)

• The same management program for first 2 weeks

• Same task in the first weeks - to grow!

Breeders or broilers?Breeders or broilers?

First two weeks are very First two weeks are very similarsimilar for broilers and breedersfor broilers and breeders

• Both - sprinters and long distance runners need an effective “engine”!

• “Engine” - are the internal organs of the bird

• Internal organs develop at an early age

• Early age - means first two weeks

We have started well!We have started well!

Why is early development so Why is early development so important?important?

• Intestines even 10 times longer in 7 days

• Size of heart and lever is determined

• Immune system develops

• Bigger and better quality organs are able to handle more challenge in the later life

Early growth is amazing!Early growth is amazing!• First week of life - MOST IMPORTANT

• Unique period - happens once in a life time

• Never in their life chicks would grow faster

• Body weight can be multiplied 2.5- 5 times

• 90g and 220g are possible results in BW

• False-start cannot be “repaired” later on

• Bigger weight 7 days - better and bigger organs

Differences at 7 daysDifferences at 7 days

Consequences of a poor start Consequences of a poor start BroilersBroilers

• Lower body weight on the end of fattening

• Higher mortality in the last weeks

• Sensitivity for metabolic disorders

• Less resistance for diseases

• Poorer shape of carcasses

• Lower uniformity

• Higher feed conversion

Consequences of a poor start Consequences of a poor start BreedersBreeders

• Higher rearing mortality

• Problems with uniformity

• Poor response for vaccinations - less resistant

• High depletion by onset of lay

• Lower egg production • Less uniform product (hatching eggs)

• Poorer broiler chicks

Can we influence the early Can we influence the early growth?growth?

• Do we know our results?

• Do we collect records on BW 7 days?

• To which extent this is in our hands?

• Chick quality - not everything!

• Breed - not everything!

• YOU - can make your chicks grow!

Can we influence the early Can we influence the early growth?growth?

• The same chick can grow 90 or 200g!

• There must be a reason for differences!

Chicks at the same age Chicks at the same age can look differently!can look differently!

Common excusesCommon excuses• We always do it like this

• Other chicks did well under the same system

• This is not my fault, chicks were not good

• We will do it….. but later on

• In few hours conditions will be better

After only 7 days rearing

it is known if the flock will be

good or poor!

Accept reality!Accept reality!

• Chicks are not always excellent

• Long transportation is sometimes necessary

• Age of the mother flock counts

• Treatment on breeder chicks are stress factor

• Current, normal quality-problems WILL happen

Don’t ask the chicks to solve your problem!

HELP THEM!!

What can be done?What can be done?

• Many small details count

• Limited list of tools available

• Time very important

• The hours count

What can be done?What can be done?• Cleaning and disinfection

• Arrangement of the house

• Service system

• Temperature

• Feeding and drinking equipment

• Feed quality and texture

• Light intensity

Cleaning and disinfectionCleaning and disinfection• Infection in the first week will slow down growth

• Uniformity will suffer

• Cleaning and disinfecting is cheaper than treatment

• Don’t start with problems

Don’t start with the problem!Don’t start with the problem!

Arrangements in the houseArrangements in the house• Sufficient space - no more than 50 chicks/ sq. meter • 1.5 meter distance to find water and feed

• Pre-heating 48 hours in advance

• Open water

• Paper for feed

• High lighting intensity

• Smooth litter

Arrangements in the houseArrangements in the house

Housing of chicksHousing of chicks

Service system at housingService system at housing

• Reception of chicks must be well prepared• People know their tasks in details• As fast as possible• Don’t infect the house at chick delivery• Don’t over-heat in the cartoons• Prepare as much as possible before chick

arrival

TemperatureTemperature

• Well pre-heat the house (48 hours or more)• Air temperature is not everything• Difficult to over-heat baby chicks• Start with really high temperatures• 35-38C in the first 12 hours• The weaker the chicks are, the higher temperature• Watch behavior of chicks and react• Reduce after 12 hours

WatchWatch behavior!behavior!

Feeding and drinking equipmentFeeding and drinking equipment

• Easy access • 1.5 meter distance to find feed and water • Feed distributed before chick arrival• Paper - the best for the first hours• Open water

Paper attractsPaper attracts

Two hours after Two hours after unloadingunloading

Quality and texture of feedQuality and texture of feed

• Provide as good feed as possible

• Best components

• Pre-starter (22% protein, 3150 kcal)

• Coarse enough

Texture of the feed Texture of the feed should be coarseshould be coarse

LightingLighting

• Very high intensity • As higher as better

• Extra lamps?

• Reduce after 7 days

Check yourself!Check yourself!

• Don’t ask anybody - ask your chicks!

• Keep records of the results BW 7 days

• Target bodyweight : broilers 180g, breeders 150g

• Analyze the reasons, if this is less.

It pays back!It pays back!

1g more BW at 7 days equals at least 7g more at

35 days:

1 = 7 !!

Perfect start is still no guarantee!

But… Perfect result is possible

only after a perfect start!

Good luck!Good luck!