Cobb Administration Breeder Information: Breeder flock switch

25 April 2024

6 minute learn

Editor’s observe: This text is an excerpt from the Cobb Breeder Administration Information and extra articles will comply with. The Information was designed to focus on vital elements which are more than likely to affect flock efficiency. To learn or obtain the whole Information or to view Cobb’s different administration guides, click on right here.

Breeder flock switch

Age for transferring inventory to the manufacturing farms is decided primarily by the services accessible, body weight and the lighting program. The switch could be a very worrying time for the birds. Plan the switch intimately and deal with the birds fastidiously. Previous to switch, the rearing and laying managers ought to meet to debate the flock. A duplicate of the rearing data ought to be transferred with the flock to the manufacturing farm and embrace:

• particulars of illness challenges, treatment, and vaccination applications
• switch hen numbers
• bodyweights as they relate to straightforward
• water consumption
• fleshing and pelvic fats scorings
• rearing lighting program and depth
• feed quantities and instances of feeding
• different related data to help the manufacturing farm supervisor throughout the transition interval.

In some instances, it could be obligatory to present extra feed a number of days earlier than and/or after the birds have been transferred. The quantity of additional feed and the time when it’s given will rely on the season and the gap travelled. On the day of shifting, birds shouldn’t be fed on the rearing farm to make sure that birds are empty (no feed in crops) to restrict potential mortality, elevated stress, and soiled crates.

When planning the switch:

• The laying home should be able to obtain the flock, with the feeders, drinkers, and nest containers totally operational, one week earlier than the deliberate switch date.
• Make sure that there are sufficient clear crates, coops or containers to maneuver the entire flock.
• The ultimate choice and switch of the males ought to be executed 2 to three days earlier than females are transferred if sexual synchronization is perfect between the sexes.
• The females ought to be fastidiously noticed and any birds that don’t meet high quality requirements ought to be eliminated throughout switch.
• Transfer the birds at night time or within the early morning, particularly in summer time throughout scorching climate.
• If utilizing containers or coops with wheels, clear a path alongside the scratch space earlier than eradicating the birds.
• Birds ought to have empty crops and digestive tracts previous to shifting to scale back stress and hold the gear cleaner.

Instantly publish switch:

• When taking birds out of crates or coops by hand, place them instantly on the slats. If utilizing modules with a loader or a pullet trailer to switch birds to the laying home, birds ought to be positioned on the litter since this course of includes mechanical gear. To forestall damage, by no means place birds instantly on strong gear (ex: feeder or nests).
• After arrival, present feed within the tracks. Feed will present a distraction, cut back stress, and assist the birds turn into aware of the brand new home. Relying on transportation and climate, feed quantities could be elevated by 20 % for two to 3 days after the transfer.
• Observe the birds carefully and carry out crop checks to ensure that they have had entry to feed and water.
• Stroll by means of the home steadily to encourage birds to make use of the slatted space.
• Ideally, use the identical drinker and feeder gear kinds in rearing and in manufacturing. Nonetheless, if gear is totally different fastidiously observe feeding the
  first 3 days after switch to appropriate any points.
• The flock will redistribute the shavings or straw the subsequent day over the entire
  scratch space.

Sexing errors (intercourse slips)

Sexing guardian inventory chicks is finished within the hatchery to separate the females and males. The females are used as guardian inventory and the males are often utilized in broiler manufacturing. Sexing chicks could be difficult and a few intercourse errors (intercourse slips) happen throughout the sexing course of. Nonetheless, these errors will not be seen within the flock till 12 to 16 weeks of age as males will develop a comb sooner than females.

The sexing error proportion within the quick feathering guardian inventory, that are sexable by wing feathers, is generally between 0.3 % to 0.5 %. Nonetheless, the sluggish feather cross should be sexed by the cloaca. That is extra sophisticated and often leads to extra sexing errors (between 1 to 1.5 %).

Leaving sexing errors within the flock will compromise the genetic potential of the offspring. It may well additionally distort feather coloring and trigger decrease body weight in addition to poor feed conversion, processing yield and uniformity in broiler flocks. For these causes, you will need to eradicate all of the sexing errors earlier than 20 weeks of age.

Producers with good darkish out rearing situations and low mild depth (2 to 4 lux; 0.2 to 0.4 fc) could not acknowledge sexing errors simply. On this case, sexing errors could be detected and eliminated at 18 weeks of age throughout the person vaccinations when the sunshine depth is excessive sufficient on the vaccination desk to differentiate the intercourse errors. Any intercourse errors not detected throughout the vaccinations are often clearly seen when shifting females to
the manufacturing home and could be eliminated at the moment.

After switch, it is vital for at least 2 individuals to stroll by means of the flock earlier than hatching eggs are collected to take away any remaining sexing errors from the flock (that is executed when the flock is between 22 and 24 weeks of age). At this level, sexing errors could be acknowledged by inspecting the 4th and fifth toes (additionally known as dewclaws) that are handled to situation the nails in males.

One approach to determine sexing errors in males after switch is to examine the toes. Males that have been sexed accurately ought to have their toes (dewclaws) conditioned to take away the nail (as proven within the picture). Any males with out conditioned toes are more than likely sexing errors and ought to be faraway from the flock.

Preparation for picture stimulation (20 to 24 weeks)

Ideally, firstly of picture stimulation, the ratio of pullets with a fleshing rating of three and 4 ought to be 60 and 40 % of the females respectively. The primary picture stimulation ought to be between 147 and most 154 days of age. After first picture stimulation, use small feed will increase of two to 4 g per feminine per week till the onset of manufacturing (round 5 % of manufacturing).

Physiological readiness for picture stimulation

The flock is ready for picture stimulation when dry (earlier than feeding) body weight is 2450 to 2600 g (5.40 to five.73 lb) for quick feathering pullets and 2500 to 2600 g (5.51 to five.73 lb) for sluggish feathering. As well as, 95 % of the pullets have a fleshing rating of three or extra and 85 % have pelvic fats.

A pullet within the appropriate situation may have a outstanding fats deposition below the wing. Parallel to this fats deposit is a big blood vessel. This mix is also known as the fats vein. The fats vein can be utilized to find out subcutaneous fats deposition. Nonetheless, pelvic fats is generally deposited sooner than the subcutaneous fats vein.

The fats vein begins to look in pullets round 21 weeks of age. Analysis of the fats vein is most informative after 25 weeks of age, when manufacturing has began. At this level, the pelvic bones are not an excellent indicator of how a lot fats is being deposited within the stomach cavity as a result of they’ve widened significantly to enable for the passage of the eggs. As soon as the pelvic bones start to separate, the pelvic area will widen after picture stimulation. This alteration ought to transition from a width of lower than 1 finger for a pullet at 21 weeks outdated to a width of greater than 2.5 to three fingers in totally producing hens. That is the first motive why it’s higher to make use of the fats vein as an indicator of fats reserves after the females begin manufacturing. It’s at all times finest to delay picture stimulation if the birds will not be within the appropriate situation (physique composition), as it will enhance their efficiency, well being and welfare throughout the laying part.

To learn or obtain the whole Cobb Breeder Administration Information or to view Cobb’s different administration guides, click on right here.