Cobb Breeder Administration Information: Male fleshing or breast conformation

22 August 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 essential components which can be more than likely to affect flock efficiency. The administration suggestions mentioned have been developed particularly for Cobb merchandise. The suggestions are meant as a reference and complement to your individual flock administration expertise with the intention to apply your data and judgement to acquire persistently good outcomes with the Cobb household of merchandise. To learn or obtain the entire Information or to view Cobb’s different administration guides, click on right here.

Fleshing of males in manufacturing is just not widespread however has some distinctive benefits that may assist to ascertain the proper body weight profile in manufacturing. The Cobb male fleshing spreadsheet is a device used to file fleshing values from 1 to five (instance beneath). 

The consumer inputs fleshing scores for the pattern inhabitants and the spreadsheet calculates percentages and the corresponding weighted common for every group. The weighted common flesh rating can be graphically displayed together with the body weight. Contact your Cobb Technical Consultant for an digital copy of this spreadsheet.

Male feeding – separate intercourse feeding

One problem for the farm supervisor and the feeding system chosen is to distribute a small quantity of feed per male as uniformly as attainable and preserve all males with a uniform development and exercise degree. For males, use 20 cm (7 7/8 in) of feeder area with a monitor system, 8 to 10 males per spherical feeder and 10 to 12 males with an oval pan feeder. The top of the feeder system is necessary for all of the males to eat comfortably. Usually apply a top that’s near the higher crop top of the males. A measuring stick that’s mounted to the male feeder line may also help to drop, every day, the feeder line to the proper top so that each one males can entry the pan feeders with out feminine interference. 

There are lots of different instruments to preserve the peak of the male feeders right. A restrict swap could also be hooked up to the feeder line in order that it’s activated when the feeder line reaches the predetermined top when lowered. Maintain the male feeder at a top that makes the males stretch barely to eat and prevents the females from reaching. 

A male feeder ought to all the time be steady and never be allowed to swing. The peak must be regularly adjusted by observing feeding conduct not less than as soon as per week as much as 30 weeks of age. Chain or mechanical trough feeders are rising in popularity than pan feeders for males. They’ve some further benefits together with higher feed distribution and visibility.

Separate intercourse feeding (SSF)

It’s extremely really helpful to make use of Separate Intercourse Feeding (SSF) in manufacturing. Coaching the males is vital to the success of Separate Intercourse Feeding (SSF). The males have to rapidly determine and use their particular feeders. The most effective choice is to have the identical sort of male feeder in rearing and manufacturing. Alternatively, decoy feeders can be utilized in rearing. For instance, if the males are consumed a series however will use pans in manufacturing, place just a few pans within the rearing home and manually add some feed. The males will study to determine the pans as a feed supply. Switch the males just a few days earlier (2 to five days) so they’re particularly educated to eat from their new feeders earlier than the females arrive to the manufacturing home.

After each sexes are within the manufacturing home, begin the feminine feeder first and when all females place themselves, decrease the male feeder system or begin male feed distribution. With feed distribution at the hours of darkness, delivering feed might be simultaneous however give females entry to their feeders about 1 minute forward of males. 

Separate intercourse feeding (SSF) permits the usage of particular male rations. Male diets are broadly used within the business. Moreover, analysis and discipline outcomes verify that male diets enhance fertility. Male rations with decrease protein ranges (13 %), a 2700 kcal (11.25 MJ/kg) vitality degree and 0.50 % out there lysine, management male body weight and breast muscle development. With particular male rations, it’s much more necessary that the SSF system prevents females from consuming out of the male feeder.

True SSF implies that males shouldn’t have entry to the feminine feed and vice versa. SSF features a male exclusion system positioned on the feminine feeder (grill, curler bar, see illustration) and a separate line of pans, trough or tube feeders for the males. The exclusion grill ought to create each a vertical (60 mm or 2 3/8 in) and horizontal (46 mm or 1 13/16 in) restriction. In techniques with a curler bar or wood board – plank alter the vertical restriction. Typically, planks have three totally different top settings: 42 mm (1 11/16 in), 46 mm (1 13/16 in) and 50 mm (2 in). Start at 21 weeks with 42 mm (1 11/16 in), then enhance to 46 mm (1 13/16 in) in peak manufacturing and eventually to 50 mm (2 in) at about 50 weeks of age.

Male weight tendencies throughout manufacturing

The Cobb commonplace for male body weight is designed to maintain the male gentle early in manufacturing – not
greater than 4 kg (8.8 lb) at 30 weeks and have a constant development most of 25 g (0.06 lb) per week
from 30 weeks to depletion (roughly 4.7 kg (10.3 lb) at 60 weeks). Constant, optimistic development
through the first 4 weeks after picture stimulation, is necessary for testes growth (see desk beneath).

Frequent causes for poor male fertility associated to weight:

• Extreme development by means of 30 weeks (4.4 kg; 9.7 lb) and poor development after 30 weeks attributable to inadequate feed quantities. In these flocks quite a few the males will lose situation.
• Extreme development by means of 30 weeks, and body weight persevering with to extend reaching 5.0 kg (11.0 lb) or larger at 50 weeks of age.

Regular development by means of 30 weeks of age however inadequate development thereafter leads to many males shedding situation, comb and wattle colour. Over fleshed males (> 4 fleshing rating) could have diminished mating effectivity attributable to incomplete mating. As males get too heavy their breast form flattens, they usually turn out to be unbalanced when making an attempt to mate. 

Issues will happen if males are capable of eat from feminine feeders after switch. Males will acquire extra weight and can want extra vitality for body weight upkeep. Females won’t have sufficient feed and restrict their growth. Take into account protecting male feed allocations fixed till the combs develop to the purpose that they can’t eat from feminine feeders. Add the male feed enhance to the feminine feeders till males can not eat from feminine feeders.

Males ought to by no means drop pounds in manufacturing. A loss in body weight of >100 g could trigger a discount in sperm high quality primarily based on the males’ situation. Monitor weights weekly and alter feed accordingly. 

Usually feed quantities should not decreased in males. Nevertheless, if after 30 weeks, the male body weight will increase too quick, cut back the feed by 5 g/male (1.1 lb/100 males/week) and monitor for 3 to 4 weeks till weight acquire stabilizes This is without doubt one of the most necessary intervals to lower feed quantities for males as an emergency process.

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