INTRODUCTION
Males make
up fifty percent of the breeding flock. Attention to male management
requirements must therefore be given the same priority as that of females.
Male
management should focus on control of skeletal development, body weight and
feeding to produce enough good quality males to maintain fertility and
hatchability throughout the life of the flock.
This article
provides management recommendations that will achieve optimal and consistent male
performance for the breeding flock.
BROODING (0-2
WEEKS)
Management
during the brooding period is critical as it has a lasting influence on the
health and performance of the chick. The aim during the brooding period is to
ensure good early chick development and body-weight uniformity. Chicks should
be provided with a good basic brooding set-up that provides proper access to
light, heat, feed and water.
Light
Proper
distribution of light during the brooding period is critical to ensure chicks
can see to eat and drink. Light of the correct intensity should be distributed
evenly throughout the brood chamber. For the first 3 days, provide
23 hours of
light at an intensity of 1-2 foot candles (10-20 lux). An initial intensity of
10
gradually be
reduced so that by day 10 a constant day
The chick is
highly dependent upon external heat sources to help maintain proper body
temperature until approximately 2 weeks of age. Heat can be provided by many
sources (jet brooders, radiant brooders, forced air heaters and radiant tube
heaters). Regardless of the heat source used, the following management
practices are recommended:
• Pre-heat
the brooding chamber for 24-48 hours before chick placement - depending on
climate, litter conditions and season. A heating system that warms a spot on
the litter for the birds provides the best start.
• Typically
conditions litter temperature at placement should be
90oF (32oC).
• Beyond day
1, follow the temperature profile given in Table 1.
• Maintain
relative humidity (RH) at 60-70%.
• Monitor
temperature and humidity regularly.
• Closely
observe chick behavior during the first 24 hours after placement. If behavior
indicates that the temperature is not correct (Figures and 3), check and adjust
temperature settings accordingly.
AGE (days)
|
LITTER TEMPERATURE
|
Week 1
|
90F0(32CO)
|
Week 2
|
85F0(29CO)
|
Week 3
|
80F0(27CO)
|
Week 4
|
75F0(24CO)
|
Week 5
|
70F0(21CO)
|
Week 6
|
70F0(21CO)
|
Table 1: Brooding Temperatures.
The
temperature experienced by the chick is dependent upon the dry bulb temperature
and relative humidity (RH). High RH increases the apparent temperature at a
particular dry bulb temperature, low RH decreases apparent temperature. For
example, the dry bulb temperature required to achieve 86°F (32°C) 91°F (35°C),
but if the RH is 80%, the dry bulb temperature required to achieve 86°F (32°C)
is 81°F (28°C). In North
Higher
brooding temperatures of up to 92°F/35°C (at the brooder edge at chick height)
are not uncommon. These higher temperatures may be required when RH is low,
when the efficiency of the heating system is poor or when draught exclusion is
ineffective and when males are kept in a separate pen at one end of the house.
If chicks
appear chilled and are inactive at placement (chicks should begin to drink and
feed within 1-2 hours of placement), increasing the temperature by 2o
F (1oC) will
stimulate chick activity, feeding and drinking behavior. The temperature
setting can be returned to normal on the second day although chick behavior
should ultimately determine decision making.
Feed
Chicks
should be on an everyday feeding schedule during the brooding period.
Supplemental feed should be given for the first 5 to 7 days providing 1
supplemental feeder tray for every 100 chicks. Pan feeders should be flooded
with feed for the first 7 to 10 days to promote feeding activity. Both the pan
and the supplementary feeders should be placed within the comfort zone of the
heat source.
The Starter feed should be of a physically
acceptable quality and either a course mash or, preferably, a sieved crumb (for
further information on male Starter rations refer to the Ross Parent Stock
Nutrient Specifications,
June 2007).
The provision of paper (which can cover up to 100% but not less than 25% of the
litter in the brooding area) onto which food can be directly placed can be
beneficial in encouraging chicks to eat.
Water
The
provision of clean, fresh water which is readily available is essential.
Inadequate water consumption can lead to dehydration and may lead to mortality
and body weight uniformity problems later in the growing period.
• Adequate
drinking space for 1000 day-old chicks is provided by 5-6 standard bell
drinkers each measuring 15.7 inches (40cm) in diameter and 10-15 supplementary
mini drinkers of 5.5-8.0 inches (15-20cm). Supplemental water can also be
provided in easy-fill drinkers (1 per 200 chicks), and snap-on drinkers on a
nipple system (2 per 100 chicks).
•
Supplemental drinkers should remain in place for the first 3 to 7 days and
should be positioned within the comfort zone of the heat source so that chicks
do not have to travel more than 3.3 feet (1m) for access to water.
• If
drinkers are filled manually they should be filled during the pre-heating
period. It is important that water is delivered to the chicks at an appropriate
temperature. Chicks should not be presented with cold water as this can lead to
chilling, however water temperatures should not exceed 68°F (20°C).
Crop Fill
Crop fill is
a good measure of a successful chick start. Chicks should have a full crop
(Figure 4) as soon as possible after placement.
• 80% of
chicks should have a full crop 8 hours after delivery.
• More than
95% of chicks should have a full crop 24 hours after delivery.
To assess crop fill, randomly select 30 or 40
chicks and gently feel the crop of each chick. In chicks that have found food
and water the crop should be full, soft and rounded. If the crop is full but
the original texture of the crumb can be felt the bird has not consumed enough.
GROWING (3-22 WEEK
Separate rearing is the preferred method for controlling skeletal-frame growth and body weight as it allows males and females to be grown to specific and separate body weights throughout life.
Feeding
There should
be enough feeding space to allow all males to eat simultaneously. This ensures
uniform feed distribution and prevents over-crowding at the feeders. Feeding
space should be gradually increased from 2 inches (5cm) at 3 weeks to 7 inches
(18cm) at 22 weeks (Table 2).
Growing separately reared males on an every
other day feeding program will promote good uniformity. If feed impaction
becomes a problem, other schedules may be used
Water
From 3 weeks
of age provide drinking space by:
• Automatic
circular or trough drinkers: 0.6 inches per bird (1.5cm per bird)
• Nipples: one
for every 8-12 birds
• Cups: one for
every 20-30 birds
Water
restriction should begin at the same time as
Initiating
every other day feeding, with water being available with feed and for 2 hours
after feed has been consumed. Males can consume large amounts of water on the
off-feed day and the litter will become wet if water consumption is not
controlled (1 hour in winter and 2 hours in the summer). Wet litter tends to
increase ammonia levels and increases the risk of contact burns of the foot
pads, which may develop into bumble foot in the adult male.
Lighting
Males grown
separately should have the same lighting program as the females with which they
are to be mated.
Birds should
be reared under a constant day length of 8-
12 hours at
an intensity of 1-2 foot candles (10-20 lux). If feather pecking occurs, reduced light
intensity may be required.
FEED
REQUIREMENTS PER DAY SCHEDULE
M T W T F S
S
Every Day /
/ / / / / /
6-1 / / / /
/ / X
5-2 / / / X
/ / X
4-3 / / X /
X / X
Skip-a-Day /
X / X / X /
KEY: / =
Complete Feed X = Scratch Feed* 4
Body Weight
Control
During the
growing period, male body weights should remain on target with the weight goal
being used.
Weekly
estimates of body weights must be made throughout the growing period to
determine if target weights are being achieved and to allow accurate decisions
regarding feed allowances to be made. To determine a true representation of
flock growth and development:
• Randomly
select a sample of 50-100 males (or approximately 15% of the population).
• Weigh all
birds in the sample.
• Weigh
birds on the same day each week, at the same time and preferably on the
off-feed days or at least 4-6 hours after feeding.
If average body weights are found to deviate
from target body weight by more than 0.20 lb (90g) then corrective action
should be taken.
Males that are below target prior to 12 weeks
of age will have poorer uniformity, a smaller frame size and a decreased feed
efficiency. To correct this problem the following steps should be taken:
• Initiate
the next scheduled feed increase and increase the size of the next scheduled
feed increase until body weight is gradually brought back on target.
• As a rule
of thumb, for every 0.10 lb (50g) under weight, a bird will require an
additional 13 kcal ME per bird per day beyond the normal feed increase to
recover in one week.
If
historically, males are consistently found to be below target, keeping birds on
the Starter feed for longer will help maintain target weights prior to 12
weeks.
Males that
are overweight prior to 12 weeks of age will have poor uniformity, a large
frame size and reduced feed efficiency in lay. To correct this problem:
• Do not
reduce feed lower than the current feeding level.
• Decrease
the amount of the next feed increase.
• Hold feed
/ delay the next feed increase.
Weight gains after 12 weeks must be consistent
if males are to be properly fleshed at 20 weeks. If target weight gains are not
achieved by 12-15 weeks of age a new profile which runs parallel to the
published target should be drawn and adhered to.
Lighting
As with separately reared males, mixed reared males
should receive the same lighting program as the females to which they are to be
mated.
Uniformity
Body-weight gain and uniformity are key to achieving
success in mixed rear and should be measured weekly from no later than 3 weeks
of age – ideally from placement. Low body-weight gains and/or poor uniformity
are an indication of insufficient feeder space in the starting pen.
Insufficient feeder space cans be caused by:
• Accumulation
of litter in the feeding system – to avoid this, litter should be cleaned out
of the feeding system daily.
• Failure
to completely charge the feeding system –when the feeding system is found to
have incomplete charge provide enough extra feed on the next feed day to fully
charge the system.
IMPROVING POOR
UNIFORMITY
Poor body-weight uniformity in males increases the
risk of higher mortality throughout the life of the flock. If uniformity of
skeletal frame size and body weight in the male population becomes an issue,
there are techniques that can help to improve this.
Separate Rearing
Separate rearing is the preferred method of rearing males but it can create unique challenges if male uniformity is poor.
If the uniformity of the males in a separately
reared group is poor, one method of improving uniformity is to mix the top 40%
of the males with the females at 7 weeks of age, growing them mixed until
movement. The underweight males remain in the male pen where competition for
feeder space is reduced. Feed increases should be made which will bring the
males to their target weight by 12 weeks.
Another method used to grade the males during
separate rearing involves constructing a pen within the male chamber and
grading the small males into this pen.
Small males should be kept in this pen where they
can be provided with an increased feed amount to allow them to achieve the
target weight. As these males progress in body-weight gain, they can then be
graded out into the heavier male population as they achieve target weight. The
challenge is building a bird proof pen and hand feeding the small males. Also,
the small pen will contain feed every day which can create problems for the
heavier birds on their off-feed days.
BREEDING
(23-65 WEEKS)
Feeding
Equipment
Winched Feeding Equipment
Winched male feeder systems have an automated electric
winch system that allows the feeder to be filled over head before it is lowered
for feeding. The number of pans should allow 7 inches (18cm) of feeding space
per bird. This type of feeder does not require a tube program for distribution
but does require enough pans to accommodate a full days feed at the maximum
amount for the house. Under typical North American/Canadian conditions, the
number of males per pan should not exceed 10. Ideally feeders should be raised
after feeding to deny access. Feed allocation for the next day can then be
added and feeders are lowered again at feeding time. This ensures uniform feed
distribution. Where males are full-combed it is essential that proper
adjustments are made to the feeders to allow feeder access. Shocker cables
should be used on this type of equipment to prevent females from perching on
the tube and eating male feed.
Floor Feeding
Male feeders with no electric winch system must be
programmed so that feed drops into all pans when the operation begins. The lower
limit micro-switch in the hopper and the control pan must work together to
ensure that the auger tube remains charged with feed. Some operations have
found that proximity switches are more reliable for these controls. Depending
on house length, the charge of feed in the auger tube may be lost if feed
levels are below 20 lb per 100 birds per day (90g per bird per day). When this
occurs, extra feed should be provided to recharge the system and maintain feed
delivered to the male.
Feeder Height
Regardless of the feeding system used it is
essential that feeder height is correctly adjusted to limit access by females
but allow all males equal access to the feed.
Care should be taken to avoid litter build up or
depletion from under the male feeders. Correct male feeder height should be
maintained by routine observation adjustment and will be dependent upon male
size and feeder design. Feeder height should be in the range of
2.0-2.4 inches (50-60 cm) above litter.
Feeder Pans
Feeder pans should be securely fitted to the tube to
prevent rotation and restriction of feeder space. Secured pans that become
tilted on the tube indicate that the feeding system is set too high.
Timing of Feeding
Where possible, males should preferably receive
their feed slightly after the females (approximately 5 minutes). This will help
to minimize the stealing of male feed by the females.
The scales used to weigh male feed vary in sophistication.
Whatever type of weighing equipment is used, accuracy is the key to controlling
male body weight and the scales must be sensitive enough to accurately weigh
male feed, be installed correctly, calibrated and checked regularly. The most
accurate systems are those that auger the feed directly into the male scale,
placing the measured amount directly into the male feeder. The least accurate
systems involve using the female scale to weigh the male feed. The male feed is
then passed through the same auger as the female feed falling through an extra
drop in the auger. Such systems are prone to error in weights and delivery, requiring
constant monitoring for accuracy.
Scales should be checked for accuracy during the
first week birds are in the breeder house. Scales may be checked with a known
weight or by removing a day’s feed from the hopper and weighing it with an
accurate scale. Investment in accurate male feed weighing systems is
recommended.
Watering System
Male drinker lines typically consist of a line of
nipple drinkers in the scratch area. The system should have enough nipples to
provide 1 for every 8 - 10 males or, alternatively, enough bell drinkers to
provide 1 for every 20-30 birds. Nipple drinkers are beneficial if they are managed
so that water flow rate ensures adequate water delivery without causing water
wastage and wet litter.
Feeding Program
After mating, males and females should be fed from separate
feeding systems. This allows the effective control of body-weight gain and
uniformity for each sex.
Separate sex feeding takes advantage of the
difference in head size between males and females. Excluding males from the
female feeding system is an essential part of male management during lay. The
most effective method of restricting male access is to fit grills to the female
feeding system. A grill with a horizontal bar or wire set at 2.25-2.5 inches
(57-64 mm) or a 1-1.25 inch
(25-32 mm) PVC pipe secured to the inside peak of a standard
high profile grill - in conjunction with a full comb on the male - will
restrict males during the early period of production . Normally this type of
grill has a width of 1.68 or 1.75 inches (43-
45 mm
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