hatchery

Question 1

hatchery KPIs

Answer 1

key performance indicators
includes
- hatch of set
- hatch of fertile
- eggshell temp
- egg moisture loss
- hatch window
- chick cloacal temp
- chick yield

Question 2

hatchery KPI: hatch of set

Answer 2

% of live chicks that come out of all eggs

Question 3

hatchery KPI: hatch of fertile

Answer 3

% of live chicks that come out of fertile eggs

Question 4

how long do you want hatch window to be

Answer 4

ideally as short as possible (want all chicks to hatch together)

Question 5

what is physiological zero of egg storage

Answer 5

point at which embryonic development stops
24 degrees C
goal is to drop temp of egg to below physiological zero as soon as possible

Question 6

what is storage temp for eggs

Answer 6

15-19 degrees C

Question 7

relative humidity of egg storage

Answer 7

50-70%

Question 8

what is the incubation period for chickens, turkeys and ducks

Answer 8

chickens: 21 days
turkeys: 28 days
ducks: 28 days

Question 9

ideal egg shell temp (incubation)

Answer 9

37.6 for chickens
37.4 for turkeys
37.5 for ducks

Question 10

why do eggs get turned

Answer 10

so embryo doesn’t stick to eggshell

Question 11

gas diffusion

Answer 11

ventilation as eggs produce CO2 when they incubate

Question 12

eggs sweating

Answer 12

condensation of water on surface of eggs

Question 13

why do you wanna increase humidity for eggs

Answer 13

so they don’t lose moisture

Question 14

3 days before hatch (so for chickens at day 18) move eggs to hatch trays where

Answer 14

temp is slightly lower but humidity goes up

Question 15

what is ideal incubation weight/ moisture loss

Answer 15

10-13%

Question 16

turkey hatch window

Answer 16

72 hours prior to hatch: none
36 hours prior to hatch: 2%
12 hours prior to hatch: 50%
hatch: 100%

Question 17

chicken hatch window (tighter than turkey window)

Answer 17

36 hours prior to hatch: none
24 hours prior to hatch: 25%
12 hours prior to hatch; 75%
hatch; 100%

Question 18

factors affecting early hatch

Answer 18

• extended pre heating
• setting eggs to early
• incorrect setter and hatcher temps
• hot spots inside the setter and hatcher
• incorrect ventilation
• seasonal temp changes
• too many fertile eggs in hatcher

Question 19

factors affecting late hatching

Answer 19

• setting eggs too late
• incorrect setter and hatcher temps
• incorrect ventilation
• seasonal temp changes
• eggs been stored for long period
• eggs have been stored at too low a temp
• incorrect setting patterns in multi stage machines
• disease/ fertility problems

Question 20

how long store eggs before incubation

Answer 20

at least 3 days then set them (set means incubate)

Question 21

when does candling eggs occur

Answer 21

7-10 days

Question 22

how does candling work

Answer 22

• examining an egg w a bright focal light in a dark room
• clear egg: infertile or embryo died v early
• red ring: embryo died
• blood vessels: alive embryo

Question 23

when candling eggs why is it important to pull out the ones that haven’t developed by 9 days

Answer 23

dead eggs will explode in incubator

Question 23

when comparing farms, how do you tell which hatchery is performing the best

Answer 23

compare the hatch of fertile, highest % hatch of fertile is best farm

Question 24

KPI: chick yield

Answer 24

average chick weight divided by average initial egg weight: done by weighing all the eggs in a box and then when hatches all chickens in box

• 68% high: chick will be lazy and not ready to feed and drink when placed on a farm
• 67% ideal; chick will be active and ready to feed and drink
• any lower then chick will be dehydrated and have little yolk reserve, often very active and nosiy

Question 25

name some in ovo vaccines done at around 18 days

Answer 25

• mareks disease (MD)
• infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT)
• infectious bursal disease (IBD)
• newcatsle disease (ND)

Question 26

in hatchery vaccines

Answer 26

coccidiosis, MD, ILT

Question 27

where does in ovo vaccines go

Answer 27

in bottom of egg

Question 28

coccidia vaccines

Answer 28

controlled exposure to an adequate number of oocysts
- spray vaccination done at hatchery is preferred method

Question 30

how is beak trimming done

Answer 30

infared, usually done at same time as vaccines in hatchery, done to keep top beak short they they cant hurt each other

Question 31

which vaccine is the only one with internal immunity so it is not needed at 1 day old

Answer 31

IBD (infectious bursal disease)

Question 32

vaccine route options

Answer 32

wing stab (for fowl pox FP), in ovo, spray, eye drops

Question 33

how long do brooding chicks require supplemental heat

Answer 33

2-3 weeks (depends on season and breed)

Question 34

what is normal brooding temps

Answer 34

start at 33 degrees and reduce 0.5 degrees a day until 14-20 days
at 21 days ideal temp is approx 20 degrees

Question 35

what are the brooding styles

Answer 35

ring brooding, whole room brooding

Question 36

how to tell if temp is too high or low or correct

Answer 36

• temp too high; chicks make no noise, pant, head and winger droop, positioned away from brooder
• temp too low: chicks crowd brooder, noisy, distress calling
• correct temp; chicks evenly spread, noise levels signifies contentment
• draught; all chicks pushed to one side; requires investigation

Question 37

when cold chicks emit

Answer 37

a loud, high pitched cheeping noise

Question 38

chicks and poults that don’t eat

Answer 38

GIT is largest lymphoid organ, development impacts immune function, impacts tracks development
- release corticosterone= immunosuppression

Question 39

crop checking

Answer 39

• feeling the birds crop to see if they have eaten
• after 2 hours want 75% of chicks to have full crops
• after 48 hours wants all chicks to have full crops

Question 40

CO2

Answer 40

• high CO2 can occur from poor or under ventilated sheds, or poor heating systems

Question 41

CO2 target

Answer 41

below 2500 ppm

Question 42

target carbon monoxide CO; from lamps not burning properly

Answer 42

below 10 ppm