Broiler Management

Question 1

What are the two programs that regulate the Broiler industry?

Answer 1

1. Chicken Farmers of Canada Animal Care & On-Farm Food Safety Programs
2. NFACC Code of Practice’s Producer Animal Care Program

Question 2

What are the principles of the On-Farm Food Safety and Animal Care Programs?

Answer 2

1. Mandatory program
2. Third party audits
3. Enforcement
4. Trained auditors
5. Keeping stakeholders informed
6. Continuous improvements

Question 3

Give examples of data that could be collected when broiler chicks arrive at the farm

Answer 3

• Number received
• Initial chick body weight
• Initial chick body temperature
• Age
• Flock uniformity
• Record of vaccinations
• Record of medications

Question 4

When can a broiler farm’s bird density exceed 31kg/m2?

Answer 4

• Temperature, humidity and NH3 concentration are managed adequately
• Daily water intake is monitored and recorded
• Alarms are in place
• No health or injury issues that compromise bird welfare
• Flock health plan is developed and followed

Question 5

Are female and male broilers grown together in one barn?

Answer 5

Yes, with increased technology it is easier for the processing robots to adjust to the difference in size so it isn’t as much of a concern.

Question 6

What are the characteristics of a typical broiler house?

Answer 6

• 100% litter floor
• Black out or brown out
• Easy access to feed and water from all areas of the barn
• Negative pressure ventilation

Question 7

What is required if a farmer decides to free range house the birds?

Answer 7

• Perimeter fencing
• Pastures should be rotated to avoid waste build up
• Shelter from sun and adverse weather

Question 8

What is the difference in temperature between a breeder barn and broiler barn?

Answer 8

Broiler barns can be kept at a cooler temperature

Question 9

Describe what a zone breeding barn would look like if the temperature is too cold or too hot.

Answer 9

Too cold - noisy chicks huddled in the center (under the brooder)
Too hot - drowsy chicks spread around the perimeter of the circle

Question 10

What is the economic result if broilers are experiencing heat stress due to high heat and humidity?

Answer 10

• Lower margin
• Lower efficiency
• Increased mortality
• Lower profits

Question 11

What two things occur when a broiler is heat stressed?

Answer 11

1. Lower activity (leading to lower feed intake and then insufficient nutrient intake)
2. Panting (leading to respiratory alkalosis and then loss in electrolytes such as H, C, O, K)

Question 12

How many supplementary waterers would you want when introducing new chicks to the barn? How long would you keep these supplementary waterers?

Answer 12

One per every 100 chicks for 3 days

Question 13

Since birds will not eat with the absence of water, what is the desired ratio between water consumption and feed consumption?

Answer 13

1.75:1

Question 14

What temperature should the water be?

Answer 14

15C-21C

Question 15

What influences the required number of drinkers?

Answer 15

Water Pressure
Age of birds at market
Lighting Program Used
Environmental Temperature control
Type of Drinker
- Nipple drinkers (1 nipple/12 <3kg birds, 1 nipple/9>3kg birds)
- Bell drinkers (8 drinkers/1000 birds)

Question 16

What factors affect the broiler diet composition?

Answer 16

The market the birds are grown for (weight, whole bird vs further processing)
Feedstuffs (price, availability)
Raised sex separate or mixed
Niche Market (organic free-range)

Question 17

As a bird gets older, what happens to the energy level and protein content in their feed?

Answer 17

Energy Level increases

Protein content decreases

Question 18

What are some advantages of pelleted feed?

Answer 18

Reduced feed wastage
Reduced feed breakdown in feed lines
Reduced selective feeding
Less time spent eating
Heating process destroys pathogens
Improved feed palatability
Initial breakdown of starch and some proteins

Question 19

When is a bird fed a starter diet? Why would it be fed this specific diet?

Answer 19

Fed 0-2 weeks of age ad libitum to get them off to a good start, avoid starve-outs and to optimize gut development

Question 20

What are some characteristics of a Broiler’s starter diet?

Answer 20

Crumble format
May contain a coccidiostat
May contain an antibiotic (controls necrotic enteritis)
High crude protein
Lower energy

Question 21

What are the objectives of a grower diet (fed from 14-25 days of age) and the finisher diet (fed from 25 days to market)?

Answer 21

Maintain growth
Limit the incidence of leg problems
Limit the incidence of metabolic issues (SDS and ascites)

Question 22

Why is a starter diet in a crumble format while the grower and finisher diets are given in pellet format?

Answer 22

The pellet format is too big for the baby chicks to eat which could cause reduced feed intake.

Question 23

Are male and female broilers fed the same diet formulation?

Answer 23

Yes - it makes things easier for the farmer

Question 24

What is whole-grain feeding?

Answer 24

Giving broilers a formulation of a concentrated diet which is fed together with whole grains mixed on farm

Question 25

What are some advantages and disadvantages to whole-grain feeding?

Answer 25

Advantages: * Reduced feed costs * Less feed transportation costs if it is local grains * Gut health improvement Disadvantages: * Some reduction in meat yield and growth rate

Question 26

When do you introduce a whole-grain diet to your flock? What percentage of whole-grain can you give them?

Answer 26

Start during the grower diet (14 days of age) up to 15% whole grain, finisher diet can have up to 20% whole grain in their diet. DO NOT give to the starter birds!

Question 27

What are the objectives of feed withdrawal prior to shipping?

Answer 27

To have the gut contents cleared prior to processing to reduce the risk of fecal contamination at the processing plant

Question 28

How long before slaughter do you begin to withdraw feed?

Answer 28

Normal finisher diet: 8-12 hours before | Whole-grain finisher diet: 48 hours before

Question 29

What should you account for when deciding when to withdraw feed prior to shipping?

Answer 29

Feed withdrawal in barn (4-5 h) Catching time (1-4 h) Transport time (1-4 h) Waiting at plant (1-2 h)

Question 30

What things should you consider when providing the birds with feeding space?

Answer 30

45-80 birds/pan feeder 40 birds/ m of chain feeder Increase feeder space if you provide periods of intermittent darkness Adjust feeder heights based on the height of the birds (level with the top of breast)

Question 31

Why would you use litter on the floors of the broiler barn?

Answer 31

Manure management Protection from cold floor Comfort

Question 32

How would you fix a barn that is too wet?

Answer 32

Increase ventilation rate Increase ambient temperature Ensure no stale air pockets Raise water lines to appropriate height Check water lines for leaks Check for condensation drips on cold entry lines Ensure misting system is working properly Ensure stocking density is not too high Ensure water mineral content is appropriate Ensure salt content of feed is correct

Question 33

What would you do if your barn is too dry?

Answer 33

Ensure feed is not too dusty Increase ventilation rate to remove dust Use a misting system Spray small amounts of canola oil onto litter (research basis only)

Question 34

What things would influence the humidity level of the litter?

Answer 34

Water consumption Environment (ventilition, density) Health status of birds (diarrhea)

Question 35

What characteristics of the litter would cause downgrading of the carcass such as weight loss, dirty feathers and breast blisters?

Answer 35

Humid litter Crusted, humid litter Greasy litter Excess of nitrogen in litter

Question 36

What are the four types of ventilation management practices?

Answer 36

1. Natural ventilation 2. Power ventilation 3. Negative pressure ventilation (air intakes all around barn and one central exhausting place, air enters barn passively) 4. Tunnel ventilation (cool by cooling pads and the wind chill)

Question 37

What are the advantages and disadvantages to a disposal pit?

Answer 37

``` Advantages: * Inexpensive * Low odor * Fast disease outbreak control Disadvantages: * Can be a reservoir for disease * Requires proper drainage to avoid ground water contamination ```

Question 38

What are the different ways to manage mortality in the birds (how can you dispose of the bodies in a biosecure way)?

Answer 38

Disposal pits Composting Incineration Rendering

Question 39

Which type of body disposal practice provides the best protection against the spread of disease?

Answer 39

Incineration because it doesn't contaminate ground water and there is little residue to remove from the farm.

Question 40

Compare composting and rendering in terms of successful mortality management.

Answer 40

Similarities: makes use of nutrients, no environmental contamination if done properly Differences: Rendering immediately removes birds from the premises, requires minimal capital investment and the truck may be a source of disease Composting doesn't work well in cold temps., requires constant turning

Question 41

What are some advantages and disadvantages of incineration?

Answer 41

``` Advantages: No ground water contamination Little residue to remove from farm Prevents disease transfer Disadvantages: Expensive - requires large infrastructure Produces air pollution Must ensure complete burning of carcasses ```

Question 42

What factors affect what type of litter the farmer should use?

Answer 42

``` Moisture absorbing ability Biodegradability Bird comfort Non-dusty Free of contaminants Biosecure source Economical Available locally ```

Question 43

What are the materials that can be used for litter?

Answer 43

``` Wood shavings Chopped straw Recycled newspaper/phonebooks Peat moss Rice hulls Peanut hulls Sand Recycled litter ```

Question 44

What are some potential concerns when using specific types of litter?

Answer 44

Chopped straw and peanut hulls may contain mycotoxins Sand may get cold Peat moss is very expensive recycled newspaper gets very slippery when wet Certain ones may have come into contact with wild birds (spread of salmonella, influenza etc.)

Question 45

What are some causes of poor litter quality?

Answer 45

``` High salt, protein diets/low quality fat diets Poor environment/drinker management High stocking density Poor quality material Enteritis due to disease Poor water quality ```

Question 46

What are some possible contamination problems in litter management?

Answer 46

Salmonella Insects (darkling beetles) Rodents Mold

Question 47

Caking, dust and slipping concerns are all results of what?

Answer 47

Poor litter management | Caking = no more moisture retention

Question 48

What are the 4 components of a lighting program?

Answer 48

Photoperiod length Photoperiod distribution Wavelength Light intensity

Question 49

What was the recent change in lighting requirements put in place by NFACC's code of practice?

Answer 49

Chicks must be given 1 hour of darkness every 24 hours initially, by day 5 they must be given 4 hours of black out or brown out in each 24 hour period

Question 50

What things (other than increasing to 4 hours of lighting a day by day 5) are influenced by the new lighting recommendations put in place by NFACC's code of practice?

Answer 50

Preventing pile ups in the case of a power outage (birds aren't as scared by the darkness) Farmers had to add more feeders/waterers because all the birds were hungry/thirsty at the same time right after the lights were turned back on

Question 51

How do daily periods of darkness improve bird health?

Answer 51

``` Improves sleep patterns (less abnormal) Improves bird mobility (legs are rested longer) Reduces metabolic disease incidences Improves growth rate Improves feed efficiency Improves welfare ```

Question 52

What problems can be caused by very low light intensity?

Answer 52

Impaired eye function Increased foot pad problems Reduced activity

Question 53

What is the typical photoperiod and light intensity program used in broiler farms?

Answer 53

Typical photoperiod program: Days 0-3 = 23L:1D Days 3-ship out = 17L:7D to 20L:4D Typical Light Intensity Program: Days 0-7 = 30-40 lux Days 7-ship out = 5-10 lux

Question 54

What is the Saskatchewan Lighting Program?

Answer 54

Days 0-3 = 23L:1D Days 3-10 = 12L:12D Days 10-ship out = gradually increase day length to 20L by 28 days of age

Question 55

What are the benefits of the Saskatchewan Lighting Program?

Answer 55

It is a way to feed restrict Increases growth Reduces leg problems

Question 56

What would you want to observe as a farmer when you are walking the barn?

Answer 56

``` Air quality Temperature Bird activity level Bird health status Number of mortality (pick them up and cull if necessary) Equipment is functioning Presence of vermin Bird weight to assess growth performance ```

Question 57

What are the conditions of the broilers that are commonly culled?

Answer 57

``` Suffering, sick injured birds Starve-outs (can't find feed) Stunted birds Lame birds Ascites ```

Question 58

What are the common causes of oxygen deficiency leading to ascites in broilers?

Answer 58

``` Fast growth increases oxygen demand High altitude High ammonia Lots of dust CO2 from open flames Inadequate ventilation Cool temperatures ```

Question 59

Describe SDS

Answer 59

Sudden Death Syndrome (Flips). Fast growing broilers (mainly males) that are young (8-9 days) and healthy die suddenly after short, terminal, wing-beating convulsions. Can affect up to 2.5% of the flock