Poultry Laying Flock Flashcards
How are eggs formed
Female birds at certain age produce eggs
Ovary biggest falls on - infundibulum - rolls in tube - magnum synthesis of albumin started 2-3hours - isthmus synthesis of cell membrane 2-3hours - uterus synthesis of shell remains 18-26 hours
Takes 23-26 hours for one egg
What is important in egg production
Fertility, mating (appropriate body weight increases this and activity)
Hen to box ratio = 1:5 look at bread guidance
Egg collection - minimise floor eggs and remove, frequent egg collection
How do we disinfect the eggs
Formaldehyde if permitted
Advantages - not wetting egg shell surface, no damage to egg cuticles, no injury to developing embryo
Alternatives - hydrogen peroxide chlorine
What are good characteristics of good disinfectant
Egg shell count before and after treatment
Egg content bacterial count after treatment
Impact on egg cuticle cover
Hatch ability
What are egg storage conditions on the farm
Ideally sell eggs within 7 days
If eggs left more than 7 days = 1% drop in hatch ability
Appropriate temperature, humidity 70-80%, ventilation and safety
What does the hatchery provide
Controlled environment for optimal incubation for viable chicks
What does the hatchery look for in eggs
Too large eggs - double yolk obstructs air flow, risk of overheating eggs may crack
Too small eggs - fertility?
Clean shells to reduce contamination
Shell quality
How do we cool down eggs
Cool eggs gradually
40-41 degrees = hen body
24-29 degrees = house
21-25 = egg storage
20-23 = egg truck
19-21 = hatchery egg room
After cooling the eggs what happens
Pre warm the eggs from 19-21 to 24-27 degrees then into setter 37.5-37.8
What happens while in storage
1 day in storage adds an hour to incubation time
More than 6 days storage - 0.5-1.5% losses
Chick quality affected eggs stored 14 days = body weight of broiler reduced
What are the incubation days for poultry species
Chicken - 21 days
Turkey - 28 days
Ducks - 28 days
Duck Muscovy - 35 days
Pheasant - 24-26 days
Partridge - 23-24 days
Pigeon - 16-19 days
Geese - 28-33 days
Quail - 16-18 days
What are the incubation needs
Temperature - 37.8-38 degrees
Humidity - 55-60%
Ventilation - as much as possible
Microbial - shell hygiene and integrity
How do we turn eggs and why
Turn 5-6x day 45 degrees
Avoid embryo adhering onto shell membranes
For better yolk sac and allantoic vascular development
Improve blood vessels under the shell to maximise oxygen absorption
For better embryo positioning before hatching
What does candling eggs do
Provides information on
Conditions in farm
Percentage fertility
Storage condition of eggs
Condition of embryos of the incubation process
When do we candle eggs and why
Candling at 6 days, 10 days and transfer then 18days
Early detection of problems on farm
Male condition and general health
Storage issues
Estimate percentages of hatchable chicks
Optimise space in setter and Hatcher
