Poultry HusbandryPoultry Husbandry

Egg production systemsEgg production systems

History of the laying henHistory of the laying hen

Wild junglefowl – approx 60 eggs/year

1960’s – commercial egg

laying breed produced approx

200 eggs/year

Now approx 320 eggs/year

Egg Production SystemsEgg Production Systems

Cleaning and Disinfection of Poultry Cleaning and Disinfection of Poultry HousesHouses

Insect ControlInsect Control Operations prior to cleaningOperations prior to cleaning

– Water tank, pipes and nipplesWater tank, pipes and nipples– Clean and de-scaleClean and de-scale– Rinse twice with clean waterRinse twice with clean water– All the equipment – nests feeders drinkersAll the equipment – nests feeders drinkers– Entire Ventilation systemEntire Ventilation system– Litter removedLitter removed

WashingWashing

Washed, disinfectedWashed, disinfected Rodent controlRodent control Assessing disinfection effectivenessAssessing disinfection effectiveness

– Visual examVisual exam– BacteriologicalBacteriological– Resting PeriodResting Period

Good Brooding ConditionsGood Brooding Conditions

Day old to POL (point of lay) is critical time.Day old to POL (point of lay) is critical time.– Success in rearing house – success in the Success in rearing house – success in the

laying houselaying house– E.g. delay in growth at 4-5wks will reflect in E.g. delay in growth at 4-5wks will reflect in

bodyweight at 16 weeks and then in mean bodyweight at 16 weeks and then in mean performance – e.g mean egg weightperformance – e.g mean egg weight

Temperature and HumidityTemperature and Humidity

Raise house temp to 28-31Raise house temp to 28-31°C°C– Heat losses incurred from contact with the litter Heat losses incurred from contact with the litter

very important in first few daysvery important in first few days– 2 gas brooders or 2 radiant heaters advised for 2 gas brooders or 2 radiant heaters advised for

1000 birds1000 birds– Temperature and relative humidity should be Temperature and relative humidity should be

uniform throughout the buildinguniform throughout the building

Feeding TechniqueFeeding Technique

The feeding techniques between 4 -16 The feeding techniques between 4 -16 weeks are designed to:weeks are designed to:– Avoid the build up of the fine particle residuesAvoid the build up of the fine particle residues– Rapid feed intakeRapid feed intake– Feeding times and rapid intakeFeeding times and rapid intake

Targets in rearingTargets in rearing

To produce a uniform flock and a weight To produce a uniform flock and a weight which is compatible with the intended age at which is compatible with the intended age at sexual maturitysexual maturity

To obtain the correct weight at 4 weeks to To obtain the correct weight at 4 weeks to secure frame developmentsecure frame development

To achieve steady growth between 4 and 16 To achieve steady growth between 4 and 16 weeks with a good development of the weeks with a good development of the digestive tractdigestive tract

General principles of lighting General principles of lighting programmes during rearingprogrammes during rearing

Chickens are sensitive to changes in Chickens are sensitive to changes in duration of light:-duration of light:-

– it will influence the age of sexual maturityit will influence the age of sexual maturity– It will influence feed consumptionIt will influence feed consumption

Lighting Programme and GrowthLighting Programme and Growth

In addition to the influence of growth light In addition to the influence of growth light will effect:-will effect:-– Progressive growth of the digestive systemProgressive growth of the digestive system– Gradual adaption to a body clock (e.g. Gradual adaption to a body clock (e.g.

anticipation of a dark period)anticipation of a dark period)– Lack of night time energy supply when dark Lack of night time energy supply when dark

periods are too longperiods are too long

Table Egg Production Table Egg Production SystemsSystems

The Laying PhaseThe Laying Phase16-74 weeks16-74 weeks

Welfare – the 5 freedomsWelfare – the 5 freedomsWhat ‘natural behaviours’ do hens exhibit in What ‘natural behaviours’ do hens exhibit in

the wild?the wild?

• Foraging for food by exploratory pecking and scratching over distances

• Preening and dust bathing• Use trees for roosting at night (perches)• Seek out a secluded spot for laying and build a

nest• Congregate in small groups with a complex

social order (hierarchy)

All laying birds still have strong desire to display normal behaviours:All laying birds still have strong desire to display normal behaviours:

Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland)Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland)20112011

Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012(Northern Ireland) 2012

LegislationLegislation

Caged ProductionCaged Production

Welfare Regulations Welfare Regulations for hens in for hens in Conventional CagesConventional Cages

From 1 Jan 2003 From 1 Jan 2003 - at least 550sq.cm. cage area - at least 550sq.cm. cage area per hen (previously 450 sq.cm)per hen (previously 450 sq.cm)

Cages are fitted with claw-shortening devicesCages are fitted with claw-shortening devices From 1 Jan 2003From 1 Jan 2003 no such cages may be built or no such cages may be built or

brought into servicebrought into service Existing cage systems prohibited from 1 Jan Existing cage systems prohibited from 1 Jan

20122012 Minimum requirements for feed space,water Minimum requirements for feed space,water

space, cage height and slope of floor are specifiedspace, cage height and slope of floor are specified See DARD regulation document or welfare code of practice

DEVELOPMENTS WITH CAGES – The DEVELOPMENTS WITH CAGES – The ‘Enriched’ cage is the only cage system ‘Enriched’ cage is the only cage system

option permitted from 2012option permitted from 2012

Increase area / hen – 750 cmIncrease area / hen – 750 cm22

Provide perching spaces – 15cm per henProvide perching spaces – 15cm per hen

Provide nest boxes in each cageProvide nest boxes in each cage

Provide litter (dust bath) in each cageProvide litter (dust bath) in each cage

Abrasive strip to control growth of claws (“a claw-Abrasive strip to control growth of claws (“a claw-shortening device”)shortening device”)

Thicker wire in floors ( wire of standard floors damages Thicker wire in floors ( wire of standard floors damages feet)feet)

See DARD regulation document or welfare code of practice for spec

Enriched vs. Enriched vs. ConventionalConventional cages cagesEnriched Conventional

Minimumspace

Nest

Litter

Perches

Trough

Height

Inspection

550 cm2 per hen

Total = 2000 cm2750 cm2 per hen (600cm2 + nest

box)

XX

90 cm between tiers35cm from floor to bottom tier

35 to 40cm45cm

(20cm nest box)

10cm per hen12cm per hen

15cm per hen X

Egg production performance Egg production performance (cages)(cages)

Laying cycle – 16 to 74 weeks of ageLaying cycle – 16 to 74 weeks of age Egg output – 335 eggs per birdEgg output – 335 eggs per bird Mortality – 4%Mortality – 4% Feed intake - 111 grams per bird per dayFeed intake - 111 grams per bird per day Downgrades – 8%Downgrades – 8%

LAYING PHASE- Egg production in cagesLAYING PHASE- Egg production in cages

Advantages of cages for egg productionAdvantages of cages for egg production

• Increased no of eggs harvested compared to deep Increased no of eggs harvested compared to deep litter or free rangelitter or free range

• Reduced food consumption as high stocking density Reduced food consumption as high stocking density allows high temperatures to be maintainedallows high temperatures to be maintained

• reduced labour - easy to mechanise feeding, cleaning reduced labour - easy to mechanise feeding, cleaning and egg removaland egg removal

• Cleaner eggs - soiled eggs get a lower priceCleaner eggs - soiled eggs get a lower price

• Lower mortality - less cannibalism, lower levels of Lower mortality - less cannibalism, lower levels of disease, no mortality from foxesdisease, no mortality from foxes

• Better control of intestinal parasitesBetter control of intestinal parasites

• No litter costsNo litter costs

• Higher stocking density - lower capital costsHigher stocking density - lower capital costs

• Ease of management of stockEase of management of stock

• No contact with wild fowl or rodents - lower risk of No contact with wild fowl or rodents - lower risk of salmonella, Gumboro disease, Newcastle disease & salmonella, Gumboro disease, Newcastle disease & Avian Flu.Avian Flu. BUTBUT

• Confined environmentConfined environment

• Not natural for birdNot natural for bird

Laying cages have been clear focal point of anti-intensive farming lobby

Welfare advantagesWelfare advantages

• Sudden drop in food intake indicates a problemSudden drop in food intake indicates a problem

• Compare egg production with standard graphCompare egg production with standard graph

• Is egg size on targetIs egg size on target

• Monitor downgradesMonitor downgrades

• Limit food wastageLimit food wastage

• Record mortalityRecord mortality

Management pointsManagement points

Alternative systems of egg ProductionAlternative systems of egg Production

Definition: Alternative systems means Definition: Alternative systems means

alternatives to cages for lying hens. The alternatives to cages for lying hens. The

alternative systems are sometimes called alternative systems are sometimes called

colony systems as the total flock of hens is colony systems as the total flock of hens is

kept in one large colonykept in one large colony

Tiered / BarnTiered / Barn

Tier system - Barn SystemTier system - Barn System

Achieves a high stocking density by using the vertical Achieves a high stocking density by using the vertical

space in a building while improving bird welfare in space in a building while improving bird welfare in

comparison to cagescomparison to cages

•Commercial tiers are three tiers highCommercial tiers are three tiers high

•Perches and nest boxes are providedPerches and nest boxes are provided

•Provision of litter for 1/3 of floor areaProvision of litter for 1/3 of floor area

Egg production performance Egg production performance (Tier/Barn)(Tier/Barn)

Laying cycle – 16 to 74 weeks of ageLaying cycle – 16 to 74 weeks of age Egg output – 325 eggs per birdEgg output – 325 eggs per bird Mortality – 6%Mortality – 6% Feed intake - 115 grams per bird per dayFeed intake - 115 grams per bird per day Downgrades – 10-12%Downgrades – 10-12%

Welfare advantagesWelfare advantages

• Freedom of movementFreedom of movement

• Freedom to stretch wingsFreedom to stretch wings

• Nest boxes provided forNest boxes provided for

egg layingegg laying

• Perches provided 15cm/hen)Perches provided 15cm/hen)

• Freedom to dust bathe if Freedom to dust bathe if

litter providedlitter provided

WelfareWelfare

•Better than in cagesBetter than in cages

•Hens travel greater distancesHens travel greater distances

•Leg bones strongerLeg bones stronger

•NestingNesting

•PerchingPerching

•Freedom to stretch wings / fly short Freedom to stretch wings / fly short

distancesdistances

Disadvantages in Comparison with cagesDisadvantages in Comparison with cages

• Floor laid eggs on litter and slats - high labourFloor laid eggs on litter and slats - high labour

• Fewer eggs harvested - approx 7 eggs/hen/yr lostFewer eggs harvested - approx 7 eggs/hen/yr lost

• More difficult to mechanise egg collectionMore difficult to mechanise egg collection

• Hygiene of eggs poorer i.e. more soiled eggs because laid Hygiene of eggs poorer i.e. more soiled eggs because laid

in nest -- downgraded in nest -- downgraded

• Extra energy cost of activity - slightly higher feed intakesExtra energy cost of activity - slightly higher feed intakes

• Higher capital costsHigher capital costs

Tier system - get a lot of aggression and feather Tier system - get a lot of aggression and feather pecking due to unstable social order. Beak pecking due to unstable social order. Beak trimming may be necessarytrimming may be necessary

Hens in tiers were found to be less aggressive Hens in tiers were found to be less aggressive than caged hens - but hens in group pens than caged hens - but hens in group pens without a perch were more aggressive than without a perch were more aggressive than caged henscaged hens

Free RangeFree Range

Free rangeFree range

Protection from:Protection from:– Adverse Adverse

weather weather conditionsconditions

– PredatorsPredators– Risks to healthRisks to health

Access to:Access to:– A well-drained A well-drained

lying area at all lying area at all times.times.

Egg production performance Egg production performance (free-range)(free-range)

Production cycle – 16 – 74 weeks of ageProduction cycle – 16 – 74 weeks of age Egg output – 325 per birdEgg output – 325 per bird Mortality – 6-10%Mortality – 6-10% Feed intake – 125 grams per bird per dayFeed intake – 125 grams per bird per day Downgrades – 12%Downgrades – 12%

Free range systemsFree range systems

House interior can be in deep litter or tieredHouse interior can be in deep litter or tiered

If no litter in house can still dust bathe outside - If no litter in house can still dust bathe outside - but only where soil is dry enoughbut only where soil is dry enough

Welfarist’s regard free range as the Welfarist’s regard free range as the ideal in comparison with other ideal in comparison with other options. options.

Free range eggs are perceived to Free range eggs are perceived to have a healthy eating image in the have a healthy eating image in the mind of the consumermind of the consumer

Welfare AdvantagesWelfare Advantages

As for tiered or deep litter - only also access to pastureAs for tiered or deep litter - only also access to pasture

Welfare DisadvantagesWelfare Disadvantages

Lack of control of environmental temp - exposure to Lack of control of environmental temp - exposure to low temperatures - high feed intakeslow temperatures - high feed intakes

Lost eggsLost eggs

lower egg production - due to low temperatureslower egg production - due to low temperatures

high labour costshigh labour costs

Parasitic diseasesParasitic diseases

Contact with wildfowl and rodentsContact with wildfowl and rodents

Predators can give high mortalityPredators can give high mortality

Requires landRequires land

Lot of aggression and feather peckingLot of aggression and feather pecking

high cost of eggshigh cost of eggs

Most difficult to control length of day in the Most difficult to control length of day in the lighting programmelighting programme

Pop holesPop holes Pop holes must Pop holes must

be -be -– Along the entire Along the entire

length of the length of the buildingbuilding

– 35 cm high and 35 cm high and 40 cm wide (at 40 cm wide (at least)least)

– 2 m total per 2 m total per group of 1,000 group of 1,000 hens (at least)hens (at least)

Example of a poorly managed rangeExample of a poorly managed range

First PoultryFirst PoultryJungle FowlJungle Fowl

Breeding ObjectivesBreeding Objectives Breeding programmes are based on maintaining Breeding programmes are based on maintaining

separate pure lines “grandparent stock” (generally separate pure lines “grandparent stock” (generally of the same breed), and then crossing them in a of the same breed), and then crossing them in a controlled manner to produce hybrid offspring. controlled manner to produce hybrid offspring. Selection for improved performance is carried out Selection for improved performance is carried out continuously within the pure lines.continuously within the pure lines.

Traits such as egg weight, egg numbers and feed Traits such as egg weight, egg numbers and feed efficiency are assessed. Also: shell colour & shell efficiency are assessed. Also: shell colour & shell strength, resistance to disease.strength, resistance to disease.

Commercial breeding company example Commercial breeding company example www.hy-www.hy-

line.co.ukline.co.uk

Breeder Lines Breeder Lines (4 yrs)(4 yrs)

Pure Lines (genetic improvement /pure linesPure Lines (genetic improvement /pure lines (thousands) (thousands)

GGP (Great grandparent stock)GGP (Great grandparent stock) (tens of thousands) (tens of thousands)

GP (Grandparent stock)GP (Grandparent stock) (10 000 000) (10 000 000)

Parent StockParent Stock (400 000 000) (400 000 000)

BroilersBroilers

ProcessingProcessing (45 000 000 000) (45 000 000 000)

ConsumerConsumer (70 000 000 tonnes) (70 000 000 tonnes)

Source, McKay 2008

Breeding objectives eggsBreeding objectives eggs

Commercial layer- Commercial layer- ObjectivesObjectives

To improve:To improve:

- Bone strength- Bone strength

- Egg numbers- Egg numbers

- Reduced skeletal defects- Reduced skeletal defects

- Peak for longer- Peak for longer

- Better egg quality later in cycle- Better egg quality later in cycle

- Improved body conformation- Improved body conformation

- Improved skeletal durability- Improved skeletal durability

- Reproductive defects, in terms of diseases, prolapse and double yokers- Reproductive defects, in terms of diseases, prolapse and double yokers

- More disease resistance- (EDS Egg drop syndrome)- More disease resistance- (EDS Egg drop syndrome)

Table egg ProductionTable egg Production

BreedsBreeds

– White Leghorn (Italian origin)White Leghorn (Italian origin)

– Rhode Island Red (USA)Rhode Island Red (USA)

– Light Sussex (England)Light Sussex (England)

White LeghornWhite Leghorn

Rhode Island RedRhode Island Red

Light SussexLight Sussex

Sources of further informationSources of further information www.fawc.org.uk www.fawc.org.uk (Farm animal welfare council, (Farm animal welfare council,

makes recommendations for government to makes recommendations for government to consider when writing legislation)consider when writing legislation)

www.britegg.co.ukwww.britegg.co.uk www.nfuonline.comwww.nfuonline.com www.bfrepa.co.ukwww.bfrepa.co.uk www.bepa.org.ukwww.bepa.org.uk www.nutritionandeggs.co.ukwww.nutritionandeggs.co.uk www.thepoultrysite.comwww.thepoultrysite.com www.defra.gov.ukwww.defra.gov.uk www.dardni.gov.uk – www.dardni.gov.uk – NI Code of recommendations NI Code of recommendations

for the welfare of laying hens can be downloaded for the welfare of laying hens can be downloaded onlineonline