Creger, C. R.

Hooge, D. M.

Krueger, W. F.

Thornberry, F. D.

English

Texas A&amp;M Repository

Keys to Profitable Management of Broiler Breeders.

Texas A&M University

/L-1825
KEYS TO PROFITABLE MANAGEMENT
OF BROILER BREEDERS
D. M. Hooge, F. D. Thornberry, W. F. Krueger and C. R. Creger*
Recommended Levels per Ton of Finished Feed
Vitamin Levels
*Area Extension poultry specialist, Extension poultry specialist,
head of Department of Poultry Science and professor of poultry
nutrition, The Texas A&M University System.
Management is the key to success with broiler
breeder flocks. Correct management practices, if
carefully followed, will enable the hatching egg pro-
ducer to obtain the performance capability bred into
the broiler breeder flock. A little extra effort in flock
management will pay high dividends. Good broiler
breeder management is not complicated, .but does
require attention to the flock's needs as well as proper
decision making at every step.
Floor Space
In houses with partially-slatted floors (for exam-
ple, two-thirds slats and one-third litter), breeders
should have at least 2.50 square feet of floor space per
bird. Less space can create problems.
Ration Fortification
Two of the most important nutritional factors af-
fecting fertility and hatchability in breeder birds are
the vitamin and trace mineral contents of the feed.
The following amounts of vitamins and minerals
should be adequate for maximum fertility and hatcha-
bility when added to the finished feed.
Feeding
Feeder space should be sufficient to permit all
birds to eat at the same time. A minimum of 4 linear
inches of trough space per bird is required (measure
each side of the trough separately); however, 6 linear
inches is recommended. If pan feeders are used, at
least fifty 14- to 16-inch diameter feeders should be
provided per 1,000 breeders. '
Chain-drive trough feeders equipped with a high-
speed drive unit (40 to 60 feet per minute chain
speed) are most popular for breeder flocks. The feed-
er chain should make a complete cycle within 10
minutes and should run until the allotted feed is
consumed. However, with some types of feeders feed
build-up is rapid, and feed waste can result if the
chain runs continuously. In such cases, the feeder
clock should be set for intermittent feeding. When
the feeder cycle is greater than 10 minutes, more
rapid feed delivery can be accomplished by: (1) plac-
i~g supplemental hoppers at strategic locations along
the feed trough; or (2) installing a faster transmission
to speed up the feed drag chain.
Young flocks usually are placed on the breeder
feeding program 1 week after the first egg or at 5
percent egg production. Body weights should be
monitored closely until peak production is attained.
After the flock peaks, body weights should be
checked periodically and feed consumption' adjusted
according to breeder recommendations. Criteria in-
volved in determining daily feed allowance includes
egg production, flock health, mortality, environmen-
tal temperature and feed quality. Birds should gener-
ally receive the exact quantity offeed that the feeding
65.00 9
80.00 9
60.00 9
5.00 9
0.80 9
0.15 9
Trace Minerai Levels
Manganese
Zinc
Iron
Copper
Iodine
Selenium
12,000,000 I.U.
3,000,000 I.C.U.
15,000 I.U.
2.00 9
1.00 9
4.00 9
6.00 9
25.00 9
454.00 9
500.00 9
18.00 mg
100.00 mg
Vitamin A
Vitamin 0 3
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Thiamin
Riboflavin
Pantothenic acid
Niacin
Choline
Folic acid
Vitamin B12
Biotin
Texas Agricultural Extension Service . The Texas A&M University System . Daniel C. Pfannstiel, Director . College Station, Texas
•program calls for. Adjustments should be in accord-
ance with breeder recommendations. Mortality and
egg production may be affected if hens are allowed to
become overweight.
.Watering
Many types of waterers are in use, and recom-
mendations vary with the type. If water troughs are
used, approximately 1 linear inch per breeder or a
minimum of 80 linear feet per 1,000 birds should be
provided. Four to five 8-foot waterers or seven to ten
large, round, plastic waterers are used per 1,000
birds. With cup waterers, one cup should be available
for every 30 to 40 birds. With any system, supple-
mental waterers should be available in hot weather.
The birds should be within 10 to 15 feet of water at
any point in the house. A long walk to the waterers
will cause birds to drink less and can lead to poorer
health and lower production.
Nests
Better utilization of nesting space and cleaner
eggs can be achieved with individual rather than
community nests. For every 1,000 pullets housed,
from 200 to 300 individual nest holes, 12 inches
square and 12 inches high, should be provided. Re-
commended height of lower perches above the litter
ranges from 15 to 27 inches. Placing nests too high or
too low can encourage floor laying. Initially it may be
necessary to stand some nests on the floor to reduce
the incidence of floor eggs. As soon as possible,
however, the nests should be suspended above the
litter. In houses with part slats, two-tier, 10- to 12-
hole nests can be placed so that one end rests on the
slatted area and the other extends out over the litter.
Nesting material should be added frequently. Nests
with broken eggs should be cleaned and fresh litter
added to minimize egg contamination. Nests should
be opened before 6:00 a. m. and closed after the last
gathering of eggs in the afternoon.
Lighting
A light intensity of 1 footcandle at bird height is
recommended for breeders. Bulbs should be located
7 to 8 feet above the floor and equipped with reflec-
tors. Use the minimum bulb size necessary - usually
40 watt incandescent bulbs. Higher wattage bulbs use
more electricity and must be replaced oftener. Dur-
ing the laying period, egg production may be im-
paired if light intensity is reduced. Bulbs must be
kept clean and defective ones replaced promptly.
Lights should be used on dark, overcast days. Photo-
electric sensors are inexpensive and can be used to
automatically turn on lights on cloudy days.
The light management program for breeders
varies according to strain (primary breeder's recom-
mendation), season of hatch and light schedule used
during rearing. The light period should not be re-
duced after birds reach 20 weeks of age, and never
during production. Time clocks should be checked
daily to insure they are functioning properly. Both
morning-and evening lights should be used to avoid
constant adjustment caused by changing day length.
When increasing the light in hot weather, make the
change for the cooler, predawn hours. Conversely,
during cold weather, increase the light during the
warmer evening hours.
Bird Comfort
Adequate ventilation is extremely important.
Fans should come on when the in-house temperature
reaches 80° F. An overhead fogging system, with
thermostatically-controlled solenoid valves preset for
85° to 90° F, can be used to keep the birds comfort-
able in extremely hot weather. Fogging nozzles
should be placed in front of fans. Leaks and drippy
nozzles can cause litter problems. Properly engi-
neered evaporative cooling systems can be a real asset
in reducing mortality, production and fertility prob-
lems in hot weather. Adequate roof or ceiling insula-
tion is a must to minimize heat stress in summer and
conserve feed in winter.
Males
Nine to 11 strong, healthy males should be used
per 100 females. An excess of males increases combat
and competition and can result in decreased fertility.
Males should be housed 1 or 2 days before females
when sex-separate brooding and rearing is practiced.
Egg Handling
Eggs should be gathered at least four times daily.
When the temperature is above 80° or below 30° F,
eggs should be gathered five times a day. Minimize
the number of times each egg is handled. Pick up
floor eggs several times a day and fill in holes where
these eggs were laid. Floor eggs should be kept
separate from nest eggs. They are the most likely to
"blow up" in the incubator because of high bacterial
and mold contamination. Wash hands between
gatherings and immediately after gathering floor
eggs. Pack only nest-clean eggs, with small ends
down. Fumigate following recommended procedures
to reduce the number of organisms on egg shells, flats
and carriers. Eggs should be stored at 60° to 80° F and
75 to 85 percent relative humidity. Mold growth may
become a problem with high humidity, so a frequent
(in some cases weekly) scrubbing of walls and floors in
the egg holding room with a suitable detergent and
disinfectant may be necessary.
General Management
Keep complete and accurate daily records of feed
consumption, egg production, mortality, vaccina-
tions, unusual flock symptoms and all medication and
treatments. Follow recommended vaccination and
disease-monitoring programs. Dead birds should be
promptly removed and properly disposed of.
Pest Control
A comprehensive rodent extermination program
should be carried out immediately after a flock is sold.
During the production period, a continuing rodent
control program should be followed. Be especially
watchful for increases in mice and/or rat populations
as manure builds up under the slats. Zinc phosphide,
incorporated at a level of 1 percent by weight in
chicken feed and placed under the slats, is usually an
effective control measure. A few pelleted baits have
also proven effective in Extension-industry field tests.
Caution should be exercised in the use of rodent baits
since most are highly toxic to all forms of animal life.
Baits should be applied only by or under the supervi-
sion of a person holding a certified pesticide ap-
plicator license.
Flies can be a problem in slat floor houses. Water
leaks must be kept to a minimum. Wet spots beneath
slats should be limed and litter added to kill larvae
and absorb moisture. Nightly fogging with an ap-
proved contact insecticide may be necessary. Weekly
treatment of wet spots beneath slats with an approved
larvicide also may be needed at times.
Control of mite infestations can be a real problem.
Infestations can be prevented by housing clean stock,
using sanitized coops and trailers, thoroughly treating
housing and eradicating rodents and sparrows.
Extension publications L-867 Fly Control in Poul-
try Houses, L-1351 Rodent Control on Poultry Farms
and B-1306 Suggestions for Controlling External
Parasites of Livestock and Poultry provide more de-
tailed instructions on pest control. All are avilable
from county Extension offices.
Educational programs conducted by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service serve people ofaU ages regardless ofsocio-economic level, race,
color, sex, religion or national origin.
Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, The Texas A&M University System and the United States Department of
Agriculture cooperating. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8, 1914, as amended, and June 30, 1914.
1M-2-81, New PS 1


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Keys to Profitable Management of Broiler Breeders.

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Keys to Profitable Management of Broiler Breeders.

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