Poultry Farming Basics

#Elsakout Body Composition During Rearing and Lay Periods The relationship between body composition during the rearing and laying periods of broiler breeder hens plays a pivotal role in optimizing egg production, particularly in the later stages of production. 1. Importance of Abdominal Fat Adequate abdominal fat at specific rearing stages—20 to 22 weeks of age—has a significant carryover effect on egg production. Studies and commercial observations reveal that hens with at least 1% abdominal fat at 20 weeks, or 1.2% at 22 weeks, can produce 3 to 5 more eggs during the production phase. This result is attributed to higher dietary energy-to-amino-acid ratios during the rearing phase, which promotes fat deposition while slightly reducing breast muscle development. 2. Impact of Breeder Lines While trends are consistent across various breeder lines, the total fat pad is influenced by genetic differences. Managers must monitor abdominal fat development as it fluctuates with age and environmental factors: Heat stress: Increases fat pad accumulation. High-fiber diets: Reduce abdominal fat deposits. 3. Fat Pad Variation Abdominal fat variation extends beyond the rearing phase into the laying period, often with greater intensity. Measuring abdominal fat and breast meat composition is critical for maintaining persistent egg production. This is because changes in body composition directly affect the nutrients available for egg formation. 4. Role of Body Reserves As hens age, their body reserves of fat and protein become increasingly critical for egg production. Positive reserves allow for efficient transfer of these nutrients into eggs. However, an inverse relationship exists between fat and protein composition: Higher fat reserves correlate with reduced muscle weight. Lower muscle weight results in fewer amino acids available for egg formation, decreasing egg weight but potentially increasing egg numbers. 5. Practical Implications for Management To maximize egg production: During rearing: Hens should achieve a controlled level of muscle and fat reserves before the laying period begins. Excessive weight gain or over-fleshing during rearing can lead to drops in egg production if weight loss occurs suddenly during laying. During laying: A steady growth rate in muscle mass supports sustained egg production in the later stages. Conclusion Balancing fat and protein body composition is essential for maximizing egg production and persistence. Monitoring and managing these factors through tailored nutrition and environmental conditions can lead to more efficient and profitable outcomes in broiler breeder operations. Contact Us: Day old Chicks & Hatching Eggs Eastern Coast Poultry K.S.A Marketing Manager Eng : Ahmed El-Sakout Poultry Production and Nutrition Consultant 📧[email protected] 📱Mobile +966578241460 #FoodSecurity #AgribusinessManager #AgriSolutions #BusinessDevelopment #incubation #development #formation

🌍 Nutrient Standards for SASSO Traditional Poultry Breeders (SA31A) Over the past weeks, many colleagues and industry friends asked me to share clear guidelines for nutrient levels in breeder management. To support this, I’m using the official SASSO Breeding Manual (PDF available in three languages: English, Spanish, French). This manual provides an excellent reference for both rearing and laying periods, helping ensure consistency across farms worldwide. 🔹 Rearing Period (0 – first egg) During the rearing phase, the focus is on frame and organ development. Nutrient levels gradually adapt to match growth requirements: Energy: 2640–2760 kcal/kg Protein: 20% → 15% Calcium: 1.0–2.0% Key digestible amino acids (Lysine, Methionine, Threonine) step down slowly to avoid deficiencies while supporting healthy skeletal structure. 📌 Proper nutrition here prevents overweight pullets, ensures correct body composition, and sets the flock up for high performance in lay. 🔹 Laying Period (first egg – end of cycle) Once production begins, the balance shifts toward egg output, shell quality, and fertility. Energy: 2600–2650 kcal/kg Protein: 16% → 12–13% Calcium: 3.9–4.0% (critical for strong shell formation) Males: lower protein (12–13%) and calcium (0.8%) to maintain fertility and prevent metabolic stress. 📌 These guidelines help maintain consistent production curves, strong hatchability, and robust chick quality. ⚖️ Why this matters Nutrition is one of the strongest levers we have in breeder management. The right balance of energy, protein, minerals, and amino acids directly impacts: ✅ Skeletal strength and body condition ✅ Peak and sustained egg production ✅ Egg weight and shell strength ✅ Fertility and hatchability rates ✅ Chick viability and early performance The SASSO manual is a great tool because it gives practical nutrient targets, but it also reminds us that adjustments may be required depending on climate, housing, equipment, and local raw materials. No two farms are identical, so the best results come from using these standards as a base and fine-tuning with regular monitoring. 💡 For me, this highlights how science-based nutrition programs can secure both animal welfare and farm profitability. #Poultry #Breeders #SASSO #PoultryNutrition #EggProduction #AnimalScience #FeedManagement #Hatchability #Genetics

🚨 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞🚨 Brooding is a critical phase in poultry production, and getting it right from the start can significantly impact the overall performance and health of your flock. 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬: The 5 Pillars of Success 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Ensure chicks have constant access to fresh, high-quality feed. Observe feeding behavior to identify any issues early. Remember, feed is not just nutrition—it’s energy, growth, and vitality! 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Fresh, clean water should be available 24/7. Supplementary drinkers in the first 3 days can help chicks find water easily. Monitor the feed-to-water ratio daily to ensure adequate water intake—hydration is crucial as newly hatched chicks are 85% water, and dehydration can quickly lead to culling or even mortality. 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Maintain optimal temperatures and adjust based on chick behavior and humidity levels. Chicks from younger parent stock may need 1°C higher temperatures than old parent stock chicks. 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Effective ventilation ensures good air quality, controls moisture, and helps regulate temperature. Avoid drafts and never sacrifice ventilation for temperature or vice versa. 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Adequate lighting stimulates feeding and activity, crucial for early growth. Adjust lighting to create a comfortable and active environment for the chicks. 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: A healthy brooding environment will have 1/3 of chicks at feeders, 1/3 at drinkers, and the rest resting or moving. Uneven distribution signals are a need for adjustments. 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: Chicks should be comfortable, active, and show natural behaviors like eating, drinking, and resting. 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐬: Regularly assess litter condition, air quality, and equipment functionality. The goal is to provide a stable, clean, and safe environment. 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠: Shed temperature should be 32-33°C Floor temperature 28-30°C Maintain humidity at 60-70% Regularly check all the operating system 𝑲𝒆𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓: Never sacrifice temperature for ventilation and vice versa. A well-brooded chick can quadruple its body weight by 7 days, showing the direct impact of your care on performance. 🐥📈 DOC = 40g and 07 days = 160g ✌𝓛𝓮𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓶 𝓮𝓪𝓽 𝓭𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓴 𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓡𝓮𝓼𝓽✌ "𝑮𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒍𝒐𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚𝒍𝒍 𝒑𝒂𝒚 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒍𝒐𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒊𝒕" 💡 🔍 Remember: A well-managed brooding phase not only supports healthy chick development but also sets the stage for high performance throughout their lifecycle. #Brooding #PoultryFarming #ChickManagement #PoultryProduction #Biosecurity

SPECIALTY SOY PROTEINS 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 In broilers, the first 7-10 days of life set the trajectory for the entire period. Growth achieved—or lost—during this early phase has a disproportionate effect on lifetime performance. What makes this period unique is the bird’s still-developing digestive system, particularly its 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐞𝐧𝐳𝐲𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲. During these early days, enzyme production is still developing. This means the bird cannot fully compensate for 𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢-𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 (𝐀𝐍𝐅𝐬) such as 𝐭𝐫𝐲𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬. When inhibitors block digestive enzymes, protein breakdown slows, amino acid availability declines, and the pancreas is forced to divert resources into overproduction. The cost is less efficient feed conversion and weaker early weight gain. Even modest digestive disruption has measurable effects. Chicks that fail to digest and absorb protein efficiently show lower uniformity, reduced early body weights, and a performance curve that never quite catches up. Once the starter phase is compromised, the recovery window is narrow with modern genetics that often go to market at 35-42 days of age. I’ve seen how nutritionists who prioritize digestibility early on often achieve more resilient flocks. By minimizing ANFs in starter feeds, they help chicks extract maximum nutrients during this vulnerable period. The payoff is stronger gut development, more efficient feed use, and improved lifetime growth curves. In my work as an external associate of HAMLET PROTEIN, I keep emphasizing that protein digestibility is not a technical footnote—it is the foundation for resilience and performance. Protein sources must not only meet amino acid requirements but also avoid placing unnecessary barriers in front of the young bird’s limited enzymatic capacity. Managing ANFs in the starter diet is not fine-tuning; it is setting the stage for everything that follows. #animalnutrition #soy #anf #feedindustry #poultryindustry #broilers Marisabel Caballero Claire RELANDEAU Cæcilie Brunsvig Sandfeld Megan Megan Bible Jes Klausen Glenn Alfred Ferriol Erik Visser

The period when a hen begins laying eggs is one of the most critical phases of her life. This stage marks the transition from growth to production, and building a strong foundation during this time is essential for unlocking the hen's genetic potential for maximum egg production, quality, and longevity. During this phase, hens experience key biological changes, including sexual maturity, the mineralization of medullary bone (a calcium reservoir for eggshells), and a significant increase in nutritional demands. Inadequate nutrition during this period can negatively affect egg production, shell quality, and overall hen health. What is Hybrid Feed? Hybrid feed is a specialized feeding strategy designed to support a pullet's body development and help hens achieve an optimal start to egg production. It provides the specific nutrients needed for both continued growth and the onset of laying. Here are the key nutritional features of hybrid feed: * High Amino Acids: High levels of amino acids promote the optimal growth of organs, particularly the reproductive tract and liver, which is crucial for a successful start to production and desired egg weight. Research shows that a diet high in amino acids can help hens achieve 30% egg production and a desirable egg weight earlier. * High and Coarse-Particle Calcium: Providing adequate dietary calcium is essential for eggshell formation. At least 60% of the calcium should be in coarse particle form, which ensures slower release and prolonged availability. Proper calcium levels during the early lay phase have long-lasting benefits for shell quality. * Low Energy: Lower energy levels in the feed are used to encourage hens to consume more feed for a longer period during the early weeks of laying. * Fats: Adding fats to the feed during the early stages of production can improve egg-laying rates and egg weight. Fats are an efficient energy source and help the hen utilize amino acids better. * Crude Fiber: Dietary fiber stimulates the growth and function of digestive organs, enhancing nutrient absorption and overall feed consumption. The crude fiber content should match that of the developer phase feed. * Salt: A minimum of 0.28% salt is recommended in the hybrid feed formulation to enhance its palatability and stimulate feed intake. How to Use Hybrid Feed The document outlines a simple four-step process for implementing a hybrid feed program: * Step 1: Transfer pullets to the production house and feed them a developer diet until they reach the recommended body weight for light stimulation. * Step 2: Once the correct body weight is achieved, begin light stimulation and simultaneously switch the diet from developer feed to hybrid feed. The use of a pre-lay feed is not recommended. * Step 3: When the flock reaches 70% egg production, switch their diet from hybrid feed to a Phase 1 feed. * Step 4: When the flock is 25 weeks old, change the feed to match your specific market's production goals.

Optimizing Broiler Growth: The Critical Role of Particle Size, PDI, and Pellet Hardness In broiler production, feed particle size, Pellet Durability Index (PDI), and pellet hardness significantly influence growth performance and nutrient utilization. Particle Size: Early-stage diets (pre-starter/starter) require fine crumbles (500–800 μm) to enhance digestibility and gizzard development, promoting enzyme secretion and nutrient absorption. Larger particles in grower/finisher phases (≥2 mm) stimulate gut motility, improving feed efficiency. Research (Abdollahi et al., 2021) confirms optimal particle size enhances FCR by 3–5% due to better nutrient retention. PDI: High PDI (>95%) minimizes fines, ensuring consistent pellet intake. Low PDI increases waste and selective feeding, reducing growth uniformity. A 2023 study (Liu et al.) linked PDI >90% to 4% higher weight gain, as intact pellets slow digestion, enhancing starch utilization. Pellet Hardness: Moderate hardness (2–4 kg/cm²) balances durability and palatability. Excessive hardness (>5 kg/cm²) reduces intake, while soft pellets (<2 kg/cm²) crumble easily. A 2022 trial (Amerah et al.) showed optimal hardness improves FCR by 2–3% by reducing energy expenditure during eating. Synergy: Fine particles in starter feeds prime gut health, while durable pellets (high PDI) ensure nutrient-dense intake. Moderate hardness maximizes feed accessibility. Together, they enhance nutrient absorption, uniformity, and FCR. Takeaway: Precision in feed processing—tailoring particle size, optimizing PDI, and balancing hardness—is key to unlocking broiler genetic potential. Continuous monitoring and innovation in feed technology remain critical for sustainable poultry production. #PoultryNutrition #PoultryVet #GoldCoinIndonesia #AnimalHealth #FeedTechnology #BroilerProduction

141. Floor Feeding: Turning Natural Behavior into Better Flock Uniformity When birds eat the way nature designed them to, scratching, foraging, and pecking on the floor something remarkable happens: 1. Their welfare improves, and so does flock uniformity. 2. Floor feeding systems, especially when using spin feeders, can transform the way we manage parent stock. 3. With the right management, they offer not only welfare benefits but also production gains that many farms overlook. ⚙️ Key Benefits of Floor Feeding: ✅ Longer feeding time and natural foraging behavior. ✅ Improved flock uniformity and calmer birds. ✅ More efficient use of floor space. ✅ Lower labor requirements. ✅ Flexibility to adjust feed per pen, not the entire house. When managed properly, floor feeding can handle up to 1,500 females or 1,000 males per spin feeder without compromising results. But management details make all the difference. 🌾 Critical Points for Success: 1. Litter depth: Keep it under 4 cm to avoid feed loss. 2. Feed quality: Pellet durability (PDI) should be >85%, and pellets around 3–4 mm in length. 3. Clean-up time: Never less than 30 minutes, otherwise, birds eat unevenly. 4. Lighting: Maintain calm feeding behavior by timing lights and feeders properly. 5. Coccidiosis vaccination: Essential, since birds feed from the floor. 6. Crop fill & behavior checks: Always monitor post-feeding to ensure uniform access. A well-managed spin feeding program lets birds feed uniformly, calmly, and confidently, exactly the behavior that leads to consistent body weights and better flock performance. In my experience, pan or track feeders can also achieve excellent results when managed with precision and attention to detail. Each system has its place, and every farm has its own challenges. 👉 What do you think? Which system do you prefer in your farms, floor feeding, pans, or track feeders? I personally lean toward pan or track feeders, but I’d love to hear what works best for you! #BroilerBreeders #Uniformity #FeedManagement #AnimalWelfare #Aviagen #SpinFeeder #FarmManagement #FloorFeeding

Don’t Let Your Chicks Sweat It Out We often struggle to set the minimum ventilation rate from day one and onward. Some controllers have minimum ventilation rate graphs, while others provide minimum ventilation rate levels. We can initially set the minimum ventilation rate with the help of the Poultry 411 app by the University of Georgia - Department of Poultry Science or simply by calculating the minimum ventilation rate as 1 CFM (cubic foot per minute) per chick. In this process, we must consider maximum out side humidity at minimum temperature and add extra ventilation for high humidity. As the chicks grow, their daily water consumption increases with age, necessitating an increase in the minimum ventilation rate to match their growing needs. The primary goal of minimum ventilation during brooding is to maintain a steady supply of fresh air for the chicks while minimizing temperature variations, drafts, and effectively managing heating costs. This requires a careful balance of fan capacity, placement, and timing, as well as proper positioning and adjustments of air inlets. Key steps include: 1. Using fans at 1 CFM per square foot and distributing fan capacity evenly between brooding and non-brooding areas. 2. Ensuring proper static pressure levels when inlets are open to maintain airflow balance and limit condensation risks. 3. Adjusting fan timers and inlet openings to achieve optimal air distribution based on the number of chicks, desired humidity, and ammonia levels. 4. Utilizing circulation fans for even temperature distribution to support environmental uniformity throughout the brooding process. These steps are essential for creating a controlled and efficient environment that supports chick health while minimizing energy use and potential stressors during the brooding phase. In conclusion, maintaining the right minimum ventilation rate is crucial for the health and well-being of your chicks during the brooding phase. By utilizing tools like the Poultry 411 app and following the outlined key steps, you can create a stable and comfortable environment that supports their growth while optimizing energy use. Ref: UGA poultry extension #poultryventilation #poultry #poultryindustries #broiler Equipment Dhumal Industries

Poultry producers are losing 15% of their profits on something they can control today. New research from Kansas State University shows something important. When young chickens got micro-pellets instead of regular mash feed, they gained much more weight. At 21 days old, birds weighed 891g with mash but 1,049g with pellets. That's 15.1% more weight, which means more money. But here's the best part: good quality crumbles worked almost as well. You don't need expensive equipment changes. Just remove the fine particles from your feed. This simple step increased bird weight by at least 3.5%. You get pellet-like results for the cost of crumbles. The first 7-10 days matter most. How much feed chicks eat during this time affects their entire growth cycle. Baby chickens can't handle fine particles well. This hurts their feed conversion badly. Better feed structure means they eat more, which leads to better performance throughout their lives. Feed mill owners should pay attention to this research. Spending money on better crumble quality pays off right away. Simple changes like adjusting equipment and removing fines turn regular crumbles into profit makers. The research proves it: feed form isn't just about nutrition. It's about making more money 📊 Sources: Idan, F., et al. (2023). Effects of pellet diameter and crumble size on growth performance and relative gizzard weight of broilers. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 32:100331.

Poultry Brooding Guidelines for 1st 7 Days: ================================ 1. Early placement of chicks in the house, access to fresh clean water and feed after arrival is important . The time of transport from the hatchery to the farm should be as quick as possible. There is no need for further delay once you have collected your birds from the hatchery/sales point. On placement, provide an hour of clean water mixed with glucose or Vitastress, and wait to give feed until the one hour period of water is done. This helps to avoid constipation issues in chicks! Once again, make sure good feed and fresh clean drinking water is readily available and easily accessible to reduce time for searching for feed and water by the newly arrived chicks. Please note that putting water/drinkers near pots or any other heat source is not good, when water is hot birds do not drink it. Four hours after placement, randomly pick some of the chicks and check the crop fill .The target crop fill should be 85%. After 12hrs , it should be above 95%, and after 24hrs, the target crop fill should be above 98 to 100%. 2. Use of digestible raw materials in making feed for the chicks is necessary as their digestive system is not mature or always use chicks feed from reputable commercial feed manufacturer Don't try to produce your own feed if you are not an expertise in that field, instead purchase good an approved feed supplier within your locality to avoid stories that touch. 3. Place highly hygienic materials that have been adequately sanitized and disinfected in the brooding house. You should know that the chicks' immune response is not fully developed any health compromise might be more devastating for young chicks compared to older ones. Biosecurity measures like foot baths, disinfection of premises and disinfection of equipment should be done using a struat and trusted disinfectant. A designated Uniform/clothings for the purpose of caring for your birds should be worn by the person/stockman caring for the birds. 4 . Provide breed specific diet of high quality as this will enable the chicks to consume the amount needed for adequate growth. 5 . Avoid overcrowding as this leads to competition for feed and water And causes pecking in chicks. Moreover, this will lead ultimately to a high number of lighter birds that will end up being at a disadvantaged when it is time for scrambling for feed in the midst of other heavier birds in the flock. Over crowding leads to poor growth and low production percentage when birds grow! 6. Ventilation: Much as we advise that you keep the brooder sealed off from draught, we do not mean that you deny the birds air exchange. Now, do not just seal off everywhere! Leave enough breathing space in the brooder! Note: Try to achieve good uniformity. i.e birds falling within similar average body weight. In layers, lighter and heavier birds are difficult to design feed programme for.