1

ANIMAL PRODUCTION
(POULTRY-CHICKEN)
NCII
ANIMAL PRODUCTION
(POULTRY CHICKEN)
NCII
ELECTIVE COMPETENCY

BREED CHICKEN
 MODULE 5

BREED CHICKEN
 BREED CHICKEN
L.O 1.1 Perform preparatory breeding activities
L.O 1.2 Carry-out breeding to in-lay activities
L.O 1.3 Collect eggs
L.O 1.4 Care for hatching eggs
 BREED CHICKEN
L.O 1.1 Perform preparatory breeding activities
 Obtain poultry breeder from reliable source according to
enterprise production requirement.
 Determine characteristics of rooster suited for breeding
following enterprise protocol.
 Maintain breeder sheds according to established farm
practices following GAHP.
 Set-up nests in suitable place in reference to established
breeding practices.
 Transfer poultry breeder to appropriate breeder sheds
following GAHP.
 Maintain hygienic environment according to enterprise
standard procedures and requirements.
 Obtain poultry breeder from reliable
source according to enterprise
production requirement.

Poultry breeder:
1. Rooster (Male)
2. Hen (Female)
 8

Determine characteristics of rooster

suited for breeding following enterprise
protocol.

Characteristics of rooster:
• Big
• With good temperament
• Same breed of the other chickens
 9

Maintain breeder sheds according to

established farm practices following
GAHP.

Suitable place:
• Shed or dark areas
• At the center
• Shed divided into small sections (for 200 hens) to minimize fighting.
 10

Set-up nests in suitable place in

reference to established breeding
practices.
What is laying nest in poultry?
The laying nest are a fundamental piece for the production of
eggs and to guarantee the safety and protection of the hens.
Find here our hen laying nests manufactured to guarantee the
best resistance, durability and optimal collection of eggs avoiding
them being pricked or accidentally broken.
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Transfer poultry breeder to

appropriate breeder sheds
following GAHP
What are the preparations of the hens for transfer at layer cages?
The laying house should have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected in
advance. The transfer should be done as smoothly and quickly as possible to
allow the birds to be well prepared for the start of laying. The temperature in
the laying house should be between 18 and 24 °C.
 13

Transfer poultry breeder to

appropriate breeder sheds
following GAHP
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 15

Maintain hygienic environment according

to enterprise standard procedures and
requirements.
Maintenance of breeder poultry:
• Management of females from 5% production until peak egg production
• Management of Males Post Light Stimulation until peak egg production
• Provision of good food
• Maintain cleanliness.
• Separate a low-ranking hen from the rest of the flock, so that she may brood in
peace.
• Broody hens are identified and handled following welfare requirements
 BREED CHICKEN
L.O 1.2 Carry-out breeding to in-lay activities
 Mate male (rooster) is left with the females (hens) following enterprise
breeding schedule and plan.
 Train birds to lay in nests with minimal number of eggs on floor following
recognized industry standards.
 Kept temperature of the hen shed constant and warm according to
established enterprise procedures.
 Conduct maintenance of breeder poultry in line with egg production
objective.
 Prevent any drafts from entering the building according to enterprise
protocol.
 Conduct in-lay activities according to enterprise protocol and production
plan.
 Employ safety practices according to Occupational Safety and Hazard
Standards.
 Mate male (rooster) is left with the
females (hens) following enterprise
breeding schedule and plan.
How do you get a rooster to mate with a hen?
As soon as you've decided which roosters you want to breed to
your hens, make sure you remove all other roosters before
adding your chosen rooster. Leave your rooster with your hens
indefinitely. He will dance for the ladies, win them over, and
eventually mate with them without any extra effort from you.
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Train birds to lay in nests with minimal number of

eggs on floor following recognized industry
standards.

How many eggs does layer lay a day?

Egg-laying chickens lay up to one egg per day at their peak. But how do
chickens lay eggs? And how often do chickens lay eggs? The process takes
24 – 26 hours per egg.

A few simple tips to help you train your chickens to use nesting boxes:
1. Have Enough Chicken Nesting Boxes. Typically one nesting box per
four chickens is enough to keep them comfortable enough to lay.
2. Use a Nest Egg for Training
3. Practice Mid-Morning Releases.
4. Make Nest Boxes Safe.
5. Keep the Boxes Clean.
 20

Train birds to lay in nests with minimal

number of eggs on floor following recognized
industry standards

How do you train birds to lay in nest with minimal number of eggs on
the floor?
During the laying period, slats and litter areas should be slowly walked a number
of times throughout the day by the stockman. This may be the single most
effective proactive management tool a stockman has to discourage hens from floor
nesting and should start as soon as the birds are moved into the house.

Why wont my chickens lay in the nesting box?

As shavings or other bedding materials get depleted in the nest boxes, hens tend to
avoid them. Keep the shavings or straw in the nest boxes nice and fluffy and change it
regularly to encourage your hens to lay there in the nest boxes rather than elsewhere.
Make the Nest Boxes Clean, Soft, and Comfortable.
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Kept temperature of the hen shed

constant and warm according to
established enterprise procedures.
What is the normal temperature for a hen?
The hen's body temperature is 105° F to 106° F. When the hen sits on
the eggs, she heats the eggs to 100° F to 101° F. The hen turns the
eggs on a regular basis by using her beak to scoop under the egg and
roll it toward her.

After six weeks of age, temperatures in the 18 to 21°C (65 to 70°F)

range are desirable.

Shed design and construction should not allow direct sunlight on birds.
Thatching of the roof with paddy straw or sugar cane leaves will reduce
the temperature inside the shed.
 23

Conduct maintenance of breeder poultry

in line with egg production objective.

Breeder farm management is a fundamental component of

poultry farming that must be optimized at every stage.
Poultry farming has two types of production: the first is the
production of non-fertile eggs for human consumption. The
second is the production of broiler chicken for meat
production.
 24

Conduct maintenance of breeder poultry

in line with egg production objective.

Viruses, bacteria, and parasites can spread between poultry flocks

through exposure to:
 contaminated equipment and vehicles that move between farms
 contaminated clothing and footwear of farm workers or visitors
 infected animals, such as wild birds, insects, rodents, and pets
 contaminated air, on particles of dust from nearby farms or market.
gardens that apply untreated poultry manure as fertiliser
 contaminated water, of dam or creek, used for drinking or cooling.
 25

Conduct maintenance of breeder poultry

in line with egg production objective.
 26

Conduct maintenance of breeder poultry

in line with egg production objective.

The following biosecurity measures should be implemented by

poultry producers to ensure the good health of their birds.

1. Keep visitors to your farm to a minimum

2. Limit visitations to other poultry farms
3. Keep all pets out of poultry houses
4. Practice an effective rodent and insect control programs
5. Avoid contact with non-commercial poultry or wild birds
6. Keep areas around poultry sheds and feed-bins clean
7. Collect and dispose dead birds daily
 27

Prevent any drafts from entering the

building according to enterprise
protocol.
What is draft in poultry?
For poultry farmers, a draft is a term that implies the cracks,
openings, or crevices that are situated near the bottom of a coop.

To eliminate drafts:
1. Check windows and doors for gaps and close them up with
caulk.
2. If you must leave a door open in the winter, like the door to the
run, hang a wool blanket over the door, leaving only a small
gap at the bottom for the chickens to go in and out. This will
significantly cut down on drafts in the coop
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Conduct in-lay activities according to

enterprise protocol and production plan.

In-lay activities:
• Reduction of feeds according to general guidelines and based on target
performance character
• Monitor feed reduction
• Manage males (roosters) after peak production through to depletion
 30

Employ safety practices according to

Occupational Safety and Hazard
Standards.
Safety practices in farm operation:
 Use personal protective equipment such as respirators,
waterproof clothes, rubber gloves, and waterproof footwear.
 Make sure chemicals are safely stored and cupboards locked.
 Never spray chemicals on days when there is a high wind.
 Know first aid procedures.

Why safety should be observed in poultry production?

Poultry Farm Workers may contract, from the fowl in their care,
infectious diseases that are common to fowl and man. The
atmosphere in poultry farms usually contains significant levels of
agricultural dust and toxic gases, which put the workers at a health
risk.
 31

Employ safety practices according to

Occupational Safety and Hazard
Standards.
Safety tips to help keep you safe from common dangers around the
job.
1. Use tools and machines properly.
2. Be aware of your surroundings.
3. Be safe in the cold weather.
4. Follow procedure, don't take shortcuts.
5. Wear your protective gear.
6. If you see unsafe conditions, let a supervisor know.
7. Take breaks
8. Stay sober
9. Practice correct posture
10. Reduce workplace stress
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 BREED CHICKEN
L.O 1.3 Collect eggs
 Collect Fertile eggs according to established enterprise
protocol and requirement.
 Carry-out identification and grading of egg in accordance with
production requirements and breeding objectives.
 Handle livestock during egg collection is humanely handled.
 Conduct eggs cleaning and sanitation following company
requirements and required hygienic procedures.
 Maintain hygienic environment following enterprise
procedures and requirement.
 Complete records of all collections to accurately monitor
production.
 Collect Fertile eggs according to
established enterprise protocol and
requirement.

Collection:
• Egg collection frequency is relative to number of
• Egg collection to minimize egg soiling.
• Regular collection protects eggs from the heat of the day
• Collect eggs 2 times a day or at least three times daily.
 35

Carry-out identification and grading of

egg in accordance with production
requirements and breeding objectives.
Eggs are graded both by shell condition and interior quality and
they are grouped by size.
1. Exterior. Eggshells are inspected for cleanliness, texture,
shape and lack of cracks.
2. Interior. In the old days, an egg was held up to a candle,
illuminating its interior for inspection.
3. Size. Egg size is independent of grade
 36

Carry-out identification and grading of

egg in accordance with production
requirements and breeding objectives.
What is the purpose of egg grading?
Factors to consider in grading eggs:
 interior quality
 weight
 cleanliness
 shell construction
These factors are related to safety, wholesomeness and quality.
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Egg grades by yolk outline,

candled eggs.
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Left: Small blood spot.

Middle: Broken out egg with large blood spot.
Right: Large blood spot.
 42

Handle livestock during egg

collection is humanely handled.
Why proper handling of eggs is important?
Safe egg handling is important because there is always a
chance that eggs can become contaminated by Salmonella
when they are laid. Salmonella can live on the egg shell
and in pores on shells, with the exception of Salmonella
Enteritidis which can penetrate egg shells and infect egg
yolks before they are laid
 43

Conduct eggs cleaning and sanitation

following company requirements and
required hygienic procedures.

Egg cleaning and sanitation :

• Collection as soon after laying to avoid manure spreading on the egg
• Wiping with a dry cloth
• Fumigation by formaldehyde gas soon as possible after collection
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Maintain hygienic environment following

enterprise procedures and requirement.

 Diseases and infections have always been a major concern to the

poultry industry.
 Fortunately, microbial contamination can be prevented and
controlled using proper management practices and modern health
products.
 Microorganisms are everywhere.
 Some are relatively harmless, while others can cause disease.

Why is hygiene important in Animal farm?

Good on-farm hygiene reduces the level of bugs and bacteria
humans and animals are exposed to. Hygiene should be addressed
under your herd health plan.
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Complete records of all collections to

accurately monitor production.

Records:
• Location of collection
• Numbers of eggs
 BREED CHICKEN
L.O 1.4 Care for hatching eggs
 Select hatching eggs following standard
enterprise protocol.
 Store eggs in accordance to industry standard
procedures.
 Neglect eggs that by hens are took for
incubation purposes.
 Minimize floor egg problems following
enterprise procedures.
 Select hatching eggs following
standard enterprise protocol.

Selection of hatching eggs:

• Eggs should be from healthy, matured and developed breeders
• Avoid too much of the humidity and moisture for this will cause
critical damage to eggs
• Avoid really large or small eggs. Large eggs seem to hatch poorly
and small eggs produce small chicks.
• Avoid eggs with cracked or thin shells.
• Choose clean eggs
 49

Store eggs in accordance to

industry standard procedures.
Storage :
1. Have a regular hatching schedule avoiding storage problems
and reduction of hatches.
2. Placing in fillers prior to storage.
3. Store eggs in a cool-humid storage area.
4. Store the eggs with the small end pointed downward.
5. Alter egg position periodically if not incubating within 4-6 days.
6. Do not store eggs more than 7 days before incubating.
7. Storage equipment and area are maintained in hygienic state.
8. Allow cool eggs to warm slowly to room temperature before
placing in the incubator.
 50

Store eggs in accordance to

industry standard procedures.
Storage :
9. Clean the eggs to avoid contamination
10. Select only qualified eggs (weight 55-65 grams, no cracked nor
dirty eggs)
11. Store eggs in a cool part of the house
12. Do not place in direct sunlight
13. Eggs from multiple hen can be place under the same hen
 51

Neglect eggs that by hens are took for

incubation purposes.

Poor results in hatching are commonly caused by the

improper control of temperature or humidity. When the
temperature or humidity is too high or too low for a long
period of time, the normal growth and development of the
embryo is affected.
 THE INCUBATOR
• Artificial incubation is preferred over natural
incubation
• Uniformity of sizes of chicks
• Many cross-breed chickens do not brood

• Inexpensive
• Maximizes productivity of egg-laying hens

• Chicken egg hatches in 21 days

• Temp in the incubator ranges from

• 37.5-37.8 degrees Celsius

• The eggs need to be turned every 4 hours
for equal distribution of heat
Candling – a method used in the incubation process to
determine whether the embryo inside the egg is
developing or not. This helps breeder farms to measure
the fertility rate of their stocks

Candling schedule of chicken eggs

1. 7th day
2. 12th day
3. 18th day
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 INCUBATION
 It takes 21 days for eggs to hatch, hens that sets on eggs and care
for young do not lay eggs during that time
 Incubating eggs in the incubator allows hen to continue to lay eggs
 Require temperature for incubation (embryo growth) are in correct
temperature (37.5-37.8)
 Do not place incubator in direct sunlight as it cause them to over
heat during the day
 Correct humidity – 55%-60%. Make sure water reservoirs are
maintained at the appropriate level in order to maintain the proper
level of humidity
 Regular turning of eggs 4-8 times a day, after 18 days of incubation
the eggs don’t need to be turned anymore
INCUBATION TIME
Chicken- 21 days
 USING HEN TO HATCH EGGS

▰ Provide a safe place for them that prevents predators

from eating them
▰ Keep food and water close by
▰ Provide adequate ventilation
USING HEN TO HATCH EGGS
 61

Minimize floor egg problems

following enterprise procedures.
 To minimize floor eggs and achieve good flock performance it is essential to follow the
breed standards.
 If you do face a problem with floor eggs, determine if hens are having difficulty
jumping onto the slats.
 The height of the slats must be no higher than 45 cm as heavy hens are more
unwilling to jump.

What are the factors to consider in minimizing the floor egg problem?
 Body condition.
 Training.
 Nest space.
 Lighting.
 Egg belt.
 Litter depth.
 Equipment layout.
 Water flow rate.
 WHY SOME EGGS DON’T HATCH?

▰ They were not fertile

▰ They were stored for too long or improperly
▰ They were dirty, if an egg breaks and cover the other
eggs it can prevent the egg from breathing
▰ They are broken
▰ Eggs were stored in direct sunlight
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HATCHING EGGS
TERMINOLOGIES
Broiler – any commercial meat type chicken usually
raised up to six weeks of age

Brooder – an area used for raising young fowl that

provides sufficient light and protection

Brooding – a management practice where chicks are

given extra supplemental heat and proper care and
management

Cage Housing – a type or system of poultry housing

where layers could be kept alone, by two or in big
groups in cage
Culling – is the removal of undesirable or inferior animals in
the herd based on important economic traits and overall
performance

Downtime - rest period

Immunization – prevention of diseases by providing

appropriate vaccines to animals

Incubation – refers to the development of the birds from the

fertilized eggs to fully formed chicks

Livestock – domestic animals kept for use on a farm and

raised for sale and profit
Nutrients – food elements or substance found
in the feeds such as protein, carbohydrates,
fats and others

Pewee egg – the first egg of a pullet or the

smallest sized egg

Poultry – a collective term for birds used either

for breeding, egg production, meat
production and recreation

Pullet – a young bird ready to lay egg

Ration – the total amount of feeds taken in by an
animal during a 24 hour period

Rooster – a matured male poultry used for breeding

Vaccination – a preventive measure to inoculate an

animal with a mildly toxic preparation of bacteria or
a virus of specific disease to prevent or to lessen
the effects of the disease

Waterer – equipment used in providing water to

animals