Selection of Hatching Eggs

Selection of Hatching Eggs Grading Exterior Quality: 1. Cleanliness – Shell should be free of debris or organic matter 2. Shape -Small end and large end. Not round or oblong 3. Soundness -No Cracks 4. Size -Not very small nor extremely large

Selection of Hatching Eggs

Selection of Hatching Eggs Grading Interior Quality: 1- Air Cell 2- Viscosity of Albumen (white) 3- Check for abnormalities (Blood/Meat Spots, Cracks or leaks in shell) It is done to test for fertility and viability Done by placing the eggs against a bright light such that the outline of the contents of the eggs is seen from the outside Used a candler or tester Done in 3 periods:

4th or 5th day – to remove infertile eggs 13th day or 14th day and on the 18th day – remove dead embryos Candle eggs to determine their interior and exterior quality grade.

BROODING MANAGEMENT

BROODING MANAGEMENT Starts as soon as the chicks are placed in the brooder area where heat is supplied until the chicks gave grown to the point where they no longer need additional heat to keep them comfortable. This period lasts for approximately 4 weeks.

BROODING MANAGEMENT

BROODING MANAGEMENT Type of brooder 1. Battery-type brooder – composed of compartment called tiers constructed on top of another, each compartment equipped with separate heater and provisions for feeding and drinking 2. Cage brooder – can be elevated slatted-floor or litter-floor type with capacity varying from few to several hundreds. Temperature requirements: Day old – 1 week 90 – 95 °f (32.2 – 35 °c)

1 – 2 weeks 85 – 90 °f (29.4 – 32.2 °c) 2 – 3 weeks 80 – 83 °f (26. 7 – 29.4 °c) 3 – 4 weeks 80 °f (26.7 °c and below)

BROODING MANAGEMENT

BROODING MANAGEMENT Growing period 75 °f or cooler temperature. The chick's physiological reaction to existing environmental temperature will indicate whether the temperature is right, too low or too high. Floor space requirements: Egg Type Chickens: Meat Type Broiler: 1day-3wks: 0.3sq.ft/bird 1day-2wks: 0.3ft2/bird 3-8 wksa: 0.5sq.ft/bird 2wks-market age: 1.0ft2/bird 8-12wks: 1.0sq.ft/bird

After 12 weeks, the floor space requirement of gr varies according the systems of housing used. Litter floor 2.0 – 2.5 sq.ft/bird Slat floor 1.5 – 2.0 sq.ft/bird Cages 0.75 – 1.0 sq.ft/bird

BROODING MANAGEMENT

BROODING MANAGEMENT Sources of heat for brooders A.) Electricity B.) LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) C.) Infrared lamp D.) Kerosene lamp E.) Charcoal House Features Construction materials Bamboo slats, nipa shingles, coco lumber GI sheets, aluminum sheet, wood, welded wire, plastic nets Long and narrow with east-west orientation 10 to 12 meters Floor height (1.8 m or 5.9 ft) Floor to ceiling (2.4 m or 8 ft)

Roof Style

Roof Style Shed Type Gable Type Combination (Shed-Gable) Monitor Type Semi-monitor

Light Requirement

Light Requirement Light management is very important in the development of new layers. The correct light to dark ratio in the rearing house will influence the production of larger eggs. During the first few days of brooding, lighting the chicks throughout the night (24 hours light) is favorable for growth because there is eating time if food is available.

The light in the brooder will encourage the birds to keep close to source of heat, feed and water.

Light Requirement

Light Requirement One cardinal rule: Never increase light during growing period and never decrease light during the laying period Increasing day length (light) during the growing period of birds will hasten their sexual maturity, which will result, to production of more pullet eggs (small eggs), layers are prone to prolapsed and shorter egg production cycle.

Under local conditions where there is only slight variation in day length, it is recommended day must not exceed 11 – 12 hours during the growing stage (4 – 18 weeks) of the developing pullets.

Feeds, Feeding and Watering

Feeds, Feeding and Watering The availability of drinking water to the chides must be emphasized. The addition of 5-10% of sugar in the drinking water can be done for the first 6 – 8 hours during the arrival of the day old chick (DOC). Supplementation of water-soluble vitamin-mineral antibiotic preparation can give the chicks a good start too.

Feeds, Feeding and Watering

Feeds, Feeding and Watering Adequate feeder and watering space should be provided to the birds. The following allowances are considered minimum for bird: Feeder (linear) Waterer Day old 2 weeks 2.5 cm 0.5 cm (1 gal/100 chicks) 2 -6 weeks 4.5 1.0 6 -10 weeks 7.5 2.0

Cannibalism Among Growing Chickens

Cannibalism Among Growing Chickens Cannibalism – is a bad habit developed by some growing birds. It usually starts from feather or toe picking which may result to se ious wounding and death of birds. The possible causes of cannibalism are: 1. Imbalanced ration – a high energy diet with low protein leads to this problem 2. Overcrowding and insufficiency of feeding and drinking space

3. Extended period without feed and water 4. Poor ventilation 5. Excessiveheat and too much light. 6. It may also be a strain characteristic.

Factors affecting length or brooding period

Factors affecting length or brooding period Weather/climatic conditions – longer during cold & rainy months, shorter during dry & warm months. Rate of feathering – shorter for fast feathering breeds/ varieties/strains, longer for slow feathering: can be due to genetic makeup or nutrition of the birds.