FARM MANAGEMENT ▶▶▶
Reducing antibiotics with a four-phase farm management blueprint
Reducing antimicrobials from poultry production requires good farm management. Simply defined, farm management encompasses the practices, protocols and environmental conditions in livestock production.
BY HARMEN JAN PLATVOET AND BARBARA BRUTSAERT, TROUW NUTRITION T
Start with a smooth floor. Fill floor cracks with a hygiene aid then add a layer of pine wood shavings.
he extent to which antimicrobials conceal farm management mistakes is often revealed when anti- microbials are removed from feed and water. Com- bined with sound feed and animal health practices,
a farm management programme helps producers consist- ently achieve successful flocks while reducing antimicrobial use. Here follows a phase-by-phase ‘farm management blue- print’ for removing antimicrobials without compromising per- formance or profitability.
Pre-arrival phase COVID-19 has led to heightened awareness of bio-security. Practices such as keeping a visitor log are critical to bio-securi- ty on farms. A demarcation line should separate the farm from the outside world and every production cycle must start with a clean slate, making all-in all-out (AIAO) production essential.
As the floor is the chick’s first point of contact on the farm, hy- giene starts in the house. Bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli trapped in cracks can survive and infect the next cycle. Ideally, begin with a smooth concrete floor free of cracks. Giv- en the expense involved in replacing a floor, it can be tempt- ing to resurface or fill expansion joints with lute; but this solu- tion will not last long. While it is not possible to disinfect deep narrow cavities, cracks should be filled with a hygiene aid. Specific blends of organic acids create a barrier that pre- vents bacteria from growing on litter. Pre-heat the floor to at least 28°C but not above 30°C. A layer of pine wood shavings about 1 to 1.5 kg/m2
deep is sufficient to absorb moisture
from chicks’ first droppings. Clean waterlines, nipples or bell drinkers and position drinker nipples at beak height. To remove biofilm in waterlines, add hydrogen peroxide followed by flushing. Alternatively, add a 30% chlorine solution to waterlines for 24 hours followed by flushing. Check nipples for debris before starting a new flock and fill lines with fresh water at 25°C or cooler. Periodically check farm water quality samples with a lab analysis. Detergent and hot water will effectively clean the floor, feed- ers and feeding lines. To remove biofilm and lower bacteria counts in feed lines, heavy coarse raw materials such as oat hulls can be mixed with specific blends of organic acids. As- sess silo conditions and remove dirt or clogged feed from walls. Mould inhibitors containing organic acid blends can be blown into the silo to adhere to walls and deter mould forma- tion. Position feed lines in litter throughout the house. Run one line of chick paper next to each water line, then add about 15g of feed per chick to the paper. The optimum brooding air temperature is about 35°C. Make sure air inlets and mesh wire filters are clean and dust-free. Conducting an air exchange throughout the whole house pri- or to the flocks’ arrival also supports ventilation. If walls and floor are warm, the house will re-heat quickly. Check that burners are heating properly to avoid elevated carbon diox- ide levels or carbon monoxide.
Brooding phase Chicks are vulnerable with immature digestive and immune
12 ▶ POULTRY WORLD | No. 5, 2020
PHOTO: TROUW NUTRITION
PHOTO: TROUW NUTRITION
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