PARENT STOCK ▶▶▶
Achieving consistent breeder performance
The main question with regard to rearing breeders is: How can we reduce feeding errors to make rearing breeders more consistent? One solution is to stop calculating feed allocations for the week. Instead, determine the ideal feeding curve over the entire rearing period for both sexes under local conditions based on the feed specifications.
BY WINFRIDUS BAKKER, COBB-VANTRESS AND STEPHAN KLAASEN VAN HUSEN, WIMEX
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2000 1500 1000 500 0
0 1 2 3 Fied Body Weight 16 ▶ POULTRY WORLD | No. 7, 2022 4 5 6 7 8 Standard Body Weight 9 10 11 Age (weeks) Feed Amount 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
ecause fewer producers are using pens to sort and correct body weights, feeding needs to follow an established curve that works best for the entire flock. An automated feeding and computing system can be
used beginning on day 8. Enter a feeding curve for the entire rearing period in the computer system and allow the computer to calculate how much feed is required. Caretakers must enter mortality and culls so that the system can accurately calculate the new feed amounts for the next day or week based on the total number of birds. The automation will work well but still requires good management and optimal conditions, including enough feeder and drinker space and good ventilation for air quality and dry litter conditions (see Cobb Breeder Manage- ment Guide for more details, available at
Cobb-Vantress.com).
Likewise, good uniform feed distribution resulting in uniform crop size after feeding is essential to success.
Established feeding curve When using an established feeding curve in rearing, keep the average body weight between 98% and 102% of standard body weight and the average uniformity of the flock above 68%. Use a reliable automatic scale for the first two hours only and daily, when the lights are turned on and before feeding. (Like computing systems, there are precise automatic scale systems available to make weighing and data collection easy and reduce labour costs). The scale will collect a represent- ative daily dry bodyweight, help to track weight gain and determine whether the average body weight is on standard. These automated methods (automated and computerized feed calculations, along with the automatic scales) should reduce human error, resulting in a more consistent pro- gramme. A reduction in feeding and weighing errors should consistently produce a prepared pullet in the right condition at transfer (20 to 22 weeks of age). However, farm caretakers must ensure that the feed bins or hoppers are filled for the next day’s feeding cycle and that drinker and ventilation systems are working correctly. Even though a system may be largely automated, general management and checking of the equipment remains necessary. Another point to consider is whether the feed specifications are correct. Follow Cobb’s recommendations as wrong feed
Figure 1 – An example of body weight curves in field and standard. 2500
110 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30
Body Weight (g)
Feed Amount (g)
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