2018 HY-LINE BROWN SCHOOL EGG LAYING COMPETITION INFORMATION BOOKLET. Proudly supported by

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1 2018 HY-LINE BROWN SCHOOL EGG LAYING COMPETITION INFORMATION BOOKLET Proudly supported by

2 WELCOME On behalf of the RNA Poultry, Pigeons, Birds and Eggs Committee, I would like to welcome your school to the 2018 Hy-Line Brown School Egg Laying Competition. Your school will receive six (6) Hy-line Brown hens to commence the competition, which is proudly supported by Specialised Breeders Australia and the Australian Egg Corporation Limited. The competition will see your students raise the hens at your school, in the lead-up to the 2018 Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) in August. This will give your students the opportunity to: Learn about biological science Learn about the correct handling and caring of poultry Consider future employment within the poultry industry Understand how to compete in the pursuit of agricultural excellence All schools competing in the Hy-Line Brown School Egg Laying Competition are required to attend the judging of the competition and the judges debriefing session on Saturday 18 August at 10am. The RNA Poultry, Pigeons, Birds and Eggs Committee and Specialised Breeders Australia wish your school the very best of luck in the competition. Philip Sharp RNA Competitions and Events Manager

3 ABOUT THE COMPETITION Competing schools are provided with six (6) Hy-Line Brown hens and are required to raise the hens to 28 weeks. The aim is to have the hens laying and ready to compete at the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) in August. Schools submit their three (3) best hens to take to Ekka, with the competition consisting of three main elements: Birds Eggs Project All three elements are judged on Saturday 18 August 2018 at 10am. Representation from each school (one teacher and four students) must be present at the time of judging. The competition is judged by experts from the commercial poultry industry and the birds are judged to a commercial standard. Each component is assessed by industry experts, with ribbons and place cards awarded to all placegetters. In this booklet you will find a rearing guide with plenty of information on your hens and their needs, along with a worksheet which can be used as a guideline to create your project. JUDGING CRITERIA 1. BIRDS BEST PRESENTED TRIO OF BIRDS Schools select their best three (3) hens to compete at the 2018 Ekka. What to look for when selecting your best three (3) hens: Trio are uniform - appear to be of similar weights, body condition and maturity Birds are sexually mature and producing eggs, evidenced by comb size and colour (large and red), presence of eggs and spread of pelvic bones Birds conform to breed standard in terms of general conformation and stance No evidence of illness including runny/weepy eyes or nostrils, foot pad lesions and mites etc Even feather coverage - no evidence of pecking or feather defects Bright eyes - birds are alert and responsive 2. EGGS Eggs will be collected on an accumulative basis over the first eight days of Ekka. Stewards in the Poultry, Pigeons, Birds and Eggs Pavilion are responsible for the collection of eggs during this time. The best 10 eggs will be selected based on the following criteria: Number of eggs laid Egg colour (brown) Egg uniformity - eggs appear to be a similar size (no double yolkers etc), have limited indicators of stress (calcified eggs) and no shell defects The best 10 eggs will then be checked for internal quality and three eggs randomly tested, with the judges looking at: Egg weight Yolk colour greater than 10 on the colour scale is ideal Haugh units/albumin height measurement of egg white quality and freshness 3. PROJECT A worksheet is provided as a guideline for students to complete or they can create their own record of performance. The best project will be selected based on the following criteria: Students have recorded the chickens development from when they are received by the school through to the Ekka including weights, feed used, eggs collected, health problems and other points of interest Project includes photos and/or diagrams of the chickens and their enclosure set-up Some research into poultry is shown - eg industry information, breed information, investigation into nutrition, health and welfare and how this knowledge has been incorporated into caring for the birds The information is related in a clear and concise manner, as expected for scientific reporting The project can be completed in a book, poster form or similar format, with preference given to those who go beyond fact recording and design a project portfolio The project should highlight the schools interest in poultry and pride in their work

4 KEY DATES Chickens to arrive at school Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) Between April 2018 (Exact date TBC with your school) 10 to 19 August 2018 Penning day Wednesday 8 August am to 8pm (schools own transportation) Submit project for assessment Judging day Birds/Project/Eggs PRIZES Wednesday 8 August 2018 Saturday 18 August 2018 from 10am Ribbons and place cards will be awarded to three places from each section: Best Hy-line Commercial Layers (3) Three Hens First: $100, Second: $75, Third: $25 - Sponsored By Australian Egg Corp Ltd Best Hy-line Commercial Layers Project First: $100, Second: $75, Third: $25 - Sponsored By Australian Egg Corp Ltd Best Hy-line Commercial Layers Eggs First: $100, Second: $75, Third: $25 - Sponsored By Australian Egg Corp Ltd 2018 OVERALL HY-LINE BROWN SCHOOL EGG LAYING CHAMPION Association sash, annual trophy thanks to the Specialised Breeders Association and $200 as sponsored by Australian Egg Corp Ltd JUDGES DEBRIEF The RNA Poultry, Pigeons, Birds and Eggs Committee kindly asks all schools taking part in the competition to be represented by one teacher and four students at the judging and debriefing. Judging will be held on Saturday 18 August 2018 from 10am, followed by the judges debrief and awards presentation. CONTACT INFORMATION If you have any questions please don t hesitate to contact: Petrice Dobbin Competitions and Events Coordinator Telephone Fax pdobbin@royalqueenslandshow.com.au

5 2018 HY-LINE BROWN SCHOOL EGG LAYING COMPETITION WORKSHEET STARTING DETAILS School Hatch Date Age When Received Date of Arrival Time of Arrival Number of Hens Received Average Weight of Hens Received Description of Heating and Lighting Program (Photos May Assist) Feed Types Used FEED CONVERSION CALCULATIONS Survivability % Average Weight Feed Consumption Feed Conversion Ratio Arrival Zero Zero Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 Week 14 Week 15 Week 16 Week 17 Week 18 Week 19 Week 20 Week 21 Week 22 Week 23 Week 24 Week 25 Week 26 Week 27 Week 28 Date of Final Assessment Totals Cost of Feed Survivability % from arrival to completion of competition Table for working out Feed Conversion Calculations: Average weight at week completion of competition Total feed consumed Final feed conversion ratio 1. Survivability = number of chickens received total mortality as a %. 2. Average Body Weight = total body weight / number of birds. 3. Feed conversion = total feed used (kg) / total body weight (kg). 4. Average age = age of hens starting at day zero (day of hatch)

6 RESOURCES SIMPLIFIED NUTRITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS Hy-line Brown hens require a well-structured nutritional program to ensure they achieve development and growth targets to reach egg-laying maturity at the appropriate age. There are a large number of poultry nutrition companies across Australia that provide balanced mash/crumble/ pellet/scratch rations to be fed at all stages of your hens development. These feed rations are often identified by an age range including starter, grower or layer etc and most will provide adequate nutrition to your hens. There is much research into pelleted versus whole grain feeding, but for the purpose of this competition it will be your personal preference as to the feed type chosen. By ensuring your feed ration has adequate protein, energy, amino acids, vitamins and minerals (using the table below as a reference), your hens should be healthy, happy and ready for egg production. HELPFUL LINKS Hy-Line Brown - Feeding the Pullets aspx?s=6&p=52 Poultry CRC: Poultry Hub - Nutrient requirements of egg laying chickens Australian Egg Corporation Limited Hy-Line Australia Requirement (age/weeks) Feed to a body weight of (g) - cage reared Feed to a body weight of (g) - floor reared Starter (0-6 weeks) Grower (6-12 weeks) Developer (12-15 weeks) Pre-Layer Early Layr (15 weeks-pol) (POL-50 weeks) Age (weeks) approximate Metabolisable energy kcal/kg Metabolisable energy mj/kg Crude protein (nitrogen x 6.25), % Calcium % Phosphorus (available) % Crude fibre% 3 Information provided by Specialised Breeders Australia

7 Have a minimum of two weeks downtime between flocks Have footbaths with disinfectant outside of the poultry house to reduce the risk of disease Have rodent control measures to minimise the spread of disease Clear the area around the poultry house to prevent hiding places for rodents/snakes. Remove all rubbish Wild birds should not have access to the poultry to prevent disease Keep a visitors log so you know who has accessed the hens Maintain relative humidity at 40-60% Maintain lighting at 20 lux KEY POINTS FOR RAISING YOUR HY-LINE BROWN HENS FOR THE SHOW: Try to maintain day length at the level it will be when the birds are 17 weeks old, with artificial lights from 8 to 17 weeks Check compatibility of feed and water systems Wash and disinfect the poultry house and equipment Set drinker heights so the hens can either see water in the bell drinkers or droplets on nipples Check the ventilation is working properly, especially during hot weather Handle the hens with care Check the weight of the hens weekly Monitor feed consumption and water intake. Investigate any discrepancy Maintain key performance records so they can be used as an aid to flock management Consider perches to improve body weight, uniformity, reduce social pressure and increase muscle development Walk the poultry house regularly to socialise the birds and get them used to people Keep young birds separate from older birds, always visit younger birds first Consult a vet to determine if a worming and/ or vaccination program is suitable to your circumstances Check to ensure no external parasites (red mite) are present on the birds When choosing a diet, be sure to pay attention to the crude protein requirements of the birds at different stages of development Ensure the birds have access to water at all times Aim to reach the body weight target of 1.5kg, with 80% uniformity before the birds start to lay Proudly supported by