Small Flock Production - PDF Free Download

Small Flock Production Craig D. Coufal, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Extension Specialist Department of Poultry Science ccoufal@poultry.tamu.edu

Getting Started in Poultry 1. Gather accurate information (see resources) 2. Find reputable source of birds 3. Plan well Be prepared for all possibilities v v v v Manure management/disposal Dead bird disposal Housing ventilation and weather extremes Predator control 4. If for business, know the applicable rules and regulations

1. Informational Resources University/Extension posc.tamu.edu extension.org v Small and Backyard Flocks Publications, webinars, Ask an Expert Government agencies Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), DSHS, USDA, CDC, etc.

2. Where do I get birds? Reputable sources National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) certified hatcheries (can order through US mail) Reputable breeders v Ask for documentation of disease testing (PT test) Not recommended: Flea markets or guy on the side of the road Ads in the paper Friend of a friend

Mail Order Hatcheries Ideal Poultry Cameron, Texas Murray McMurray Iowa Morris Hatchery Miami, Florida Strombergs - Minnesota Meyer Hatchery Ohio Welp Hatchery Iowa many more on internet www.idealpoultry.com

Introducing new birds to a flock Quarantine from existing flock for at least 3 weeks Not in same building or pen As far away as possible Monitor for disease symptoms, particularly respiratory Handle sick or quarantined birds AFTER the other birds. Wash hands thoroughly and disinfect boots Not recommended to comingle birds of significantly different ages

Disease Management Minimize contact between your birds and: Manure source of bacteria The ground source of parasites (worms) Wild birds and rodents sources of anything bad v Eliminate habitat and attractants Wild bird feeders and bird baths Waterfowl ponds v Clean up spilled feed to reduce attraction Pets source of bacteria and pests (especially fleas)

Vaccination Minimum recommended vaccinations: Marek s disease Fowl pox Other possibilities: Newcastle disease Infectious bursal disease (IBD) (gumboro) Vaccines can be ordered on the internet or can be administered at the hatchery

Fowl pox

Drug residues in eggs Almost all antibiotics are NOT approved by FDA for laying hens Approved for hens producing eggs for food : bacitracin zinc, BMD, chlortetracycline, and tylosin NO wormers are approved for laying hens Therefore, withdrawal period following administration to prevent drug residues in eggs is not established

Veterinary Feed Directive As of January 1, 2017, all medically important antibiotics to be used in feed or water for food animal species require a Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) or a prescription. FDA requires veterinary oversight whenever medically important antibiotics are administered to any food animal species via feed or water, even if the animals are not intended for food production. From pet rabbits and pigs, to backyard poultry, to large livestock farms, the same restrictions apply. The only antibiotics considered not important are Bacitracin, Meccadox, Tiamulin (Denegard), Narasin, and Bambermycin.

Drugs Transitioning From OTC to VFD Status (from FDA website) Established drug name chlortetracycline (CTC) chlortetracycline/sulfamethazine chlortetracycline/sulfamethazine/ penicillin hygromycin B lincomycin oxytetracycline (OTC) oxytetracycline/neomycin penicillin sulfadimethoxine/ormetoprim tylosin tylosin/sulfamethazine virginiamycin Examples of proprietary drug name(s) Aureomycin, CLTC, CTC, Chloratet, Chlorachel, ChlorMax, Chlortetracycline, Deracin, Inchlor, Pennchlor, Pfichlor Aureo S, Aureomix S, Pennchlor S Aureomix 500, Chlorachel/Pficlor SP, Pennchlor SP, ChlorMax SP Hygromix Lincomix TM, OXTC, Oxytetracycline, Pennox, Terramycin Neo-Oxy, Neo-Terramycin Penicillin, Penicillin G Procaine Rofenaid, Romet Tylan, Tylosin, Tylovet Tylan Sulfa G, Tylan Plus Sulfa G, Tylosin Plus Sulfamethazine Stafac, Virginiamycin, V-Max

Drug residues in eggs Almost all antibiotics NOT approved by FDA for laying hens Approved for hens producing eggs for food : bacitracin zinc, BMD, chlortetracycline, and tylosin Veterinarian prescription only NO wormers are approved for laying hens Therefore, withdrawal period following administration to prevent drug residues in eggs is not established

Disease Diagnosis Please do not call the Poultry Science Department for an over-the-phone diagnosis We can handle all other aspects of poultry production (nutrition, housing, fertility, incubation, brooding, etc.) Who to call? 1. Local veterinarian 2. Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) 3. Reportable disease Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC)

tvmdl.tamu.edu TVMDL 3 poultry diagnostic labs in Texas v College Station - 979-845-3414 v Gonzales - 830-672-2834 v Center - 936-598-4451 Can preform necropsy for a fee See website for more information

One More Big Concern Biosecurity and Disease

Avian influenza (AI) Virus is carried by wild birds 2 forms: Low pathogenic (LPAI) Highly pathogenic (HPAI) v v Highly contagious to domestic poultry May cause high mortality in poultry flocks Spring, 2015 outbreak of HPAI across Midwest US Largest in US history Devastating economic impacts Consumers impacted by higher egg prices

Prevention of AI What can we do? Vaccination not yet an option Only option: must prevent infection How? Sound biosecurity is the only tool we have

What is Biosecurity? Set of management practices designed to prevent the introduction of disease Protection from infection http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov/

Good Biosecurity 3 main components: Isolation prevent contact with infected vectors (wild birds and animals, rodents, pets, etc.) Traffic control limit access to flock to reduce exposure risk (people and vehicles) Sanitation disinfect anything that comes into contact with your flock (vehicles, equipment, coops, footwear, clothing, etc.)

Biosecurity Suggestions Avoid visiting more than one flock per day Shower, change clothes and disinfect shoes between visits Use shoe covers to keep shoes clean Use dedicated clothes and shoes not worn anywhere else for checking on flock

Biosecurity Suggestions Discourage presence of wild birds Do not keep waterfowl and chicken/turkeys on the same premises Do not share equipment, coops or old feed Consider all-in, all-out style of management

What kind of bird? Depends on: Type of production v v Eggs Meat v Both Production expectations v v Make a profit Reduce food bill (not likely) v Personal use and satisfaction What you like

White Egg Layers

White Leghorn Production

White Egg Layers Anconas Black Minorcas Buff Minorcas Production Blacks Ideal 236 Slide courtesy of Ideal Poultry

Brown Egg Layers Production Reds Barred Plymouth Rocks Rhode Island Reds Silver Laced Wyandottes New Hampshire Reds Sex Links (not pictured) Slide courtesy of Ideal Poultry

North Carolina Layer Test

Brown Leghorn-Cross

Green Egg Layers

Dual Purpose Breeds Buff Orpingtons Black Australorps Dark Cornish Delawares Cochins Slide courtesy of Ideal Poultry

Meat Breeds Cornish Cross Black Broiler Red Broiler Slide courtesy of Ideal Poultry

Egg Production

Light Physiology Increasing daylength Hypothalamus GNRF Pituitary gland FSH LH Ovary Estradiol Progesterone Oviduct

Length of daylight most important facet in stimulation of sexual maturity. Increasing daylength General relationship is: Increasing photoperiod = stimulation of sexual maturity FSH Hypothalamus Pituitary gland GNRF Estradiol LH Ovary Oviduct Progesterone Decreasing photoperiod = delay of sexual maturity

Increasing daylength Hypothalamus GNRF During pullet growing period, daylength must NOT increase FSH Pituitary gland LH Must decrease or remain constant 12 hours of daylength is considered the threshold needed to stimulate egg production Ovary Estradiol Progesterone Oviduct

Increasing daylength Hypothalamus GNRF Conversely, to maintain egg production during the laying period, daylength must NOT decrease Must increase or remain constant 15-16 hours is recommended for a constant daylength FSH Pituitary gland Estradiol LH Ovary Oviduct Progesterone

With natural lighting, egg production will be suppressed in the fall and winter and resume in the spring and summer sunset Hours of light sunrise

Example Lighting program Correct age for sexual maturity

Controlling Day Length Can Be Achieved With Simple Timers

Starting chicks using only natural lighting Natural daylength Aug. 17 Dec. 21 Feb. 8

Housing Less than ideal

Functions of Housing Protection from weather extremes precipitation winter and summer Protection from predators particularly at night For laying hens, a place to nest and lay eggs For chicks, proper brooding environment for early growth period Maximize efficiency

Better, but can be improved

Good Design with Adjustable Doors Nice overhangs vents Concrete footings

Location considerations Adequate drainage a must Proximity to habitat for wild birds and predators Harborage for pests and rodents eliminate trash and brush piles, old equipment Natural air flow (breeze) Visibility from your house Lack of visibility from your neighbor s house

Vegetation - Good Tall trees can provide shade while allowing air flow through house air flow

rodent and wild bird habitat Vegetation - Bad Low trees and shrubs block breeze and provide little shade air flow

Principles of Housing Design Shape of house Rectangular superior to square Natural ventilation want to minimize the distance air must travel through naturally ventilated houses Mechanical ventilation holding ventilation rate constant, air speed increases as cross-sectional area decreases

Principles of Housing Design Orientation Long axis east-west Minimizes wall area directly facing sun For naturally ventilated houses: minimizes direct sunlight shining into house takes advantage of prevailing south wind in summer

Principles of Housing Design Materials Metal is fine for exterior walls and roof Metal not recommended for interior surfaces metal is an excellent conductor of heat (radiant heat transfer) Insulation can help Cleaning and disinfection should be considered for interior surfaces lower porosity materials are easier to clean paint can help to seal wood surfaces for easier cleaning

But what about mobile coops or chicken tractors?

Poultry: Science and Practice, 1951

Highly recommend anchoring

Things to consider with mobile coops May have to move daily, depending on density of birds Enough land?? Heat/Cold stress Air flow Shade Moisture Predators Rain and ground moisture Still must brood baby chicks in a building

Nipple drinker systems are suitable for all chickens (not turkeys) automated reduced time and labor more sanitary than trough or bell drinkers low pressure less spillage = drier manure/ litter

Laying hens on nipple drinkers Garden hose for water supply

Water Equipment Options FarmTek catalog (also online)

Simple Nipple Drinkers with a Bucket

PVC Pipe style

Feeding Layer Pullets v In general, pullet diets contain: Starter 18-20% crude protein, 2850-3000 kcal ME/kg, 1% Ca Grower 15-16% crude protein, 2850-3000 kcal ME/kg, 1% Ca Pre-lay 15-17% crude protein, 2850-2900 kcal ME/kg, 2-2.5% Ca

Feeding Laying Hens Suggested daily nutrient intake per hen (under ideal conditions) Leeson and Summers, Commercial Poultry Nutrition, 2nd ed. Crude protein 17g Metabolizable energy 280 kcal Methionine 360 mg Lysine 720 mg Calcium 3.5 grams Available P 0.4 grams

Feeding Laying Hens Suggested daily nutrient intake per hen (under ideal conditions) Leeson and Summers, Commercial Poultry Nutrition, 2nd ed. at 100 g/hen/day Crude protein 17g 17% Metabolizable energy 280 kcal 1271 kcal/lb Methionine 360 mg 0.36% Lysine 720 mg 0.72% Calcium 3.5 grams 3.5% Available P 0.4 grams 0.4%

TAMU Poultry Farm Layer Diet Can be fed as a mash feed pelletizing not necessary Ingredient % Ground corn 59.5 Soybean meal 27.3 DL-methionine 0.14 Lysine 0.14 Limestone 10.7 Monocalcium phosphate 1.6 Salt 0.38 Trace mineral premix 0.05 Vitamin premix 0.25 Nutrients % Crude protein 18.5 Crude fat 2.5 Crude fiber 2.4 Calcium 4.4 Available P 0.44 Energy (kcal/lb) 1,213 Methionine 0.42 Lysine 1.1

broken

Improving Shell Quality It is recommended that 50% of the calcium in a layer diet be of large particle size. Limestone, depending on particle size and physical structure, is more soluble, and there is little retention in the gut. Oyster shell is regarded as an insoluble slowrelease form of calcium and residues remain in the digestive tract longer. Vitamin D supplementation can help calcium absorption in older hens. Can be added in drinking water

Calcium Sources in Feed Limestone and oyster shell are usually added to layer diets as primary sources of calcium.

Feed ingredients Avoid cottonseed meal v v v v Cottonseed contains the compound gossypol. Gossypol can cause green-brown-black discoloration in the yolk depending on gossypol levels and length of egg storage. As storage time increases, the discoloration intensifies, especially at cool temperatures (5 C). If cottonseed meal contains any residual oil, a characteristic pink albumen discoloration can occur.

Yolk color?

Yolk Pigmentation Yolk color is the result of carotenoid pigments called xanthophylls. Xanthophyll content of various feed ingredients: Corn 20 mg/kg Wheat Milo Alfalfa meal Corn gluten meal Marigold petals 4 mg/kg 1 mg/kg 175 mg/kg 275 mg/kg 7,000 mg/kg

Poultry: Science and Practice, 1951

Conventional feed egg Pastured egg

Egg Handling Change litter in box-type nests regularly

Use excluding mechanism to prevent nighttime roosting in boxes 4 to 5 birds per nest Nest Management

Nest Management Roll-away nests are superior Change litter in box-type nests regularly Use excluding mechanism to prevent nighttime roosting in boxes 4 to 5 birds per nest

Nest Pads No organic matter to harbor bacteria Can be cleaned and sanitized Hens won t scratch it out

FarmTek Catalog or FarmTek.com

Preventing Floor Egg Laying Avoid direct light into boxes (make boxes as dark as possible) black plastic curtain perch nest box Collect floor eggs frequently to discourage laying on floors Disrupt floor or ground nest sites to discourage laying

Washing of Eggs Most washing procedures will remove the cuticle (bloom). Generally accepted recommendations: Dipping or soaking (submersion) of eggs is highly discouraged. v v may aid in bacterial penetration of shell increase cross contamination between eggs

Washing of Eggs Washing should be done by spraying eggs with a wash solution use an approved egg detergent wash water conditions very important Wash water should be at least 20 F warmer than the internal temperature of the eggs minimum of 90 F

Example egg detergent

Washing of Eggs Rinse eggs after washing rinse water should be slightly warmer than wash water Can apply an approved sanitizer v chlorine or a quaternary ammonium compound at 100 to 200 ppm is most commonly used (USDA guidelines) Dry eggs before packaging

Storage of Eggs Eggs should be refrigerated as quickly as possible after cleaning and grading to preserve quality and reduce the potential for bacterial growth. FDA, TDA and DSHS regulations: Must be maintained at 45 F or less at all times

Best bet for home egg cleaning Rinse with warm water spray package and refrigerate dry

Sale of Table Eggs (Ungraded) Directly to consumer required to obtain food establishment license and meet the structural requirements for a food establishment v licensed by local health authority (city, county or district) or DSHS if no local authority exists eggs must be labeled as ungraded eggs must be labeled with producer s name and address Farmers Markets - may have additional requirements, so check with local authorities

Eggs bought at roadside stand What is wrong with this picture?

Against the law to sell your eggs with someone else s name on the carton

Retail Sale of Table Eggs Retail food establishments (stores, restaurants, food trucks, etc.) are not allowed to use or sell ungraded eggs must be received from an approved source that is licensed by the regulatory authority v Texas Egg License = Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) additional rules for packaging, labeling and inspection eggs must be clean, sound and at least Grade B must be delivered in refrigerated equipment at 45 F or less

Sale of Table Eggs (Graded) TDA contact for egg licensing Howard Pieper v Coordinator for Fuel Quality and Egg Quality Programs v 512-463-6477 TDA Organics program Mary Ellen Holliman v Coordinator for Organic Certification v 512-936-4178

Any Questions?