ECH ROSS TECH 07/46 Managing the Ross 708 Parent Stock Female 1
Aviagen provides customers with detailed Product Performance Specifications, Management Manuals and Nutrition Specifications as the basis for managing their flocks. Successful production of day old chicks or grown broilers depends also on the understanding and attention to detail in the day-to-day management of stock. This document is produced by Aviagen s Technical Transfer Department as one of an ongoing series of Ross Tech s. These give background information on various topics to provide an understanding of the principles which are essential to successful management of both breeders and broilers. Whilst the principles should have a broad relevance to most regions and production strategies, certain aspects may be directed to more specific situations. About the Author Jerry Garmon Jerry Garmon is a Technical Service Manager for Eastern USA. He has been involved in the poultry industry since 1974, starting off as a Breeder Serviceman and rising to Breeder Manager before joining Ross Breeders USA in 1985 in a technical service role. In this role Jerry played a major part in introducing the Ross 208 into the USA market. In the early 1990's Jerry left Ross to work with a poultry equipment supplier but rejoined the company in 1996, again in the technical service department, where he has continued to work closely with customers in the USA and Canada to help them manage and improve their Ross stock. Introduction The Ross 708 parent stock female was first introduced in North America in 2001. Since then, popularity of the Ross 708 has grown rapidly worldwide and much has been learned about the performance potential of this bird and how best to achieve it. This document describes what has been learned to date from experience gained in North America and gives management recommendations to optimise performance when photostimulating to achieve 5% egg production at 25 weeks of age. However, the information presented in this document will also be useful to customers in other world areas with this strategy. If you have further questions about managing the Ross 708, please consult your local Technical Service Manager. 02
Rearing Period (0-22 Weeks) Success with the Ross 708 is dependent on consistently controlling bodyweight gain and skeletal development. The task is made easier with a good basic brooding set-up that provides adequate access to feed, water, heat and light. Feed Management Feed in crumble form should be provided in both the mechanical feeder and feeder trays during the brooding period. Use the published recommended feeding programme (based on daily energy requirements) to meet the nutritional needs of the flock. Nutrient specifications for the Ross 708 are provided in a separate document which is available by contacting your local Technical or Nutrition Service Manager. Use feeder trays at a ratio of 1 feeder tray per 100 females during the first 7 days of life. Controlled feeding should begin at 7 days of age (DOA). Guidelines for daily feed quantities and energy intakes are described in the Ross 708 Parent Stock Performance Objectives, June 2007. Ideally, birds should be fed every day. Where applicable, an every other day (EOD) feeding programme can be implemented at 15 DOA. This will allow chicks to eat their way into feed restriction by 3.5-4 weeks of age (WOA). When using an EOD programme, continue on this basis until egg production commences, then change to every day (ED) feeding programme. If when using an EOD programme, choking (crop impaction) becomes a problem during the rearing period, a change in the feeding programme to increase the number of feeding days in a given week can be beneficial. See Table 1 below for examples of other feeding programmes which can be utilised. Table 1: Examples of Feeding Programmes Feeding Schedule Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun Every Day 6-1 5-2 4-3 Every Other Day KEY Feed Day Non-Feed Day Prior to administering vaccinations, the equivalent of an extra day s feed should be given to help the flock cope with the stress of handling and multiple vaccinations. The extra feed should be equivalent to the level currently being fed. The recommended Ross 708 bodyweight curve is the minimum preferred weight and this is described in the Ross 708 Parent Stock Performance Objectives, June 2007 and illustrated in Figure 1. Consult your local Technical Service Manager before implementing any modification to the suggested Ross bodyweight target. 03
Figure 1: Recommended Bodyweight Curve for Ross 708 4000 3500 3550 3775 3000 2690 Bodyweight (g) 2500 2000 1500 1390 2245 1000 500 110 0 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 Age (days) 7 105 154 5% production 322 depletion Water management Good quality drinking water which is easily accessible by all chicks in the house should be made available at all times. Supplementary drinkers (e.g. water jars, mini-drinkers, easy-fill drinkers) are essential to ensure easy access to water for the first 3 days of life. If snap-on supplementary drinkers are used on nipple drinker lines, provide 2 per 100 chicks. Lighting programme Provide the minimum recommended light intensity (Table 2) during the first 3 weeks of life to stimulate feeding and drinking activity. To achieve 5% egg production at 25 WOA, the lighting programme in Table 2 should be followed. Table 2: Recommended Lighting Programme for Ross 708 Age Hours Light Intensity Intensity (foot candles) (lux) 0-3 days 23 2 20 4-21 days 12 2 20 22-153 days 8 0.5-1.0 5-10 22 weeks 14 3-10 30-100 24 weeks 15 3-10 30-100 26 weeks 16 3-10 30-100 04
Temperature Management Environmental temperature recommendations are included in Table 3. These temperatures are based on relative humidity (RH) in the range of 50-70%. In rearing locations with a lower RH, temperatures may need to be slightly higher. In locations with a higher RH, temperatures may need to be slightly lower. Always monitor actual chick behaviour to determine proper temperature setting. For specific environmental management details please refer to the Aviagen booklets entitled Environmental Management in the Broiler Breeder Rearing House and Environmental Management in the Broiler Breeder Laying House. Table 3: Recommended Environmental Temperature Guide Photograph 1: Bird Activity and Behaviour at Correct Environmental Temperatures Age Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Floor Temperature - Edge of Brooder 32.2 C (90 F) 29.4 C (85 F) 26.7 C (80 F) 23.9 C (75 F) 21.1 C (70 F) 21.1 C (70 F) > 6 Weeks 21.1 C (70 F) The best indicator for determining correct environmental temperature is bird activity and behaviour. The ideal heat source is a brooder (jet or radiant) which allows birds to find their comfort zone around the hot spot created by the brooder (see Photograph 1). A brooding pen or surround will help keep chicks near the heat, feed and water during the first 3-5 days of life. Servicing and Vaccination Proper coccidiosis control should be practised. Consult your local veterinarian for specific advice. Routine worming should be practised during the rearing period (at least 3 different times) using a product effective against the existing field challenges. Consult your local veterinarian for specific advice. When facing cecal worm infestations and blackhead problems, utilise consistent, early (3 weeks of age) and frequent worming with benzamidazole-type products. This will help reduce exposure to cecal worms/eggs and the histomonads they carry see Aviagen Technical Update, Vol.1, Treatment of Intestinal Worms in Broiler Breeders for more information about worming programmes and veterinary prescription requirements. Routinely monitor for intestinal diseases during the growing period by looking for signs of diarrhoea and by performing post-mortem examinations. 05
Breeding Period (23-65 Weeks) After transfer to the breeder house, the flock must be trained to eat and drink from unfamiliar, suspended equipment which is often over a slatted floor. If an EOD feeding programme has been used, this should be changed to include 3-4 consecutive days of feeding on an every day (ED) feed amount equivalent to help with this transition. During this training period, physically move birds onto the slats each morning then start the male feeder equipment after females are on the slats and eating. Seven days after this move to the breeder house, the following actions should be taken: lower nests hook up belts install pads begin running belts 2 times per day If the flock is photo-stimulated at 22 weeks of age, the first egg should be produced at approximately 24 weeks of age (i.e. 14 days after receiving light stimulation). First egg will be delayed if the flock is under-weight or if the required weekly weight gains are not achieved after housing. The flock should reach 5% production 12 days after the first egg has been produced (~25 weeks of age). In season* placed flocks will be ~3 days earlier and out of season flocks will be ~3 days later in reaching 5% egg production. *In season all flocks grown in blackout housing are considered in season. At 5% egg production, the flock should be provided with the breeder layer feed and feed increases should be given for each 5% increase in hen-day egg production. For flocks peaking in egg production under moderate weather conditions, peak feed allocation should be reached by 60% hen-day egg production (see Table 4 for an example). For flocks that peak during the summer months, peak feed can be extended to 75% hen-day egg production. The time period required for a flock to go from 5% to 80% hen-day egg production, is typically around 19 days. Because in-season flocks will be quicker and out-of-season flocks will be slower to reach 80% hen-day egg production, feed increases should be allocated to actual egg production rate rather than to predefined daily increases. Table 4: Example Feeding Programme to Peak Egg Production 06 Production g/bird lb/100 Kcal ME/bird/day 1 5% 128 28.2 358 10% 131 28.8 366 15% 133 29.4 373 20% 136 30.0 381 25% 139 30.6 389 30% 141 31.2 396 35% 144 31.8 404 40% 147 32.4 411 45% 150 33.0 419 50% 152 33.6 427 55% 155 34.2 434 60% 158 34.8 442 In much of North America the range in peak calorific intake for the Ross 708 is 425-455 kcal ME/bird/day. Based on an energy density of 2800 kcal ME/kg; 11.7 MJ/kg (1270 kcal ME/lb), this is equivalent to 152-163 g/bird/day (33.5-35.8 lb/100 birds/day). NOTES Feeding programme for a 24 week-old flock on 325 kcal ME/bird/day (116 g/bird/day; 25.6 lb/100 birds/day) with 2800 kcal ME/kg; 11.7 MJ/kg (1270 kcal ME/lb) feed approaching 5% hen day egg production. Average daily temperature is assumed to be 20-21 C (68-70 F). Adjustments are required for warmer (reduce feed) or cooler (increase feed) temperatures. For more information, contact your local Technical Service Manager. 1 Feed amounts based on 2800 kcal ME/kg; 11.7 MJ/kg (1270 kcal ME/lb). Adjustments must be made to reflect feeding of differing energy levels. See the Ross 708 Parent Stock Performance Objectives and Parent Stock Nutrition Specification, June 2007, for recommended energy intakes and further details.
Time Feeding To prevent loss of appetite and reduce heat stress mortality during hot weather, time feeding may become necessary. The basic concept of time feeding is to limit feed consumption during hot weather according to bird appetite. A normal feed time at peak production is 4 hours with a mash feed, 3 hours with crumbled feed, and 2 hours with pelleted feed. For a given feed texture, if feed clean-up time is longer than this, bird feeding behaviour can change such that their appetite is reduced. If appetite is reduced, time feeding can help to improve this. If the flock is eating fast enough to empty the feed weigh bin in the allocated time, then the entire days feed allocation is given. If appetite is reduced, all the feed does not clear the weigh bin into the feeder and some remains. The remaining feed is weighed and recorded to document actual feed consumption, but is not distributed. The remaining feed then becomes part of the feed allocation for the next day. The idea, therefore, is to always plan to offer birds the entire daily allocation of feed, but only if their appetite is sufficient to consume all of that feed. For example, if feeding crumbles, the feeding system time clock is set for 1.5-2 hours of run time depending on feed texture. If the trough is still full at the end of the run time there will be approximately 1.5 hours of feed time left before the feed is eaten for a total of 3-3.5 hours of feeding time. During hot weather, the female s appetite will often cycle during a 4 day period, with 3 days of reduced appetite followed by 1 day of normal appetite. Time feeding can affect egg production, but it will ensure there is little or no feed in the crop during the heat of the day improving liveability during heat stress. Feed Reduction Post-Peak Egg Production PEAK < 79% (HEN-DAY) Reduce feed allocation by 4.5 g/bird/wk (1 lb/100 birds/wk) for two consecutive weeks, then reduce feed by 0.5-1.0 g/bird/wk (0.10-0.20 lb/100 birds/wk). PEAK OF 80-83% (HEN-DAY) Reduce feed by 2.3 g/bird/wk (0.50 lb/100 birds/wk) for two consecutive weeks, then reduce feed by 0.5-1.0 g/bird/wk (0.10-0.20 lb/100 birds/wk). PEAK OF > 84% (HEN-DAY) Do not reduce feed until hen-day egg production declines to 83%. The flock will probably be under-weight. Thereafter, reduce feed by 0.5-1.0 g/bird/wk (0.10-0.20 lb/100 birds/wk). The total reduction in feed intake from the peak amount will usually be 8-10% in a 40 week lay cycle. If more than one breeder layer diet is used, and their energy densities differ, feed volume must be modified to achieve proper caloric intake. The Ross 708 female differs from other Ross parent stock female products. The Ross 708, comparatively speaking, has a shorter keel and shanks (i.e. smaller skeletal frame size), heavier breast muscling and a reduced feather cover on the back after 45 weeks of age. To limit the impact of these characteristics on fertility and hatchability, feed reductions after peak must be sufficient to control breast muscle growth. A diet properly balanced in amino acids should be fed to maintain proper feather cover on the back. See the Ross 708 Parent Stock Nutrition Specification, June 2007, for recommended nutrient levels. Conclusion The Ross 708 has quickly become one of Aviagen s most popular products. The Ross x Ross 708 broiler has been shown to yield more breast meat and achieve better feed conversion and liveability than other high-yield breeds in the marketplace. As Aviagen continues to monitor progress of the Ross 708, updated management advice will be provided to assist our customers in optimising the broiler and breeder performance of this product. 07
Every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the information presented. However, Aviagen accepts no liability for the consequences of using the information for the management of chickens. For further information on the management of Ross stock, please contact your local Technical Service Manager or the Technical Services Department. Newbridge Midlothian, EH28 8SZ Scotland, UK t. +44 (0) 131 333 1056 f. +44 (0) 131 333 3296 infoworldwide@aviagen.com www.aviagen.com Cummings Research Park 5015 Bradford Drive Huntsville, Alabama 35805, USA t. +1 256 890 3800 f. +1 256 890 3919 info@aviagen.com