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Backyard Chickens Final Exam
Factors influencing feeding regimes - ANS • Nutrient requirement varies with age, type, & the seasonality
- Feeding should meet the bird's requirement
- Growing & Broiler bird need more protein Layers need more calcium
- availability & Cost of ingredients is important Summer birds require more Protein, Energy, Vitamins, and Minerals. Winter is opposite problems due to inaccurate nutrition - ANS 1. improper bone formation
- Kidney failure
- possibly death
- Poor eggshell quality Different forms of feed - ANS • Mash
- Pelletized (extruded mash)
- Crumbled (broken pellets)
- Scratch grains
- Fodder (grasses) Keep a mask if you use mash Scratch grains are just high energy low protein mixes. Not suitable long term Approximate feed intake (egg-layer) - ANS • Nutrient balance studies not done in backyard flocks
- Egg - type
- Feed/pullet - hatch to ready-to-lay = 13 to 15lbs.
- Layer - daily intake/hen: 98-107 g Should be at least these values Approximate feed intake (meat-layer) - ANS • Nutrient balance studies not done in backyard flocks
- Meat - type
- Feed/bird - hatch to market (7 weeks) = 12.5 to 18lbs.
- Heavy breed eats more than 12.5- Should be at least these values Age requirements for egg production - ANS • Pullets
- 0-6 weeks (starter)
- 6-14 weeks (grower)
- 14-20 weeks (developer)
- Laying
20 weeks (layer)
- Breeding
- Mature birds (layer/breeder Can switch to developer at 8-10 weeks for larger eggs Complete feed system nutrients - ANS Type ME Kcals/lb CP (%) Ca (%) Avail P (%) Starter 1290-1315 20-22 0.85-1.00 .40-. Grower 1290-1315 16-18 0.80-0.95 .35-. Dvloper 1250-1290 14-16 0.75-0.92 .30-. Layer 1290-1315 15-19 3.60-4.20 .32-. Mature 1290-1315 14-18 3.40-4.00 .32-. What does ME mean? - ANS Higher ME indicates higher concentration of calories and energy Alternative to complete feed system - ANS controlled grain system both can be used simultaneously Complete feed - controlled grain strategy - ANS • Grains
- High in energy
- Low in protein, minerals and vitamins
- 10% CP, generally
- Formulation
• DON'T FEED CHICKS/GROWERS WITH LAYER MASH
Grit - ANS • Hard granite
- 2-3 times per month
- Does not provide any nutrients Nutrient requirements for broilers - ANS • Weeks 1 - 4 : broiler starter (20-23% CP; 1350 - 1385 kcals/lb.)
- Weeks 5 - 8 : broiler grower (19-20% CP; 1385 - 1405 kcals/lb.)
8 Weeks - slaughter : broiler finisher (15-18% CP; 1425 - 1450 kcals/lb.)
- No coccidiostat Coccidiostat - ANS coccidio is a disease and stat stops it. May remain in bird meat after slaughter.
- Examples of coccidiostat?
- Amprolium, oxytetracycline, sulfa etc. Complete feed strategy - ANS • For a 8-15 lb. bird at 3-5 months
- Broiler starter (0-2 weeks) - 20-23% CP (cocc)
- Pullet starter (2-6 weeks) - 20-22% CP
- Pullet grower (6-12 weeks) - 16-18% CP
- Broiler grower (12 weeks - desired weight) - 19-20% CP (cocc)
- Broiler finisher (withdrawal) - 15-18% CP
- Supplement pasture or green chops
- Granite grit @ 1 lb./100 birds/month Chicken sizes & growth times - ANS Fryers, Broilers, Roasters Fryers. 4 lbs, 7 weeks Broilers. 6 lbs, 6 weeks Roasters ($$$). 8-15 lbs, 3-5 months Stewing chickens. Even larger, not common in markets
Nutrients requirements for roasters - Controlled grain - ANS • Complete feed - controlled grain strategy
- Start only at 10 weeks
- Broiler grower at 18-20% CP
- Scratch mix
- Home made - 2 parts corn + 1 part wheat + 1 part barley/oats by weight Feed / Scratch Grain timeline - ANS Age (weeks) Feed (%) Scratch (%) 1-10 100 0 10-13 80 20 13-16 60 40 16 to mkt 50 50 Nutrient requirements for dual purpose breeds - ANS • Specific requirements not researched
- Dual purpose - heavy type layers
- All principles similar to layer chicken feeding
- Dual purpose - meat & egg crosses
- All principles similar to broiler chicken feeding Feeding/feed management - ANS • Nutrients destroyed during extended holding times (1 month summer, 2 weeks winter)
- Fats become rancid
- Mold and bacterial growth Steps to improve longevity of chicken feed - ANS • Store feed in a clean, dry, rodent proof area
- Don't put feed bags on concrete
- Store feed on wooden pallets
- Store feed in water tight non-metal containers
- Allow chickens to clean up their feed once a week
- Withdraw feed for an hour in the afternoon Some tips on using feeders - ANS • Clean the feeders often, especially when they have mold growth
Chicken Embryology Day 10 - ANS Egg tooth prominent, toe nails appear Chicken Embryology Day 11 - ANS Embryo looks like a chick, pipping tooth seen, feather follicles appear Chicken Embryology Day 12 - ANS Toes fully formed, first few visible feathers Chicken Embryology Day 13 - ANS Appearance of scales, down feathers, claws Chicken Embryology Day 14 - ANS Down feathers almost cover the body Chicken Embryology Day 15 - ANS Gut drawn into abdominal cavity Chicken Embryology Day 16 - ANS Feathers complete over body Chicken Embryology Day 17 - ANS Amniotic fluid decreases, renal (kidneys) active Chicken Embryology Day 18 - ANS Growth complete, can change to a hatcher Chicken Embryology Day 19 - ANS Yolk sac drawn into body cavity, abdominal fluid gone, embryo occupies space within egg Chicken Embryology Day 20 - ANS Yolk sac drawn completely into body, embryo becomes a chick, gas exchange starts Fertile Egg parts - ANS Shel, Membrane, Albumen, and Yolk Shell parts (Fertile Egg) - ANS Mammillary layer, spongy layer, pores, cuticle Yolk parts (fertile egg) - ANS Germinal Disc (Blastodisc) Latebra light-colored yolk
dark-colored yolk yolk membrane Germinal Disc (Blastodisc) - ANS Holds maternal DNA / genetic material. Also holds nucleus. Sends blood vessels into yolk for nutrients. Where sperm enters. light-colored yolk - ANS Latebra Low in fat, function not yet known believed to be a central structure for eggs dark-colored yolk - ANS Major source of vitamins, minerals, half of protein, all fat, iron, fat, calcium, etc. Membrane parts (fertile egg) - ANS Air cell, inner shell membrane, outer shell membrane Albumen parts (fertile egg) - ANS chalaza, chalaziferous layer, thick egg white, thin egg white Membranes for developing embyro - ANS Yolk sac, Amnion, Allantois, Chorion Yolk sac purpose - ANS nutrients Amnion purpose - ANS Houses embryo, fluid is shock cushion Alalantois purpose - ANS stores metabollic waste & gaseous exchange Chorion purpose - ANS permits gas exchange % hatchability - ANS # of eggs that hatch out / # of fertile eggs % fertility - ANS # of fertile eggs / # of total eggs produced Factors affecting hatchability - ANS • Genetic potential of the parents (vigorous parents good)
- Excessively large/small eggs often infertile
- Remove eggs with defects, dirt, cracks Clean area for eggs - ANS • Temperature - 55-65° F
- Humidity - 70-75% (wet bulb reading - 50- 52° F)
- Just before incubation, warm to room temp (70-75° F) Egg Sweating - ANS Env. Temp (F) Relative Humidity Egg Temp(F) 55 65 60 82% N/A 70 58% 83% 80 42% 60% 90 30% 43% 100 22% 32% Two methods to hatch chicks - ANS Brood hen method Incubator method Brood hen method differences - ANS Less Expensive Produce fewer chicks Must have a broody hen Characteristics of a Broody hen - ANS Tendency to nest Cease laying Clucking voice Protective Incubator method differences - ANS More expensive Produce more chicks Allow hens to resume egg production
Small-Scale incubators - Forced Air - ANS • Temperature - 99°F
- Humidity - 65%
- Easy to maintain humidity
- Constant level of air circulation Still-air Small-Scale incubators - Still Air - ANS • Smaller
- Air flow hard to manage
- Temperature - 100 -101° F
- Air stratifies
- 5°F difference from top to bottom
- Humidity
- 65% at incubation
- 75% at hatching
- Cons - easy to get eggs overheated Incubation - ANS • Duplicating what a hen does!
- Builds nest
- Lays a clutch of eggs
- Becomes broody
- Loses some body weight
- Move the egg frequently
- Provides heat of 100-102 F
- Keeps the eggs moist
- After 12-14 days, leaves the nest often
- On day 20, she moistens the eggs again prior to hatch Four important incubation factors - ANS • Temperature
- Humidity
- Ventilation
- Turning
- Early in the morning and late in the evening, and two times in between
- Avoid rotating in full circles Hatch time - ANS • Candle the eggs
- Inertile eggs / dead embryos thrown away
- 2 out of 10 eggs don't hatch
- Improper temperature, ventilation
- Incubator overheating
- Rough handling
- Do not help chicks from the shell at hatch
- Remove chicks from the incubator 6 - 12 hours post-hatch
- Make sure that you clean and sanitize incubator Incubation problem - clears - ANS • Absence of a blood ring or embryo development
- Embryo died early
- Eggs were infertile Incubation problem - Blood rings - ANS • Clear eggs with formed blood rings or small embryos
- Death after 1st 3 days of incubation
- Incubator malfunction Incubation problem - Dead early/midterm - ANS • High/low incubation temperatures
- Improper turning
- Parental nutrition problem
- Disease, contamination etc. Incubation problem - Fully formed not pipped - ANS • Fully formed not pipped
- Low temperature
- Weak viability of eggs
- Genetic defects
Incubation problem - Malformed chicks - ANS • Genetic defect
- High temperature during hatching Incubation problem - Cull chicks - ANS • Dry chicks with egg shells sticking to their down feathers
- Indicate low humidity after pipping
- Chicks hatching earlier with navels not healed
- Chicks hatching later (24 hours) will not grow well Basic necessities for hatchling - ANS Shelter Bedding Heat Source 18" Above bedding Brooder guard First week 15" high Feeders Waterers clean, dry area for hatchling from predators. can be corner of garage or any space. Bedding material (litter) - good characteristics - ANS Non-toxic to birds Free of contaminants very absorbent, most critical Short drying time Reduced thermal conductivity Should be able to get repurposed Readily available financially inexpensive Bedding material (litter) examples - ANS wood shavings, pine saw dust, pine bark, sand, chopped straw, leaves, etc.
1 foot candle = 10 lux Sufficient for reading a newspaper Intensity between 10-30 lux at layer level ideal for laying hens Duration of lighting - ANS Meet the biological requirement of the bird Younger birds - growth and maturity. 8 hours Laying birds - stimulate egg production, 14-18 hours Duration extended over 2 week periods Increasing duration of visible light Stimulates sexual maturity and egg production Role of melatonin (synthesized from amino acid tryptophan) Light Quality - ANS Light distributed around the coop More bulbs with low wattage needed Nest boxes should have some shading Bulbs cleaned frequently Dark areas avoided First two weeks of chicks life are very important First week, provide high intensity light Good lighting promotes good production Factors affecting water quality - ANS Bacteria Minerals pH Bacteria (acceptable levels) - ANS Total bacteria and coliforms Coliforms indicate decal contamination E. coli indicator Ideal - 0 CFU/ml (colony forming units of bacteria per milliliter of water sample) Maximum acceptable - 100 CFU/ml TB and 50 CFU/ml total coliforms Water should be tested once per year for bacteria
Ways to sterilize water - ANS Boiling Filtration or sanitizers Chlorine, iodine, hydrogen peroxide Chlorine at 1 ppm Hydrogen peroxide at 30 ppm Higher may cause toxicity Drinkers cleaned regularly Chlorination tips - ANS Don't mix chlorine with an acid (chlorine gas) Don't mix vaccines in chlorinated water (kill vaccine) Testing minerals list - ANS Calcium Chloride Copper Iron Lead Manganese Nitrate Sulfate Zinc Sodium Minerals information - ANS Calcium will not be absorbed Some minerals in water along with the same mineral in feed may cause problems (e.g. Sodium) Bitter metallic taste (iron, manganese, sulfur, rotten egg smell) Iron supports growth of E. coli and Pseudomonas Calcium, Magnesium - water hardness Water pH - ANS Scale of 1- 1-6 acidic, 8-14 alkaline
Rodent disease - ANS Major vectors of bacteria and viruses Signs of activity close to coop Keep baiting stations or traps near coop 20-60 ft apart Rodent control principles - ANS Biology Proper construction Remove food and water Control the population Rodent biology - ANS Prolific breeders They will be near a food source They can climb up to 36" and jump up to 48" They can sneak in through opening as small as 1/4" They are active at night They tend to avoid new objects (including traps) Rodent construction - ANS Footings extend 19" to ground and extend 8" outward Use coarse steel wool, hardware cloth or sheet metal to cover entrance Eliminate hiding places and nesting sites Remove food and water use snap traps / baits, glue boards, predators, or rodenticides Darkling beetles - ANS Carriers of salmonella carriers of viruses Apply insecticide Examine used bedding and floorboard junctions for beetles Apply strong insecticide Darkling beetles scientific name - ANS Alphatobius diaperinus
Flies, mites and lice, insects - ANS Spray mites with insecticide Insects transmit diseases like avian pox virus and malaria Fly traps with bait are usually the best Mites of poultry scientific name - ANS Dermanyssus gallinae, Ornithonyssus sylviarum Common pests - ANS cats, raccoons, hawks, foxes, skunk Several birds killed, mauled but not eaten - ANS dog Several birds killed, small bites, heads eaten, neatly piled - ANS Mink or weasel Several birds killed, heads and crops eaten - ANS Raccoon One or two birds killed, mauled, abdomen eaten - ANS opossum One or two birds killed, deep marks on the head and neck - ANS owl One bird gone, feathers remain - ANS Fox or coyote Chicks killed, abdomen eaten, smell - ANS skunk Several birds gone, no clues - ANS Human Predator birds - ANS Red-tailed hawk, red-shouldered hawk, cooper's hawk, owls Predation prevention - ANS movable electric fences (stun, not kill) eliminate perch sites within 9 meters of flock use covered run use guard animals
