Poultry Science Notes on Unit 6 PDF 2022

MAHARSHTRA ANIMAL & FISHERY SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, NAGPUR Krantisinh Nana Patil College of Veterinary Science, Shirwal Dist. Satara 412 801 DEPARTMENT OF POULTRY SCIENCE CLASS NOTES...

MAHARSHTRA ANIMAL & FISHERY SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, NAGPUR Krantisinh Nana Patil College of Veterinary Science, Shirwal Dist. Satara 412 801 DEPARTMENT OF POULTRY SCIENCE CLASS NOTES ON FIRST INTERNAL ASSESSMENT PROFESSIONAL YEAR I Year, B,V,Sc. & A.H. UNIT NO: 6 PREPARED BY Dr. Vijaysinh D. Lonkar, M.V.Sc., Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Poultry Science KNPCVS, Shirwal S. N. Topics 1 Indian poultry industry – Brief outline of the different segments – poultry statistics Classification of poultry with respect to production characters, age and standards 2 Production characters of other avian species 3 Description of indigenous fowls and their value in rural farming. Specific strains developed for rural poultry production; their acceptability and importance in rural eco-system 4 Housing –Types of poultry houses – space requirements. Recent advances in housing systems and rearing systems. 5 Scavenging system of management – Low input technology – Backyard and semi-intensive units; their management and economic achievements. 6 Deep litter management – control of litter-borne diseases and recycling of litter. 7 Brooding management – Types of brooders – preparation of shed – Importance of environmental factors 8 Cage management – Different types; Advantages and disadvantages. 9 Management of growers  Indian poultry industry – Brief outline of the different 1 segments – poultry statistics Classification of poultry with respect to production characters, age and standards HISTORY OF INDIAN POULTRY INDUSTRY Historically, base and origin of poultry located in India. Scientific Poultry keeping in India - first advocated by Christian Missionaries towards the beginning of the 20th Century A.D During ancient days, they were known as Red Jungle fowl, Javan Jungle fowl, Grey Jungle fowl, Ceylone Jungle fowl. Today’s modern chicken are descendents of the wild species Red Jungle fowl found in South East Asia. In beginning of 19th century, the fowls were maintained mainly for game of cock fighting and scarifying to worship God and Goddess. Least attention was paid to their growth, egg & meat production potential. Organized & scientific poultry keeping was started by Christian missionaries from the World War II to meet the demand of meat and eggs of defense personnel. In 1930, Spencer Hatch started scientific poultry keeping in rural area around Marthandam in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu. In 1939, scientific poultry management was taken with establishment of “Central Avian Research Institute” (CARI) at Izatnagar in UP which is parent institute of Poultry research. In 1940, this institute has developed vaccine against deadly Ranikhet disease (RD). First five year plan (1951-1956) : Extension centers i.e. farms for breeding exotic breed of chicken and supplying to farmers were established under Poultry Development Programme. Hybrid layer strains - introduced into India in 1955 and broiler strains in 1961 Second five year plan (1957-1961): 4 regional “Central Poultry Breeding Farms” at Chandigarh, Mumbai, Banglore (Hessarghata) and Bhubaneshwar were started by central government to acclimatize and propagate superior genetic stock of birds from foreign countries. 30,000 chicks of WL and RIR were imported from America and were introduced in state government farms to improve poultry production. Organized effort to develop poultry in India was first started in 1957 when second five year plan was launched. Hybrid broiler strains - introduced into India in 1961 Franchise hatcheries in private sector with foreign collaboration were set up to supply high yielding hybrid chicks to poultry keeper. Indian Council of Agricultural Research also established an All-India Co-ordinated Research Projects on Poultry (AICRPP) for propagating improved exotic breeds in India. The various types of breeds, varieties and strains of chicken are regularly tested for their productive performance under independent government control and supervision called as “Random Sample Laying Test” (RSLT). The first RSLT unit was established in 1970 at Hessarghatta near Bangalore. Indian farmers have moved from rearing non-descript birds to today rearing hybrids, which ensure faster growth, good liveability, excellent feed conversion and high profits to the farmers. Today Indian poultry is one of the fastest growing segments of the agricultural. 2| I Assessment First Year B.V.Sc. & A.H. Lonkar V.D., Ph.D. BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE DIFFERENT SEGMENTS: 1. BACKYARD POULTRY SEGMENT Characterized by small flock size of 5-15 non-descript birds maintained in extensive system under zero input conditions. These flocks are maintained under free range condition by landless poor, small and marginal farmers. These birds are very popular due to their adaptability to local agro-climatic conditions and management practices with prominent brooding behaviour, mothering ability and disease resistance. But these birds are small in size, poor in egg production (40-50 eggs/annum), with small clutch size and prominent brooding behaviour. They are best suited to contribute to the economic benefits of the farmers in their respective home tracts. They are good foragers, efficient mothers, require less cost and special care to grow and thus have characteristics essential for raising poultry under village conditions. 2. RURAL POULTRY SEGMENT In this poultry keeping the improved types of birds are used by the farmers having better production potential than non-descript indigenous chicken. Improved chicken is partially reared under semi-intensive or intensive system for initial brooding period and later on shifted to extensive system of poultry production with supplementary feeding to achieve the production of 150 to 175 eggs per annum. This system requires minimum investment as compare to commercial production but helps in reducing the malnutrition and provides continuous source of income to the farmers. Small poultry holder is practically capable of more significant contribution to alleviate malnutrition, poverty and unemployment. The need for development of varieties suitable for Rural poultry production in India was visualized by poultry breeders during eighties. 3. COMMERCIAL POULTRY SEGMENT In this type of poultry production, high yielding strains are used which require scientific management. This system requires high capital. The inputs are high as well as output from this type of farming is high. This system characterised by mass production of egg or meat in very small area as compare to earlier two segments. Intensive system of poultry production is followed in commercial poultry production. Under the intensive system the birds are reared Deep litter methods or in Cages. 3| I Assessment First Year B.V.Sc. & A.H. Lonkar V.D., Ph.D. POULTRY STATISTICS Particular Egg Meat Total Poultry Population Total : 851.81 million, Commercial poultry population : 543.74 million, Rural poultry population : 317.07 million Total Market Value of Indian INR 1.71 Billion in Poultry 2021 India’s Rank 3rd ( China 1st ) 5th ( USA 1st ) India’s total production 114.38 billion 4.34 Metric tonnes eggs/annum (More than 50% of total meat production) Egg production from commercial poultry: 95.17 billion (83.20% of total egg production), Egg production from backyard poultry: 19.21 billion (16.80% of total egg production) Annual growth rate 10.19 % -6.93% Per capita availability in India 86 eggs 3.8 kg Per capita Recommendations 180 eggs 11 kg meat of NIN Export share of Poultry Products for the year 2020-21: 0.29 percent Number of poultry birds Slaughtered for Meat Production in 2019-20: 2.82 billion Percentage of the World Livestock Present in India: 3.1 percent Livestock contribution to national GDP : 5.2% Livestock contribution to agricultural GDP: 28.26% Poultry contribution to national GDP: 1 % Poultry Contribution to agricultural GDP: 12-15% Species Wise Egg Contribution to Total Egg Production in India Species Percentage of Total Eggs Improved fowl 88.03 per cent Desi fowl 10.89 per cent Desi duck 0.86 per cent Improved duck 0.21 per cent Highest growth rate in egg production: Rajasthan (62.27%) 4| I Assessment First Year B.V.Sc. & A.H. Lonkar V.D., Ph.D. Species Wise Meat Contribution to Total Meat Production in India Species Percentage of Total Meat Poultry 50.50 per cent Buffalo 18.43 per cent Goat 13.72 per cent Sheep 8.94 per cent Pig 4.82 per cent Cattle 3.59 per cent INDIA : 19 desi chicken breeds, 2 duck breeds, 1 Goose breed PERFORMANCE OF MODERN COMMERCIAL LAYER Day old layer chick weight : 32-35 g Feed consumption 0-8 Weeks : 1.6 Kilogram 9-12 Weeks : 5.8 Kilogram 21-72 Weeks : 40 Kilogram Body weight th 8 week : 510 g th 20 Week : 1250 g nd 72 Week : 1450 g Age at laying : 17 weeks Feed consumption during laying : 110-112 g Average egg production : 330/bird Mortality 0-8 weeks : 4% 9-20 weeks : 3% 21-72 weeks : 8% Egg numbers – increased Manure - from 270 to 340 eggs production : between 1970 to 2020 47 Kilogram/bird Average increase - 1.8 eggs/year Over the past 50 years ✓ egg production / hen increased over 64% ✓ egg mass per hen by 83% ✓ Amount of feed consumed/ g of egg produced decreased by over 20%. PERFORMANCE OF MODERN COMMERCIAL BROILER Day-old Body weight : 50-55g Rearing period : 42 days (6 weeks) Total Feed consumption : 3.8-4 kg (Prestarter 0.3kg, Starter 0.9 kg, Finisher 2.8kg ) Body weight : 2.2 – 2.3 kg Feed Conversion Ratio : 1.5 – 1.6 Mortality :4% 5| I Assessment First Year B.V.Sc. & A.H. Lonkar V.D., Ph.D.  2 Production characters of other avian species Production System for Desi/ Native Chicken 1. Reared under extensive rearing & sometimes chicks under intensive system 2. Reared up to four weeks intensively and then allow scavenging 3. Crude fiber in the feed is more critical factor 4. Top dressing with greens is essential 5. Reared for meat purpose mainly 6. Eggs are used for consumption or producing chicks Production Characters of Desi/ Native Chicken ▪ Marketing age : 12 -14 weeks ▪ Marketing weight : 1.0 – 1.1 kg ▪ Feed efficiency : 3.5 – 4 ▪ Livability : 85 - 90 % ▪ Dressing yield : 60 – 65% ▪ Small scale production in rural areas ▪ Marketed in the farm door step itself ▪ Colibacillosis and coccidiosis are the major problems ▪ Ranikhet disease & Fowl pox are seen if not vaccinated. Newly Improved Strains 1. Interventions to improve backyard chicken rearing 2. Multi coloured chicken suitable for free range 3. Higher demand and preference for brown shelled eggs 4. Necessitates large scale colour feathered day-old chicks 5. They are suitable for both intensive and backyard system 6. They are non-broody and lays egg continuously 7. Mostly reared for dual purpose 8. Managemental procedure are similar to that of commercials Production Characters Improved Birds Intensive Rearing ▪ Mainly reared under pen & run or deep litter system ▪ Care and management are similar to commercial chicken ▪ Marketing age : 10 – 12 weeks ▪ Marketing weight : 2 – 2.5 kg ▪ FCR : 2.5 – 3 ▪ Livability : 90 - 92% ▪ Fetches lesser price than native chicken but better than broilers ▪ Females are reared for egg purpose – Brown shelled eggs ▪ Produce 150 -180 eggs in a year ▪ Care and management is similar to commercials with few changes Production System of Commercial Poultry 1. Intensive rearing - Large flock size in smaller area 6| I Assessment First Year B.V.Sc. & A.H. Lonkar V.D., Ph.D.  2. Critical care and specific management practices 3. Bio-security & specific vaccination programs 4. Specific birds for specific purpose are reared separately of separate farms. 5. Continuous demand but still fluctuating market prices DUCK 1. Ducks thrive well in marshy and water logged areas 2. Ducks can be reared in foraging system with feed supplement 3. Duck eggs and meat contain more of omega-3 fatty acids 4. Well suited for second and third year of egg production 5. More scientific work on integrated production systems Production Performance of Egg Type of Duck ▪ Age at first egg: 120 days ▪ Age at 50 % production: 140 days ▪ Annual egg production: 300 eggs ▪ Egg weight at 40 weeks: 66 g ▪ Body weight at 40 weeks: 1.8 kg ▪ Daily feed consumption per bird: 120 - 150 g ▪ Duckling mortality: 2 - 3 % (0 - 8 weeks) ▪ Grower mortality: 0.2 - 0.5 % (0 - 20 weeks) ▪ Adult mortality: 5 – 7 % ( 20 - 72 weeks) Production Performance of Meat Type of Duck ▪ Day-old weight: 60 g ▪ Body weight at 4 weeks: 1.2 - 1.4 kg ▪ Body weight at 6 weeks: 2.0 - 2.2 kg ▪ Feed consumption up to 6 weeks: 4.5 - 4.75 kg ▪ Mortality (0-6 weeks): 2 - 3 percent TURKEY 1. More disease resistant than chicken 2. Suitable for free range, semi intensive and intensive system 3. Grow well in all agro climatic conditions 4. Requires very limited critical care 5. Meat is tender, tastier with less fat 6. Meat as festive food fetches premium price 7. Good foragers Production Performance of Meat Type Turkey ▪ Marketing age : 12 - 16 weeks ▪ Market weight : 3 – 4 kg ▪ Feed efficiency : 3.5 – 4.0 ▪ Livability: 90- 92% ▪ Deep litter system is well suited ▪ Can be reared in pen & run system Production Performance of Breeder Turkey ▪ Age at sexual maturity at 28 - 30 weeks ▪ Sex ratio - 1 : 5 7| I Assessment First Year B.V.Sc. & A.H. Lonkar V.D., Ph.D.  ▪ Hatching egg production upto one year ▪ Egg production – 100-120 per year ▪ Hatchability - 50-55% ▪ 50-60 poults per hen ▪ Breeder house livability > 90% GUINEA FOWL 1. Hardy bird 2. Suitable to any agro-climatic condition 3. Resistant to many common diseases of chicken 4. No requirement of elaborate and expensive housing 5. Excellent foraging capabilities 6. Consumes all non-conventional feed not used in chicken feeding 7. More tolerant to mycotoxin and aflatoxin 8. Hard egg shell provides minimum breakage and long keeping quality 9. Guinea fowl meat is rich in vitamin and low in cholesterol Production Performance of Guinea Fowl ▪ Age at sexual maturity 36-38 weeks ▪ Egg production 60-100eggs/season ▪ Sex ratio 1:4-5 ▪ Varieties Pearl, White, Levander ▪ Young one is called Keet ▪ Body weight at 8 wks 500-560 g ▪ Body weight at 12 wks 950-1000 g ▪ Incubation period 28 days ▪ Average egg weight 48 g ▪ Breeding season March & September ▪ Average fertility 70-75 % ▪ Average hatchability 70-80 % JAPANESE QUAIL 1. Japanese quail can be reared in deep litter or cage system 2. The required much less floor space. 3. Marketing age for meat purpose - 5 weeks of age. 4. Meat is delicacy and has medicinal properties 5. Start laying eggs – from 6 weeks. 6. Eggs are sold in processed forms like pickles. 7. Japanese quail are comparatively more resistant to diseases than chickens and do not normally require any vaccination 8. Because of their smaller body size, maintenance is easier and recurring costs are also less. Production Performance of Layer Quail ▪ Age at sexual maturity - 42 days ▪ Age at 50% egg production - 48 days ▪ Peak egg production - 100 % ▪ HDEP (Above 95%) - 10 - 33 wk ▪ HDEP (90-94%) - 34 - 45 wk ▪ Economical rearing period - up to 52 wk ▪ Average egg weight - 13 g 8| I Assessment First Year B.V.Sc. & A.H. Lonkar V.D., Ph.D.  ▪ Avg. feed consumption /bird /day (during lay) - 33 - 34 g ▪ Feed consumption per dozen egg produced - 416 g ▪ Feed efficiency per kg egg produced - 2.63 ▪ Livability (From 6 to 52 wks of age) – 95.0 % Production Performance of Broiler Quail Marketed at the age between 25 and 28 days Approximate market weight – 200 gram Cumulative Body weight Week Feed consumption Feed conversion ratio (g) (g) 1 – Week 40 53 1.7 2 – Week 95 163 1.9 3 – Week 157 311 2.1 4 – Week 212 487 2.4 5 – Week 263 737 2.9 EMU Origin Australia Average adult weight 55 kg Average adult height 1.75 m Reared for Skin, meat, fat, feathers Sex ratio 1:3 Hatching eggs/dam/year 50 (1 season) Chicks/dam/year 30 Egg weight 700 g Chicks weight at hatch 450 g Incubation period 52 days Shell color Dark green Meat protein content 20.5 % Meat cholesterol level 62 mg/100 g OSTRICH Origin Africa Average adult height 2.25 m Total breedable age 2-40 years Age at sexual maturity 2 years Reared for Skin, meat, feathers Sex ratio 1:2 Hatching eggs/dam/year 80 (2 season) Chicks/dam/year 50 Egg weight 1.5 kg Chicks weight at hatch 1 kg Incubation period 42 days Shell color Light brown Meat protein content 21.9 % Meat cholesterol level 59 mg/100 g 9| I Assessment First Year B.V.Sc. & A.H. Lonkar V.D., Ph.D.  Description of indigenous fowls and their value in rural farming. Specific strains developed for rural poultry 3 production; their acceptability and importance in rural eco-system TRADITIONAL BACKYARD SYSTEMS Unimproved backyard system Improved backyard system Use of low-input, low producing Use of genetically improved birds native birds Regular water, supplementary Natural Brooding by Hen feeding with scavenging Scavenging Improved shelter No regular water or feed supply Care of chicks in the early age by Little or poor night shelter artificial brooding No vaccination and medication Deworming Vaccination against prevalent diseases Description of Indigenous Fowls Breed Breeds and distribution area Characteristics Type Heavy Aseel (Central India) Body weight Type Chittgong (Eastern India) Male - >=3.0 kg Daothigiri (Assam) Female - >=2.0 kg. Danki (Andhra Pradesh) Egg Production : 30-60 eggs Ghagus (Karnataka) Tellichary (Kerala) Punjab Brown (Punjab) Light Ankaleshwar (Gujrat) Body weight Type Busra (Gujrat, Maharashtra) Male - 1.6- 2.0 kg Hirranghatta Black (West Bengal) Female - 0.9- 1.4 kg Kadaknath (Madhya Pradesh) Egg Production : 40 - 90 eggs Kashmir Faverrolla (Kashmir) Miri (Assam) Naked neck (West Coast) Nicobari (Andaman Nicobar) Kalasathi (Andhra Pradesh) Tani, Titri (Uttar Pradesh) Source: Khan (2008) Recently Registered Breeds Mewari (Rajasthan) Kaunayen (Manipur) Hansli (Odisa) Uttara (Uttarakhand) 10 | I Assessment First Year B.V.Sc. & A.H. Lonkar V.D., Ph.D. Morphological Characteristics of Indigenous fowl 1. Body weight - Three variants have been distinguished i.e. dwarf, normal and heavy body weights. 2. Plumage pigmentation - mainly blackish and brownish colours showing mixture of colours. 3. Plumage distribution - mainly normal with special forms such as naked neck, frizzle type. 4. Comb- single comb is common but rose, pea and walnut are also found. 5. Shank and skin - pigmented showing green and blue variants. In addition to this melanin deposition in skin, meat, internal organs and bones in some breeds (e.g. Kadaknath ) are also encountered. Value of Indigenous Fowl in Rural Areas 1. Provides subsidiary income to the rural families 2. Can be easily adapted even by poor families with very low investment. 3. Even illiterates can adopt it as it requires much less skill. 4. Native chicken are more sturdy and well adapted to local climatic conditions. 5. Can be sustained entirely on free range rearing 6. Both eggs and meat of native chicken fetch more price compared to those of commercial hybrids, as they occupy specific market segment. 7. They help to improve the nutritional status of rural poor. 8. Rural people have a traditional affinity towards native chicken and are well versed with its husbandry practices. Indigenous fowl are superior over exotic birds due to its following distinguished characteristics: 1. Multicolored plumage. 2. Broodiness character- self propagation. 3. Self-defense : alertness, light body weight, longer shank length, camouflage and aggressiveness. 4. Acclimatize to poor housing, poor management and poor feeding. 5. Adaptable to stress. 6. Meat from native fowl : higher A.A contents (arginine and lysine) than exotic birds meat 7. Brown-shelled eggs of native fowl are rich in threonine and valine than farm eggs and fetch premium price. 8. The major genes are virtually absent in the high yielding exotic breeds but available in our indigenous breeds of chicken. Important tropical oriented major genes identified in Indian native chicken: 1. Slow feathering (K), 2. Non-inhibitor dermal melanin (id), 3. Fibro-melanosis (Fm), 4. Naked neck (Na) 5. Frizzling (F) 6. Dwarf (dw) 7. Silky (h) 11 | I Assessment First Year B.V.Sc. & A.H. Lonkar V.D., Ph.D.  Gene Nature of Direct effect Side effect Inheritance dw (dwarf) Sex linked, Reduction in body Reduced metabolism, recessive, size 10-30% improved fitness and disease multiple allelic tolerance Na (Naked neck) Incomplete Loss of Neck Improved ability for dominant feathers, Reduction convection, Improved adult of secondary fitness feathers F (Frizzle) Incomplete Curling of feathers, Improved ability for dominant reduced feathering convection h (Silky) Recessive delicate shaft, long Improved ability for barbs at the contour convection feathers K (Slow Dominant, sex Delay of feathering Reduced protein requirement, feathring) linked, multiple increased heat loss during allelic early growth. id (Non Inhibitor Recessive, sex Dermal melanin Improved ability for of dermal linked, multiple deposition on skin radiation from shank and melanin) allelic and shank skin Fm Dominant Melanin deposition Protection of skin against UV (Fibromelenosis) on all over body, radiation, improved radiation muscles and nerves, from the skin, increased pack tendons, mesentery cell volume and plasma and blood vessel protein walls Egg Type Strains Developed for Rural Poultry Production Name of hybrid Type Feather pattern Place of origin Egg type Cari-Nirbheek Aseel x Delhem Red Brownish Cari-Shyama Kadaknath x Delhem Red Brown Cari-Devendra synthetic broiler line x Rhode Graded Brown Island Red Central Avian Research Institute, Upcari Frizzel x Delhem Red Multi Colour Izatnagar Hitcari Naked Neck x Delhem Red Brown 12 | I Assessment First Year B.V.Sc. & A.H. Lonkar V.D., Ph.D. Cari-Sonali WLH x RIR Whitish Brown Cari-Priya Superior male and female White lines of White Leghorn Grampriya Random bred control Whitish Brown Directorate on population x White Leghorn Poultry Research, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh Gramsree WLH x RIR Whitish Brown Kerala Veterinary Animal Sciences University, Pookot, Kerala Performance of Meat Type Strains Parameters Body Dressing Livability Feed Egg weight at percentage percentage conversion production 7-10 weeks ratio (6 (kg) weeks) Giriraja 1.3 - 1.4 - 95 - 98 2.4 120-150/500 days Vanaraja 1.12 - 1.57 - 95 - 98 - 147 eggs /annum Gramalakshmi 1.7 - >96 - 180-200 eggs Caribro-Vishal 2.0 - 2.2 75-80 % 97-98 1.7 - 2.10 - Cari-Rainbro 1.6 73 % 98-99 2.3 - Caribro- 2.0 - 2.2 80 % 96-98 1.75 - 2.10 - Dhanraja Caribro- 1.8 - 2.0 75-77 % 97-98 1.7 - 2.10 - Mritunjai Caribro- 1.8 74 % 97.0 1.9 - Tropicana Source: Ayyagari, 2001; Singh, 2002; Khan, 2008 Performance of Egg Type Strains TRAIT Cari- Cari Hitcar Upcar Cari- Cari- Gramapriy Nirbhee Shyam i i Priya Sonal a k a i Body weights at 20 1800- 1800- 1800- 1600- - - 1200 weeks (g)- Male 2000 2000 2000 1900 Body weights at 20 1200- 1050- 1200- 1185- - - weeks (g)-Female 1400 1200 1400 1300 13 | I Assessment First Year B.V.Sc. & A.H. Lonkar V.D., Ph.D.  Age at sexual 174 167 168 162 17 to 18 to maturity (days) 18 19 week weeks s Annual egg 160-180 180- 180- 190- > 298 > 280 180-200* production (numbe 200 200 210 r) Egg weight at 40 53 54 59 58 57 54 53-55 weeks (g) Survivability (%) 90-95 90-95 >90 >90 96 96 >96 after 6 weeks Source: Ayyagari, 2001; Singh, 2002; Khan, 2008 Importance of newly developed strains in rural ecosystem 1. Interventions to improve backyard chicken rearing leads to the development of improved varieties / cross bred chicken production. 2. Consumer preference in multi coloured chicken 3. Higher demand and preference for brown shelled eggs 4. They are suitable for both intensive and back yard system 5. They are non broody and lays egg more than native fowls 6. Mostly reared for dual purpose 7. Managemental procedure are similar to that of commercials 14 | I Assessment First Year B.V.Sc. & A.H. Lonkar V.D., Ph.D.  Housing –Types of poultry houses – space requirements. 4 Recent advances in housing systems and rearing systems. Need for Poultry House 1. To protect birds from adverse climatic conditions 2. To ensure easy and economic operation 3. To ensure scientific feeding in a controlled manner 4. To facilitate proper micro-climatic conditions in the near vicinity of bird 5. For effective disease control measures 6. To ensure proper supervision Housing accounts for most of the fixed capital of poultry farm. Location of Poultry House: 1. Poultry house should be located away from residential and industrial area. 2. It should have proper road facilities 3. It should have the basic amenities like water and electricity. 4. Availability of farm labourers at relatively cheaper wages. 5. Poultry house should be located in an elevated area and there should not be any water- logging. 6. It should have proper ventilation. CLASSIFICATION OF POULTRY HOUSING SYSTEM: 1. Free Range system (Backyard housing) Extensive system 2. Semi-Intensive system. 3. Intensive system: i) Deep litter ii) Cage rearing iii) Slat system iv) High rise housing v) Environmentally controlled housing 1. FREE RANGE SYSTEM (Backyard system): Rearing of poultry by letting them loose on ground (field) called as range in limited area (fenced) is known as free range system. The system is adapted only when adequate land is available to ensure desired stocking density by avoiding crowding. A range should provide shelter, greens, feed, water, shade room for safety. Foraging is major source of feeding for birds. Shelter is usually provided by temporary roofing. All types and categories of bird can be reared by this system. The average stocking density of adult birds in this system is 250 birds per hectare. Scientific managemental practices cannot be followed because there is no control over the birds. The system is not practiced in India for commercial rearing but used for backyard poultry keeping in villages for country hens.120 x 90 x 60 cm space is sufficient for 10 layers. 15 | I Assessment First Year B.V.Sc. & A.H. Lonkar V.D., Ph.D.  Advantages: 1. Saving of feed. 2. No labour requirement for management. 3. Equipments are hardly used. 4. Less expensive 5. Birds get benefit of enough sunlight. 6. Bone development relatively better. Disadvantages: 1. Easy disease outbreak. 2. More space is required. 3. Ectoparasite infestations due to dirty night shelter. 4. There may be a chance of Zoonotic disease. To Improve Backyard Rearing: 1. Exotic breeds can be introduced for backyard rearing. 2. Night shelter should be cleaned and ventilated. 3. Spray ectoparasiticides in and around shelter. 4. Provide certain quantity of balance feed. 5. Vaccination of birds with regular interval to avoid disease outbreaks. 2. SEMI-INTENSIVE SYSTEM: As the name indicates birds are half-way reared in houses and half way on ground or range, i.e. birds are continued to house in night or as per need they are also given access to runs. The success of rearing depends on maintenance of condition of runs to reduce the contamination. The floor of this ground may be made up of pressed gravel or murum having slope towards runs, away from house. The stocking density rate on an average for adults is 750 birds per hectare. Generally growers and cocks are maintained in this system. Layers are not reared because eggs laid in run area may be taken by the predators. For 150-200 birds a night shelter of 25m2 and run area of 500m2 will be sufficient. In this system there is only slight control over birds and scientific management practices cannot be applied. To some extent this system is adopted for duck rearing. The feeding and watering facilities are provided in houses. 3. INTENSIVE SYSTEM: Birds are totally confined to houses either on ground/floor or on wire-netting floor in cages. It is the most efficient, convenient and economical system for modern poultry production for bigger strengths. Advantages of Intensive system: 1. Minimum land is required for farming which save the cost of initial and basic investment. 2. Day-to-day management is easy which saves labour. About 5000 to 10,000 birds can be managed by one labour depending upon extent of automation. 3. The productive performance is higher as more energy is available for production due to restricted movements. 4. Scientific management, practices for breeding, feeding medications culling etc. can be applied easily and accurately due to full control over the birds. 16 | I Assessment First Year B.V.Sc. & A.H. Lonkar V.D., Ph.D.  5. Sick birds can be detected, isolated and treated easily. 6. Infrastructure facilities and investment are efficiently used to get maximum output. i) Deep Litter System: (open sided poultry house): The bedding materials like rice husk, sawdust, and groundnut bulk or sugarcane baggase called litter are used it rear birds on floor. The depth of litter is around 5 cm for chicks and 7 to 10 cm for growers and layers. Due to this depth the system is called as deep litter system. When droppings of birds get mixed with litter, decomposition takes place due to heat and bacterial action. These results in enrichment of litter with some of nutrients like vitamin B2 and animal protein factor (ADF) which is useful for birds. Therefore after such enrichment of litter for some period, it is called :built up litter” with continuation of this process for considerable longer period the percentage (quality) of droppings in litter becomes more and it gets converted into fertile manure which is useful for increasing fertility of soil. The manure is removed from the house along with disposal of batch of birds in house, which is usually 1.5 to 2 months in broilers, 5 months in chicks and growers and one year in layers and breeders. Size : Each broiler require one square foot of floor space while a layer requires two square feet of floor space under deep-litter system of rearing. So the size of the house depends on the number of birds to be reared. Length: The length of the house can be of any extent. The number of birds reared and availability of the land determines the length of poultry house. Width : The open sided poultry houses in tropical countries should have a width not more than 22 to 25 feet in order to allow ample ventilation and aeration at the mid-portion. Sheds wider than this will not provide adequate ventilation during the hot weather. If the width of the shed is more than 25 feet, ridge ventilation at the middle line of the roof top with proper overhang is a must. Hot air and obnoxious gases which are lighter than air move upward and escape through ridge ventilation. In environmentally controlled poultry houses, the width of the house may be even 40 feet or more since the ventilation is controlled with the help of exhaust fans. Height : The height of the sides from foundation to the roof line should be 6 to 7 feet (eaves height) and at the centre 10 to 12 feet. Foundation: Good foundation is essential to prevent seepage of water into the poultry sheds. The foundation of the house should be of concrete with 1 to 1.5 feet below the surface and 1 to 1.5 feet above the ground level. Floor : The floor should be made of concrete with rat proof device and free from dampness. The floor of the house should be extended 1.5 feet outside the wall on all sides to prevent rat and snake problems. Doors : The door must be open outside in case of deep-litter poultry houses.The size of door is preferably 6 x 2.5 feet. At the entry, a foot bath should be constructed to fill with a disinfectant. Side walls: The side wall should be of 1-1.5 feet height, and generally at the level of bird’s back height. This side wall protects the bird during rainy days or chill climate and also provides sufficient ventilation. In case of cage houses, no side wall is needed. 17 | I Assessment First Year B.V.Sc. & A.H. Lonkar V.D., Ph.D. Roof : The roof of the poultry house may be thatched, tiled, asbestos or concrete one depending upon the cost involvement. Different types of roofs are Shed, Gable, half-monitor, full-monitor (Monitor), Flat concrete, Gambrel, Gothic etc. Monitor type is mostly preferred in tropical countries like India. Overhang : The overhang of the roof should not be less than 3.5 feet in order to prevent the entry of rain water into the shed. Lighting: Light should be provided at 7-8 feet above the ground level and must be hanged from ceiling. If incandescent bulbs are used, the interval between two bulbs is 10 feet. In case of fluorescent lights (tube lights) the interval is 15 feet. 18 | I Assessment First Year B.V.Sc. & A.H. Lonkar V.D., Ph.D. Advantages: 1. Litter materials absorb moisture. 2. It provides dust bath to bird which decrease the ectoparasite and decrease body temperature. 3. Removal of droppings easy. 4. Provides vit.B2 and Animal protein factor (APF) to birds. 5. “Built up litter” a very good organic fertilizer. Disadvantages: 1. More litter born diseases like coccidiosis. 2. More expensive than backyard and semi intensive system. ii) Cage Rearing System: This system involves rearing of poultry on raised wire netting floor in smaller compartments of wire netting called cages, either fitted on stands on floor of house or hanged to the roof. Depending upon the arrangement of cages different types of cages are: a) Reverse Cages or Stair step or Californious Cages: The compartments are arranged stepwise in two or three tires on stands in two or three rows were droppings may fall on ground or in deep pit under cages. The droppings are removed once in 6 months or after 12 months along with disposal of layer batch. Double strength of birds can be accommodated in the same space in this type of cages as compared to deep litter. b) Battery cages/Vertical cages: The compartment of cages arranged one above the other on stands with tray or shit belts under the compartment for collection of droppings in two or three rows. The droppings are preferably removed everyday or at least on alternate day in this system. roughly triple strength of birds can be housed as compared to deep litter system. c) Flat Deek Cages: This is the single tier cage system popularly used for rearing chicks up to 8 weeks. Depending upon the type of bird housed the different cages are: Sr.No Type of cages Age 1 Brooder cages 0-6 weeks 2 Grower cages 7-18 weeks 3 Layer cages 18 and above Depending upon the number of bird housed the different cages are: a) Single bird Cage: 25 x 38 x 38 cm Used to know pedigree For research work. To know production performance of individual bird. b) Multiple bird cages: 45 x 38 x 38 cm Generally 3-4 birds housed (less than 10 birds) Ideal for commercial layer farming. Used for production of table eggs. c) Colony cage: 1. Generally more than 10 birds (20 -40 birds) can be housed. 19 | I Assessment First Year B.V.Sc. & A.H. Lonkar V.D., Ph.D.  Advantages of Cage Rearing: 1. Space and land required in lowest than any other type of rearing. 2. Birds are under complete control. 3. Accurate records of individual bird can be maintained which is helpful in efficient breeding programme. 4. Inspection and culling is easy. 5. Less chances of disease spread. 6. Labour is most efficiently utilized. 7. Nutrients are better utilized. 8. Better performance and feed efficiency. 9. Egg eating is largely prevented. 10. Clean egg production is obtained. 11. Scientific management practices in respect to feeding, watering, and breeding; health care can be adopted easily. 12. Uniform growth of birds and less stress on birds. 13. Breakage of eggs is reduced to minimum. 14. The cost of litter and litter management problems are totally elimated. 3) Slat system: It can be all Slat or Slat and litter system. a) All Slat system: In this system the floor will be raised with wooden slats. The requirement of floor space per bird on all slat floors is considerably less than the requirement on all litter floors. Generally recommended for commercial layers. Since floor is raised there is no chance of litter born disease. Slats are wooden pieces of 2.5-5 cm wide and placed 2.5cm apart, running through the length of the building. If wire is used instead of slats it should have a mesh size 2.5-5 cm. The slats may be placed 3 feet above the floor of the house to allow enough space below the slats for a years droppings to accumulate. Advantages 1. Less floor space per bird is needed when compared to solid floor system. 2. Bedding is eliminated 3. Manure handling is avoided 4. Increased sanitation 5. Saving in labour 6. Soil borne infection is controlled Disadvantages 1. Higher initial cost than conventional solid floors 2. Less flexibility in the use of the building 3. Any spilled feed is lost through the slots 4. More fly problem. b) Slat and Litter System: Usually about 60% of the floor area is covered with slats and 40% with litter. This system is advantageous for broiler breeders and also can be used for growers. Slats can be placed on either side of the house against each sidewall leaving the central portion for litter floor. This will not only avoid wetting of litter during rain, but also helps to handle all operations on the slat from central area. An alternate system is placing the slat in the centre and having litter floor on either side lengthwise of the building. This is more common in environmentally controlled houses. 20 | I Assessment First Year B.V.Sc. & A.H. Lonkar V.D., Ph.D. Advantages 1. More eggs can be produced per unit of floor space than all solid floors. 2. Fertility is better with the slat cum litter house than with the all-slat house. Disadvantages 1. Housing investment is higher with the slat cum litter house than with the all-litter house. 2. The separation of birds from the manure beneath the slats commonly results in fly problems. 4) HIGH RISE HOUSES: It is essentially a two storied house. The top floor is for birds in cages or slat. The bottom floor is without ceiling and is used for accumulating manure. Each floor is about 2 meter height. Most of the high rise houses are environmentally controlled. Adequate ventilation must be ensured not only for birds comfort but droppings to dry up. 5) ENVIRONMENTALLY CONTROLLED HOUSING SYSTEM: Concept of environment controlled houses is relevant only in cold and hot dry climate, whereas tropical, subtropical areas open sided houses are preferred. A controlled environmental house is one in which inside condition are maintained as near as possible to the birds requirements. For this completely enclosed insulated house with no window is preferred. Air is removed by exhaust fans and fresh air brought in through intake opening. Inside temperature is controlled by suitable devices. Artificial light is used to illuminate the interior. Much of the structural design of environmentally controlled houses are similar to open sided houses, but for the following modifications. a) Insulation is mandatory-both onside and top. b) No need of lengthy overhang. c) The width of the house can be greater than open sided houses since mechanical devices are used for ventilating the house. Advantages: 1. Per square feet yield can be improved up to 24 kg per annum as compared to 8 kg per annum in conventional system. 2. The mortality can be reduced from 8-10% to 2% in environmentally controlled house. 3. Feed conversion ratio is substantially improved. 4. Number of birds that can be housed in environmentally controlled houses is three times more than that of conventional houses. 5. The production cycle in environmentally controlled houses is quite regular throughout the year without break whereas in open shed there is break during summer month. 21 | I Assessment First Year B.V.Sc. & A.H. Lonkar V.D., Ph.D. SPACE REQUIREMENTS FOR DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS Floor space requirement for LAYER CHICKEN IN CAGES: Sr.No Age Floor space/bird 1 0-6 weeks 30 sq”=213cm2 = 0.30 sq.ft 2 7-18 weeks 45sq”=290 cm2 =0.50 sq.ft 3 18 and above 60 sq”=465 cm2 = 0.65 sq ft Floor space, feeder space and water space requirement for LAYER CHICKEN IN DEEP LITTER HOUSING : Sr.No Age Floor space/bird Feeder Water space space /bird /bird 1 0-8 week 0.60 sq.ft (50-66cm2 ) 5 cm 1.5 cm 2 9-18 week 1.5 sq.ft (950 cm2) 6.5 -10 cm 1.5 -2.5cm 3 19 -72 weeks 2.50 sq.ft (1800-2200 cm2) 12-15cm 2.5 cm Floor space, feeder space and water space requirement for LAYER CHICKEN IN CAGE HOUSING : Sr.No Age Floor space/bird 1 0-8 week 0.30 sq.ft 2 9-18 week 0..50 sq.ft 3 19 -72 weeks 0.65 sq.ft Floor space feeder space and water space requirement for BROILER CHICKEN IN DEEP LITTER HOUSING Sr.No Age Floor space/ Feeder space/ Waterer space / broiler broiler broiler 1 0.5 sq.ft. 2 Up to 18 days 450 cm 3 cm 1.5 cm 2 From 19 days to 1.0-1.25 sq.ft. 6-7 cm 3 cm 42 days Floor space, feeder space and water space requirements of LAYER QUAILS IN CAGES SYSTEM Sr.No Age Floor space/bird Feeder space Water space /bird /bird 1 0-3 week 75 cm2 2 cm 1 cm 2 4-5 week 110 cm2 2.5 cm 1.5 cm 3 6-72 weeks 150 cm2 3 cm 2 cm 22 | I Assessment First Year B.V.Sc. & A.H. Lonkar V.D., Ph.D. Floor space, feeder space and water space requirements of DUCKS IN DEEP LITTER HOUSING SYSTEM Sr.No Age Floor space/bird Feeder space Water space /bird /bird 1 0-4 week 0.045-0.068 m2 1.4 cm 1.20 cm 2 4-6 week 0.09-0.113 m2 2.00 cm 1.80 cm 3 6-10 weeks 0.18-0.20 m2 3.5 cm 2.00cm 4 10-16 weeks 0.20-0.25 m2 10 cm 5.00 cm 5 17 and above weeks 1.20-1.60 m2 10 cm 5.00 cm Floor space, feeder space and water space requirements of TURKEY IN DEEP LITTER HOUSING SYSTEM Sr No Age Floor Space Feeder Space Waterer (Sq.Ft) (cms) Space (cms) 1 0-4 weeks 1.25 2.5 1.5 2 5-16 weeks 2.5 5.0 2.5 3 16-29 weeks 4.0 6.5 2.5 REARING SYSTEMS FOR POULTRY REARING SYSTEMS FOR BROILERS :- 1. All in All out System: The most practical program for broilers rearing has the use of all in all out system. The farm will have only one batch of broilers. Belonging to the same batch at any time. Although more than one brooder house may be within the enclosure the chicks should be similar age, the oldest being no more than 7 days older than the younger.In addition, the flock should be originate from a single source whenever possible earning from a common parent flock located on farm. Vaccination and other programs is complex when chicks are not of similar age and source. All the chicks should be started from same week, later all should be removed from the house at approximately same time this program gives rise to the term. All in All out system, meaning that all chicks placed in the houses at one time. Another group of chick is not to be placed in the house until all the older birds removed out and the premises cleaned. This provide period when there are no chicks with the enclosure, thus breaking of any cycle of diseases infection. Advantages: More sanitary and hygienic. Easy to control and break disease cycle during down time. Due to lesser problem there will be low mortality. Faster growth rate, better feed efficiency and higher net income per bird. Disadvantages: Uneven distribution of work. the work load, type of work and farm routine are not uniform. 23 | I Assessment First Year B.V.Sc. & A.H. Lonkar V.D., Ph.D.  Needs more equipment, 2 or 3 different sized feeders and waterers are used and all birds will be in a single lot. Moreover the equipment unsuitable for the particular age group. Since there is only one batch which does not need the entire space at the belonging and different sized equipment at a time there will be less efficient utilization of houses and equipment. Not economical for cage rearing and large size farms. 2. Multiple Batch System: Although in a past it has been more profitable to keep one age broilers on farm. Recent advances in isolation and disease control have made it possible to keep chicks of several ages in the same farm and there are now many good operations following this procedure. But the system calls for expert management, the program is not for the advice. Multiple batch system rearing of more than one batch of chicks at anytime with a Batch interval of 1 to 4 weeks. Here the farmers will be buying day older broiler chicks and selling grown up broiler at weekly, fortnightly, once in 3 weeks or at Monthly intervals the chicks are reared for eight weeks of age or until they attain the desired body weight and sold for table. Depending on the batch interval and growing period it consist of 2 to 8 batches of chicks. Therefore this system called multiple batch system. Fir weekly system 10 sheds are needed. Biweekly system 5 sheds are needed. For monthly system 3 sheds are needed. Advantages: Need lesser equipment because the brooders, chick guards and small sized equipment used for the new batch and older batch will be utilizing medium and larger sized equipment without idling of equipment of any size. Better utilization of space broilers reared in smaller sized brooders houses can be later moved to bigger sized house and there will be 25% saving in the housing cost and about 50% saving in the equipment cost. More suitable and economical for cage rearing and large size farm also. Disadvantages: Less sanitary, difficult to break the disease cycle, unless different batches if chicks are maintained in different houses. Infection, leading to poor growth, feed efficiency and lower net income per bird. Due to more disease problems there will be higher mortality, sub clinical. 3. Six Batch System: Further, more small and medium farms following multiple batch system, can divide the broiler house in to three compartment namely grower and finisher pens, with 1/3,2/3 and 1 sq.ft floor space per bird, respectively and rear broilers in each compartment for 15 to 20 days. This system will further reduce the overall floor space per bird in 2/3rd sq.ft only. But for each batch the shed has to be cleaned three times, since they are shifted to three different pens. If proper cleaning is carried out, this system is more economical. Two such sets of triple pen houses will serve for six batches, where they can be reared for a maximum of about 60 days. 24 | I Assessment First Year B.V.Sc. & A.H. Lonkar V.D., Ph.D.  All-in-all-out system (Single batch) Multiple batch system system More sanitary and hygienic, easy to Less sanitary, difficult to break the 1 control and break the disease cycle 1 disease cycle, unless different batches of during down time chicks are maintained in different houses. Due to more disease problems, there will Due to lesser disease problems, there be higher mortality, sub-clinical will be low mortality, faster growth rate, 2 2 infections, leading to poor growth rate, better feed efficiency and higher net feed efficiency and lower net income per income per bird bird Marketing all birds in a single lot is Marketing will be easier since only a problematic unless there is an organized portion of birds in the farm, will be sold 3 3 market and integration, as in developed at time. Moreover, it is suitable for countries. farmers engaged in retail marketing. Uneven distribution of work, i.e. the There will be even distribution of work, 4 work load, type of work and farm 4 since birds of different age groups are routine are not uniform at any time. always available in the farm. Needs lesser equipment because, the Needs more equipment, since 2 to 3 brooders, chick guards and small sized different sized feeders and waterers are equipment used for the earlier batch can 5 used and all birds will be brood in a 5 be used for the new batch, and the older single lot. Moreover, the equipment batches will be utilizing medium and unsuitable for the particular age group. larger sized equipment of any size. Since there is only one batch; which Better utilization of space Broilers reared does not need the entire space at the in smaller sized brooder houses, can be beginning and different sized equipment later moved to bigger sized finished 6 at a time there will be less efficient 6 houses and there will be about 25% utilization of house and equipment. saving in the housing cost and about 50% More investment on housing and savings in the equipment cost. equipment. Not economical for cage rearing and More suitable and economical for cage 7 7 large size farms. rearing and large size farms also. More suitable for contract growing More suitable for ownership farms, doing 8 8 farms, under an integrator. direct marketing. 9 Not suitable for retail sale 9 Suitable for day-to-day retail sale. REARING SYSTEMS FOR LAYERS 1. Brood -grow -layer house – in deep litter 2. Brood grow house + separate layer house – cage or deep litter 3. Brood + grower + layer house 1+1+3 system 1+1+4: commonly used 1+1+5 system 25 | I Assessment First Year B.V.Sc. & A.H. Lonkar V.D., Ph.D. Recent Advances in Housing system and Rearing System Intensive commercial chicken production needs well designed, comfortable, durable and economical housing, for providing optimal biosecurity and to tap the maximum genetic potential of the present day hybrid layers and broilers. Windowless (closed) Insulated Environmentally Controlled (WIEC) poultry houses are suitable for temperate climate zones; but they are not economical and desirable for tropical countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, However, due to ignorance and canvassing by influential European companies, people in the tropical countries are also going for these types of WIEC poultry houses; which needs higher initial investment and recurrent maintenance cost; with no extra benefits. Cage houses are more desirable for optimal performance of layers and breeders; whereas deep litter houses are more suitable for broilers. Slogans like, “Wither cages” and “Cage-free eggs”, did not come from the poultry farmers; but from the influential so called Animal welfare activists; which pressurized the governments to ban the cage rearing system and pushed the cost of egg production by almost 100%. Soon these governments will realize their mistakes and go back to cage system, to reduce the cost of production of eggs. Hence these types of WIEC, cage-free, enriched cage houses are not economical for any tropical country. Housing design: Farm location and poultry house and equipment design will determine the locational, structural and operational bio-security. Without proper housing, it is impossible to carry out the bio-security properly. All tropical open sided poultry houses must be east-west orientated, with a minimum distance of 20 metres (preferably 30m) between two houses, for proper cross ventilation and bio-security. If possible chicks, growers and layers must be located in different premises, for better bio-security; otherwise a distance of >100m has to be maintained between houses for different age groups. “All layer farms” are preferred over chick+ grower+ layer farms; because the disease problems as well as the capital cost will be lesser. The elevated platform cage layer house design must aim at optimal cross, ridge and bottom ventilation. Recent Advances in Poultry Housing: Irrespective of the house design, the recent developments in the poultry house construction and design are, Bigger poultry houses are replacing smaller houses. Now the WIEC cage layer houses are designed to accommodate >100,000 hens per house; whereas Elevated Platform Open Sided (EPOS) poultry houses will accommodate about 50,000 hens each. Tunnel Ventilated Broiler Houses (TVBH) are designed for >40,000 broilers each, whereas the conventional broiler houses will accommodate > 20,000 broilers. Each open sided EP caged broiler breeder house will accommodate 10,000 breeder hens and 1,000 cocks. Due to the development of better ventilation technology and house design, the width of poultry houses has increased from 20’ to 50’ and the length has increased from