aviNews International July - 2020

Issue Nº 2

July 2020

p. 13 Dr. Brian Fairchild

FIVE COMMON

ISSUES DURING BROODING Ad Bal · Editor aviNews International Back in town

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday

1th, 2th & 3th

June

2021

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BACK IN TOWN

During the sixties and seventies of the past century, my parents supplied hatching eggs to a nearby located commercial hatchery.

Every day we collected, candled, graded and packed the eggs, which were onwards taken to the hatchery twice a week.

There, the eggs were hatched and subsequently the chicks were placed on broiler growing farms in our country. Also in those days, export of day old chicks to primarily the Middle East region started and almost exploded in a short period of time. Full cargo flights with chicks and later on also hatching eggs, took off every week to various destinations in that region.

As a child, this fascinated me.

I was wondering all the time where the chicks and eggs, which originated from our farm, eventually ended up.

And I was dreaming about seeing that. This dream came true, when after my study in agriculture I ended up in agricultural journalism.

In this position, I was able to seeing and reporting on commercial poultry production everywhere across the globe. Truly a privilege!

During these travels, I paid visits to all kinds of farms, feed plants, hatcheries, egg packing stations, poultry processing plants, breeding companies, equipment manufacturers and so on. Also I attended local and international trade shows, press conferences, congresses, seminars and whatever more.

Editor aviNews International +31 629791019 avinewsmagazine@grupoagrinews.com avicultura.info

Through this, I gained quite a good impression on poultry production around the world and with that on the wide variety of systems and the level of technology. After all, poultry production in Scandinavia is quite different from Southeast Asia or from the Middle East or Central Africa.

Yet there many similarities as well, and that makes sharing information on professional poultry production so important, since poultry meat and eggs play an important role in human nutrition. The world population keeps growing to an expected 9 billion in the year 2030. At the same time, prosperity is on the increase and with that spending power as well. It is a given fact that if people have more money to spend, they will start eating meat. In this context, poultry is in a favorite position. Poultry meat and eggs are affordable food. It is the animal species with the highest feed conversion ratio, making it the most efficient.

Consequently, poultry also has the lowest carbon footprint, which is a great asset to preserve mother earth for future generations. Moreover, both poultry meat and eggs have no religious limitations, making these the protein food of choice from animal origin.

For that reason, professional poultry production demands knowledge. Hence, good and reliable information for this purpose is essential. I am glad to be “back in town” as an editor and will do my utmost to let aviNews International magazine be this excellent source of information for you, along with related website avicultura.info.

At your service!

EDITOR

GRUPO DE COMUNICACIÓN AGRINEWS LLC

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CONTRIBUTORS

T

he international poultry business is a fascinating industry. I was aware of that already from my childhood, when I grew up on a broiler breeder farm in my home country The Netherlands.

From the early days of my life, I was caught by the “chicken virus”.

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Sasan Watkins Louise Dufour-Zavala Kirk Dawkins Mario Canseco Dr. Steve Leeson Brian Fairchild Mike Czarick Dr. Fábio Pértille Shawn Carlton Juan Carlos López Guillermo Tellez Mark W. Jackwood Natalie K. Armour Martha Pulido-Landínez

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1 aviNews International July 2020

04

Clean water lines for flock health

13

Dr. Brian Fairchild

Dr. Suzan Watkins Center of Excellence for Poultry Science Division of Agriculture University of Arkansas, USA

18

Hatchery Sanitation Kirk Dawkins Jamesway incubator company Cambridge Ontario, Canada

2 aviNews International July 2020

Five common issues during brooding Extension poultry scientist University of Georgia, USA

28

Accommodation management of layers moving from rearing house to an aviary Mario Canseco Veterinarian, Spain

34

Using baselines for Elisa serology Dr. Louise Dufour-Zavala Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network USA

46

Promoting growth in an antibiotic-free environment

55

INTERVIEW The search for precision feeding in poultry

Dr. Steve Leeson

Dr. Laura Star

Professor Emeritus, Guelph University Ontario, Canada

Aeres University of Applied Sciences The Netherlands

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Editor aviNews International

Dr. Gregorio Rosales MVZ, MS, PhD., DACPV Poultry Health Consultant

Ing. Eduardo Cervantes

The responsibility for the articles, reports, press releases and communications falls exclusively on the authors. The editor is only responsible for his articles or editorials. Neither the publisher nor the authors assume any responsibility for the damages that may be generated, whatever their nature, as a consequence of the use of the data and information contained in this magazine.

International consultant poultry processing

Dr. Guillermo DĂ­az Arango International Zootechnician Consultant in Nutrition and Production of Commercial Layers

3 aviNews International July 2020

CLEAN WATER LINES FOR FLOCK HEALTH Dr. Susan Watkins Center of Excellence for Poultry Science Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas

P

roviding a clean, safe and sanitized water supply is crucial in assuring

biosecurity

flocks perform their best.

However, before implementing a daily water sanitation program, it is important to thoroughly clean as much of the water distribution system as possible.

Line cleaning is necessary before providing birds with sanitized drinking water because even low levels of sanitizer placed in dirty water lines can result in the biofilm sloughing off, which clogs drinkers so that water is restricted to the birds.

Another impact of adding sanitizers to water intended for bird consumption is that the sanitizer can actually react with the biofilm and result in off tastes that back birds off water.

4 aviNews aviNews International International JulyJuly 2020 2020 | Clean | Clean water water lines lines for for flock flock health health

Effectively cleaning the water system (including the drinker lines) helps remove biofilm and scale build-up that place for harmful pathogens such as E. coli, Pseudomonas or even Salmonella.

Many disease causing organisms like Salmonella can live for weeks in water line biofilm resulting in a continuous source of contamination.

Poultry flocks can only be productive if all conditions are optimal. That includes the availability of fresh water. Cleaning the drinking lines frequently is a necessary tool to keep the lines clean.

In addition, proper cleaning can help prevent

Yet the use of cleaning products present

mineral deposits and precipitated biological

some dangers since, many of the popular

and inert material that help reduce water

water additive products such as acids

flow, sometimes by as much as 70-80%.

and performance enhancers can create

Many popular products, such as acidifiers and other products, can create favorable conditions for the growth of yeasts and fungi.

biosecurity

can act as a food source and hiding

conditions favorable for the growth of yeasts and molds, if they are present. Yeasts and molds can actually thrive in low pH water resulting in a gooey slime that will clog drinkers and generally create disaster in water systems. Bottom line is water systems must be properly cleaned between flocks.

5 aviNews aviNews International International JulyJuly 2020 2020 | Clean | Clean water water lines lines for for flock flock health health

WHERE TO START

To assure lines are effectively cleaned, the first step is answer the following series of questions.

WHAT IS THE WATER SOURCE?

Untreated well water (i.e. water that is not treated with any type of daily sanitizer product) is the most vulnerable to the formation of slime or biofilm in the drinker lines.

While most municipal or rural water supplies contain a minimum of 0.2 ppm free chlorine

biosecurity

which greatly reduces bacteria growth, poultry

Thus, it is unwise to assume that cleaning drinker lines is not needed.

drinking water is handled differently (slow flow and warmed during brooding) as compared to the water supply that goes to a home.

WHAT IS THE MINERAL CONTENT OF THE WATER SUPPLY?

The minerals calcium and magnesium are the sources of scale, a hard white build-up. If the water supply contains more than 60 ppm of either or both these minerals and the water pH is above 7, then chances are good that there is scale in the water system that will have to be removed with an acid cleaner designed for nipple drinker systems.

6 aviNews International July 2020 | Clean water lines for flock health

Other common mineral contaminants are iron, manganese and sulfur.

Iron results in a rusty brown to red colored residue, while manganese and sulfur can form black colored residues.

Natural sulfur in the water should have a smell similar to a match head.

If the water smells like rotten eggs, then the culprit is hydrogen sulfide.

Hydrogen sulfide is a by-product of sulfur loving bacteria and the lines will need to be cleaned with a strong sanitizer.

biosecurity

It might even be necessary to shock chlorinate the well. If the filters at the beginning of the water lines are rusty or black colored, then a strong acid cleaner should be used after the sanitizer flush.

WHAT PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN USED IN THE WATER SYSTEM?

If additives such as vitamins, electrolytes, sugar based products, mineral based performance enhancers or weak concentrations of water acidifiers have been used frequently, then chances are a biofilm is present.

Once a biofilm is established in a water system, it makes the system 10-1000 times harder to clean. It is important to play it safe and use strong sanitizer cleaners.

7 aviNews International July 2020 | Clean water lines for flock health

HAVE THERE BEEN HEALTH ISSUES FLOCK AFTER FLOCK SUCH AS E. COLI, NECROTIC ENTERITIS OR RESPIRATORY CHALLENGES THAT DO NOT RESPOND TO GOOD MANAGEMENT, CLEAN-OUT OR DOWN-TIME?

The culprit for these problems may be hiding and thriving in the water supply, particularly

biosecurity

Imagen de www.kemi-tech.eu

the water regulators and drinker lines.

Cleaning with a strong sanitizer is definitely an option that might help.

CHOOSING A PRODUCT After identifying the type of cleaning that will be most beneficial, the next step is to choose a product that will not damage the equipment.

Currently, there are several acid products that can be used for scale removal. Check with your local animal health product supplier for options.

Just remember that in order for the product to be effective in removing scale, it needs to drop the water pH below 5 but should not drop the pH below 4 to prevent equipment damage.

While a strong bleach solution might be effective in removing biofilm, the potential damage it can do to the regulators and nipple drinkers makes this a poor option and the same is true for many cleaners that might otherwise be good poultry barn disinfectants.

Iodine is not very effective against biofilms so it makes a poor choice.

8 aviNews International July 2020 | Clean water lines for flock health

CONCENTRATED STABILIZED HYDROGEN PEROXIDES Currently there are several sanitizer products available for cleaning drinker systems, but some of the most effective products which are not damaging to the drinker systems are the concentrated,

CHLORINE DIOXIDE

stabilized hydrogen peroxides.

The active ingredients in these products are different from over-the-counter hydrogen peroxide because the stabilizer keeps the sanitizer from converting to water and

products available, but they are most effective if an acidifier is present which may require dual injectors or a way to safely mix the products prior to injection.

biosecurity

oxygen before it finishes the cleaning job.

There are also several chlorine dioxide

AMMONIA OR AMMONIA

A third product used by the industry is household ammonia.

The most important fact to remember is biofilms or established growth of bacteria, molds and fungus in water

A quick test on algae showed that

systems can only be removed with

running one ounce of ammonia in

cleaners that contain sanitizers.

every gallon of water was not nearly as effective as a 3% ammonia solution.

It also should be a product and concentration that will not damage

However it is strongly recommended

the equipment. Pay close attention to

that the equipment manufacturer

any product safety recommendations

be consulted before using this.

and follow them accordingly.

9 aviNews International July 2020 | Clean water lines for flock health

CLEANING THE SYSTEM After the birds are removed from the house, it is time to clean the system.

First flush the lines with water.

Use a high pressure flush if available. This will remove any loose sediment from the lines.

Also make sure the standpipes are working properly to assure any air build-up that may occur during the cleaning process will be released from the lines.

Every 100 feet (30 meters) of a half inch (1,25 cm) water line holds approximately 2.5 gallons (9.5 liters) of water.

Therefore, in a 400 foot (125 meters) poultry house it takes approximately 9.6 gallons (36 liters) of water per line (380 feet of line divide by 100 feet so 3.8 x 2.5=9.6.).

Eight 180 foot (55 meters) lines will require approximately 76 gallons (290 liters) of prepared cleaning solution.

Next, determine how the cleaner will be injected.

biosecurity

If a medicator is used, it may not provide the concentration of required cleaner, therefore use the strongest product available to overcome the dilute injection rate of the medicator.

A very effective alternative is mixing the cleaner in a 55 gallon barrel (208 liters) and then using a small submersible pump (1/12th horse power) to pump the product either into individual lines or through the water tap where the medicator attaches to the water line.

Once the drinker lines are filled with the cleaning solution, let it stand as long as possible with 72 hours being ideal.

Also use a broom to sweep/activate the nipple drinkers in order to get the cleaning product down into the drinkers.

However check with the product manufacturer to assure this will not damage the equipment.

After the lines are cleaned, if mineral build-up is an issue, then re-flush the lines with the acid cleaner.

A third option is pumping the cleaner through a variable injection pump such as Qwik Mix or Mix Right which will pump solutions stronger than a 1:128 rate.

Cleaning lines starting from the well is also is a good idea because it cleans the water lines going to the poultry house, which can be a source of contamination particularly since the larger the pipe, the more water passes through it and therefore the more nutrients are provided to the potential biofilm.

This can be a bad idea if the distribution lines are very dirty since it will send the filth into the poultry house water lines and therefore will require extra flushing of the lines.

Use this option only if there is a faucet in the poultry house that can be used to flush the water lines before water reaches the nipple drinker lines.

10 aviNews International July 2020 | Clean water lines for flock health

KEEPING THE SYSTEM CLEAN Cleaning the water lines between flocks is only half the battle. Even with a thorough cleaning, if a significant number of bacteria, fungi or yeasts are still present, then the biofilm has the potential to return completely in 2-3 days.

Therefore the last step is to establish a daily water sanitation program. This will benefit both the birds and the water system.

After birds are gone, flush all water lines with plain

biosecurity

QUICK GUIDE TO CLEANING WATER LINES Flush product into each line.

water to loosen biofilm and remove any sediment.

Make sure standpipes and drain hoses are working.

Use safety glasses and plastic/rubber gloves.

Utilize the Qwik Blend Pump (attaches where Medicator connects to water line) to inject a 3% solution of ProxyClean, HydroClean, Siloxicide, CID 2000 or Sanidate.

Determine amount of product to use:

Activate nipple drinkers with a broom or by hand (wear gloves)

Leave in lines: Proxyclean, HydroClean or Siloxicide- 24 hours minimum; 48 to 72 hours is even better.

CID 2000 or Sanidate- 4-8 hours.

The Qwik Blend adds 4 ounces (120 ml) to each gallon (3.8 liter) of water so 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of product will treat 32 gallons (120 liters) of water.

Every 100 feet (30 meter) of water line holds ~ 2.5 gallons (9.4 liters) of water.

Flush cleaner from lines with water that contains a sanitizer level birds can drink Proxyclean, HydroClean or Siloxicide- 24 hours minimum; 48 to 72 hours is even better.

11 aviNews International July 2020 | Clean water lines for flock health

For farms with hard water (more than 110 ppm combined calcium and magnesium) Skip step 4 and do the following Fill lines with a solution of citric acid or other low pH product approved for use with water lines and let stand in lines for 24 hours.

Acid stock solution: Mix 4-6 packs of citric acid per gallon (3.8 liter) of water to make a stock solution (The more scale in water the more acid should be added to the stock solution). The final pH of the water should be less than 6 with 5 pH ideal for

Maintain water for first 7-10 days If starting birds on the chlorine solution, flush water lines once a day to get fresh sanitized water into the lines.

scale removal. Mineral Clean or Proxor

IF using a stabilized hydrogen peroxide

are excellent descaler products as well.

solution (Proxyclean), sanitizer should remain effective in water lines for up to 5 days but flushing in fresh product could still be beneficial if grower has time.

biosecurity

Final flush before new flock arrives.

Will start birds on this.

Prepare one of following stock solutions and add with a medicator or peristalic pump at a rate of 1:128 Bleach stock solution: 4-6 ounces (120-180) bleach in a gallon of water Goal: 2-4 ppm of free chlorine in the drinking water Hydrogen peroxide stock solution: 2-4 ounces (60-120 ml) of product in a gallon (3.8 liter) of water Goal: 25-75 ppm of H2O2 in the drinking water

Clean water lines for flock health PDF DOWNLOAD

12 aviNews International July 2020 | Clean water lines for flock health

Do not add chlorine when administering vaccines, medications, vitamins or copper sulfate, do not mix chlorine and other products in the same stock solution

FIVE COMMON ISSUES DURING BROODING

management

Dr. Brian Fairchild Extension poultry scientist University of Georgia Athens, GA USA

T

he brooding period is important to getting chicks off to a good start and influences flock performance. Depending on the market weight, the brooding period represents as much as 1/3 of the grow-out period. The chick is still developing and will grow rapidly during this period. The objective is to minimize stress on the chick so that the majority of the energy is directed towards growth and development. Below are five common issues seen during the brooding period that can have negative influence on broiler performance.

Once chicks have been hatched, the growing period is taking off.

That can only be successful if all conditions in the growing house are under full control. Proper managing five critical factors is of great importance.

13 aviNews International July 2020 | Getting the basics right during brooding

1

BEDDING MATERIAL

The floors in broiler houses are covered with bedding material. The main purpose of bedding material is to absorb moisture.

Broilers retain approximately 20% of the water they consume and the other 80% is excreted or expired into the house environment.

management

In addition to moisture absorption, bedding insulates the birds from the cool house floor which is either packed dirt or concrete, provides a cushion for the birds as they walk around the house, and helps dilute manure as birds scratch around in the material.

2

FEED AND WATER

Feed and water are two of the basic needs of broilers during the grow-out period. It is important that chicks find feed and water in the first 48 hours. Extra feeders are placed to increase feeding space and are then removed at the end of the brooding period.

In order to reduce feed wastage, the feeder system is often operated manually as long as the supplemental feeders are being used.

Automatic operation of the feeder systems may overfill supplemental feeders when trays are used. Chicks will tend to scratch the feed out of overfilled trays, wasting it on the floor.

Common materials used as bedding include but are not limited to: pine shavings, peanut hulls and rice hulls. A minimum of 3 inches (7.6 cm) in thickness is required from wall to wall in the house and will vary with the bedding material that is used. Another way to look at this is to compare the litter base to a sponge.

Figure 1. Broiler house brooding example

A thicker sponge will absorb more water.

Improper amounts of litter will result in litter quality deteriorating more rapidly even under proper ventilation rates.

Poor litter quality can increase ammonia production, microbial loads, foot pad dermatitis, coccidiosis, and dermatitis.

The drinker systems used in the majority of broiler houses today have a pin that the bird pushes to get water.

The drinker height and water pressure are adjusted according to the bird age and size. As the birds get bigger, the drinker system will need to be raised and the water pressure will need to be increased.

Poultry farmers should manage the drinker height and water pressure according the drinker manufacturer guidelines.

14 aviNews International July 2020 | Getting the basics right during brooding

The increased activity enhances the probability that the chicks will consume feed and water thus helping the digestive system to upregulate the processes needed to digest the carbohydrates in the feed. Prior to this the nutrients the chick/embryo has been consuming is lipid based, so it will be of benefit to the bird for this system to mature quickly after placement on the farm. A typical lighting program is located in the Table 1 below.

AGE (DAY)

AGE (DAY)

LIGHT:DARK (HOURS)

LIGHT INTENSITY (FTC/LUX)

0

23:1

3.0/30 or greater

4

20:4

3.0/30 or greater

7

20:4

0.5/5

0

LIGHT:DARK (HOURS) 10 23:1

4

20:4

7

20:4

10

18:6

0.5/5

35

22:2

0.5/5

35

management

Table 1. A common lighting program for birds marketed at 42 days of age

LIGHT INTENSITY (FTC/LUX) 18:6 0.5/5 3.0/30 or greater 22:2

3.0/30 or greater 0.5/5 0.5/5

15 aviNews International July 2020 | Getting the basics right during brooding

3

LIGHTING

Lighting programs can vary greatly throughout the broiler industry.

Typically, the lighting program for chicks at placement is 23 hours of light at 3.0 ftc (30 Lux) or higher for the first three days. Bird activity is directly correlated with light intensity, which means they are more active as the light intensity increases.

management

Light intensity during brooding should not vary more than 20% from the brightest point in the house to the darkest point and this is more critical during the brooding period than the rest of the grow-out.

During the first three days, efforts should be made to encourage chick activity so they can search out and learn where food, water and heat sources are located.

The hours of darkness will increase as the birds get older. The hours of dark will depend on the market age of the birds.

Birds that are marketed at 49, 56 or 63 days of age will usually have more hours of dark. Other examples can be found on the primary breeder websites.

4

TEMPERATURE

Chicks cannot regulate their body temperature at hatch and are dependent on the house and floor temperature. If the house and floor temperature is warm then the chicks will be warm, if theses temperatures are too cool then the chicks will be cool. Radiant brooders work well for heating broiler houses as the majority of the heat is directed to the floor.

The brooders should be installed and operated at a height recommended by the manufacturer, but in general, radiant brooders are operated six feet or higher depending on the model.

Temperature profiles will vary from breed to breed and from company to company, but they usually start out around 93°F.

Light intensity is decreased to half a foot candle or five lux to reduce bird activity which in turn helps with feed efficiency and weight gain.

120 ÂşF 120 110 100 90

Radiant brooders direct the majority of the heat produced to the floor where it is needed.

Chicks will find their comfort zone.

80 70 60.0 ÂşF

16 aviNews International July 2020 | Getting the basics right during brooding

5

VENTILATION

The purpose of minimum ventilation during the brooding period is to control moisture and air quality. Whether the house is using fresh shavings or used litter, the house has to be ventilated from day 1.

The goal is to keep the relative humidity (RH) between 40-60%.

If the RH gets above 70%, litter quality will deteriorate rapidly resulting in increased ammonia production and incidence of footpad dermatitis.

31-JAN

30-JAN

29-JAN

28-JAN

27-JAN

26-JAN

25-JAN

24-JAN

23-JAN

100 95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50 45 40 22-JAN

Figure 1. RH trending up due to insufficient ventilation rate

TEMPERATURE - Rh

Mistakes during the brooding period are difficult to compensate for later on in the flock, so it is best to provide an optimum environment from the beginning.

management

It is more efficient to provide the correct environmental conditions from the beginning rather than trying to correct a problem from poor management later on during the flock.

The energy and labor costs will be less and the environment for bird performance (weight gain, feed conversion, livability) is optimized.

DATE

Getting the basics right during brooding

PDF DOWNLOAD

17 aviNews International July 2020 | Getting the basics right during brooding

HATCHERY SANITATION Kirk Dawkins

incubation

A hatchery is the place where new life begins. It is the basis for raising healthy birds and thus it must be very clean at all time. Proper sanitation procedures contribute to achieving that goal.

K

irk Dawkins has worked as a hatchery manager at two major broiler integrators (House of Raeford and Pilgrim’s Pride) in the United States. Currently, Kirk is employed with Jamesway incubators. Also he owns a breeder farm.

18 aviNews International July 2020 | Hatchery sanitation

Hatchery health is one of the most important aspects of hatchery management to produce healthy, high-quality chicks always using good hatchery-appropriate management practices.

MANUAL OF PROCEDURES

1

Clearly define safety procedures for employees in all areas and all procedures.

This should include the correct use of

This is why washing, cleaning and disinfection

protective clothing and footwear, necessary

in the hatchery is one of the first critical steps

to protect employees and to meet with

in antibiotic free chick production.

necessary biosecurity standards.

incubation

Today, more than ever, it is of paramount importance to find ways of raising chickens without the use of antibiotics.

The procedures applied in the hatchery should always be verified.

It is also essential to have a manual of procedures which are: SIMPLE CLEAR ACCESSIBLE For all employees at any level of preparation or training.

19 aviNews International July 2020 | Hatchery sanitation

2

Immediately after removing chicks from

The correct disposal of hatchery waste is

the incubators, the down and all the

essential for the control of various diseases.

hatching debris must be removed.

For example, salmonellosis which causes gastroenteritis in humans, can easily

This waste should be disposed of under strict environmental guidelines, consider

contaminate the hatchery through

biosecurity, ensure employee protection and

mishandling of contaminated waste and these in turn contaminate the facilities,

support effective sanitation of the hatchery.

equipment and newly hatched chicks.

3

Once the fluff has been removed and the hatchery waste has been disposed of, washing of all incubators and hatchery equipment, ceiling, walls, fans, spaces known as the

produces foam for which it is convenient to have equipment that produces foam and that facilitates the disinfection of

plenum behind or above the hatchers and

any surface with detergent in the form of

any surfaces must properly be cleaned.

foam to cover the ceiling, the walls, and

It is important to note that the effectiveness

incubation

4

It is recommended to use a detergent that

any surface present in the birth rooms.

of disinfectant is considerably lower when

Once the surfaces of the hatchery have been

it must act in places where a significant

covered with foam, it must stay there at

amount of organic matter is still present.

least 20 minutes for proper disinfection.

Therefore, it is essential to thoroughly remove all organic matter before applying disinfectant.

Washing is much more effective when water is applied at high pressure (800-1000 psi), and if possible, at a warm or even hot temperature.

20 aviNews International July 2020 | Hatchery sanitation

If for reasons of lack of personnel or time it is necessary to shorten this period, the detergent material should remain for at least 10 to 15 minutes.

5

Once the detergent foam has remained for the recommended time, all surfaces including ceiling, walls, incubators and other equipment that can be washed in this way must be washed again.

It is important to cover the internal surfaces of the incubators with detergent foam covering 100% of the surfaces including the structures supporting the fans.

This second wash to remove the detergent should also be done with water under high pressure. If possible, warm water should be used. In this second wash the use of hot water is no longer necessary, unless a significant amount of organic matter is still detected on the surfaces.

6

incubation

Allow the foam to remain on the surface for at least 10 to 15 minutes.

In addition to applying high-pressure water at a warm temperature, together with the detergent, it is often necessary and even essential to brush the fans and other structures in order to effectively remove all residues of the incubation process.

Logically this procedure must be done carefully so that organic matter can be removed without damaging the incubators

21 aviNews International July 2020 | Hatchery sanitation

7

Subsequently, the incubators, all equipment and any surface are then thoroughly rinsed. This rinsing should also be done using high pressure water.

8

After the previous step, all the incubators, equipment and surfaces of the hatchery should be disinfected with ammonium based disinfectants or an equivalent.

Many hatcheries do not make a final rinse after applying the disinfectant, especially if it is ammonium, since even after drying it has a residual

incubation

The risk of contamination of the chicks’ navel may become worse when they are placed in wet trays

effect that is reactivated when the humidity of the room increases during the incubation process, particularly when the chicks start hatching.

Navels of these chicks can easily become contaminated with bacteria causing omphalitis and infection of the yolk sac.

One of the most important aspects to take care of in the hatchery from a sanitary point of view, is cleaning of the chick trays.

It is impossible to observe the negative effect of this contamination in the hatchery. Instead, that will become clear at three to four days during

This is essential as the surfaces of the chick

growing when the chicks exhibit increased

boxes or trays come into direct contact with

mortality and when the yolk sac infection and

the navel and skin of the new-born chicks.

often also the omphalitis is easily observed.

In each batch there is at least a small percentage

This can become worse when chicks

of chicks that have been born late and therefore

are placed in wet trays, as this further

their navel has not yet healed perfectly.

enhances contamination of the navel.

“For this reason, a well-described procedure for washing and disinfecting chick trays should also be in place, as described below”

22 aviNews International July 2020 | Hatchery sanitation

PROCEDURE FOR WASHING AND DISINFECTING BASKETS

1

Clearly define the protection procedures for employees in the washing area.

It is not just necessary to define these procedures, but also to permanently train all employees, new and old.

The minimum temperature for washing the trays must be 70 ° C

2

incubation

This training should be done periodically, even for employees who have been working in the hatchery for many years.

Thoroughly remove all the fluff, residues of the incubation process and all the organic material from the baskets.

Most hatcheries nowadays have automatic washing machines using hot water and detergents.

Minimum temperature for washing the baskets should be 70°C. When not such a system is available, it is critical to wash the baskets manually so that all organic material is removed.

When for some reason the chicks have remained too long in the baskets, these will be more difficult to wash and a more rigorous washing procedure than normal will have to be applied.

23 aviNews International July 2020 | Hatchery sanitation

At the same time, when there is too much blood from the hatching process, that sticks on the baskets, it is also very difficult to clean these.

6

The last step in washing and disinfecting the chick baskets before storage, is allowing them to dry.

Take into consideration that if salmonella is

Many hatcheries do not only have automatic

present, the presence of remaining organic

basket washers, but also very efficient dryers.

matter on the baskets is an excellent

A fundamental rule is to not place chicks

culture for salmonella to multiply.

in wet baskets, as this is one of the most common reasons for bacterial contamination.

It should not be forgotten that in addition

3

to baskets, it is very important to wash and The next step is to apply detergent, if

disinfect the carts, including wheels.

possible at a warm temperature. Allow

Many hatcheries share hatching egg

the detergent to remain on the surfaces of

carts between farms and between

the baskets for at least 15 or 20 minutes.

farms and the hatchery.

If necessary, brush the baskets manually until all

Although this practice is not recommended,

visible organic matter is removed completely.

it is sometimes unavoidable and in these

incubation

No significant amount of meconium should remain, as it contains a high concentration of bacteria, including salmonella.

4 5

Rinse the baskets with high pressure water afterwards, as well as the incubators and all equipment.

Subsequently, disinfectant is applied in the form of ammonium and foam, but also other disinfectants can be applied.

It is advisable to rotate disinfectants in the hatchery at least every six months.

24 aviNews International July 2020 | Hatchery sanitation

cases it should at least be ensured that the trolleys and their wheels are thoroughly disinfected to minimise cross-contamination with pathogens such as salmonella.

The best way is to use basket washers that have two tanks, the first to capture most of the organic matter and the second tank for detergent and waste.

The temperature of the water should be at least 70 °C in order to degrade the viability of bacteria and to detach organic matter from the baskets.

AIR SYSTEM FOR HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING

It is essential to clean and disinfect the ventilation system ducts at least once a week using a disinfectant and a fungus inhibitor.

To do so, the evaporation coil must be sprayed, as there is a lot of water condensation in it and therefore the unit tends to enhance fungal growth.

Disposable filters should also be used which can be removed each week and replaced with new filters.

This should also be done after each hatch, otherwise significant contamination with

PROCEDURE FOR FUMIGATION incubation

fungi such as Aspergillus will occur.

It is important to disinfect the hatchery daily, using a fungus inhibitor.

The hatchery should be fumigated immediately after setting new eggs, as well as after transfer.

The hatchery should be treated after transfer and after cleaning at each hatch.

Any other compartment, room or cellar in the building should be fumigated once it has been cleaned.

The egg storage room should be fumigated only when absolutely necessary, as many disinfectants and fumigants could easily enter through the pores of the eggshell.

25 aviNews International July 2020 | Hatchery sanitation

USE OF FORMALDEHYDE Most countries have imposed very strict rules on the use of formaldehyde and even in some countries its use is prohibited.

Rather than banning its use, some methodology and equipment should be found to allow for the safe use of formaldehyde in a manner that is not harmful to employees and chicks.

When formaldehyde is used, it should be used for disinfection of hatchers but never for incubators.

A good system has a continuous dosing mechanism with a plunger pump that forces the formaldehyde

incubation

through closed ducts which lead the formaldehyde to the machines. In here there is a 100 to 120 cm long part that can absorb up to 12 ounces (350 ml) of formaldehyde every 24 hours.

Excessive formaldehyde concentrations can increase the mortality rate during the first week

This dosage will provide a concentration of 30 to 40 parts per million of formaldehyde in each machine, which is the best for inactivating fungi.

If the concentration of formaldehyde is too high, it will damage the tracheal epithelium of the chicks even before they hatch.

Excessive concentrations of formaldehyde can increase the mortality rate during the first week and facilitate respiratory problems. When properly used however, it can minimize the mortality during the first seven days of life and increase chick quality

26 aviNews International July 2020 | Hatchery sanitation

MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY CONTROL A valuable tool to evaluate the effectiveness of the washing and disinfection program, is through microbiological laboratory tests. For this purpose, sterile swabs must be obtained from samples from different sites.

Obtain samples from the inside of the chick

samples for 48 hours and examine the

baskets and from the inside of the incubator.

plates to determine if the cleaning and

blood agar plate and one Saboureaud

This procedure is recommended to be

culture agar plate into the setter and

done inside the hatchery without sending

leave them open for 10 minutes and

samples to the laboratory, unless there’s

incubate at 37°C for 48 hours.

a need to determine the genus and

incubation

disinfection system needs to be improved.

Place one McConkey agar plate, one

species of detected bacteria or fungi.

Obtain samples of the fan blades

The idea is to determine if there are

inside the incubators and hatchers.

variations or deviations from the data

Obtain samples of filters for

considered as normal for the plant.

HVAC vents, as well as coils.

Ask vaccine suppliers or the egg

Take samples from the wash tanks

vaccination service company to

and also from the basket washer.

conduct microbiological audits in

Obtain eggs from the egg storage room and put these on TSA agar. Incubate these

the vaccination room and for the egg vaccination or post-vaccination team.

Hatchery sanitation PDF DOWNLOAD

Finally, remember that it is useful to have systems to verify the effectiveness of washing, cleaning and disinfection of the hatchery and the incubators.

27 aviNews International July 2020 | Hatchery sanitation

ACCOMMODATION MANAGEMENT OF LAYERS MOVING FROM REARING HOUSE TO AN AVIARY layers

Mario Canseco Veterinary specialized in animal production

B

irds must have adequate training to move and hop between the different levels of the aviary, as well as being accustomed to live in large groups from an early age.

28 aviNews International July 2020 | Accommodation management of layers moving from rearing house to an aviary

Reception of the chicks in the aviary laying house

Releasing the chickens to the soil area after removing the net

Transfer of the chickens: it is best to do it around the 16th week of life so that they have a sufficient period of adaptation to the new accommodation before the onset of lay.

Once the safety net is removed, the birds will have access to the floor area of the house.

All of them must be released in the slats area (aviary system itself), so that they are close to the feed and drinkers, as well as to the nests and perches.

Light program: It can be convenient to leave the light on for 24-48 hours to help them become familiar with all the elements of the system.

Initial learning: once the chickens are housed in this system, it is interesting to place a mesh or net to prevent them from falling to the ground for at least the first 4-5 days, to help them adapt to the new system.

The litter is necessary for the birds to express two ethological behaviors such as digging and sand bathing.

Digging behavior is intimately linked to feeding.

Sand bath serves to keep the feathers clean and free of possible parasites.

This litter should be kept dry to avoid digestion problems, coccidiosis, and issues with the foot pads (lameness).

layers

Chicken housing: in the laying house: it must be carried out from the early hours of the morning, distributing them uniformly throughout the different compartments of the house.

On the floor, it is ideal to place litter (eg: a fine layer of sand of about 2 cm at the beginning).

After the birds are released we must make sure that the perches located next to the ground are placed to facilitate their transit from the ground to the aviary area and vice versa.

Image 1. Central hallway under slats

The intensity of light and the length of the lighting period will never be less than the final period of birds in the rearing – 10 to 12 hours per example

29 aviNews International July 2020 | Accommodation management of layers moving from rearing house to an aviary

Picture 2.

Central slat area with hangers

It is recommended that there are perches in the highest slat area of the aviary that is in the central part so that the birds that go up to sleep do not move. Initially, the area below the slats is closed by means of grills, to facilitate the adaptation process.

It is important to control the consumption of water and feed, as well as the evolution of body weight to detect possible adaptation problems.

Ideally, the perches are placed continuously throughout the entire building without interruption to further facilitate this process.

layers

The same day that the birds go down to the floor, we must carry out a surveying process when the light is gradually turned off to avoid any straggling chickens during the night. By turning off the light gradually, we encourage the birds on the floor to go up to the different levels of the slats.

It is recommended to take the birds that are left on the floor and bring them up once the light has been completely turned off.

After several days of carrying out the surveying, we start noticing the birds go up to sleep at the different levels on their own and there are practically none left below.

This makes the birds accustomed to sleeping on the different levels with perches, instead of on surfaces more conducive to laying eggs (floor or slat).

By placing the nests at higher levels, it will be easier to get the birds to lay the maximum number of eggs in them

Illumination The installation is designed to achieve both a sunset and a simulated sunrise by means of a light intensity regulator (for approximately 45 min it simulates sunset and sunrise) to facilitate bedtime.

To facilitate this handling in the installation, a different lighting is available for each area of the aviary: Ceiling lighting Intense in the first weeks of adaptation (20-30 lux), to stimulate the movement of the birds and to avoid the laying of eggs in this area. This light gradually goes out for about 30 minutes (“twilight�)

In the feeding and resting area Dimmer lighting (5-10 lux) to stimulate feed consumption. This light goes off for about 15 minutes.

In the side area of the floor and bottom of the aviary Points of light of similar intensity to the ceiling to avoid dark areas and thus preventing birds from laying eggs in those areas. It is the first to go out.

30 aviNews International July 2020 | Accommodation management of layers moving from rearing house to an aviary

Adequate “grazing� of the chicks in the first weeks in the laying house This management should be carried out from the moment the birds are released to the floor area in the laying house and for a minimum of six weeks as the laying rate increases.

It consists of the farmer walking through the house at different and irregular times to encourage the activity and movement of the birds, thus stimulating their movement between the different levels and blocks.

layers

They thus chase away birds from areas without feed and water, preventing them from going hungry and thirsty.

In turn, they become accustomed to the presence of the farmer and the risk of crowding and suffocation will be reduced.

Frequent egg collection from the ground and slats and use of electric shepherd This work is essential, especially during the first weeks from the start of lay, to prevent large numbers of birds from getting used to this practice.

Eggs collected from the ground are mostly dirty and cannot be sold as class A and part of them can be lost when trampled or pecked.

31 aviNews International July 2020 | Accommodation management of layers moving from rearing house to an aviary

To avoid chickens laying eggs on the ground, it is interesting to use an electric shepherd in those areas that may be more conducive to it (corners and separations inside the house on the ground and slat).

Floor area opening below slats Depending on each flock, once we approach the laying peak, the area below the slats is opened to allow birds to circulate throughout the aviary.

layers

In the case of free-range hens, once the laying peak is reached and that most birds already have the habit of laying in the nests, we will allow the birds to go outside.

This output can be direct to the open field (with the presence of drinking fountains)

Aspects to consider in nest boxes for birds Correct location Should be in a quiet place with easy access for the birds so that resting birds do not impede access to the nest for those who want to enter. To this end, perches or a surface in front of the nests can be adapted to facilitate transit through this area.

Attractive nest floor An intermediate solution between the preferences of birds (chopped straw) and of the farmer (hygienic and effective nest) can be artificial grass or rubber nails.

Suitable light intensity Should be higher outside the nest, but not completely dark inside them so that the hens want to enter it.

Adequate number of nests If there are individual ones for every 6-7 hens and if they are collective (the most widespread), 1 m2 should be available for every 120 birds.

Avoid air currents in the nests.

System of expulsion of birds from the nests This system will prevent the birds from sleeping inside the nests and is automatically activated before the light is switched off. The best system is the one that lifts the floor of the nest since, in addition to forcing the hen to leave the nest, it removes a good part of the accumulated dirt. This helps reduce the number of dirty eggs.

Picture 3.

Veranda or winter park

32 aviNews International July 2020 | Accommodation management of layers moving from rearing house to an aviary

Feeding management There are a number of aspects to take into account in this type of production.

Achieve a good grain size of the feed and have the lowest % of fines to avoid as much as possible the selective intake of ingredients (the dominant hens will eat the thick components).

On the other hand, during the afternoon we must apply more feed runs, since that’s when nutritional requirements hit their peak, as the egg is being formed.

By doing so, we ensure that they go to sleep with a full digestive system – It is crucial to have an adequate availability of calcium for the formation of the shell.

Management of the environmental conditions of the house

layers

Feed distributions in sufficient numbers, taking into account that during the hours of the day when most of the hens are laying, the feed distribution should be reduced as much as possible (during this period feeders can be rushed) to avoid distractions and maintain a calm environment.

A house’s climate is a combination of temperature, air speed, composition of internal air, dust, and light.

By means of an adequate temperature, ventilation and good insulation, the birds must be distributed evenly throughout the house.

For this reason, it is very important that the ventilation system does not cause drafts at the animal level, and to avoid condensation that would alter the good quality of the bed.

Accommodation magenement of layers moving from rearing house to an aviary PDF DOWNLOAD

33 aviNews International July 2020 | Accommodation management of layers moving from rearing house to an aviary

USING BASELINES FOR ELISA SEROLOGY Dr. Louise Dufour-Zavala Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network USA

T

pathology

he poultry health reality is variable in different poultry producing areas of the world.

34 aviNews International July 2020 | Using Baselines for ELISA Serology

However, the diagnostic tools veterinarians use to understand and measure different aspects of poultry health (serology, virology, bacteriology) are similar.

pathology

The use of ELISA technology is quite universal and there are ways to manipulate data to make it useful for day to day decision making.

The objective of this text is to describe a manner to analyze ELISA serology data and make it more useful to the poultry producer wherever ELISA serology is used.

35 aviNews International July 2020 | Using Baselines for ELISA Serology

USE OF ELISA and DEFINITION of BASELINE ELISA technology used in avian serology has many advantages:

Low cost Specificity Sensitivity

It is relatively easy and

Ease of use

probably recommendable

Generation and tabulation for analysis of

for high throughput

large amounts of computer generated data.

laboratories to produce yearly baselines for their

pathology

poultry industry user base.

Short of that service, companies themselves should monitor their own baselines.

Baselines are very useful, as they represent titer values that can be expected for certain types of poultry at certain ages for certain disease agents based on historical data.

When new laboratory data is generated in the form of ELISA titers, it can be compared to baseline titers for the bird, age and agent in one geographical location, or to baselines of a company’s own historical data.

When laboratory data is found from ELISA results, they can be compared to representative baselines for each bird type, age, and disease agent in question, as well as certain specific geographic areas.

The serological results can also be compared with the historical data of each company.

36 aviNews International July 2020 | Using Baselines for ELISA Serology

Sampling Strategies There are 3 main objectives for ELISA testing: Monitoring birds for natural exposure to disease; Monitoring them for response to vaccination; and Diagnostic support.

It is for the second objective, monitoring for response to vaccination, that baselines are most used.

exposure when analyzed over time.

In broilers, it is not necessary to test birds every week

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Although they will also clearly show

Although weekly testing yields an interesting and typical U shape curve, the only valuable data points are the day old and the processing age numbers: The protection titers of the chicks hatched, and the combination of the response to vaccines and field exposure by the time they are marketed.

At the end of the analysis, the only useful data is that generated at the day of age and at the age of commercialization or processing.

These data represent the maternal antibody titres at birth, and the antibody titers generated from vaccinations and / or field exposure.

37 aviNews International July 2020 | Using Baselines for ELISA Serology

With these data we will be able to estimate the level of passive protection at birth and the levels of antibodies that represent the result of vaccinations of exposure to infectious agents in the field.

ELISA GMT 6000 C 5000 4000

A

3000 2000 1000 0

B 0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

pathology

Figure 1. Maternal antibodies and chick age

The line graph in Fig. 1 starts with a certain level of maternal antibodies (A) that disappear by the third week of age (B), only to increase again and reach a certain level by processing age (C), as a result of a combination of vaccination and field exposure.

The same graph shape is observed for

The use of inactivated vaccines

all common poultry diseases observed

in broilers may change

in broilers that elicit a humoral immune

the shape of this curve.

response (production of serum antibodies).

It is because of the predictability of this curve that weekly testing is unnecessary.

38 aviNews International July 2020 | Using Baselines for ELISA Serology

Two good examples of this U shape curve are the GA IBV titers and the GA IBD titers

5000 4500 3960 4000 3500 3000 2445 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0

in broilers for 2013-2015 (Fig. 2 and 3)

3794 2530

2680

1541 1026 298

260

306 397

1d (54 2-6 fills) d( 4 7-1 fills) 3d (23 1420d fills) ( 21- 16 fil 27d ls) 28- (26 fi 34d lls) (1 35- 07 fil 41d ls) 42- (81 48d fills ( ) 49- 106 fi 55d lls) (11 56+ 0 fills d( ) 95 fill s)

ELISA GMT Titers

Broiler IBV titers and CV’s by age

Figure 2. Antibody titers against infectious bronchitis

9530

7042 5406 5938

3865 1927

s)

397

fi 1420d lls) (39 fi 2127d lls) (43 fi 2834d lls) (12 35- 4 fills ) 41d ( 42- 57 fill 48d s) (8 49- 0 fills ) 55d (42 fi 56+ ll d ( s) 88º fill s)

fill

Breeders have a more complex vaccination

1289

schedule, but within a region, will also show a “typical” baseline curve over time.

(38

7-1 3d

(16

lls)

737

(62 1d

8404

pathology

8597

1 fi

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0

2-6 d

ELISA GMT Titers

Broiler IBD-XR titers and CV’s by age

Figure 3. Gumboro disease antibody titers

It is not necessary to sample breeders every 5-10 weeks, but if one did, one would find that the breeder baseline curve shows levels of waning maternal antibodies, followed by a response to live vaccination in the pullet stage.

By the time the birds have received 2 inactivated vaccines as is typical in the US (at 12 and 18 weeks of age), their titer response markedly increases to a peak about 6 weeks after the second inactivated vaccine is given.

39 aviNews International July 2020 | Using Baselines for ELISA Serology

That peak is followed by either maintenance of the titers or waning of

This behavior is typical of companies that

the titers over time, depending on the

use two inactivated vaccines, generally around 12 and 18 weeks of age.

vaccines used and field challenges.

12 – 18 weeks

ELISA GMT 6000

As can be seen in Fig. 4, the maternal

5000

antibodies (A) disappear by week 3-4

4000

(B), followed by a moderate response

3000

to multiple live vaccines (C), a strong

D A

F

C

G

2000

response to the first inactivated vaccine

1000

(D), another strong anamnestic response

B

0

to the second inactivated vaccine (E).

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0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

Figure 4. Maternal antibodies and chick age

The titers maintain themselves or decrease slightly by the time the breeders are processed as fowl (F, G) at 65 weeks of age.

Breeder REO titers and CV’s by age 8000

7408

7000

6500 5331

5000 4000 3000

5304

4578 4032

4869 4606 4446 3966

3489 2475

2000

1489

1000

397

(10 5-9 40 fi w ( lls) 10- 160 fi 14w lls ) 15- (310 19w fills 20- (286 ) 24w fill ( s) 25- 264 29w fills ) 30- (417 34w fills ) 35- (237 39w fills ) 40 (24 -44 1 fi w lls 45- (255 ) 49w fill s 50- (180 ) 54w fill s) 55- (339 59w fills (31 ) 60 0 fills w( ) 167 fill s)

0

1d

A good example of breeder baselines illustrating this effect is the reovirus baseline for 2013-2015 (Fig. 5):

ELISA GMT Titers

6000

Figure 5. Titles and CVs for Reovirus by age

40 aviNews International July 2020 | Using Baselines for ELISA Serology

9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0

For diseases where no inactivated vaccines are used, but where field challenge is constantly present, such

6441 6619 7190 7157 7745 7134 6847 7395

as for infectious bronchitis, the

5822

curve may not show a peak titer and the titers may maintain themselves

3785

3367

2667

during the production cycle due

1186 397

to constant challenge (Fig. 6).

1d (2 5-9 52 fi w ( lls) 10- 159 14w fill s) 15- (288 19w fill s ) 20- (282 24w fills ) 25- (171 29w fill s 30- (404 ) 34w fil l s) 35- (209 39w fills 40 (17 ) -44 9 fi w ll 45- (212 s) 49w fill s 50- (172 ) 54w fill s) 55- (316 59w fills (28 ) 60 3 fills w( ) 158 fill s) Figure 6. Titles against infectious bronchitis in a company or industry that uses inactivated vaccines against infectious bronchitis

Titles against infectious bronchitis are shown in Figure 6 in a company or industry that does not use inactivated vaccines against infectious bronchitis.

pathology

ELISA GMT Titers

Breeder IBV titers and CV’s by age

Note that there is not really a maximum antibody peak reached by 24 weeks of age as would occur when vaccinated with inactivated vaccines.

On the contrary, the titles continue to rise and show ups and downs at different ages until the breeders complete their production cycle.

The most important sample age in breeders is the peak titer, at 24 weeks of age.

This is the optimal result of every vaccine that has been given to the flock.

41 aviNews International July 2020 | Using Baselines for ELISA Serology

How to use baselines The response to the first inactivated vaccine, at 16-18 weeks of age, would be second in importance.

At GPLN, we publish our 2-year baseline every year.

At that age, it is also important to look for positivity to AE and CAV and make sure

The full report has a broiler breeder

the birds have seroconverted to these two

section and a broiler section.

agents before the onset of production.

Third in importance is a 45 week titer determination, as this one indicates how much antibody the flock still has to pass on to the progeny, and also whether the flock is getting

pathology

a field challenge to any of the agents analyzed.

Any of the other monitoring ages:

After screening, the data is then separated by age range and bird type.

All flock GMTs and CVs falling within the

Day old to look for maternal

bird type and age range are then collated

antibody levels

together, averaged, and graphed.

10 weeks to look for the response

Poultry producers not only can compare their

to live vaccine primers in pullets

results to others, but they can also look at

65 weeks to look for end-

or several farms over time for any particular

of-production titers

test. We had noticed that many producers did

their data for one age range, a particular farm,

this manually from their lab reports anyway.

The laboratory providing this service saves

Can also be done depending on the particular company’s priorities.

the producers valuable time and enhances the value of the ELISA service considerably.

Since each company has access to its own serological data and can download it into its own computer system, we have noted that many companies actually do use their serological data, analyze it, plot it, and make decisions based on their serology.

42 aviNews International July 2020 | Using Baselines for ELISA Serology

Example of uses 12000

IBD TITERS AFTER A VACCINE CHANGE

GMT-GA Com A 8229

10000

4380

3936

old breeder flocks is 9,000, with a cv of 30, 4708

6000

6398

If a company baseline for IBD-XR in 24 week 5712

8000

and they make a vaccine change (vaccine type,

4000

vaccine manufacturer, mixing the vaccine with

2000

another, changing the site of administration, changing the number of doses given), and +w

the first few flocks analyzed after the change

60

50-

59w

w -49 40

3029w

2029w

1519w

1d 1014w

0

have a titer of 5,000-6,000 with no other

Figure 7. IBF antibody titers for a company (Com A) compared to the industry average (GMT GA)

parameter changes, the company can use

pathology

that data to reconsider the vaccine decision.

In the first example (Fig. 7), 12000

After they made a change,

10000

their titers were above

8000 6000

GMT-GA Com A

4000

Com A NEW

2000

+w 60

w 5059w

40 -49

3029w

2029w

1519w

0

1d 1014w

GA average (Fig. 8).

10055

were below GA average.

10187

company A IBD-XR titers

Figure 8. Antibody titers for the same company represented in Figure 7 are shown in green but after incorporating changes that resulted in a substantial improvement in antibody titers against IBF.

43 aviNews International July 2020 | Using Baselines for ELISA Serology

Another interesting way to use the data once compiled in such a manner is to look at trends over time.

The reovirus problems that manifested themselves in the poultry industry of many countries during the past few years (2012-2014) can be looked at using baseline data in breeders and broilers.

The problem lead to higher titers due to field challenge in broilers, and higher titers due to more vaccination and field challenge in pullets and breeders, as seen in the following 2 graphs.

Broiler REO titers > 35 days

problem is not as prevalent in 2015.

1000

1652 779

1218

973

397

5 201

4 201

3

2

201

201

0

0

201

decrease in broiler titers tell us that the

2194

2000

1

broilers were challenged, and the

2636

201

age reovirus titers indicate that the

ELISA GMT TIters

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3000

In Fig. 9, the increase in market

Breeder REO titers at 45 weeks 6613

7000 6000

breeder titers maintain themselves since

5000

many flocks still in the field have been vaccinated aggressively against reovirus

ELISA GMT TIters

In Fig. 10, it can be observed that the

4000 3000

6658

5081 3709

3871

2860

2000 1000 397

44 aviNews International July 2020 | Using Baselines for ELISA Serology

5 201

4 201

3 201

2 201

1 201

201

0

0

Baselines have many uses, and are mostly useful to the poultry producer and poultry health manager.

pathology

It enables those persons to look at trends instead of piles of individual flock data sheets, understand the results generated by the laboratory much better, make decisions based on strong valid data, and measure the result of interventions such as vaccination changes very readily

Although the laboratory can be central in providing the bank of data and analyses, it falls back to the poultry managers to find the best uses for baselines in their own field situation (s).

Using Baselines for ELISA Serology PDF DOWNLOAD

45 aviNews International July 2020 | Using Baselines for ELISA Serology

PROMOTING GROWTH

IN AN ANTIBIOTIC-FREE ENVIRONMENT

nutrition

Dr. Steve Leeson Professor Emeritus, Guelph University, Ontario, Canada

D

igestibility has always been a topic of interest to poultry nutritionists. Over the last 50 years, we have come to appreciate

the role of various regions of the digestive tract and their impact on the digestion, absorption and maturation of poultry.

Since the development period of broilers has been reduced, the importance of these functions in the start-up phase has increased.

Nowadays, it is difficult to reach a weight at normal slaughter age if the growth rate is delayed during the first 7 days of growth, regardless of what the reasons for that may be.

46 aviNews International July 2020 | Promoting growth in an antibiotic-free environment

The study of digestion in young birds has revealed that the digestive ability of chicks is still “immature” and therefore, a new industry has emerged, supplementing feed with a variety of enzymes and other additives designed to limit early digestion.

The chick is born with an intestine practically free of microbes, so early colonizers tend to predominate. The undigested nutrients will be available to promote microbial growth in the distal portions of the intestine and cecum, and if they include pathogenic bacteria, the chick will be at a disadvantage.

The “normal” gut microbiota develops rapidly, so that the bacterial load and the species present in the hatchery processing belt, inside the delivery trucks and

nutrition

during the first days on the farm will determine early colonization.

The Nurmi concept of manipulation of the gut microbiota is based on the early introduction of non-pathogenic microbes. Ideally, these microbes will help prevent pathogen colonization and competitive exclusion (CE), which will undoubtedly be one of the future management tools used in broiler production.

Early and rapid development of the intestinal epithelium is another prerequisite for normal digestion. Intestinal villi and microvilli grow rapidly in the first few days, and any delay in this process will lead to reduced nutrient uptake and increased nutrient availability for anaerobic pathogens.

47 aviNews International July 2020 | Promoting growth in an antibiotic-free environment

The presence of pathogens, mycotoxins, and animal & plant toxins delay the development of microvilli. The selection of highly digestible ingredients, free of natural toxins, is important to ensure a rapid and early bowel development.

Butyric acid, either in food or as a consequence of fermentation of non-starch polysaccharides,

Some bacteria are able to colonize

is important for the development of microvilli.

because they are able to break down

As the epithelium develops within the

this protective mucous layer.

microvilli, the secreted mucosa acts as an important barrier against pathogenic colonization and self-digestion by the bird’s own digestive enzymes.

Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that causes gastric ulcers in people, secretes the urease enzyme that destroys the mucous lining,

nutrition

exposing the gastric wall to the action of hydrochloric acid and pepsin in the stomach.

It would be interesting to study the intestinal microbiota of birds fed with a soybean meal rich in urease.

Currently, the fate of undigested nutrients is taking on the same importance as that of digested nutrients.

In the past, 12-20% of indigestible ingredients were considered to be a problem associated with stool consistency and litter quality.

We now know that indigestible material influences microbial growth, especially in the large intestine and cecum.

Enhancing microbial growth will be of enormous importance in a setting where growth promoting antibiotics are no longer used, especially in the absence of anticoccidial ionophores.

48 aviNews International July 2020 | Promoting growth in an antibiotic-free environment

Carbohydrate digestion Most of the digestion occurs in the jejunum.

Approximately 60-70% of the starch present in cereals is in the form of mono- or di-saccharides by the time the digesta reaches the proximal ileum, while 95% of the starch is digested when it reaches the terminal ileum.

The main factor influencing carbohydrate digestion is the content of complex polysaccharides, such as cellulose and lignin. There is very little lignin in diets based on corn-SBM (corn and soybean meal), so

nutrition

that cellulose becomes the main limitation of digestibility.

Despite the fact that up to 10% of dietary cellulose disappears in the digestive tract, the greatest loss is associated with microbial activity in the large intestine and cecum, where the products of digestion have limited utility for the bird but favor microbial growth.

There are other polysaccharides that are of greatest interest to poultry nutritionists, such as hemicelluloses, pentosans, β-glucans and oligosaccharides (stachyose and raffinose) that are found in oilseed meal, and which together are known as non-starch polysaccharides (or NSPs).

49 aviNews International July 2020 | Promoting growth in an antibiotic-free environment

Normally, there is a negative correlation between carbohydrate digestibility and the high-level content of pentosans and β-glucans.

Unfortunately, these undigested polysaccharides have the adverse effect of absorbing large amounts of water from the digesta, creating a more viscous medium.

Consequently, there is less possibility of contact of all substrates with digestive enzymes and all digested products may not reach the intestinal microvilli.

These complex carbohydrates reduce the digestibility of all the nutrients present in the food bolus, not only that of carbohydrates, irremediably leading to

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bacterial overgrowth.

Fortunately, exogenous enzymes such as xylanase and β-glucanase can currently be added to the feed, eliminating the problems associated with its viscosity, thus improving digestibility of the nutrients and achieving a better balance of the intestinal microbiota.

Alpha-galactosaccharides, commonly known as oligosaccharides, account for up to 12% of the carbohydrates present in soybean meal.

The most common components are stachyose, raffinose and cellobiose.

Although they can be extracted with ethanol, these oligosaccharides are not removed from the soybean by chemical extraction of fat with hexane, the residue of which is partly responsible for the low amount of digestible energy in soybean flour for poultry farming.

Due to the absence of β-galactosidase activity in the intestinal mucosa, there is interest in adding exogenous enzymes to the feed and / or extracting the polysaccharides by ethanol.

50 aviNews International July 2020 | Promoting growth in an antibiotic-free environment

Protein digestion The proventriculus is the first point of protein degradation thanks to the action of secretions that include hydrochloric acid and the enzyme pepsin.

Before the feed reaches the proventriculus and the gizzard, the pH of the secretions may be as low as 1.5-2, but under the buffering conditions of the food the pH increases to 3.5-5.

An active gizzard with a low pH has great antibacterial properties, although it has less impact on the passage of coccidia oocysts.

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A considerable part of the endogenous protein enters the digestive tract in the form of saliva, gastric juices, pancreatic juices and desquamated epithelial cells from the intestinal mucosa and mucins. This endogenous protein should not be confused with endogenous nitrogen losses through urine, since endogenous protein is digested and used by the animal, while endogenous nitrogen lost through urine must be replenished daily by additional dietary protein.

The increased flow of endogenous nitrogen into the large intestine brings with it a greater potential for microbial overgrowth.

51 aviNews International July 2020 | Promoting growth in an antibiotic-free environment

Fat digestion The digestion and absorption of fat occurs mainly in the small intestine. Lipase activity increases rapidly during the first 10 days of life.

For example, at the level of the duodenum, lipase activity increases by up to 100 times between 4 and 15 days after birth.

Digestion is enhanced by the emulsifying properties of bile salts, since lipases are only active at an oil-water interface.

Medium chain fatty acids and triglycerides do not seem to need the prerequisite of micelles formation before digestion and absorption, so they are interesting ingredients in the case of starter diets.

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Water-insoluble components such as fatty acids and monoglycerides cannot form micelles by themselves but can form stable mixed micelles with conjugated bile salts. Saturated fatty acids, such as palmitic and stearic acids, are apolar, have high melting points and are only slightly soluble in the bile salt emulsion. However, they are remarkably soluble in the presence of a mixed micelle.

The balance between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids present in the diet and the amount of bile salts are important factors in fat absorption.

A saturated fatty acid will be easily absorbed if it is at position 2 of a triglyceride, since monoglycerides with saturated fatty acids are better absorbed than when they are in the form of free saturated fatty acids.

52 aviNews International July 2020 | Promoting growth in an antibiotic-free environment

Balanced feed formulation Although soybean meal diets are considered the standard in poultry farming, there is evidence that their digestibility is sub-optimal in the case of the young chick. Compared to expected values, there is a reduction of up to 10-15% in Apparent Metabolizable Energy and amino acid digestion in chicks less than 5-10 days old.

appears to be lysine and serine, and

the idea is to correct such deficiencies

limiting their flow into the large intestine

and increase the rate of early growth

using expensive animal proteins is one

and/or reduce microbial overgrowth.

strategy for limiting bacterial overgrowth.

In the study of intestinal health we are

The application of newer techniques, including

very limited by our lack of knowledge, with

the identification of microbial DNA, may

precision, of the normal microbiota present in

shed light on the complexity of the microbes,

healthy birds.

especially how the change in response to

It has been suggested that, at most,

different types of diets.

conventional culture techniques manage to isolate only 5% of the bacterial species present in the intestine.

53 aviNews International July 2020 | Promoting growth in an antibiotic-free environment

nutrition

The limiting amino acid for clostridia In the case of starter diet formulations,

Future prospects

Regardless of the strategies employed in preventing the proliferation of pathogens in

Optimizing digestion, or rather minimizing indigestion, is a viable strategy to limit microbial overgrowth in the gut and

production, we must remember that microbes are opportunists with a remarkable ability to adapt to new environments.

cecum. There is no simple substitute for growth-promoting antibiotics, and future management guidelines need to be multifaceted.

No strategy is likely to be effective

Table 1 lists some of the approaches to limiting

in the long term, so we must be

the flow of nutrients to intestinal pathogens.

prepared to be flexible with our

There is an opportunity for feeding specialized

dietary programs, food additives and

starter diets and, although they are more

management practices.

expensive compared to conventional diets, they have the potential to provide long-term benefits beyond those observed at the time of supply.

Today, there is an extensive list of “alternatives”

Table 1. Potential actions to limit the supply of nutrients for intestinal pathogens

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to antibiotic growth promoters, and many of these are undoubtedly incorporated by the broiler industry.

As we learn more about bacterial populations, we gain knowledge about

Area

Food Nutrients

Ingredients present in the food

Limit “low” quality proteins Optimize fat quality Strengthen QA procedures (Quality Assurance) for young birds Monitor the quality of SBM diets

Food Manufacturing

Thermal cooking?

Particle size of the ingredients Heat / QA procedure time Starter diets

Food Additives

Enzymes Probiotics Prebiotics Mananoligosaccharides (MOS), etc.

Organic acids Medium chain triglycerides In-ovo nutrition

Management

Incubation temperature Bed conditions

their nutritional needs and conditions of proliferation.

Our understanding of the interaction between microbial populations and digestion should not divert our attention from the importance of basic principles of broiler management.

Incubation practices are increasingly important in optimizing normal intestinal function and

Action Reduce excess N Limit NDPs Adapt the fatty acid profile to the age of the bird Diet planning (changes)

minimizing pathogen growth.

Promoting growth in an antibiotic-free environment PDF DOWNLOAD

54 aviNews International July 2020 | Promoting growth in an antibiotic-free environment

interview

INTERVIEW

DR. LAURA STAR

Chickens are usually kept in flocks or group housing cage systems, not as individual birds. Yet, better and more efficient production figures with lower excretion, should be possible when birds are fed according to their individual needs. Precision feeding seems the answer and is not unreal. Practical solutions are underway.

55 aviNews International July 2020 | Interview with Laura Star

“THE SEARCH FOR PRECISION FEEDING IN POULTRY” “We should rethink the way in which we

feeder with a device, such as a grill or a tube

feed poultry”, says Dr. Laura Star, professor

on top of the gutter, is used to only feed the

precision feeding and sustainable poultry

females and to prevent the males from reaching

farming at Aeres University of Applied Sciences

the feed of the females. The bigger males only

in Dronten, The Netherlands. Also, Laura is

have access to higher positioned pan feeders.

interview

a senior researcher at the Schothorst Feed Research institute in Lelystad, The Netherlands.

Back to layer feeding. Hendrix Genetics

“In current commercial production systems,

their breeding stock. From the results it became

poultry is usually kept in flocks, rather than

clear that there was a wide range among the

individually”, she continues. “Consequently,

intake of individual birds. On average, daily

feeding chickens is done according to this

intake accounted 106 grams per bird, with a

traditional system. They all have access to

variability ranging from 50 – 140 grams. With

the same feed supply resources through

precision feeding, a bird with too low intake

feed distribution systems, like chains or pan

might benefit from a more concentrated feed

feeders. But birds are different from each

with a higher nutrient level, whereas heavy

other and ideally they should be fed a ration

birds might be fed a ration with a lower nutrient

that meets their individual requirements.

level. Prerequisite of course is that a lower

The aim is to thus let nutrient intake be

nutrient level does not affect egg production.”

measured feed intake of individual layers in

as effective as possible. This is not just a matter of using feed ingredients effectively and hence save on expenses. Even more important is to minimise excretion of nitrate and phosphorous. After all, these put a heavy

In current commercial production systems, poultry is usually kept in flocks, rather than individually

burden on the environment. Particularly in densely populated areas, this is truly an issue.”

Buffet feeding To what extent all this is practically feasible,

Split feeding in place

is another question. But the idea is clear:

“Currently split feeding systems are in

An option could be the availability of various

place already”, according to Laura. “Think about layer flocks, which are fed different rations in the morning and evening. Yet, this is still based on feeding complete

every bird a ration at its own requirement. feed resources in the house, allowing the birds to select what fits to them. Compare this with a buffet in a restaurant, from which one can select food of choice.

flocks the same diet, rather than on the birds’ individual requirement.”

Another good example is separate feeding of males and females on breeder farms. Simply, males are completely different from females.

Because of their different sizes, it is not too difficult to feed them separately. Usually a chain

56 aviNews International July 2020 | Interview with Laura Star

With precision feeding, a bird with too low intake might benefit from a more concentrated feed with a higher nutrient level, whereas heavy birds might be fed a ration with a lower nutrient level.

Another option in group housed poultry is feeding the birds individually. Research among broiler breeder pullets, carried out by

All in all, many questions on precision feeding in poultry are still open.

Laura Star and her team, will gradually move on however, to eventually develop systems which are practically feasible.

The aim remains to improve the efficiency of nutrition in poultry.

Dr Martin Zuidhof at the University of Alberta in Canada, made clear that achieving a high uniformity among the birds is possible. Zuidhof created a system during rearing, in which the pullet hens are carrying a chip through which they are recognised by the feeding system.

they receive the feed volume which they deserve. Thus, it is possible to achieve a flock uniformity of 97-98 percent. Through this, it is possible to feed a uniform flock during the productive period. On the other hand is it to be questioned if it is a natural way to “create” birds of the same size in one flock. After all, in every population of a species, there are differences in

“In broiler flocks it is more complicated to individually feed the birds. After

interview

Once they enter a precision feeding station,

all, their life span is quite short. An idea could be to monitor a number of individual birds and thus, based on the average of these findings, provide a ration to the entire flock. Another option could be to provide different kinds of feed, like in group housed layers”.

size and shape of the individuals.

Interview with Laura Star PDF DOWNLOAD

The idea is clear: every bird a ration at its own requirement. An option could be the availability of various feed resources in the house, allowing the birds to select what fits to them. Compare this with a buffet in a restaurant, from which one can select food of choice 57 aviNews International July 2020 | Interview with Laura Star

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday

1th, 2th & 3th

June

2021

MIAMI

1TH WORKSHOPS 2TH & 3TH TECHNIC

WHERE THE LATIN AMERICAN POULTRY AND ANIMAL NUTRITION SECTORS CONVERGE

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