Information exchange
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Digital systems have facilitated better and more efficient data exchange. Currrently, a relational database model that presents data in tables is usually used. This makes it easy to select the right data for each hatchery or house. However, if you fail to utilise and apply the collected data, you are simply wasting your time and drawing the wrong conclusions.
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The exchange of information between the upstream (breeder) and downstream (broiler or rearing farmer) links relative to the hatchery will reveal the causes and consequences of problems and possible relationships. The breeder flock manager provides information about the parent stock and the hatching eggs supplied to the hatchery. The most important data supplied by the breeder farmer mainly concern the age of the parent stock, diseases, medication use, vaccinations and any decline in production. The hatchery supplies feedback to the breeder farmer on egg quality, fertility and hatchability. This starts with the initial inspection of eggs upon arrival at the hatchery for egg quality and care. The hatchery also passes on information to the broiler or rearing farm, so the characteristics of the day-old chicks can be taken into account in the flock management strategy. For example, if the hatching eggs were laid by young mother hens, the chicks will be smaller and more temperature sensitive. In this case, the broiler producer can set and maintain the house temperature at a higher value for longer. In turn, the broiler producer informs the hatchery about aspects relating to the first week of life in particular. Feedback that is especially important for the hatchery is the mortality rate and growth rate during the first seven days.
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Despite high levels of automation and digitisation, many hatcheries still keep paper records and charts. You are then more conscious of the data and the data remains in one place. Make sure that this data is entered into a practical database, so that you can learn from it later and it does not end up in a file in the filing cabinet.
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parent stock age vaccinations diseases chick day of hatch vaccinations
parent stock age vaccinations diseases egg storage period
Parent stock
Hatchery hatch chick weight embryo mortality cracks
Poultry farm (layers/broilers) mortality in week 1 feed conversion growth in week 1
The hatchery also plays a key role in the flow of relevant information.
1. Intro d u c t i o n
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