Page 19 - AWA Vol.37 No.4

POULTRY

BREEDER NEST MANAGEMENT

TO IMPROVE QUALITY EGG

PRODUCTION

Egg collection should be done fre- Open the nests at least 15 minutes be-
quently to prevent having more than fore the lights switch on and close them
Paul Welten 3 eggs per nest because this can induce 30 minutes before the lights switch off.
Breeder Specialist, Cobb Europe pre-incubation and broken eggs. This will prevent birds sleeping and
dirtying the nests.
Breeder farmers strive to produce Mechanical community
clean and fertile hatching eggs. The nests Some companies raise flocks in the
quality of day old chicks is directly re- same house from placement to deple-
lated to the hatching egg. Therefore, Position community nest systems tion. In these facilities the nests should
the breeder farmers have an indirect in the center of the house so that the be covered until the age of 19 to 20
impact on the day old chick quality. walking distance for the females do not weeks. Open the nest at the time that
Good breeder nest management will exceed 6 to 6.5 meters to the nest (the the first egg is laid. The open nest be-
reduce the risk of floor eggs, dirty nest ideal is a house of 12 to 14.5 meter wide comes a new element for the females
eggs and cracked eggs, all of which for one row nest). Nests can be made of and makes them curious at onset of
can impact hatchability and chick different materials including plywood, production.
quality. plastic or steel. The nest material is Hygiene and health status
important, so consider that steel is a
good heat conductor whilst plastic and While inside the hen, the egg has a
plywood less so. Therefore, in regions temperature of about 41°C (106°F). Af-
with temperature extremes, do not use ter laying, the egg cuticle dries quickly
nesting systems that are made of highly to protect the pores of the shell. In a
thermal conductive materials because mechanical nest with nest pads the egg
they are less comfortable for hens. temperature can drop 10°C (50°F) in 15
The egg belt is often made from minutes. While cooling, the eggs are
polypropylene (PP) or woven mate- very susceptible to contamination as
Nests rials. Perforated egg belts are most microorganisms can be drawn into the

More and more companies are chang- commonly used as this prevents the egg through the egg pores. Therefore,
any fecal material in the nest can con-
ing from manual nests to mechanical eggs from rolling around on the belt. taminate freshly laid eggs. Replace any
nests to reduce labor costs. However, In addition, eggs tend to be cleaner nesting material that is soiled. Sanitize
both types can work very well. The since the open structure allows dirt and nest pads at least once in the middle
nest boxes must have solid bottoms and feathers to fall to the floor. of the production cycle, or more often
be well-maintained so it is the most at- Birds like to lay their eggs in the dark, based on the level of soiling. The most
tractive place in the house for the birds so a curtain for the nest is very impor- common nest pads are made from ar-
to lay eggs. The nest should be hen tant. The accessibility to the nest is one tificial turf or rubber. The pads have
friendly, have clean and dry bedding of the most crucial parts. The birds like fingers that minimize the egg contact
and provide environmental comfort for to have an instep height of 15 to 17 with dirt. Worn pads must be replaced
the hen. It is essential that there is no cm. To attract the birds to the nest it so that eggs roll away on to the egg belt.
air movement in the nest because birds is recommended to have a slat area Failure to replace worn pads will result
are very sensitive to drafts. that is 40% of the floor area. The birds
should be able to rest on the slats. The in extra labor needed to collect eggs.
Manual nests slat height should be a maximum of 45 As the flock ages and the eggshell
It is recommended to have a maxi- cm with a slope of 7 degrees. Place one gets thinner, it is important to keep
mum of 4 birds to each manual indi- feeder line on the slat and a drinker the nest boxes clean to prevent con-
vidual nest, depending on the type of line in front of the nest, about 60 to 70 taminated eggs. At this point, the nest
nest. The depth of the nest should be at cm from the nest. The drinker line and material should be disinfected more
least 15 cm, so females feel protected. the feeder line should be at least 60 frequently or replaced when worn.
Provide enough bedding to fill the nest cm apart. Never place all the feeder Keep mechanical nests free from sick
at least ½ but no more than 2/3rd full. lines over the slats because the birds birds and mortalities. These birds can
The maximum height to jump to get will congregate on the slats and block be a significant source of nest contam-
into the nest should be around 45 cm. the entrance to the nests. ination. Keep nests free from parasites
including red mites which can make

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