Breeders, Layers and Hatching Egg Production R. Keith Bramwell, PhD Department of Poultry Science University of Arkansas

History of Poultry Industry Orgin of chicken - Jungle Fowl (India) Reason for initial domestication - cock fighting

History of the Poultry Industry 19th century- poultry fanciers:new breeds developed which became the American class 1st poultry show - 1849 in Boston American poultry assoc. Formed in 1873 Standard of excellence published in 1874 Chicks could be mailed - 1918

Exhibition Chickens American Poultry Association lists nearly 400 breeds of chickens most with several varieties Over 1000 chicken shows held annually in the US The APA Standard of Perfection sets the ideal qualities for each breed and variety

What is Bantam Chicken? A small version of the larger (standard size) breed Bantams are almost exclusively for exhibition

Breeds and Varieties Breed is a type of chicken Leghorn or a Plymouth Rock Variety is defined by the variations within the breed Leghorn – single comb vs rose comb white vs light brown Plymouth rock – White Rock vs Barred Rock

Types of Variations Body shape and structure Modern game, Japanese, rumpless

Types of Variations Leg and feet variations Size Sound? Silkie, Salmon Favorelle, etc Size Bantam, standard Sound? Long crowers!

Breeds and Varieties

Types of Variations Feather color Solid coloring Barring, penciled, mottled

Types of Variations Feather type Silkies, frizzles, long tails

Types of Variations Feather distribution Polish, cochins, naked neck

Types of Variations Comb type Single, rose, pea, v-shape, etc

Comb Types

Comb Types

Comb Types

Comb Types

Reproduction and Breeding Cockerels and pullets can become sexually mature by 14 to 16 weeks of age Good fertility occurs at least 2-3 weeks after the onset of egg production Industry delays sexual maturation to 18 to 25 weeks Allows birds to develop body conformation which results in better egg size

Reproduction and Breeding Reproduction occurs with light stimulation after they attain an appropriate body weight and conformation As little as 14 hours of light can stimulate reproduction (15-16 hours best) Light stimulation can be ‘staggered in’ Light duration must be consistent from day to day

Reproduction and Breeding With light stimulation hens can lay through the winter However, they will need a break sometime to undergo either a hard or soft molt to regenerate body reserves

Reproduction and Breeding Males can be housed with anywhere from 1 to 10-12 hens This depends upon the breed and age of the birds Ornamental and exhibition breeds have more fertility problems For pedigree breeding up to 15 hens can be housed with a single good male in rotation

Reproduction and Breeding Hens can store viable sperm for up to two weeks If pedigree breeding, this should be taken into consideration

Developing a Breeding Program You must have top quality birds!!!! Or, you must start out with A LOT of birds and have A LOT of time!

Developing a Breeding Program When you decide to be serious, select a couple of your favorite breeds and specialize Once you get the birds, select the best pairs, trios, etc. as breeders One rooster can breed 5-10 hens in rotating cages

Selection of Birds Select birds that fit your purpose Then make sure your birds look and act like they are supposed to

Developing a Breeding Program Light stimulate breeders to get chicks year round Min 14 hours light per day, everyday Hatch every egg they lay to give you numerous birds for selection Don’t be afraid to cull!!! Don’t keep poor quality birds around that may reproduce

Developing a Breeding Program Keep records of birds, band them, and create pedigree charts You may need to outcross with other breeds or other lines to get the traits you want

Easter Silkies?

Female Reproductive System: Ovary Mature ovary consists of numerous developing follicles Appears like a cluster of grapes Follicles present in hierarchal order

Sperm Cell Storage A biological necessity to produce fertile eggs in the avian system

Fertilization Sperm Storage Insemination (AI or Natural) Sperm transport to site of fertilization Recognition of sperm binding sites Fertilization Sperm acrosome reaction and penetration

Fertilization Location - Infundibulum Time - within ~ 5 minutes following ovulation or before the ovum enters the magnum

Fertilization Shell formation takes 24-26 hours to complete Hen’s body temperature 104 - 106o F

Fertilization & Embryo Development Fertilization occurs within 5 minutes after ovulation Shell formation takes 24-26 hours to complete Hen’s body temperature 104 - 106o F Laid egg represents 1 days embryonic growth (20,000 - 40,000 cells)

Day 0 of Incubation: Before Egg is Laid Fertile/infertile determination can be made at lay While the egg moves from initial fertilization, to shell membrane formation to shell formation in the oviduct, the embryo develops from the early to late cleavage stages Germinal disc diameter (3-4mm) larger the first few hours after fertilization than at lay

Fertile and Infertile Eggs

Artificial Insemination : a Three Step Procedure 1. Semen collection 2. Semen dilution* 3. Insemination * Second step may be omitted if neat (undiluted) semen is used for insemination within 30 min. of collection

Egg Production Provide nest boxes off the ground and keep them clean Contaminated eggs (exploders) can ruin chick hatch and chick quality

Nest Boxes Hens want to feel secure when they lay their egg Manufactured boxes Anything else

What Is Secure for Them?

Hatching Egg Management ‘On the Farm’ Minimize use of dirty eggs Remove and discard poor hatching eggs Dirty, cracked, small, very large, poor shells, mish-shaped eggs

Effect Of Egg Storage On Hatchability

Egg Handling Prior to Incubation Temporarily stop embryo development -Lower internal temperature of the egg below 70o F (physiological temperature) Do not allow eggs to oscillate above and below physiological temperature -Early hatching chicks (dehydration) -Early embryonic mortality will increase

High to Low Storage Temperature 82.3 80.0 79.4 76.5 74.3 72.9

Egg Storage Store eggs in appropriate on farm egg room ~ 70 F ~ 75% humidity Less than 10 days Keep egg room clean and tidy (biosecurity)

Egg Storage Take extra care in grading eggs (egg pack) Carefully place eggs point down in setter trays

Fixing Cracked Eggs Simple fine hairline crack ) paint with thin layer of glue Break that causes indentation ) cut kleenex, shell membrane of infertile egg ) glue edges and dry ) paint over patch If crack leaked liquid contents, unlikely to survive

Incubation Preferences Multi stage ? Several ages of eggs in one machine Single stage? All in all out (much cleaner) Separate hatcher? Sanitation necessity

Incubation Preferences Letting nature take its course . . . Setting only + Hatching + Brooding + Growing

Artificial Incubation

In the Beginning . . . The Small

Small to Medium . . . The Dome Style

Medium Sized . . . Table Top Style

Medium Sized . . . Table Top Style

Large Sized . . . Cabinet Style

Large Sized . . . Cabinet Style

At the End ? . . . The Extra Large

Artificial Incubation Important points Temperature Humidity Turning Ventilation

Artificial Incubation Temperature Control ) Range from 98.7 to 100 F 99.1-99.8 optimum ‘Still air’ incubators suggest higher incubation temperatures as opposed to ‘forced air’ units

Artificial Incubation Humidity ) Achieving specific water loss is the goal 11-15% general rule 12% weight loss best 2 ) Relative humidity should be 55 - 60 % Wet bulb temp 80 - 85 F

Artificial Incubation Egg turning ) Recommendations 5-6 times per day (three times is OK) 180 degrees, not all in one direction place an X on one side of egg Do not turn last three days of incubation

Artificial Incubation Ventilation Air exchange is critical to prevent suffocation Rule of thumb – ventilate as much as you can and still be able to maintain incubator temperatures

Setter Operation Ventilation Temperature control Supply of fresh air, exhausting CO2 Temperature control Varies with setter type 99.5 – 1000 F

Setter Operation Humidity Turning Used to control moisture loss Chickens ~ 12 % @ 18 days Ostrich ~ 15% total 840 F wet bulb (~ 54% humidity) Turning Ensures proper embryo development At least 2-3 X per day

Hatcher Operation Ventilation Humidity Temperature May increase after pipping Humidity varies with different species Temperature Usually lower than in the setting machines Do not turn eggs prior to hatching

Incubation Duration Varies a great deal among species Chicken 21 days Duck 28 – 35 days Pheasant 24 days Quail 18 – 24 days Turkey 28 days Emu 48-52 days Budgie 14 days

Egg Candling Candling allows examination of embryo development After 10 days of incubation, use a small flashlight and place it on the large end of the egg while in a dark room Examine and determine normal embryo development at 10 days Break open unhatched eggs (residue breakout) to determine fertility or embryo death

Hatch of Fertile 86.4% hatch / 96% fertile * 100 = 90% Hatch of Fertile Hatchery % Hatch % Fertile % Hatch of Fertile A 86 97 88.66 B 82 91 90.11 C 84 94 89.36

Natural Incubation Maintain a pen of naturally broody hens Silkies, Cochins, etc Allow layers or breeders to incubate and brood their own young

Incubation – management of setters and hatchers Hatchability Controlling Factors Farm Hatchery Breeder Nutrition Sanitation Disease Egg Storage Infertility Egg Damage Incubation – management of setters and hatchers Egg Sanitation Chick Handling

Chick Pull and Processing Chicks separated, graded by quality, counted Vaccination

Factors Influencing Chick Size Egg size Chick weight 66-68% of egg weight Moisture loss during incubation Length of time between setting and pulling chicks from hatchers Date at which incubation began

Brooding Chicks Start chicks at 90 to 92oF Lower temp ~ 5oF each week thereafter Use a solid brooder guard if you have a large area you are raising the chicks Feed and water chicks immediately after they are placed in brooding area Provide access to food and fresh water at all times!

Brooder Ideas

Just right Too hot Too cold Too drafty

Importance of Water Water is the forgotten nutrient It must be clean, and cool at all times Don’t create a soup of bacteria! Adding vitamins or electrolytes in the water is also very helpful

Ambient Environment In addition to air temperature Keep birds dry Don’t allow birds to be exposed to air drafts But. . . Birds need fresh air Keep birds dry Keep pens (floor) dry

Brooding Chicks Feed chicks a quality starter feed for several weeks This feed is high in protein and a “rich” formula

Rearing Pullets After the starter feed formula runs out switch to a regular chicken grower Again provide access to food and clean, cool water always

Housing for the “Hens” Keep them “high and dry” Clean floors and area Fresh air through ventilation Without excessive drafts Nest boxes Perches Adequate feed and water space

How It Used to Be Done in 1926

Do we need to reinvent the wheel? NO! How it used to be done is not bad However, we do know much more about birds today than anyone has ever known, . . . We can and should utilize this information!