Some problems of poultry production By Getachew Assefa, Lectures, researcher, consultant and farm manager

Production problems in poultry farm 1.Thin shell egg 2.No egg production 3.Low productivity

Problem I Thin shell egg

Possible causes for thin shelled egg 1.Management. 2.Disease and 3.Nutrition, 4.Defective shell gland

Temperature Temperature of the barn has a very significant effect on shell quality (Excessive heat - exposure to temperatures over °F ( ° Centigrade) It has been shown that the increased respiration of the birds during unusually hot conditions results in depletion of carbon dioxide in the blood and reduced availability of calcium carbonate for shell formation.

Disease Disease in general has a negative impact on shell quality The stress caused by a disease challenge can reduce water and feed intake and reduced feed intake will cause a calcium deficiency, which will cause shell problems

There are also several diseases that can directly affect shell quality.  Some of them are: 1.infectious bronchitis 2.Newcastle 3.Egg drop syndrome 4.skin parasites or internal worms

Egg drop syndrome  It is a viral disease.  Birds infected with egg drop syndome don't appear sick, but they will lay fewer eggs, many of which are thin-shelled (and often paler in shell color.)  The birds will have to be culled from the flock.

Toxins Toxins in the environment (i.e., mold / fungi, bacteria, etc.)

Other causes of thin shelled egg 1.Molting 2.age 3.Defective shell gland

Molting o while egg-laying

Defective shell gland The only option is to cull the bird from the flock.

Flock Age Shell Quality has been shown to decrease with age of the flock. There are two main reasons for this. First, older flocks lay larger eggs. These larger eggs require more shell, but the hen is unable to increase the amount of shell that is produced, resulting in thinner shells. Second, the hen looses some of her ability to mobilize calcium from the bone, and is less able to produce the needed calcium carbonate.

Nutrition Major nutrition related problems include calcium deficiency or excessiveness Vitamin D Phosphorus Manganese

Calcium One major dietary component affecting eggshell quality is calcium. Each egg contains up to 2.5g of the calcium. Both excess and deficiency of calcium will negatively affect shell quality. Excess calcium will cause reduced feed intake, which will affect shell quality, as well as production.

Although the diet may have sufficient calcium, shell quality may still suffer. The requirement for calcium is highest when the shell is being deposited on the egg.

This occurs during the hours just prior to lay, which is usually at night when it is dark and feed is not available. Supplying large particle calcium, such as oyster shell or large particle limestone, in the feed or spread on the litter, can be effective in allowing calcium to be available during shell synthesis.

Vitamin D, phosphorus and magnums There are other nutrients, such as vitamin D, phosphorus, and manganese, which will also cause poor shell quality if they are improperly balanced. Vitamin D is vital in the absorption and mobilization of calcium during shell synthesis

Phosphorus is a key component of bone, along with calcium. High levels of phosphorus in the blood will inhibit the mobilization of calcium from the bone. Manganese interferes with the metabolism of calcium, and can cause poor shell quality if it is in excess in the diet

The use of drinking water supplements, such as vitamin D3, calcium, and phosphorus will help the birds absorb calcium and make it more easily available in the short term.

Problem 2 Hens do not lay egg

Hens too fat (especially pullets) Too thin Not enough water (make sure drinking water is fresh and palatable) Too much stress (for example rowdy children, close proximity to dogs or noisy machinery, rats or mice in the house)

Parasites such as lice, mites or internal worms Nest-box problems - such as wet nest boxes or one hen preventing others from accessing a nest box Very cold, wet or windy weather Fighting between hens (a rooster in the house may help keep hens in order) Overcrowding Disease

Problem 3 A small number of eggs

Possible causes Unsuitable breed (replace with modern commercial hybrid strains), Not enough food (feed layers’ compound ration with adequate level of protein), Cold weather (increase grain ration in cold weather),

Not enough water, Not enough light, Predators taking eggs, Disease, Eggs being laid elsewhere (make more nest boxes available).

Disease Some strains of the virus cause predominantly respiratory and nervous signs. An early sign of infection in laying flocks may be a sudden marked decrease in egg production. Laying hens may produce abnormal or irregularly shaped thin-shelled eggs with poor quality yolk and watery albumin.

What shall we do then ?

Conclusion Try to single out the cause of the problem and make correction accordingly

Conclusion  If you can’t single out a sing problem take corrective measure according to the following procedure 1.change the feed or check formulations 2.avoid stress including environmental and other 3.adjust light and water supply 4.Check the presence of the above listed disease and make correction  If the above measures fail to bring change, cull the flock.

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