GUIDELINE TO A GOOD LAYER CHICKEN REARING PRACTICE

[ Management ]  [ Development of farm and facilities ] [ Feed ] [ Livestock ] [ Management of Livestock and Equipments ] [ Health] [ Sanitation ] [ Pest Control ] [ Pollution Control ] [ Welfare of Birds and Workers ]

INTRODUCTION

Market globalization, change in public and consumer evaluation about product quality, nature quality and animal welfare will affect farming activities and egg production. Farming methods which is more competitive, social-environment friendly, contribute towards consumer health and welfare of animals and workers must be applied to guarantee continuous production and ready market. There is a need to change to ensure success in investments made.

This paper is prepared as a guide for layer chicken industrialists in upgrading quality in farm management  layer industry which is more productive, highly competitive and convincing to both consumers and public.
1. MANAGEMENT
 
1.1




1.2

a)
b)
c)

1.3

 

Workers' health

Ensure all workers have good health status. Arrange health examination programme on a periodical basis.

Duties of workers

Prepare a duty list for each and every worker
Each and every farm worker should be clear about their duty and responsibility
Supervise, identify weaknesses and take appropriate action for improvement

Training

Prepare and carry out training programme for workers from time to time
 
2. DEVELOPMENT OF FARM AND FACILITIES
 
2.1 Location
 
a) Location site for the farm should not be within area/region under structural planning and development of district or nearby to areas that have high possibility to be developed for public needs
b) Complete and good facilities, (Road accessibility, drainage system, electricity supply and others)
c) Good ventilation 
d) At least 0.5 kilometer distance from nearest poultry farm for open house system and at least 0.1 kilometer for close house system
e) At least 0.20 kilometer from developed areas like municipality, industrial, tourist attractions, public places and facilities if practicing open house system. For close house system, should be at least 0.1 kilometer
f) Not nearby lakes, ponds and others that are always stopped at by migratory birds
2.2 Pens
 
a) Pens should be built in areas separated from non-productive areas and fenced up to separate the two
b) Not in close proximity with roads frequently used for transportation of chickens
c) Design, size, construction and materials used permit:
  • Optimum ventilation inside pens, comfortable and does not affect growth and health of chickens, as well as comfort and health of workers
  • Effective disinfection work 
Ventilation :
 
Temperature inside pens below 30°C (optimum 22-26°C). Humidity rate less than 70 %
Design :
 
  OPEN HOUSE SYSTEM CLOSE HOUSE SYSTEM
Width not more than 10 meter not more than 12 meter
Length of roof side at least 15-20 degree

same
Length depending on need not more than 500 meter
       
      * Length axis of pens should be in east-west direction to reduce effect of direct  sunlight on chickens
       
    a) Distance between pens at least the same as width of pens
    b) Materials, cages and design is such that chickens are not exposed to injury
    c) Buildings or trees nearby pens does not obstruct air circulation
    d) Enough exit doors for safety of workers and birds during emergency.
    e) For close house system, should install alarm signal
       
    2.3 Plan of Farm
 
    a) Prepare a structural plan of farm showing main accessible routes to farm, development of surrounding areas like villages, towns and source of water supply nearby.
    b) showing location of pens and other farm facilities
       
    3. FEED
 
    3.1 Feed
    a) Supply from feed mills that observe good manufacturing practice (GMP) or those recognized as its equivalent by the Department of Veterinary Services
    b) Monitor cleanliness and quality of feed from time to time
    c) Store in a place with good ventilation so as not to allow its quality to spoil, growth of fungus and breeding of pests
    d) Store in clean, rat and bird proof place.
    e) Do not keep poison materials in feed store.
    f) Do not keep feed too long (not more than one week).  For stores with cement or ground flooring, feed should be kept on a base height not less than 15 cm.
       
    3.2 Water
 
    a) Use water from supply that is clean or treated with chlorine and other  sanitizers approved by the Government
    b) Avoid contamination. Use covered drinkers that can be easily washed
    c) Use drinkers that will not easily rust and not made from materials that can lead to poisoning
    d) Monitor quality (pH, chemicals, bacteria and metal) from time to time
    4. LIVESTOCK
 
    4.1 Chicks
 
    a) Obtain chicks from breeder farms or hatcheries accredited by the Department of Veterinary Services or which observe management procedures acknowledged equivalent to accreditation prerequisites
    b) Check quality upon arrival.
    c) Should be from same flock or same age
    d) Chicks from different sources are not to be reared as one flock
       
    5. MANAGEMENT OF LIVESTOCK AND EQUIPMENTS
 
    5.1 Management Guide
    a) Prepare a farm management guide that includes management of livestock, feeds and water, pens, vaccination, use and maintenance of equipments, animal health and others
    b) Put a brief guide on management in each and every pen for workers' easy reference
       
    5.2 Quality Control
 
    a) Practice daily management, use and maintenance of facilities as well as equipments that will ascertain growth and good quality chicks
    b) That will ensure farming does not cause pollution and interference to surroundings also spread of disease
    c) Prepare a quality assurance programme
       
    5.3 Handling of Chickens and Eggs
 
    a) Collect eggs several times a day
    b) Keep clean eggs separately from those that are dirty and broken
    c) Ensure all equipments for handling of eggs are clean. Do have a maintenance program for these equipments
    d) Room for storing and grading of eggs should always be clean. Place for grading cleaned each time after grading is finished for the day
    e) Store eggs in correct position in clean place with low temperature and good ventilation
       
5.4

Records

Farm records should be complete (source of chicks, feeds, death, culling, treatment, vaccination, egg production, grades of eggs and others).  Records should be kept well and updated from time to time.
       
    5.5 Monitoring performance
 
    a) Farm productivity norm indicators as a management guide.
    b) Evaluate  productivity index continuously.
       
    6. Health
 
    6.1 Health Program
    a) Prepare a written document on health programme for the farm and carry it out properly
    b) Planning and carrying out of programme supervised closely by a recognized veterinary consultant 
    c) Assessed and updated from time to time
       
    6.2 Disease Control
 
    a) Monitor disease status in farm on a schedule basis.  Keep complete, orderly and updated records of disease monitoring
    b) Ascertain farm is free from Newcastle disease, zoonotic diseases (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci and diseases carried through feeds (Salmonellosis, E.coli 157, Campylobacter, Lysteria),
    c) Take immediate action to control its spread when a disease occurs in the farm
       
    6.3 Bio-security
 
    a) Prepare a written document on bio-security measures and carry it out properly
    b) Provide full and complete facilities for bio-security 
     
  • Entire boundary of farm to be fenced up at least with 'chain link' and maintained well
  • Have security guard at entrance to farm
  • Facilities for disinfection (roofed dip for tyres of vehicles and spray, foot bath, bathroom/mist spray).  Buildings/structures constructed must ensure disinfection work can be carried out effectively.
  • Work facilities for workers that fulfill requirements for bio-security
  • Bio-security facilities for visitors who wish to enter production areas
    c) Guide in carrying out bio-security rules and regulations
     

  • Only one passage way in and out of production areas used

  • Control system for movement of workers, visitors, vehicles, equipments and goods including baskets, chicks and feed in and out of production areas and between pens to make certain bio-security protocol stipulated is followed

  • Close house system where air sucked out from one house does not direct straight to next house 
    d)

Bio-security rules and regulations put up in strategic places in the farm for attention of workers
    e) Effectiveness of bio-security protocol monitored and evaluated from time to time and make improvements where necessary.
       
    6.4 Drugs, Poison and Chemicals
 
    a) Usage, handling and storage according to directions from manufacturers. Dosage, expiry date and storage place followed.
    b) Only keep quantity deemed enough for use within certain period of time before its expiry date
    c) Only use those endorsed by the Government
       
    6.5 Vaccine and Vaccination Programme
 
       
    a) Prepare a written document on vaccination programme and carry it out properly
    b) Use appropriate vaccine
    c) Vaccines kept, handled and used according to directions from manufacturers
    d) Do not use balance of vaccines already opened
    e) Use only vaccines approved by the Government 
    f) Monitor effectiveness of vaccination done. 
       
    6.6 Disinfection
 
    a) Pens disinfected thoroughly after every production cycle and left empty for a suitable period of time (can stop breeding cycle of disease carrier) before a new flock is brought in
    b) All farm equipments disinfected thoroughly after use and kept in a clean and dry place 
    c) Monitor effectiveness of disinfection work carried out
    7. SANITATION
 
    7.1 Cleanliness
 
    a) Always keep farm premises and surroundings clean
    b) Maintenance of growth and grasses in farm.
    c) Maintenance of drainage system
       
    7.2 Disposal of Farm Waste
 
    a) Dispose of dead chickens, pen litter, broken eggs and rubbish without delay. Practice proper disposal system: bury in holes with suitable depth, cover, burn in enclosed places and compose fertilizers out of these waste materials
    b) Dead chickens collected and handled properly to avoid possibility of spread of disease
    c) Ensure method of disposal does not pollute surroundings and disrupt public tranquility.
    d) Special place for disposal far away from pens and source of water supply
       
8. PESTS CONTROL
 
    8.1

Control Protocol

Prepare a written document on control and carry it out properly. Evaluate effectiveness of protocol from time to time and improve if necessary
       
    8.2 Construction of Pens and Store
 
    a) Bird and rat proof
    b) Materials used, size and assembling to ensure birds cannot enter pens.  Periodical checks to make sure always in good condition.
c) Make sure there's no place in the farm that will attract rats and birds to make their nests
       
    8.3 Trees and Growth
 
    a) Trees that attracts birds to farm are not encouraged to be planted surrounding pens.  Trees nearby should have branches well maintained
    b) Grass and growth within 30 meter distance from pens maintained well and not be more than 15 centimeter to avoid becoming a nesting place or refuge for rats and birds. No grass and growth within at least 90 centimeter distance surrounding pens
       
    8.4 Control and Monitoring of Rats
 
    a) Monitor infestation of rats from time to time and keep complete records
    b) Take steps to ensure rat index is not more than 10
    c) Take control measures if index is higher than this number
       
    9. POLLUTION CONTROL
 
    9.1 Flies
 
    a) Take measures so that fly infestation in the farm is at a minimum level. Draw up a fly control program and carry it out properly
    b) Monitor fly infestation at all stages of rearing periodically and keep complete records of fly index (use Scuder fly grill); must not be more than 10.  Take control measures if index is higher than this number
       
    9.2 Smell
 
    a) Take measures so that smell from farm does not disrupt tranquility of surroundings at any time.
    b) Take appropriate action on anything that may be a source of bad smell in farm and surroundings without delay
       
    9.3 Dust 

Ensure air sucked out from close house system does not pollute air and disrupt surrounding areas
       
    9.4 Noise

Noise from farm activities and equipments used does not bother public in surroundings
       
       
    10. WELFARE OF BIRDS AND WORKERS
 
    10.1 Livestock Management
     
Chickens are free from stress, injury and discomfort on arrival at farm and whole period of rearing, catching and transportation.
     
  • Chickens get adequate water and nutritive feed  
  • Conform to stage of growth at all times
  • Adequate shelter and protection from weather that can be detrimental to health  
  • Suitable temperature according to stage of growth
  • Each chicken gets floor space in accordance with stage of growth
  • Each chicken gets water ad feeding space and at a height in accordance with  stage of growth
  • Catch chickens in a way which will not cause injury
  • Transport using vehicles with good ventilation system
  • Prepare a contingency plan just in case there's any breakdown in transportation
    10.2 Ventilation

Monitor level of ammonia, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and oxygen in closed house system from time to time to ensure it does not affect health of chickens and workers.  Gas levels must be as follows:
     
Ammonia  below 20 ppm
Carbon monoxide below 40 ppm
Carbon dioxide below 0.3%
Oxygen above 16%
Hydrogen sulfide  below 5 ppm
       
    10.3 Facilities for Workers
 
    a) Housing quarters, resting place for food and refreshments provided at a distance at least 15 meters from pens
    b) Toilets in housing areas and farm
    c) Clothing and safety measures for workers in high risk or accident-prone areas

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