Poultry Production Management

Theory Part – Unit VI

By: D K Singh, Prof, LPM
 Common Terms
Poultry Any avian species domesticated for economic purpose
come under the poultry such as chicken, duck, guinea
fowl, turkey, emu, ostrich, geese etc.
Breed A breed refers to a group of domestic fowl s with a
common ancestry and having similarity in shape,
conformation, growth, temperament and egg shell color
Chicken It is warm blooded vertebrate covered with feathers and
or fowl skin generally reared for economic purpose
Chicks Young ones of either sex of domestic fowl up to eight
weeks of age
Grower Growing chickens from 9-20 weeks of age
Pullet Female chicken usually about 9-18 weeks of age and
ready for laying eggs is termed as pullet
Cockerel A young male chicken less than one year of age
Hen A mature female chicken in laying usually about one year
of age is called hen
Cock Adult male chicken usually about one year of age
Broiler A young chicken of either sex generally 6-8 weeks of age
specially raised for meat production
Brooding Intensive care and management of baby chicks up to an
age of 4 weeks
Culling Elimination of unproductive and undesirable birds from
the flock
Flock Group of birds from the same origin kept in the same
premises for the similar use
Sexing Sorting of flock in to male –female components
Auto- Differentiation of sex in chickens by some visual
sexing characteristics, feather color, early feathering and
barring pattern
Candling Assessment of fertile or infertile egg with a bright light
behind the egg
Cannibalism The practice by some birds of attacking and eating
other members of the same flock
Air cell Air space usually found at the broad end of the egg
Albumin White portion of egg
Debeaking Removing tip of beak by specially designed equipment
to prevent the cannibalism and its associated vices
AI Introduction of semen into the female oviduct by the
methods other than natural mating
Cloaca Common external opening for digestive, urinary and
reproductive tract
FCR Relationship between feed provided and production of
eggs or body weight generally expressed as ratio
Clutch No. of eggs laid by a hen in continuation without break
is referred as clutch
Pause No. of days between two successive clutches

Ovipositon Act of laying eggs is called oviposition

Ovulation Process of releasing mature ova from the ovary
Hen day Egg production record calculated on the basis of
egg prod
survivors and expressed as percentage
Hen housed Egg production record calculated on the basis of
egg prod
number of birds placed in the house
Shank Unfeathered part of chicken leg
Spent A layer that has reached the end of her economic egg
hen laying life
 Zoological Classification of chicken
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Sub-Class Neornithes
Order Galliforms
Family Phasianidae
Subfamily Phasianinae
Genus Gallus
Species Gallus gallus
Scientific Name Gallus gallus domesticus

Scientific name of other avian species

Duck Anas platyrhynchos
Turkey Meleagris gallopavo
Japaneese quail Coturnix coturnix japonica
Guinea fowl Numida meleagris
Ostrich Struthio camelus
Goose Anser anser
Pigeon Columba livia
Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae
 Classification of poultry with respect to production
characters, age and standards
Most of the chicken breeds are classified in to four major groups
based on their place of origin

American Class Mediterranean Class

 Plymouth Rock  Leghorn
 White Plymouth Rock  White Leghorn
 Black Plymouth Rock  Black Leghorn
 Barred Plymouth Rock  Minorca
 Wyandotte  Ancona
 Rhode Island Red  Blue Andalusian
 New Hampshire  White–faced black Spanish
 Jersey Black Giant
English Class
Asiatic Class
 Orpington
 Brahma
 Cornish
 Cochin
 Sussex
 Langshan
 Dorking
 Red Cap
 Australorp
 Classification of poultry with respect to production
characters, age and standards
Most of the chicken breeds are classified in to four major groups
based on their place of origin

Common characteristics of American Class

Breed Characteristics
Earlobe Skin Shank Egg Comb Varieties
Plymouth Red Yellow Yellow Brown Single Yes
Rock
Rhode Red Yellow Yellow Brown Single No
Island Red
New Red Yellow Yellow Brown Single No
Hampshire
Jersey Red Yellow Black Brown Single No
Black Giant
Wyandotte Red Yellow Black Brown Single Yes

White, black and Barred Plymouth Rock

Silver and golden laced, Columbian and buff are the varieties of Wyandotte
 Common characteristics of English Class
Breed Characteristics
Earlobe Skin Shank Egg Comb Varieties
Orpington Red White Yellow Brown Single Buff, Black,
White Blue
Cornish Red Yellow Yellow Brown Pea White, Buff
Sussex Red White Yellow Brown Single Speckled,
Red, Light
Dorking Red White Black White Single White, Silver,
Red, Grey
Australorp Red White Bluish Brown Single Black
Red cap Red White Yellow Brown Rose No

Common characteristics of Asiatic Class

Breed Characteristics
Earlobe Skin Shank Egg Comb Varieties
Brahma Red Yellow Yellow Brown Pea Buff, Light,
Dark
Cochin Red Yellow Yellow Brown Single Blue, Brown,
Barred, Buff
Langshan Red White Bluish Brown Single White, Black,
Black Blue
 Common characteristics of Mediterranean Class

Breed Characteristics

Earlobe Skin Shank Egg Comb Varieties

Leghorn White Yellow Yellow White Single Buff, Black,

White, Red

Minorca White White Blakish White Single White, Buff,

Black, Brown

Spanish White White Yellow White Single White faced

black

Andalucian White White Slaty White Single Blue

Blue

Ancona White Yellow Yellow White Single, Black

Rose

Catalana White White Yellow White Single Buff

Body Parts of Chicken
 Classification of poultry breeds

White Plymouth Rock Black Plymouth Rock

Rhode Island Red Female of New Hampshire

Cornish Australorp

Dorkings
Barred Plymouth Rock Black Wyandotte

Sussex Dehlam Red

White Leghorn Black Minorca

Bhrama
White Wyandotte
Description of indigenous fowls and their value in
rural farming
Aseel: known for its pugnacity, high stamina, majestic
gait and dogged fighting qualities originated from AP.
Peela, yakub, noorie, kagar, chitta, jaba, teeker are the
main varieties, poor in productivity, good meat quality,
efficient mother, posses pea comb
Naked neck: Bare neck becomes due to dominant Na
gene, birds are well suited to hot humid tropics due to
better heat dissipation mechanism
Kadaknath: Natural habitat is Jhabua district of MP,
also know as kalamasi, black pigmentation is due to
melanin.
Frizzle fowl: Confined to hot and humid climates.
Rachis of the feather is curved b/o dominant frizzle
gene (F) that’s by plumage looks curly heat dissipation
increased resulted better adaptability to tropical
climate especially for arid zone
Ankleshwar: Native place is Gujarat, hardy but poor in
productivity
Faverolla: Small sized with small comb and wattles
from Kashmir. Feathered comb is the peculiarity of this
breed, well suited for temperate climates, fancy bird
with low production potential
Nicobari: Originated from Nicobar group of Islands,
good layer among native breeds
Ghagus: Feathered shank is very common, AP and
Karnatka are the captive area, hardy and resistant to
common diseases
Kalinga Brown: Area b/w Mahanadi and Godavari is the
native place, multi-colored plumage, long tail, short
height, hardy and well adapted local environment,
poor egg producer, brown shelled egg
Punjab brown: meat type bird with brown plumage
originated from Punjab and Haryana , live wt- 3-4 kg in
males
Denki: Natively from Andhra Pradseh, fairly heavy with
glossy and lustrous plumage, single comb, fairly
resistant to diseases
Kalasthi: Closely resembles to Denki except that are
smaller in size
Miri: Small sized black bird mostly reared by Miri tribes
of Assam
Tellichery: Small bird with black skin, varying plumage
color, Kerela - native place, meat is said to have some
medicinal value
Haringhata Black: originated from west Bengal, small
bodied black with typical conformation of a layer
Chittagong: Found in eastern part of country, dual
purpose with poor mothering ability, adults are strong
and hardy with quarrelsome temperament, buff, white,
black, dark brown and grey are the main varieties
Bursa: Small to medium sized bird from Gujarat and
Maharashtra having non-significant characters
Chittagong Male Kadaknath

Necked Neck
Aseel Langsang

Girirani Kalinga Brown

Punjab Brown Ankleshwar

Faverolla Nicobari Male

 Vanraja Giriraja

CARI-Nirbheek CARI-Shyama
CARI-Devendra Java
 Specific strains developed for rural poultry production,
their acceptability and importance in rural eco-system
Strains developed by public and private sectors
 CARI-Shyama  Krishi Priya
 CARI-Nirbheek  Gram Priya
 Upcari  Rainbow Rooster
 Hitcari  Kuroiler
 Vanraja  Satpuda Desi
 Giriraja  Nandnum
 CARI-Devendra  Chabro
 Dhanraja  Srinidhi
 Uttrafowl
Characteristics Features
1. Colored plumage, small comb and stunted beak
2. Small body, long shank, strong wing and aggressive temperament
3. Disease resistant with better adaptability to local environment
4. Poor producer as compared to commercial elite strains
5. Have self propagation property with better brooding instinct
6. Thrive well under scavenging system and meet 2/3rd of daily feed
requirement by fallen grains, kitchen waste, worms, insects etc
7. Potential source of subsidiary income for rural poor
8. Copping the problem of malnutrition in rural areas
9. Contribute about 20% towards the national egg production
 Dual Purpose Chicken Strains Developed for Backyard Poultry

CARI-Shyama Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar

CARI-Nirbheek Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar
Upcari Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar
Hitcari Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar
Vanraja Project Directorate on Poultry, Hyderabad
Giriraja University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangluru
CARI-Devendra Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar
Dhanraja Project Directorate on Poultry, Hyderabad
Krishi Priya Kerela Agricultural University, Mannuthy
Gram Priya Project Directorate on Poultry, Hyderabad
Rainbow Roaster Indbro Research & Breeding Farms, Hyderabad
Kroiler Kegg Farms, Pvt Ltd, New Delhi
Satpuda Desi Yashwant Agritech, Jalgaon, Maharashtra
Nandnum TANUVAS, Chennai
Chabro Central Poultry Breeding Farm, Chandigarh
Srinidhi Project Directorate on Poultry, Hyderabad
 Commercial Chicken Stocks

Layer Stock Bebcock, BV-300, BV-380, Lohman, Bovans, Hi-line,

Indbro Brown Layer
Broiler Stock Ross-308, Ross-408, Indian River, Cobb-400, Cobb-
700, Indbro Fast Broiler, Hubbard, Kegbro, Marshal

High Yielding Commercial Layer Stocks

Babcock, BV-300, BV-380 Venkateshwara Hatcheries, Pune

Lohman Tarkeshwara Hatcheries, Nasik
Bovans Sakku Breeding Farms, Coimbatore
Hyline Hyline Research and Breeding farm
Indbro Brown Layer Indbro Breeding & Research Farms, Pvt Ltd,
Hyderabad
Hubbard, Hubchick Poona Pearl, Pune
 Chick/ Brooding Management

Intensive care and management of baby chicks during early part

of their life (up to 4 wks) is termed as brooding. Generally, two
systems of brooding are followed.
1 Hot room brooding: Central heating device heats entire
brooding room. It makes the ventilation easier and avoids
dampness of litter.
2 Cold room brooding: It involves heating only the area under
brooder canopy. Better feathering appears with this type of
brooding. It is again of two types:
A Floor brooding: Most prevalent method of broiler brooding in
which chicks are placed under the metal hover or bamboo
basket equipped with a electric bulb. To prevent the straying of
innocent chicks, brooder guard of 30 cm height encircling the
hover at distance of about 50 cm for the first week may be
used. Provide the specified feed and potable water to the
chicks.
B Battery Brooding: Chicks are brooded in iron made multistoried
batteries that are well equipped with heating, light, feeding,
watering and fecal collection facilities. It is mostly used in
commercial layer farming.
Advantages of Battery Brooding
1 Lesser mortality than floor brooding
2 Low incidences of Coccidiosis and litter borne problems
3 More number of chicks can be accommodated
Infrared Brooding: Infrared light heats any object that comes in
contact with it, but not the air. Infrared bulbs of 150 and 250 watt
can be used to brood the 100-250 chicks
Advantages of Battery
Infrared Brooding
Brooding
1 Better growth and survival of chicks due to germicidal effect
2 Reduced cannibalism
3 Infrared rays triggers synthesis of vitamin D in S/C tissues

Types of Brooder
1 Gas brooder 5 Hot water brooder
2 Electric brooder 6 Kerosene brooder
3 Infrared brooder 7 Plate brooder
4 Box brooder 8 Pitcher brooder
B
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Infra red
brooding
 Preparation of Shed
1 Clean the house properly before 01 week of arrival of chicks
2 Sanitize equipments using Phenol, bleaching powder, KMNO4
3 If needed, fumigate the shed using formaldehyde and KMNO4
4 Switch on the brooder before 24 hrs of arrival of chicks
5 Place news paper for first 03 days and spread chick mash
6 Place the brooder guard in circular manner
7 Spread bedding material (Paddy husk) in 6-9 cm depth
8 Arrange feeder and waterer in alternate manner
9 Provide feeder and water space as per BIS
10 Ensure chick level temp as 90-95°F for Ist week and then
reduce @ 5°F per week
11 Provide electrolytes, vitamins and glucose for first 2-3 days
12 Enlarge the brooder guard circle by the age and size increment
13 Ensure round the clock light facility
14 Ensure 01 feeder and 01 waterer for every 50 chicks
15 Ensure litter moisture in between 20-25%
Housing - types of poultry houses and space requirement
House is a place or premises that provide desired
environmental and physical requirements for overall well being
of any living creature. Why housing ?
1. To protect from adverse climatic conditions, predators and
thieves
2. Ensure easy and economic implementation of activities
3. For scientific feeding in controlled manner
4. For effective disease control
5. Ensure proper supervision
Location of poultry farm
1. Should be well away from residential/industrial/ railway tracks/
state and national highways
2. East–West orientation is recommended
3. Should have proximity to road and marketing zone
4. Should have round the clock facility of electricity and water
5. Elevated floor (50 cm) to avoid seepage and water logging
6. Availability of labours at relatively cheaper wages
7. Should have proper ventilation and other environmental needs
8. Perfect drainage system is mandatory
9. Availability of raw material should be in reach
Housing
Types of poultry houses
1. Brooder/chick house: Used to brood and rear egg type chicks
from 0-8 weeks of age
2. Grower house: Used to rear egg type chicks from 9-18 weeks of
age
3. Brooder cum grower house: Birds are reared from 0-18 weeks in
the same house
4. Layer house: Birds over 18 weeks are reared usually up to 72 wks
5. Broiler house: In this, broilers are reared up to 6 weeks
6. Breeder house: In this, male and female breeder birds are
maintained at appropriate sex ratio
7. Environmentally controlled house: Environmental conditions are
manipulated in such a way that is required for bird’s growth

Space requirement
Type Age (Wk) Deep litter (sqft) Cage (sqft)
Egg-type chicken 0-8 0.60 0.20
9-18 1.25 0.30
> 18 1.50 0.50
Meat-type chicken 0-4 0.30 --
4-8 0.75 --
 Recent advances in housing and rearing systems
For better performance, poultry birds should be provided a good
housing ensuring the following climatic conditions:
 Temperature : 15-27ºC and relative humidity: 30-50%
 Air flow rate: 10-30 Mtr/min
 Oxygen: 20% and Carbon dioxide: < 0.5%
 Ammonia: < 20 ppm and Methane: <1 %
 Litter moisture: 15-20%
Rearing of poultry birds with complete of partial automation is the
recent advancement in housing system. EC houses and cage rearing
are the latest development in poultry rearing
EC house
1. Completely closed house with no window
2. Environmental conditions are manipulated artificially using
temperature and humidity controller, ventilation manipulator and
light intensity adjuster
3. Roof, walls and floor are well insulated and can maintain 0-40ºC
4. Has cooling as well as heating mechanism
5. Heat generated by birds and droppings is utilized for heating the
house
6. Foul air is remove by exhaust fan
7. No natural light, only artificial light is used throughout the year
8. Any orientation can be allowed
Advantages of ECH
1. More No. of birds can be accommodated per unit of area
2. Ensure round the year production
3. Provide 10-12% more productivity
4. Better feed conversion as compared to conventional housing
5. No issue of animal welfare and ethics
6. Easy to manage and operate
7. Comparatively less labour requirement
8. Leave more healthy and hygienic produce
9. No bedding material required
10.Comparatively lees disease infestation
Disadvantages of ECH
1. Heavy financial involvement
2. Technical support is not easily available
3. Little bit more technical
 Scavenging system of poultry management
Its an old system of poultry rearing in which a group of 5-20 birds
are maintained by a family particularly belonging to lower strata of
the society. Main clienteles are small and marginal farmers, landless
laborers and tribes.
Advantages
1. Ensure nutritional security to family
2. Provide substantial and regular income
3. No feed cost and required less input
4. Comparatively required less attention
5. Less disease occurrence
6. Fresh egg and chicken are available
Characteristics features of scavenging chicken
1. Localized birds with colored plumage
2. Should be small to medium in size
3. Poor producer with immuno-competance
4. Self propagation with mothering ability
5. Quarrelsome temperament with aggression
6. Should lay brown shelled egg
View of Backyard Poultry Farming
 Low input technology
1. No specific housing is required. Birds are provided with mud/
thatched house for night shelter to get protection from predators
and extreme weather
2. Birds are subsist mainly on kitchen waste, insects, worms,
fallen grains and tender leaves
3. Nearly 70% of their daily feed requirement are meet out by
roaming in and around the homestead
4. Ensure supply of potable water supply to birds
5. Strictly follow regular deworming of the scavenging birds
6. A group of 20 birds can provide subsidiary income of Rs 20000-
25000 per annum

Semi-intensive poultry units

1. A group of 50-200 birds are reared
2. Covered and open space as 1:1 ratio
3. Feed cost accounts >50%
4. Vaccination against RD, Fowl pox, MD
and CRD is advisable
5. Utmost care should be taken for vital
managemental issues
6. Specific dual purpose strains are
recommended
 Litter Management
Any bedding material having cushioning effect and keep
birds clean and comfortable spreading over on poultry house
floor is called litter
Types of Litter
Several types of litter materials are used based on their regional
availability and feasibility such as sawdust, paddy husk, sugarcane
bagasse, sugarcane pulp, chopped wheat straw, paper mill by
products, sand, wood shavings, corn cobs, oat hulls, dried leaves,
cottonseed hulls, coffee husk, peanut hulls, corn stover, flex straw
and paper cuttings
Functions of litter material
1. Absorbs excess moisture through droppings and drinkers
2. Reduce contact between birds and manure
3. Insulates chicks from the cooling effects of the ground
4. Provides protective cushion between birds and floor
Characteristics of good litter
1. Should be a good absorbent (hygroscopic - 20-25%)
2. Should be free from dust, moisture, fungus, poisonous agents
3. Should be fairly coarse, lightweight, inexpensive and non-toxic
4. Should be quite compatible as a fertilizer
 Control of litter borne diseases
Major hazards associated with sub-optimal litter management
1. Incidence of Coccidiosis and Aspergillosis (Brooder pneumonia)
2. Growth and proliferation of pathogenic agents
3. Formation and accumulation of ammonia gas
4. Propagation of flies and helminthes
5. Occurrence of cannibalism
Preventive measures
1. Apply CuSo4 @ 0.2% per ton of feed to control Aspergilosis
2. Use Amprolium, amprosol and ethoxyquin for coccidiosis
3. Ensure cross ventilation and avoid drafting in the shed
4. Ensure litter racking regularly
5. Reduce stocking density @ 20%
6. Apply calcium hypochlorite @ 20g/kg of litter
Effects of ammonia
1. Keratoconjunctivitis (blindness) at 50 to 100 ppm
2. Airsacculitis (inflammation of air sacs)
3. Condemnations of body tissues
4. Eye irritation and respiratory distress
5. Hysteria and nervousness with abnormal behavior
6. Retarded growth and production with severe mortality
7. Decreased immuno-competency
8. Fertilizer value of litter goes down due to nitrogen loss
Recycling of litter
1. Fertilizer : NPK 2.4, 2.28, and 2.08 kg respectively per qtl
2. Animal feed: CP - 25-30%, TDN - 55-60%
3. Power generation: Electricity, Bio-fuel and Gas
4. Reutilization of old litter
Litter treatment
 Sodium Bisulfate
 Aluminum Sulfate
 Sulfuric Acid Clay
 Feed Grade Salt
 Calcium hydroxide
 Heat treatment
 Exposure to ultra violet rays or sun drying
 Acidifiers
Characteristics of a good litter
1. Should have capacity to absorb moisture (hygroscopic)
2. Should be free from dust, fungus, poisonous agents
3. Should be fairly coarse, lightweight, inexpensive and non-toxic
4. Should be quite compatible as a fertilizer
5. Should be color and odor less
 Cage Management – Different Types
1. Involves rearing of poultry on raised wire netting floor fitted with
stands on floor
2. Very efficient for laying operations and worldwide about 90% of
commercial layers are being reared in cages
3. Feeders and waterers are attached to cages from outside except
nipple waterers, for which pipeline is installed through or above
cages
4. Auto-operated feeding trolleys and egg collection belts can also
be used in this system
5. Droppings are either collected in trays or on belts or on the floor
or deep pit under cages depending on type of cages
Advantages
1. More numbers of birds can be accommodated
2. More number of eggs per hen can be received
3. Less feed wastage with better feed efficiency
4. Protection from internal parasites and soil borne illnesses
5. Sick and unproductive birds can be easily identified and
eliminated
6. Clean eggs production can be ensured
7. Vices like egg eating, pecking is minimal.
8. No need of litter material
9. Artificial Insemination (AI) can be adopted.
Disadvantages
1. Heavy financial involvement
2. Severe infestation of flies, insects, worms, magates
3. Comparatively more incidences of blood spots in egg
4. Problem of cage layer fatigue is common with cages
5. More incidences of breast blisters in broilers
Types of cages
Based on the number of birds-
 Single or individual bird cage (Only one bird in a cage)
 Multiple bird cage (usually 3 or 4 birds per cage)
 Colony cages (Holding birds more than 11 per cage)
Based on the number of rows-
 Single-deck
 Double-deck
 Triple-deck
 Four-deck
 Flat-deck
Based on arrangement of cages-
1) Stair-step cages
a) M-type cages
b) L-type cages
2) Battery cages (Vertical cages)
Based on the type of bird reared
Brooder / chick cages
Front feeding length : 60 inch
Front & Back height : 12 inch
Depth : 36 inch
No. of chicks per box : 60
Grower cages
Front feeding length : 30 inch
Front & Back height : 15 inch
Depth : 18 inch
No. of growers per box : 10
Layer cages
Conventional cages
Front feeding length : 15 inch
Front height : 18 inch These cages are arranged
Back height : 15 inch either in 2-tier or 3-tier
Depth : 18 inch system. Slope of 1/6 is
No. of birds per box :6-8 provided in conventional
Reverse cages (Californian cages) cages, where as in
Front feeding length : 18 inch reverse cages the slope is
Front height : 18 inch 1/5.
Back height : 15 inch
Depth : 15 inch
No. of birds per box :3-4
Advantages of reverse cages over conventional cages
1. More feeding space ensure the birds to get feed at a time,
while in conventional cages, 3 birds can take feed and the
other one is waiting at the back.
2. Number of cracked eggs is less due to lesser rolling distance
3. Better ventilation in reverse cages than conventional cages
Elevated cage layer house
1. Height of the shed is raised by 6-7 feet using concrete pillars
2. Distance between two pillars is about 10 feet
3. Two feet wide concrete platforms are made over the pillars
4. When 3 ‘M’ type cages are arranged 4 platforms are needed
5. For 2 ‘M’ and 2 ‘L’ type cages, 3 platforms are needed
6. Inter-platform distance is 6-7 ft depending on type of the
cages
7. Total height of house is 20-25 feet and the width is 30-33 feet
8. This type of houses provides sufficient ventilation
 Management of grower
Birds of 9-18 weeks of age are reared that have the managemental
approaches as chicks but required more feeder, waterer and floor
space. Following things should be considered:
1. Use new shed for grower birds preferably
2. At least, use new bedding for same brooder shed
3. Shifted the birds during early morning or late evening
4. Do not vaccinate the birds during shifting
5. Provide floor, feeding & watering space as per BIS
6. Debeak the birds at 12-16 weeks of age
7. Provide one feeder and drinker per 50 birds
8. Deworm the birds at an interval of every 02 months
9. Apply CuSO4 @ 0.2% to overcome the brooder’s pneumonia
10. Use amprolium and amprosol to cure the coccidiosis
11. Evaluate body wt and growth rate weekly
12. Provide grower feed to the birds as per BIS
 MANAGEMENT OF LAYER
1 Layer shed must be clean and germ free
2 Ensure clean and germ free waterer and feeder
3 Shift the pullets to layer house before 18th week of age
4 Provide layer feed and provide potable drinking water
5 Debeak and vaccinate the birds before shifting
6 Ensure 4-5% calcium in feed
7 Provide floor, feeding and drinking space as per BIS
8 California cages with 03 tire system is advisable
9 Ensure 10-12 hours light up to 40 weeks and increase up to 16
hours at the rate of 30 minutes per week
10 Keep the bulbs 8-10 feet above the floor to provide 0.5 to 1.0
foot candle of light at bird level
11 Provide cool and calm environment
12 Strictly follow the recommended vaccination schedule
13 Utmost care should be taken for bio-security as well as
hygienic conditions of the farm
 Layer
Farming in
California
Cages
Layer Farm with Automation
Layer Farm with Automation
 Management of Broilers
Broiler rearing is the main segment of Indian poultry industry. It
has been proved as an key instrument for upliftment of socio
economic status in Indian society.
Major points to be considered
 Purchase broiler chicks from the reputed hatchery
 Construct brooder and broiler shed at alleviated and dry area
 Ensure cross ventilation in brooder as well as broiler shed
 Litter should be free of damp and turn it regularly
 Disinfect the feeder, drinkers and other equipments
 Provide quality feed as per BIS (22-23% Protein, 2700 Kcal)
 Ensure availability of pre-starter, starter and finisher feed
 Avoid overcrowding and provide 1.0 sq ft area per broiler
 Ensure adlib feeding
 Follow the recommended vaccination schedule
 Follow all in all out system
 Market the broilers at the appropriate age
 Restrict the stress condition at any cost
 Ensure the required environment conditions to the birds
Broiler Farms
Inner View of Broiler Farm
 Management of parent/ breeder
These birds are used to produce hatching eggs. Egg type layer
breeder parent produces chicks for table egg production while
straight–run broiler chicks are produced by the meat type breeder
patents. Managemental aspects are entirely different for both types
of birds.

Following are general considerations for managing breeders

 Floor space requirements
Type of bird Deep litter Cage rearing
Layer dam 2.25-2.50 sq ft 0.8-1.0 sq ft
Broiler dam 3.0-3.20 sq ft 1.0-1.25 sq ft
Layer sire 2.50-3.0 sq ft 1.0-11.20 sq ft
Broiler sire 3.75-4.0 sq ft 1.25-1.50 s ft

 Install nest boxes @ 01 box per 05 birds

 Dubbing and toe trimming of DoC has to be done at hatchery
 Sex ratio for egg type is 1: 10-12 and for meat type 1: 12-15
 Important Stresses in Poultry
Stress is defined as “a state of psychological and physiological
imbalance resulting from the disparity between situational demand
and the individual's ability to meet those needs.
Impaired Ventilation: Serious concern of conventional poultry
farming in hot and humid climates. It causes to excessive ammonia
formation that leads to ammonia burns causing photophobia,
carcass condemnation, conjunctivitis and oedema in eyes.
Over heating: The lethal environmental temperature for DoC is 46°C.
Symptoms manifested are gasping, excessive consumption of water,
dropping wings and lowered feed intake.
Chilling: Ensure brooder temperature in between 90-95°F at least for
Ist five days. Huddling and pack together are commonly seen when
temperature goes less than 60°F and resulted in suffocation and
death. Maintain room temp. as 85°F at floor level
Overcrowding: Higher stocking density than recommended level may
lead to competition for floor, feed and water space among the birds.
Cannibalism, decreased immnuno competency, uneven growth are
the major consequences of overcrowding.
Hysteria or Fright: Main causes:- overcrowding, poor feeding, severe
worm infestation, excessive supplementation of Mn
Cannibalism: Very common with caged layer. Major reasons are—
Low fiber diet, deficiency of arginine and salt, increased light
intensity, deficiency of vitamin A, D, E, Riiboflavin, pantothenic acid,
Mn, Cu, Co, and Zn. Preventive measures:- debeaking : 10th day and
16th weeks, avoid bright light of high intensity, immediately removed
the birds with this vice, increase common salt @ 2%.
Litter eating: Lees fiber, protein, minerals and vitamins are the major
causes. Dietary manipulations and high quality management are
needed
Water deprivation: Depression, constipation with shrunken eyes,
wings dropping, dehydrated skin of legs, discoloration of comb,
dried wattles are the major visual symptoms. Small shrunken liver
with urate nephrosis of kidney are the peculiar characteristics on
necropsy. Continuous supply of potable water in ample quantities
and good managemental approaches may be the part of corrective
factors
Impaction of digestive tract: More common in broilers. Sudden and
large increase in daily feeding is the prominent cause including
abnormally high fiber, overcrowding and insufficient feeder space
also. Prevention is only the corrective way.
 Feeding Management
Feed cost accounts 2/3rd of total recurring cost incurred on
poultry farming. Simultaneous qualitative and quantitative
feed management is more practical
1. Birds have simple stomach unlike mammals
2. No teeth and cant not chew their feed
3. Birds are very sensitive to environment
4. Careful nutritional adjustment is needed during changing
environmental situation
Nutrients are the substance that are liberated from feed and
can be used by animals for their cells, organs and tissues.
They are classified in 06 based on their function and
chemical nature
Carbohydrate, Protein, Fat, Minerals, vitamins, water
Energy Sources (Carbohydrate)
Maize, Barley, Oat, Sorghum, Millets, Wheat, Wheat bran,
Rice, Rice bran, Rice polish, Tapioca meal, Dried poultry
waste, Molasses
Protein Sources (Vegetables)
Groundnut cake, Coconut meal, Cottonseed cake, Soybean
meal, Sesame meal, Sunflower meal, Mustard Cake, Guar
meal, Linseed Cake
Protein Sources (Animal)
Blood Meal, Fishmeal, Liver residue meal, meat meal,
Hatchery by product mea
Protein and energy requirement
Layer Poultry
Starter Grower Layer
(0-8 wks) (9-18 wks) (19- 72 wks)
Protein 20 16 18
Energy 2600 2500 2000
Broiler Poultry
Starter Finisher
(0-3 wks) (4-7 wks)
Protein 23 20
Energy 2800 2900
 Composition of Poultry Feed

Ingredient Broiler Layer

Broiler Broiler Chick Grower Layer
Starter Finisher (0-8 wk) (9-20 wk) (21-72 wk)
(0-3 wk) (4-7 wk)
Yellow Maize 59.50 65.00 49.00 44.00 52.00
Rice Polish -- 3.10 -- -- --
Wheat bran -- -- 21.15 34.40 16.00
Soyabean 30.00 23.00 21.60 13.00 18.00
Bajra 8.00 6.00 6.00 5.00 6.00
Lime Stone 1.20 1.30 0.65 1.20 6.30
DCP 0.80 1.10 1.10 1.90 1.20
Common Salt 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25
Mineral & 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25
Vitamins
 Bajra Soybean Rice Polish

Wheat Bran DCP Oyster Shell

Yellow Maize Mustard Cake Shell Grit

 Tapioca Dried Fish Oat

Bajra Wheat Molasses

Blood Meal Fish Meal

Bone – Meat Meal
Feed requirements for layer Feed requirements for Broiler

Age Feed/day/bird Age (wks) Feed/day/bir Total feed

(wks) (gm) d (gm) required
18 70 (gm)
19 74 1 17 119
20 77 2 37 378
21 80 3 53 749
22 85
4 74 1267
23 85
24 90 5 102 1981
25 100 6 126 2863
26 105 7 144 3871
27--28 110
29--30 120
31--32 120
33--35 118
36--38 115
39--41 115
12--45 114
52--58 112
59--63 112
64--72 110
 Systems of Feeding
 Mash feeding
 Crumbles feeding
 Pellet feeding
Feed restriction
1) Quantitative feed restriction:
2) Amount of feed is reduced
 Day-to-day basis
 Skip-a-day
 Skip-two days
2) Qualitative feed restriction:
1. Feed quality is reduced below the standard
2. Include unconventional feeds or lesser nutritive stuffs
3. Quantity of feed is not restricted
4. Provide more number of feeders to ensure equal chance

Mash Feed
Crumble Feed
Pellet Feed
 Mineral Sources
Calcium Sources: limestone, oyester shell, calcium carbonate,
gypsum, steamed bone-meal, mono calcium phosphate, dicalcium
phosphate, tricalcium phosphate
Phosphorus sources: steamed bone-meal, mono calcium phosphate,
dicalcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate, monosodium
phosphate, disodium phosphate
Potassium sources: potassium iodine, potassium iodate
Sodium & Chloride: defluorinated rock phosphate, NaCl, iodized salt
Manganese: manganese sulphate & manganes carbonate
Iron sources: ferrous sulphate
Copper sources: copper oxide and copper sulphate
Zinc sources: zinc carbonate, zinc sulphate, zinc oxide
Toxic Substances
Cyanogenetic glucosides (HCN): found in dampened linseed meal,
may get neutralized by boiling
Gossypol: found in cotton seed meal and destroyed by steam
cooking, egg yolk gets brown mottled appearance and pinkish
tinted albumin
Tannins: plant phenols having a molecular weight more than 500
termed as tannins, presented in sorghum, sal seed, tamarind,
mustard affect the growth rate and egg production
Rancid fat: fish meal, rice polish and rice bran are susceptible to
rancidity, rancid fat destroy the fat soluble vitamins and decreases
palatability of feed
Mycotoxins: Aflatoxin produced by A flavus. Other are: A clavatus,
Penicillium citrinum, P rubrum
Insecticide, pesticide and fungicides: includes mercury and lead
preparation such as DDT, gammaxene
Phosphorus: as phosphate or phospholipids, it is essential but as
zinc phosphide it becomes poison used to control rat.
Non-nutrient Feed Additives
Anti-oxidants: used to stabilize the fats and fat soluble vitamins,
DPPD (Diphenyl- para- phenylene- diamine), BHA (butylated hydroxy
anisole), BHT (butylated hydroxy toulene) & ethoxyquin
Antibiotics, arsenicals & nitrofurans: used for microbial destruction
and prevention of disease
Coccidiotats, antifungal, tranquilizers, pigmenters, pellet binders
and engymes
Antihelmintics: deworming drugs used to periodically to prevent
parasitic infestation specially round worm
Hormones: used to alter metabolism, estrogen for growth
improvement and carcass finish, thyroactive compound used to
improve egg production, egg shell quality and to prevent fatty liver
Flavoring agents: used to improve palatability of certain feed stuffs
 Common growth promoters used in broilers
Probiotics: are live cultures of beneficial microbes used to protect
birds from intestinal pathogens
Antibiotics
Enzymes
Carotenoides: Astaxxanthin @ 2 ppm to improve growth and FCR
Organic minerals: minerals chelated with organic compounds like
amino acids enables better production performance
Herbal products: saponins, alkaloids, esters, quinines,
isobutylamides, phenol, carboxylic acid and terpenoides are
used for growth promotion and immune modulation.
Phytogenic substances (essential oils) used for fattening
purpose
Emulsifiers: makes capable to digest the fat specially in
young chickens, help in nutrient uptake from the digestive
tract, improve growth and feed conversion
Chemical antimicrobials: Arsanilic acid, roxarsone, carbadox,
olaquindox, haloquinol, amprolium, amprosol, ethoxyqin and
copper sulphate are the products that are used as anti
coccidial and anti fungal drugs in poultry
 Water Management
Always provide potable drinking water preferably of 7 pH. Fresh
water of tube bell / deep bore bell is advisable.
General uses of Water
1. Undoubtly act as vital nutrient
2. Soften food and carries it through body
3. Help in digestion and absorption
4. Regulate the thermodynamics of body
5. Helps in removing waste and toxins
6. Act as Lubricant for the body joints
7. Major component of blood plasma
8. Necessary medium for many reactions in the body
Classification of Water
Fresh water -: < 500 mg/L TDS
Brackish water -: 500-30000 mg/L TDS
Saline water -: 30000-40000 mg/L TDS
Hyper saline water -: > 40000 mg/L TDS
TDS is a measure of combined content of inorganic and
organic substances
 Quality parameters of drinking water for poultry

Contaminant Recommended level Maxi. acceptable level

pH 6.8--7.5 --
Nitrate (NO3) 10 mg/L 25-45mg/L
Nitrite (NO2) 0.4mg/L 4.0 mg/L
Calcium 60 mg/L --
Chloride 14 mg/L 250 mg/L
Copper 0.002 mg/L 0.6 mg/L
Iron 0.2 mg/L 0.3 mg/L
Lead -- 02 mg/L
Magnesium 14 mg/L 125 mg/L
Sodium 32 mg/L --
Sulfate 125 mg/L 250 mg/L
Zinc -- 1.50 mg/L
Sterilization - The destruction of all infective and reproductive
forms of all microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, virus, etc).
Disinfection - The destruction of all vegetative forms of
microorganisms. Spores are not destroyed.
Sanitation - The reduction of pathogenic organism numbers to a
level at which they do not pose a disease threat to their host.
Superox is most common sanitizer in commercial poultry. It is a
blend of peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid
applied @ 5-10 ml/ 100 lt of water, in acute case: 15-20 ml/ 100 lt
of water
Usually chlorine is the chief ingredient of various sanitizing
agents like chlorine gas, sodium hypochlorite, potassium
hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide prevailing
among poultry farmers
Water borne diseases
1. Fowl typhoid: Salmonella gallinarum
2. Fowl paratyphoid: Salmonella typhimurium
3. Colibacillosis: E. coli
4. Fowl cholera/ Avian paratuberculosis: Pasturella multocida
5. Botulism: Clostridium botulinum
 Breeding Systems and Methods of Mating
Breeding: Usually, breeding refers to crossing of male and female
individuals but technically, it is the process of combining desirable
genes pooled in to their offspring through various ways.
Breeding System: It is way of combining these desirable genes in to
their offspring. In poultry, following breeding systems are adopted.
Random Mating: Any individual of one sex has an equal chance of
mating with any other individual of opposite sex in a population.
Assortative mating: Mating based on phenotypic resemblance or
dissimilarity.
1. Positive Assortative Mating: Mating of phenotypically similar
individuals (i.e like with like mating)
2. Negative Assortative Mating: Mating of phenotypically dissimilar
individuals (i.e like with unlike mating)
Genetic response is usually greater than random mating but leads to
inbreeding in long run.
Inbreeding: Mating among the closely related animals. Full and half
brother-sister or constant parent offspring mating are the classical
examples of inbreeding. During development of pure line and inbred
line, breeders can increase homozygocity at the cost of
heterozygocity per generation.
Harmful effects of inbreeding
1. Low fertility and hatchability
2. Increased mortality and slow growth rate
3. Decreased egg production and increase in frequency of defects
Three generations of full brother- sister mating or 6 generations of
half brother-sister mating produces inbred lines with 50% Fx
Out Breeding: Opposite to inbreeding, means, mating among the
unrelated animals. Crossing among breeds, varieties, strains, lines
are the types of out breeding. It is practiced to overcome the
harmful effect of inbreeding.
Types of out breeding
Cross breeding: Crossing among the breeds
Strain crossing: Crossing between different strains
Line crossing: Mating b/w inbred or out bred lines
Top crossing: Inbred males are crossed with females of out bred
population
Grading up: Mating of males of improved breed to the indigenous
mongrel females
Single cross: Between 02 lines, Three way cross- 03 lines, Four way
cross or double hybrid : 4-lines
Methods of Mating
Pen mating, flock mating, stud mating and artificial insemination are
commonly used mating systems in poultry. AI is practiced for
commercial hatcheries.
Flock Mating
1. Numbers of males and females are bred together
2. Pedigree records are not maintained
3. Usually, 01 male is mated to 10-15 females
4. High level fertility can be ensured
Pen mating
1. Few numbers of males and females of same breed are mated
2. Usually, 01 male is mated to 05 females
Stud mating
Male of inbred line is kept in the coup and females are brought one
by one for crossing with restriction of 2-3 females per male
Artificial Insemination
1. Extensively practiced for caged birds
2. Should be done preferably in afternoon
3. Ensure the utilization of collected semen within an hour
4. Dilute semen with saline water/ whey milk/ semen extender
5. Ensure placement of 0.1 ml semen through AI gun
6. Twice insemination is advisable in a week
7. Infundibulam is the site of fertilization
 SELECTION AND CULLING
Elimination of inferior, poor and /non-producer, sick or injured birds
from the flock is referred as culling
Why culling?
1. To prevent cross contamination from sick or diseased bird
2. To increase food and water space for the productive birds
3. To increase overall production rate of the flock
4. To maximize the profit margin per bird
Indicators for culling
Feathers: Good layer should have dirty, worn and ragged looking
feathers since they are using their energy on producing eggs
Combs and wattles: Scaly, pale and shriveled combs and wattles
means poor layer while a good layer will have waxy, full, bright red
Pubic bones: Should be flexible and able to fit two or three fingers
between them, tight and quite rigid seems in poor or non - layer
Vent: Large enough, oval shaped and moist means laying well. Non-
layer’s vent will be dry, tight and round
Carriage: Good layer will be alert to her surroundings and not be
listless and lazy. Her eyes should be bright and she should be
relatively active
In context of breeding, selection is process by which we decide the parents for
the next generation.
Health of bird: Overall appearance and activity is the main indicator of general
health and comb, face, wattles, eyes, plumage are sub-indicators for this
Body conformation: Bird with deformity such as bent toes, duck feet, crooked
breast bone, wry tail, or split wing should be rejected
Breed Character: Birds may exhibits true characteristics of their breeds
resembling to true genotype
 Physical and Chemical Composition
Nutrient % Whole Yolk Albumin Shell & shell
Egg Membranes
Major -- 31 58 11
Components
Water 65 48 84 2.0
Protein 12 17.5 11 4.5
Fat 11 32.5 0.2 --
Carbohydrate 01 1.0 1.0 --
Minerals 11 1.0 0.8 93.5

Internal egg defects External egg defects

 Blood spot  Misshapen egg
 Meat spot  Rough & smooth egg
 Double yolked egg  Hairline crack
 Dented and pointed egg
 Yolk-less egg
 Spherical egg
 Wrinkled egg
 Composition of chicken, duck and quail egg

Nutrient Chicken (%) Quail (%) Duck (%)

Water 66.00 62.55 54.00
Protein 20.20 26.00 14.00
Fat 12.60 3.30 20.00
Minerals 1.20 3.20 2.80
Kcal /100 gm 155 80 326

Duck Egg Quail Egg Chicken Egg

 Common Poultry Diseases
Sign of sick bird
 Dull and depressed
 Reluctant to eat and drink
 Huddle together
 Ruffled feather
 Nasal discharge
 Swelled sinuses and eyes
 Folly droppings
 High fever
 Trimming and incoordination
 Respiratory distress
 Discoloration of comb and wattles
 Lowered production
 Emaciation and weakness
 Lameness and isolation
 High mortality
Bacterial Diseases Broad spectrum antibiotics like
 Omphalitis Pelvin, Enrofloxacin, Neomycine,
 Pulloram Teramycine, Zentamycin, Mycosal,
 Fowl Typhoid Lincospectin and Erythomycin etc
 Fowl Cholera with sulfa drugs are strongly
 Chronic Respiratory Disease recommended
 Infectious Choryza
Disease Cause Clinical signs Treatment
Fowl Pasturella Greenish Broad spectrum
cholera multocida diarrhea, high antibiotics, oral
fever, dark comb vaccines, utmost care
and wattles, and sanitation is
decreased required.
feeding and
drinking
Omphalitis Coliform Unhealed navel, Antibiotic therapy,
bacteria, weakness, unable regular fumigation of
pseudomon to eat and drink, setter and Hatcher,
as droopy, excessive correct temp and
early mortality humidity, careful
culling of chicks at
hatching
CRD M. Sniffing, sneezing, Adopt all in- all out
galliseptinu retiling & nasal system, Tylosin @ 50
m discharge, gm/ ton of feed, bio-
decreased growth security measures
& production
Pllorum S. pullorum, Diarrhea, vent Furazolidone @
S. pasting, 200gm/ton of feed for
gallisepticum chilling, heavy 1-3 weeks,
mortality, Sanitation, rodent
retarded control and other
growth, hygienic measures
reduced feed
intake
Colibacillo E. coil Emaciated Neftin @ 200 gm/ton
sis birds, folly of feed for 10-14
diarrhea, days, sanitation,
respiratory electrolytes &
distress vitamins, proper
ventilation
Infectious Haemophillus Swelled sinuses Sulfadrugs,
coryza gallisepticum and eyes, nasal Oxytetracylcin,
discharge, Erythromycin/
decreased Streptomycin, use
production high level of vitamin
A and E, depopulate
the flock
 Viral Diseases
Avian A I Virus High mortality, Immediate culling, broad
Influenza/ respiratory distress, spectrum antibiotics,
Birds Flu coughing, rales, multivitamin and liver
sinusitis, diarrhea, head supplements, high level
swelling sanitation

Fowl pox Fowl pox Small blister on face, Timely vaccination,

virus comb, wattles and other broad spectrum
unfettered parts of the antibiotics with high
body, reduced egg dose of vitamins is
production, labored recommended for entire
breathing flock
Infectious Virus Sneezing and coarse broad spectrum
bronchitis coughing, tracheal antibiotics to control the
rattles, wet eyes, secondary infection. Only
swollen sinuses, high preventive vaccination is
mortality, reduced egg advisable
production
Gumboro Virus Depression, dehydration, Parental immunity in
or IBD in-coordination, breeders is most desired.
enlarged bursa of Broad spectrum
fabricious, high antibiotics with sulfa
morbidity drugs &multi-vitamins
Merek’s Herpes Dull & droopy, depressed & Only preventive measures
virus unthrifty, heavy weight loss, at hatchery level is
partial or complete paralysis, advisable, high level of
wing drooping, hard breathing hygiene & sanitation at
& abnormal posture. Spilt leg farm level is greatly
& soiled vent with green desirable
diarrhea
Ranikhet RD virus Gasping, coughing and No treatment, only
tracheal rales, depression & preventive vaccination is
huddling, nasal discharge, recommended, in an
hard breathing, coughing & outbreak, immediately
sneezing, misshapen soft vaccinate entire
eggs in adults unaffected flock
EDS-76 EDS virus Soft shelled or shell less preventive vaccination,
eggs, sudden drop in egg antibiotics with high level
production, misshaped eggs of hygiene & sanitation
Coccidiosis Protozoa Paleness, bloody droppings, Furazol, Amprosol,
slow & retarded growth, Amprolium @ 2oo g/ ton of
lowered egg production feed. Sanitation and
hygiene of litter and farm.
Brooder Aspergill Chicks respire with open CuSO4 @ 0.02% in water,
pneumonia us beak, severe mortality up to replace old litter with
fumigatus 10-30% during 2nd week clean and dry litter, high
dose vitamin A and E
Vaccination schedule for broiler
Age Disease Vaccine Route Site Dose
Day old Marek’s HVT live I/M Neck 0.2 ml
5th day Ranikhet Lasota F1 I/N or I/O Nostril or eye 2 drops
14th day IBD IBD vaccine I/N or I/O Nostril or eye 2 drops
28th day Ranikhet RDF strain I/N or I/O Nostril or eye 2 drops
35th day IBD IBD I/N or I/O Nostril or eye 2 drops

Vaccination schedule for layer

Name of vaccine Route Age of bird
La Sota or F1 vaccine Ranikhet Intranasal drop 3-7 days
Marek’s vaccine (in hatchery) Intramuscular 1 day
Infectious Bronchitis (!st dose) Eye drops 2-3 weeks
La Sota Ranikhet Drinking water 5-6 weeks
Fowl pox (1st dose) Wing web 7-8 weeks
R2B Ranikhet SC/IM 9-10 weeks
Infectious Bronchitis Ocular /drinking water 16 weeks
Fowl pox (2nd dose) Skin Scarification 18 weeks
Infectious Bursal Disease (Gumboro)
Mildly invasive vaccine Drinking water 0-3 day
Intermediate invasive vaccine Drinking water 15th day
Intermediate invasive vaccine Drinking water 28-30th day
Before onset of the disease, proper vaccination is only the remedy
against viral diseases. Preventive dose of antibiotic is also
recommended to check the secondary infection. Multivitamin,
liver tonic and other supplementary drugs may be tried for fast
recovery.

Protocol of Bio-security
1. East-West orientation with maximum 30 feet width
2. Always follow all-in all-out system
3. Follow regular disinfection and sanitation practices
4. Never allow the visitors specially poultry venders
5. Keep the sick birds in isolation with utmost care
6. Ensure proper disposal of dead birds
7. Do not allow the attendant of one shed for another shed
8. Never allow the stray animals and wild birds
 Nutritional Disorders
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Also called Star Gazing
Loss of appetite, retarded
growth , weakness,
polyneuritis and paralysis
Vitamin E,
Encephalomalacia
‘Crazy Chick Disease’
Niacin (Nicitinic acid) B-3
‘Black tongue’
Manganese (Mn), also called
(Riboflavin)
‘Curled toe
Vitamin B2
Perosis

paralysis’

Choline: Deficiency is rare as choline is found in most feeds. Symptoms are

poor growth and slipped tendons (Perosis)
Pantothenic acid: dermatitis, retarded growth, ruffled feathers, scab like
lesions in the corners of mouth and eyelid margins
 Commonly used disinfectant

Formaldehyde Available as Formalin. 10% formalin can be

used as disinfectant. For fumigation, 40 ml of
commercial formalin + 20 gm potassium
permangate per 100 cubic fit area
Phenol 5% in water serves as good disinfectant

Hypochlorite 5% in water serves as good disinfectant

Copper Can be used to disinfect the drinkers and

Sulphate waterers. Effective against fungi and algae
Propeonic 5% to control the growth of fungi and toxic
acid moulds
Quick lime It has caustic soda. Can be used for white
washing
Bleaching 350 gm in 10 liters of water is effective
powder deodorant and should be prepared fresh daily
Washing soda 15 gm in 10 lit of hot water to clean floor and
utensils
 Types of comb
Comb is a fleshy growth on the top of the head of domestic
chicken and falls under the qualitative traits governed by few
genes. Red colored combs are generally found in chicken but
there may be black or dark purple comb in some breeds. The
comb may be a reliable indicator of health or vigor and is used
for mate-assessment in poultry

Single comb Pea comb Rose comb Strawberry comb

V- Comb Buttercup Cushion comb Walnut comb

Feeding with automation
 Digestive system of fowl
Digestion or catabolism refers to the breakdown of large insoluble
food into smaller components that can be absorbed into the
bloodstream. It is divided into two – the mechanical digestion that
occurs in the mouth when it is physically broken up into smaller
pieces and the chemical digestion that occurs in the
gastrointestinal tract when the food is broken down into small
molecules by digestive enzymes.
Digestive organs and their functions
1. Mouth parts: Lips & teeth are absent and replaced by horny
mandibles on each jaw forming the beak. Amount of saliva is
very small
2. Esophagus: This is passage for onward transmission of food from
mouth to crop
3. Crop: It is an enlargement of esophagus and is used for storing
and softening the food that is gradually sent to the stomach as
needed by contraction of wall of crop
4. Proventriculus : An enlarged muscular portion of the esophagus
of about ½ to ¾ inch in diameter and 1.25 – 2.0 inches long. It
receive the food from the crop. And secrete gastric juice and
some acids
5. Gizzard: It is heavily muscled, reddish –green colour and located
just back of the proventriculus. Probably, some gastric digestion
takes place in this part but crushing and grinding of food is the
main liability of this organ. It is composed of two pairs of thick ,
powerful muscles covered internally with thick, horny epithelium
6. Duodenum: Just after the gizzard, there is a It is a loop like
structure that called duodenum that supports the pancreas.
Gastric digestion together with pancreatic digestion takes
place in this organ
7. Pancreas: Lying between the folds of duodenum and relatively
longer than mammals. It secrete pancreatic juice that empties in
to duodenum and contains proteolytic, amylolytic and lypolytic
enzymes which vigorously hydrolyses proteins, starch and lipids.
8. Liver: It is a largest gland of the body and secretes bile juice
that helps in digestion
9. Spleen: Round reddish body found near the liver. Its function of
little known
10.Small intestine: It is about 2.5 feet long tubular structure and
makes up the digestive tract from the gizzard to cacea. Besides
it digestive function, it also acts as an organ of absorption of
nutrients
11.Caeca: At the junction of small and large intestine, two blind
pouches, 5-7 inches in length. Helps in digestion of fiber
12.Large intestine: Tubular structure having short villi project in to
the lumen of the tract for further absorption of digested material
13.Cloaca: Faecal material from the rectum and urine from the
kidneys pass into this organ. The materials are mixed and
excreted through the vent