Assignment

Breeder flock uniformity, how to calculate it, and its

importance

Submitted by

umar aziz
Roll no

BPS-17-06
Submitted to

DR, Hafeez ur rehman

Uniformity is a very important management tool, as well as a parameter to describe the quality
of the brooding, rearing or growing processes in both broilers and breeders.

A high uniformity means that the majority of the birds is in a very small range of body weights,
and there is not a lot of difference between the biggest and the smallest birds.

Uniformity in broilers is important because it determines the range of body weights and for
instance breast meat yields delivered at the processing line. Processing plants have a certain
optimum body weight for the product they want to produce. A high uniformity means that
more birds are in the desired weight range.

Uniformity in breeders is important because we have to apply the management (feed and light
programs) to the whole flock, where smaller, less developed birds need another management
than bigger, more developed birds. If the flock is uniform, the supplied management will be
optimum for a higher number of birds.

Uniformity can be described by the percentage of birds in a certain weight range (called: %
uniformity) or as a statistical figure that is called coefficient of variation.
Uniformity of a flock is influenced by circumstances as:
- brooding and quality of start
- diseases
- competition for feed (feeder space)
- competition in general (density)
- speed of feed distribution (feeding equipment)
- amount of feed distributed (feeding program)
- separation in weight groups (grading)
Why Is Flock BW Uniformity Important?
Nowadays the main purpose of broiler breeder producers is to produce a high quantity of high quality
chicks. Feeding management and body weight (BW) uniformity are the two major management’s issues
of hatching egg producers. Improved BW uniformity of a flock will improve reproductive performance by
matching nutrient supply with individual nutrient requirements.
Which Factors Contribute to Poor BW Uniformity?
 High stocking densities
 Shortage of feeders and drinkers
 Feed distribution
 Genetic variability of parent stocks
 Amount, or quality of feed, or both
 Bird density and access to feeders and drinkers
 Feed intake speed and competition during feed consuming
 Diseases and housing conditions (temperatures and ventilation)
How Feeding Management Can Control BW Uniformity?
Feed restriction programs are used as feeding management approach. It assists to grow broiler
breeder pullets to maturity to get better performance during the laying cycle. Feed restriction
 helps keep breeders (male and female) from growing excessively large, control BW and increase
uniformity
Precision Broiler Breeder Feeding System This pre-commercial
system
will be designed to manage BW by controlling feed intake in breeder flocks. The system will
provide the right amount of feed to the right bird at the right time. We will develop an
innovative method for feeding broiler breeder flocks to address performance and welfare
concerns of feed restricted broiler breeders at a commercial level. The system will improve
uniformity to 100% of birds within 5% of the average BW. For research purposes (development
and validation) we will use RFID (radio frequency identification) technology for each bird. RFID
tags will be used to understand individual performance and feeding behaviour, and ensure all
birds receive feed.
Benefits for Commercial Broiler Breeder Flocks 
BW Uniformity
The system can practically perfect uniformity by matching feed allocation to feed requirements
in laying and non-laying birds. The BW information will used as a decision for feed allocation to
individual birds to improve chick production. 
Fertility and Hatchability
Recent research has found that carefully managing BW can increase chick production by 10% in
commercial broiler breeders flocks. This system will keep male and female broiler breeders in
prime BW condition by feeding the right amount of feed to grow precisely on their target BW
curve. 
Chick Production
Uniform birds can respond uniformly to photostimulation. This is currently a major limitation to
achieving a high rate of egg production. We expect that precision feeding will improve chick
production by 10 to 12 chicks per hen. 
Improve Birds Welfare
The system will likely reduce feed and water wastage and aggression and stress associated with
frenzy feeding. This system may reduce feeding frustration, aggressive behaviour in restricted-
fed birds, over-drinking (polydipsia) and feather pecking (cannibalism).
Brooding Requirements (per 1000 chicks)
 Brooding Area Paper Cover Whole-house 100% Spot 90%
 Feeder and Drinker Requirements Feeder trays 12 Bell drinkers 8 Mini-drinkers 12 Birds
per nipple 8-12
 Brooding Area Size = 25 m2 (269 ft2 ) Number of Chicks = 40 / m2 (4 / ft2
Crop Fill
 2 hrs = 75%
 8 hrs = >80%
 12 hrs = >85%
 24 hrs = >95%
 48 hrs = 100%
Vent Temp
 39.4-40.5°C
  103-105°F
Key points for grading
 CV 10-12% = 2-way grade.
 CV >12% = 3-way grade.
 Manage feed amount to achieve target body weight.
 NEVER REDUCE ENERGY INTAKE.
 Ensure correct stocking density, feeder and drinker space
Monitor Feeding Behavior
 Leave approximately 1 m (3.3 ft) between feeder lines.
 Monitor Crop Fill After Transfer
 Manage feeding before and after transfer carefully to avoid loss of uniformity.
 observe bird behavior.
 Check crop fill (50 males and 50 females): 30 minutes after first feed 24 hours after transfer
How to calculate flock uniformity
Divide house into three section
Take a random sample of 100 birds
Weight and record individual
Count the number of bird with 10% of average weight
The higher the number the more uniform flock