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Breeders, Layers and Hatching Egg Production

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.

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Breeders, Layers and Hatching Egg Production

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

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

  3. 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

  4. 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

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

  6. 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

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

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

  9. Breeds and Varieties

  10. Types of Variations • Feather color • Solid coloring • Barring, penciled, mottled

  11. Types of Variations • Feather type • Silkies, frizzles, long tails

  12. Types of Variations • Feather distribution • Polish, cochins, naked neck

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

  14. Comb Types

  15. Comb Types

  16. Comb Types

  17. Comb Types

  18. 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

  19. 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

  20. 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

  21. 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

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

  23. 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!

  24. 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

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

  26. 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

  27. 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

  28. Easter Silkies?

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

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

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

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

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

  34. 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)

  35. 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

  36. Fertile and Infertile Eggs Infertile egg Fertile egg

  37. 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

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

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

  40. What Is Secure for Them?

  41. 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

  42. Effect Of Egg Storage On Hatchability

  43. 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

  44. High to Low Storage Temperature 82.3 80.0 79.4 76.5 74.3 72.9

  45. 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)

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

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