Reaching the Peak Egg Production on time, sustaining Peak for 9 Weeks, Post Peak Egg production and to get highest Hatchability during Peak & maintaining optimum hatchability post peak are the critical task for any breeder farmer to optimize the operations & associated profitability. Among all the factors that can influence the breeder performance including hatchability, the most significant one is flock uniformity other than Nutrition, Health Management, Biosecurity & husbandry practice.

Grading is the process of shorting of all individual birds in a flock (both Male & Female separately) in to 3 sub-populations based on body weights (physiological state) so that each group can be managed back to the standard to have perfect uniformity in the whole flock at the point of Lay (POL). A uniform flock is easier to manage than a variable one; birds in similar physiological stale will respond more similarly to managemental factors.

Background of Grading

There is always a natural variation in a flock, even at day old. At placement, the chick body weight in a flock should have minimum variation. As chicks grow, the variation in the flock increases further due to difference of response of individual birds to factors like vaccination, disease, differing competitiveness of feed, etc. The increased variation reduces overall flock performance and makes the flock management much more difficult.

General Principles of Grading

Perform a 100% weighing & grading when the flock is 7 to 14 days old. This allows the chicks to be grouped by weight & feed intake, which controls competitions for feed from very early age. The subsequent 100% flock grading shall take place at 4, 8 & 12 weeks of age or when uniformity is below 65%. Bird’s sub-population may be classified as Heavy, Medium & Lightweight compared to the average weight.

Successful grading at progressive age helps maintaining 80% plus uniformity which is dream to any breeder farm. Countries with inefficient labour cost for multiple grading process, one compulsory Grading between 21 – 28 days age help correcting uniformity issues. Males follow the same grading concepts as female, and should have 5% more uniformity than females. Please note, males represent 10% of the flock but are responsible for 50% of the offspring.

Grading is based on the variation in the body weight within a flock at the specific time. A highly variable flock with a large spread of body weights around the Average will need to be divided in more sub-populations. The average minimum uniformity in rearing phase shall be 70% (+/- 10% variation of the Mean), which need to be maintained constantly and shall be nearly 80% at POL. Uniformity below 70% at any stage indicates feed intake issue and need to be addressed being present at feeding time.

Grading Procedure

Depending on the uniformity 3 to 4 sub-populations may be made; Heavy, Medium, Light & Super light (if necessary). Some breeder houses have fixed pen or partitions and some houses has adjustable partitions; in both cases at least one pen shall be left empty during chick placement for Grading operation. It is better to have adjustable Partition and divide the whole house in 4 parts for Female & 4 parts for Male; with 2 parts each for medium size group (usually over 65% of total population), One part each for Heavy & Light Weight group for both Male & Female. Arrange Brooding in one part each for Male & female separately. Start grading on 8th day itself and shift them in different pen, keeping the lighter group at the entry side. With advancing age & body weight, arrange 100% grading at the end of 4, 8 & 12 weeks and give floor space accordingly in the respective pen. In case of fixed pen, calculate the floor space, no of feeder & drinker as per maximum no of birds to place after grading. Similarly, in case of adjustable pen adjust the size as per no of birds to be housed along with sufficient no of feeder & drinkers. If stocking density in a pen is not adjusted with floor space, feeder & drinker space, then grading will cause more problem.

Variation in a flock can be measured by 2 different ways:

1. Coefficient of Variation (CV%) – this measured the variations of body weight within the flock, the flock with lower CV’s is a less variable flock.

2. Uniformity% – this measures the evenness of body weights within a flock, the higher the uniformity the less variable the flock is.

Prior to grading a sample (3 – 5%) of birds from the flock should be weighted and the variation within the flock (as measured by CV% or Uniformity%) measured. CV% or Uniformity% may be then used for grading cut-off (the No & Av Wt of the birds to be graded in each population).

The body weights from graded populations are should be plotted against target and the profiles redrawn where needed to bring the birds back on target at 63 days (9 weeks) age. Feed quantity shall be adjusted based on the deviation in body weight from target.

Grading using CV%

From each pen2% or 50 birds, whichever is higher shall be caught randomly and taken to empty grading pen and weighted.

Below is a example of 3 way Grading of adjustable pen with electronic scale:-

Considering the sample data of the flock, a 3 Way Grading is needed as below with CV%13.5:

The light graded sub-population is aprox 24% of total population. Out of total 197 birds 24% or 47 birds are between 0.320 – 0.419 kg, means they are <= 419 Kg. Using the same process the cut-off weight of Medium & Heavy sub-populations can be determined. The Medium populations will be between 0.420 – 0.539 Kg body weight and Heavy sub-population will be >=0.530 Kg.

Grading using Uniformity%

The uniformity of a flock is determined as the % of birds that are within a given range (ideally +/- 10%) around the average body weight of the flock. The higher the no of birds fall within this body weight range, the more uniform the flock and less grading is required (Table below). Grading is not required when uniformity is >=80%.

From the above 4th Weight Flock data 10% of Av Body weight = 0.450Kg x 10% = 0.045Kg.
Therefore, + 10% of Av Body Wt = 0.446 + 0.045 = 0.491Kg
And -10% of Av Body Wt = 0.446 – 0.045 = 0.401 Kg

115 Birds out of total 197 weighted are within the Average Weight range of +/-10% (0.401 – 0.491Kg), highlighted in Red colour. So. Flock Uniformity is 58% and 3 Way Grading is required. Light Wt group are those birds weight <=0.401Kg, Medium Wt group birds are >0.401Kg but <0.491 and Heavy Group are those birds >=0.491Kg

Key Issues during Grading:

• Start Grading of Male & Female simultaneously @ 2nd Week or 29th day.

• A successful Grading should minimize the variability in graded flock than the original flock with the CV% shall be around 8 and Uniformity above 80%.

• Each sub-population should be re-weighted & counted to confirm the Av Body Wt and CV%/Uniformity so that projected (re-scheduled) target body weights & Feeding rates can be determined.

• Inaccurate bird counting will lead to incorrect quantity of Feed, which invite future problem

• Each sup-population should have own dedicated feeding system. Otherwise, supplementary feeding must allow even distribution of feed & adequate feeding space per bird.

• Ensure the stocking density, feeding & drinking space are consistent as per guidelines after grading; specially for the adjustable size pen.

Flock Management after Grading:

Following grading, the flock need to be managed to achieve targeted body weight in graded group in uniform & coordinated manner. Post grading management to maintain uniformity within graded pen is more important than the grading itself. The most important issue is the post grading management results in the birds converging to a common target body weight at Transfer to laying house.

Post Grading Feed Quantity should be adjusted to individual pen and graded birds body weights to bring each sub-population gradually back to the target line.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

• Feed level must be recalculated on a weekly basis calculating for changes in liveability.

• Feed recalculation twice a week gives excellent results specially for Light weight group where higher increase level is required.

• Feed calculation based on individual pen birds Av Body Wt & bird numbers

• Feed level should never be reduced

• Feed level for Light Wt group should remain same first week post grading owing to the fact that reduced competition from heavier birds will give a good amount extra feed to all birds.

• Weekly Feed increase will be like:
  • Smaller for Heavy Wt Bird group
  • Greater for Lighter Wt Bird group
  • Standard for Medium Wt bird group

• Never hold feed increment for any group for more than 2 weeks

Post Grading Body Weight management (up to 63 days/9 weeks):

For each population, the aim is to achieve target body Wt uniformly during which the skeletal development takes place (by 9 Wks/63 days). After 28 days age, the body Wt of each populations needs to be monitored & feed allocations adjusted as necessary to reach the body Wt target.

Management of Under Target Light Wt Population:

Where Av Body Wt of a population is more than 100gm lower than the targeted Body Wt, then the objective is to redraw the Body Wt curve so that target body Wt is achieved by 63 days. There should be no feed increase in first week after grading because reduce competition for feed will allow all birds to get more feed. Subsequent feed increase should be based on deviation from target body Wt.

Management of On Target Medium Wt Population:

The aim is to continue to keep birds on targeted Weight.

Management of Over Target Heavy Wt Population:

Where Av Body Wt of a population is more than 100gm higher than the targeted Body Wt. the objective is to redraw the body weight curve so that birds are gradually brought back to target weight by 63 days. Feed level never be reduced but may be reduced incremental quantity and increase may be one week interval until target is achieved.

Post 63 days Redrawing of future Body Weight management:

The Body weight of each sub-population should be reassessed in relation to the target. The populations with similar weight & feed consumption at this age can be combined.

Management of Under Target Light Wt Population:

If some birds remain under target after 9 weeks, the body Wt target should be redrawn so that the birds can be grown to targeted body weight gradually by 105 days (15 Weeks), if not earlier. The feed quantity should be increased looking towards the new target.

Management of On Target Medium Wt Population:

The aim is to continue to keep birds on targeted Wt.

Management of Over Target Heavy Wt Population:

If birds remain overweight after 9 weeks age, the target should be redrawn so that they can be brought back to target Body Wt gradually by 105 days (15 weeks). Feed level may be increased by giving a gap of one week and increment quantity may be lesser.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

• Keep on monitoring weekly Body Weight compulsorily

• After 9 weeks, redraw the target Body weight Curve of any sub-population if they are below/above to targeted body weight to bring them back on target by 105 days age.

Addressing Uniformity Problem:

If Av body Wt deviates from targeted body weight more/less than 100gm during rearing phase, reweight the sample flock. If similar data received, the following may be taken care:

Underweight before 105 days, consider the following in future flocks –

• May remain on Starter feed longer than suggested
• Provide a nutrient rich starter next time
• Light hours may be increased little for 3 weeks to stimulate feed intake & improve Body Wt

Underweight before 105 days, consider the following in current flock –

• Initiate the next feed increment earlier, may be mid-week and consider increasing the amount, until body weight is brought back to target.

• For example, standard increase is 5gm weekly but you want to increase 8gm, then increase 4gm at start of week and after 3 days increase again 4gm. This will help the birds to accommodate the higher increment.

Overweight before 105 days –

• Do not reduce feed level lower the current feed quantity
• Reduce next feed increase quantity, e g 2gm instead of 4gm
• Can delay next feed increment for one week
• Check the Energy (ME) level of the feed, weather higher than recommended

Any changes made to correct the body weight uniformity issue in male or female should be done gradually, ensuring positive response in body weight gain every week

For further information, please contact

Dr. B C Dutta, Poultry Consultant
Email: duttabalaiss@yahoo.co.in |  +91 96741 32503   | www.drbcdutta.com 

Previous article by author: How To Improve Broiler Performance?

Eggs from the same source delivered to different hatcheries will often give different results, even though their biological quality was identical and they were collected from the same flock with the same nutrition and health status during the same period, day after day. Nevertheless, the results can differ substantially and consistently.

Assuming that the fertility level in batches delivered to different hatcheries was the same, the difference in hatchery results can only be explained by differences in embryo mortality. Embryo mortality during incubation follows a certain pattern: most embryos die during the first or last few days and mortality is low for the remaining days. For a high hatch of fertile (HOF) of 95%, about 2% would be lost in the first three to four and last three to four days of incubation, while fewer than 1% would die in the period in between.

Factors affecting results
There are many factors that can affect the results from different hatcheries. These include egg transportation, storage, disinfection, type and technical status of installed equipment, local climate, altitude, incubation programme, applied procedures, knowledge and experience of staff, and a lot more.

Comparing hatchery results from different hatcheries, we usually notice a difference in the Hatch of Eggs Set (HOS) first. A detailed analysis of differences, even for identical HOS, allows the identification of possible mistakes and ways to remedy these.

Where do we see the differences?

• Difference in % fertility?

Eggs from the same flock collected during the same period should have the same true fertility. A difference can only be explained by a difference in early embryonic mortality and the classification of early dying eggs as ‘clears’. Opening at least samples of clears selected at an early phase, or even of eggs not yet incubated, can help to determine the most likely cause of an increased early embryo mortality. Was the transport too warm or too rough, or was there improper, prolonged egg storage under unstable conditions? Check the disinfection system: when, how and how often are the eggs disinfected and what kind of disinfectant is used?

• Mortality during first few days of incubation?

Beside the factors mentioned above, the most likely incubation-related reason for early embryo mortality is an incorrect temperature. This can be related to the incubation programme, a poor technical status of incubators leading to a non-uniform environment inside the setter, or a too rapid or too slow increase in temperature. It may also be related to disinfectant remaining on the eggs or a turning failure.</p?\>

• Differences seen at transfer?

Transfer, usually combined with candling, provides an overview of embryo mortality at different phases of development. The distribution of losses in different hatcheries can be compared. An increased number of bangers reveals a difference in hygiene level and suggests egg ‘sweating’.

• Hatching and chicks?

The final hatch result shows the quality of the incubation programme and the hatchery procedures. Dead embryos not identified by conventional candling will be found at hatch. The number of unhatched eggs found in the baskets, the phase when the embryos stopped developing (internal/external pipping or earlier) and the status of eggshells (dryness, cleanness, height of pipping) help to identify weaknesses in the process. The first factors to review are the eggshell temperature after day 12 and the egg weight loss. The chicks themselves, their quality and condition at hatch, the frequency and type of disorders, and mortality in the first week of life can also differ substantially between hatcheries, even if the chicks were produced from the ‘same’ eggs.

Advice:

• When comparing results, look further than global hatchability numbers.
• Consider the details: search for the type of difference and its timing.
• Use this information to upgrade your programmes and procedures.

Any feedback on this article or additional information, contact Maciej Kolańczyk at maciej.kolanczyk@wp.pl