Implementation of the hygiene program in a hatchery is not only sufficient to ensure to produce healthy chicks but also is fallow in breeding farm, broiler farm, processing unit, transport. Successful egg incubation and good machinery are two important factors which results in better hatchability and quality of chicks.

Authors
Authors: Dr. Vasudha Kuncham, [Technical Manager, Animal Nutritionist, Veterinary Doctor, MLIT Sol Pvt. Ltd.] and Ms. Sucharita Kumar, [Digital Marketing Analyst, MLIT Sol Pvt. Ltd.]

Maintenance of all critical parameters at optimum levels using technology helps in avoiding manual errors. HRMSC is both real time remote monitoring and smart controlling device which helps in maintaining the criticals precisely leading to better management and minimal errors which in turn leads to improved hatchability and reduced cull percentage. Overall, this machinery helps in improving productivity in hatcheries.

What is hatchery in poultry farming?

The industry that produces and distributes chicks that are one day old through artificial incubation is referred to as a “hatchery.” In simple words hatchery is where the fertilized eggs are incubated, and chicks are hatched before being sent to a farm to be raised for market. Andhra Pradesh tops the chart of poultry production in India followed by Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Telangana, West Bengal, and Karnataka.

Hatchery

What should be the location and site for hatchery in poultry farming?

The poultry farms and hatcheries should be in an area which is far away from industrial and residential areas. It should have good ventilation for air and light and basic requirements of water and electricity. The temperature of the environment for the birds should be 22-30 degree Celsius and the relative humidity should be 30-60 %.

  • The distance between the hatchery and the chicken house should be at least 1500 feet (460 metres). The hatchery should be kept far from breeding farms, feed mills, and grain storage facilities, though.
  • The hatchery area should be a distinct building with a separate entrance and exit from the chicken farm.
  • Size of the hatchery is dependent upon the number of chickens to be hatched in each setting or each week based on the local demand or supply of day-old chicks.
  • The rooms need to be set up differently to make greater use of the space available, provide a quicker path for the eggs, and limit employee movement.
  • The structure of the hatchery should allow hatching eggs to be taken in at one end and the chick removed at the other.

What are the main parameters of hatchery management?

Temperature– According to principles of incubation, incubation temperature should be maintained between 99o and 100o Fahrenheit, but the acceptable range is 97o– 102o Fahrenheit. The optimum temperature for chicken egg in the setter (for first 18 days) ranges from 99.50 to 99.75o F and in the hatcher (last 3 days) is 98.50o F.

Humidity– Recommended incubation relative humidity for the first 18 days ranging between 55 to 60% (in setter) and for the last 3 days ranging between 65 and 75% (in the hatcher). Higher humidity during hatching period is given to avoid dehydration of chicks.

Ventilation (Oxygen and Carbon dioxide level and air velocity)- The setter’s air has an oxygen concentration of about 21%. The hatchability decreases by 5% for every 1% decrease in oxygen. The tolerance level of CO2 for the first 4 days in the setter is 0.3%. CO2 levels above 0.5% in the setter reduce hatchability and completely lethal at 5.0%.

Position of eggs– Holding eggs for artificial incubation should be done with the large ends upwards. Eggs are typically laid large end up during the first 18 days (in the setter) and horizontally for the final 3 days (in the hatcher).

Turning of eggs– Eggs should be turned at least 8 times a day. In large commercial incubators the eggs are turned automatically each hour i.e., 24 times a day. Most eggs are turned to a position of 45o from vertical, and then reversed in the opposite direction to 45o from vertical. Rotation less than 45o are not adequate to achieve high hatchability. Turning is not required in hatcher.

Main parameters of hatchery management

What is Hatchery Management?

Implementation of the hygiene program in a hatchery is not only sufficient to ensure to produce healthy chicks but also is fallow in breeding farm, broiler farm, processing unit, transport. All the person who involves in this process should be aware of all measures, facts, and procedures of hygiene. A collective approach is the only way to ensure best hygienic condition in the hatchery.

The most important goal of any hatchery is to introduce the best quality parent flock with the highest hatchability. Therefore, managing the daily operations of contemporary commercial hatcheries is a crucial managerial task. It’s critical to manage machinery and eggs well.

Three primary factors determine the best quality chicks’ maximum hatchability. They are:

  1. Good quality healthy eggs.
  2. Successful egg incubation.
  3. Efficient egg handling equipment and good operation from egg collection on the supply farm to the distribution of chicks from the hatchery.
Diagram of hatcher room with exhaust plenum showing airflow
A diagram of the hatcher room with exhaust plenum showing the direction of air flow (black arrows).

What are the problems in hatchery?

Despite a batch’s success, it must constantly be watched over. It is advised to open eggs that are still in the tray for all batches at least once every two weeks. Since the root of lower birth rates isn’t always identified in the hatchery, it can be challenging to identify the cause in some cases. The issue may have started in the feed factory or be related to the health of the breeders, their management, egg storage and transportation, etc. Additionally, elements such as temperature and humidity may contribute to an anomaly.

The problems that are generally faced in a hatchery are as follows:

1. Broken out eggs.
2. Chicks hatch late.
3. Death of chicks.
4. Reduced growth of chicks.
5. Weak chicks.
6. Exposed brain.
7. Crooked toes and spraddled legs.
8. Loss of water from eggs.
9. Short or missing beak.

Why are the hatcheries in poultry industry lagging?

How much ever we try to technologically become strong, we must remember that we are still lagging in the fields of animal husbandry. Till today, we face difficulty in proper management, marketing, transportation, and basic facilities.

Every hatchery strives to generate the greatest number of good quality birds from viable eggs. Analysing the eggs that are still in the trays is one of the most effective methods for achieving this goal. A chick may fail to free itself of the shell for many reasons. They include chick strength, chick position, air cell position, disrupted hatch, and improper incubation humidity.

Have you ever thought what can be the solution to these many problems? It is high time we should start thinking on these factors to prevent anymore losses.

MLIT PoultryMon has the perfect device which can be the solution to all these problems. The Hatchery Remote Monitoring with Smart Controller (HRM-SC) is a supernova solution which provides real time remote monitoring of temperature, humidity in the hatchery along with several other parameters like rack turning, fan rpm/speed, power supply and door condition. The gateway sends cumulative information from about 30 HRM devices to the cloud. The smart controller controls the criticals in the incubator with fully integrated alarm management, alerts automatically and detects changes to temperature, humidity, fan rotation, malfunctioning, door open or power loss in setters and hatchers.

As a result, we can see 1-2% reduction in risk, 1-2 % increase in hatchability, 30-50% reduction in cull percentage, reduction in 3% of electricity consumption, improved quality and quantity of the chicks, better labour management and bird welfare.

For more information, email info@mlitsol.com, website: www.poultrymon.com


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Introduction: In the world of poultry farming, two significant concerning factors are litter ammonia and relative humidity. The presence of ammonia gas released by uric acid decomposition in bird droppings is referred to as the litter ammonia level. High quantities of litter ammonia may negatively impact the respiratory system, eyes, and feet, resulting in decreased production and increased mortality rates. Relative humidity, on the other hand, refers to the amount of moisture in the air. Maintaining adequate humidity levels is critical for preventing pathogen growth and infection.

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Poultry excreta comprises undigested feed protein and uric acid, which microbial enzymes convert it to ammonia (NH3). Several litter characteristics influence this conversion, including pH, temperature, oxygen, moisture concentrations, and substrate availability. The recommended limit for ammonia in a chicken shed is less than 10 ppm, however, up to 25 ppm is not detrimental. Ideally, the relative humidity should range between 50 and 70%. The rainy season, defective foggers, insufficient ventilation, water leaks, and other factors all contribute to increased humidity inside the shed.

Ammonia levels and humidity in poultry houses are interconnected. High relative humidity can exacerbate the adverse effects of high blood ammonia levels in poultry. In humid environments, more NH3 may be dissolved in the air droplets and inhaled into the blood during respiration by birds, consequently increasing the blood ammonia content. When ammonia gas is exposed to moisture, it reacts and forms a corrosive solution called ammonium which causes harm to birds. Additionally, high humidity can hinder the evaporation of moisture from the litter, causing it to retain more ammonia.

Deleterious Effects on Poultry:

  1. Respiratory Issues: High levels of ammonia in the poultry house air can cause respiratory problems to the birds. Ammonia gas affects the trachea’s mucosal surface, causing paralysis of cilia, sometimes deciliation of epithelial cells, and causes necrosis of the mucosal epithelium.
  2. Foot Lesions: The constant exposure of poultry to ammonia can cause severe foot lesions by causing chemical burns on the foot pads of birds, leading to painful and debilitating footpad dermatitis.
  3. Eye Lesions: High concentrations of atmospheric ammonia for a prolonged duration causes irritation, conjunctivitis, and damage to the cornea of the eyes. Swelling and reddening of the eyelids, irritation, reddening of the conjunctiva and nictitating membrane, and partial or complete closure of the eyes are common clinical signs.
  4. Reduced performance.

How to prevent it:
Along with farming management like dietary management, stocking density, proper ventilation, house temperature, litter management, etc., other supplements like Phytogenic Feed Additives can be supplemented in a poultry diet. A phytogenic feed additive reduces the gut inflammation caused by stressors and maintains gut integrity, resulting in better nutrient digestibility in birds. In addition, it helps to maintain the homeostasis between beneficial and harmful gut microflora which would minimize the adverse effect of harmful bacteria on the gut. This ultimately leads to a reduction in the excretion of undigested and unabsorbed nutrients through feces from a healthy gut, which means less nitrogen excretion.

STODIStandardized Polyherbal Formulation containing fruit rinds of Punica granatum, aerial parts of Andrographis paniculata, bark of Acacia nilotica, fruits of Terminalia bellirica, and bark of Holarrhena antidysenterica has shown to be an effective solution for loose dropping. In various studies, it has been found that supplementation of this polyherbal formulation has significantly reduced litter nitrogen (g/100g of litter) as compared to the group without supplementation. Phytogenics of this polyherbal formulation (PHF) maintains the gut integrity and peristalsis movement of the gut which increases the time for the protein and other nutrient utilization by the birds. This increased protein utilization leads to reduced excretion of nitrogen which in turn decreases the production of ammonia levels in litter. Along with this PHF has been shown to improve the gut microbiota level and gut immunity of the bird poultry.

In conclusion, the combined impact of ammonia and humidity in the world of poultry farming underscores the critical importance of maintaining a balanced and controlled environment for the well-being and productivity of the birds. High ammonia levels in poultry houses can lead to a range of deleterious effects. Phytogenics of polyherbal formulation have been shown to reduce the ammonia level in litter with improved nutrient utilization and gut microbiota balance.

Authors:

References
Chigwada, J., Mazunga, F., Nyamhere, C., Mazheke, V. and Taruvinga, N., 2022. Remote poultry management system for small to medium scale producers using IoT. Scientific African, 18, p.e01398.
Sheikh, I.U., Nissa, S.S., Zaffer, B., Bulbul, K.H., Akand, A.H., Ahmed, H.A., Hasin, D., Hussain, I. and Hussain, S.A., 2018. Ammonia production in the poultry houses and its harmful effects. Int. J. Vet. Sci. Anim. Husb, 3(4), pp.30-33.
Weaver Jr, W.D. and Meijerhof, R., 1991. The effect of different levels of relative humidity and air movement on litter conditions, ammonia levels, growth, and carcass quality for broiler chickens. Poultry science, 70(4), pp.746-755.

The poultry industry in India has witnessed significant growth over the years, making it one of the largest contributors to the country’s agriculture sector. Poultry farming has become a source of livelihood for many, and it plays a crucial role in providing a steady supply of eggs and meat to the growing population. However, as the poultry sector continues to expand, it faces a pressing issue that threatens the health and well-being of the birds and the livelihoods of poultry farmers. Loose dropping is one of the common diseases affecting poultry health and production. Loose droppings involve the excretion of loose, unformed faeces by the birds, which is often accompanied by increased water content and a lack of consistency.

Authors STODIOne of the most challenging aspects of addressing loose droppings in poultry is the non-specific nature of the causes. Unlike specific diseases or pathogens that can be easily identified and targeted, loose droppings may be triggered by a range of factors, making diagnosis and treatment complex. The non-specific causes of loose dropping involve management, environment, metabolism, and nutrition.

Environment and temperature one of the pre-disposing factors responsible for the occurrence of loose dropping in poultry. When birds are exposed to high temperatures inside the shed, it can cause stress in them and cause them to drink more and eat less to regulate their body temperature. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that heat stress damages intestinal integrity and leads to a leaky and inflammatory gut. Loose dropping will result from less intestinal water absorption due to compromised gut integrity. Whereas in low temperatures and high humidity, poultry tends to eat more and reduce water intake. A reduction in water intake can be an indication of dysbacteriosis. The ventilation systems in a chicken house are intimately related to the ammonia content there. Poor ventilation causes poultry houses to have excessive levels of ammonia, which is a common problem during winter. In the poultry house, an ammonia level of more than 25 ppm has a negative impact on the health and productivity of the birds. High levels of ammonia can interfere with normal organ function, hinder energy metabolism, promote cell apoptosis, and harm the mitochondria in the mucosa of the digestive system.

Nutrition plays a pivotal role in the occurrence of loose dropping in poultry. Due to frequent fluctuations in feed prices, poultry farmers are looking for alternative ways to balance the ration. A variety of antinutritional elements found in alternative feed sources, whether they are protein- or energy-based, impact gut integrity and feed digestion, resulting in loose dropping. Numerous factors, such as a diet rich in non-starch polysaccharides, Distiller’s dried grains (DDGS), soyabean meal (SBM) quality, low-quality fat, and high salt and minerals, etc, contribute to loose dropping in poultry.

SBM contains several antinutritional elements that could alter intestinal homeostasis and reduce poultry’s ability to utilize nutrients. The main anti-nutritional factors in SBM, are trypsin inhibitors. According to reports, the quantity of trypsin inhibitors in the diet is directly connected with outbreaks of rapid feed passage in broilers. High trypsin inhibitor levels in soybean meal are an indicator that the processing conditions were not ideal for reducing trypsin inhibitor content in raw soybeans from about 40 mg/g to a concentration of around 2 mg/g in soybean meal.

The economic impact of loose droppings on poultry farms is considerable. Poultry farmers face financial difficulties because of decreased growth rates, increased mortality, and higher feed and medicine expenditures. Considering these challenges, poultry farmers must implement strategies to mitigate the effects of loose droppings. In order to lessen stress on the birds, this requires maintaining optimal environmental conditions. To reduce the likelihood of loose droppings, it’s essential to maintain high-quality, balanced food and closely monitor the water supply. Furthermore, various phytogenic feed additives have also been shown to lessen the possibilities of loose dropping in poultry. The active ingredients found in natural preparations are classified as plant secondary metabolites (PSM) and can have a wide range of biological effects on an animal’s body. Depending on their concentration and combination, they may have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, as well as antioxidant properties.

STODISTODI a pure phytogenic formulation, supports in prevention of non-specific loose droppings in poultry. STODI is composed of Andrographolide, punicalagin, polyphenols, and ellagitannins which work synergistically to prevent loose dropping in poultry. In a study conducted on rats, it was found that castor oil-induced diarrhea was significantly reduced. Also, the intestinal transit was inhibited by up to 33% and the weight of secretory contents induced by castor oil was significantly reduced by polyherbal formulation, approximately 29% in the enterpooling assay. In another study conducted in Ross 308 broiler chicks, were treated with magnesium chloride in the negative control group whereas the STODI group contained magnesium chloride along with STODI. It was found that supplementation of STODI was effective in modulating the caecal microbial population in a manner conducive to gut health and performance of broilers, as revealed by the increase in abundance of favorable microflora. STODI has also proven that a wet litter broiler model was developed through excessive feeding of MgCl2, which caused the performance parameters to worsen, and the emergence of problems associated with the wet litter. Supplementation with STODI ameliorated these problems and, therefore, it can be used for the management of wet litter in poultry by its properties of augmenting gut integrity, anti-inflammatory effects on the intestinal lumen, check hyper-secretion, normalizing gut peristalsis, enhancing gut immunity and improves microbiome.

In conclusion, the poultry industry in India has seen remarkable growth, playing a pivotal role in meeting the country’s increasing demand for poultry products. However, the emergence of loose droppings in poultry flocks is a complex challenge that threatens the health of birds and the livelihoods of poultry farmers. The economic impact of loose droppings on poultry farms is substantial, causing reduced growth rates, higher mortality rates, and increased costs associated with feed and medication. To mitigate these challenges, poultry farmers must adopt a multifaceted approach, the use of phytogenic feed additives like STODI has shown promise in supporting the prevention of non-specific loose droppings in poultry.

References:
  • Dunlop, M.W., Moss, A.F., Groves, P.J., Wilkinson, S.J., Stuetz, R.M. and Selle, P.H., 2016. The multidimensional causal factors of ‘wet litter’in chicken-meat production. Science of the Total Environment562, pp.766-776.
  • Hermans, P.G., Fradkin, D., Muchnik, I.B. and Morgan, K.L., 2006. Prevalence of wet litter and the associated risk factors in broiler flocks in the United Kingdom. Veterinary Record158(18), pp.615-622.
  • https://www.biomin.net/science-hub/5-tips-to-successfully-manage-poultry-house-ammonia-levels/#:~:text=Optimize%20the%20poultry%20stocking%20density,temperature%20of%20the%20poultry%20house.
  • https://www.poultryproducer.com/wet-droppings-or-diarrhea/#:~:text=Excessive%20water%20intake%20has%20a,to%20regulate%20their%20body%20temperature.
  • Makwana, R.B., Savsani, H.H., Chavda, M.R., Odedra, M.D., Garg, D.D., Ribadiya, N.K., Karangiya, V.K., Vaghamashi, D.G., Chavda, J.A. and Belim, S.Y., 2022. Constraints and amelioration of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) in broiler diets: A review.
  • Marimuthu, S., Balasubramanian, B., Selvam, R. and D’Souza, P., 2019. Evaluation of a polyherbal formulation for the management of wet litter in broiler chickens: Implications on performance parameters, cecal moisture level, and footpad lesions. Journal of Advanced Veterinary and Animal Research6(4), p.536.
  • Marimuthu, S.K., Balasubramanian, B., Selvam, R. and D’Souza, P., 2019. Modulation of chicken cecal microbiota by a phytogenic feed additive, STODI®: a metagenomic analysis. Pharmacognosy Research11(3).
  • Murugan, S., Purusothaman, D., Richard, E.J., Chalichem, N.S.S., Bethapudi, B., Chandrasekaran, P.R., Velusami, C.C., D’Souza, P. and Mundkinajeddu, D., 2020. Anti-diarrhoeal activity of a polyherbal formulation in rats and elucidation of its cellular mechanisms. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine10(4), p.417.
  • Sheikh, I.U., Nissa, S.S., Zaffer, B., Bulbul, K.H., Akand, A.H., Ahmed, H.A., Hasin, D., Hussain, I. and Hussain, S.A., 2018. Ammonia production in the poultry houses and its harmful effects.  J. Vet. Sci. Anim. Husb3(4), pp.30-33.

 


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The 5th edition of AHCAB International Expo 2023, organized by the Animal Health Companies Association of Bangladesh (AHCAB), is a significant event aimed at showcasing technological advancements in animal and aqua farm management. The expo commenced on on 30th November and continued until 2nd December 2023 at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Ahcab Intl Expo 2023 logoThe exhibition garnered support from the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry sf Fisheries & Livestock,  Government of Bangladesh. A total of 215 companies from various countries, including Bangladesh, Egypt, Germany, India, Poland, South Korea, Romania, Thailand, Vietnam, and others, participated to demonstrate their contributions to ensuring the supply of safe animal proteins to meet the local and international demands, Additionally, the event addressed the challenges related to disease and rearing of pet animals.

AHCAB Expo 2023 Participants

The Closing Ceremony was held on 2nd December 2023 at 3:30 PM. Dr. Md. Emdadul Haque Talukder, Director General, Department of Livestock Services graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Mr. Sayem ul Haq, President of AHCAB presided over the closing ceremony.

A diverse audience comprising farmers, investors, entrepreneurs, students, scientists, professionals, and representatives from business entities were visited the expo. The sponsorship for the International Expo comes from Ibratas Trading Company as the Platinum sponsor, Inter Agro BD Ltd as the Gold Sponsor, and Adyan Agro Limited as the Silver sponsor.

The 15th edition of Poultry India Expo – South Asia’s biggest Poultry Exhibition was successfully organised from 22nd until 24th November 2023 at Hitex Exhibition Centre at Hyderabad.

With a floor area of over 32,000 sqm, spread over 6 exhibition halls, this edition, Poultry India Expo attracted a record of 421 exhibitors including 45 participants from abroad. Over 35,000 trade visitors benefitted from the event.

A day prior to the Poultry India Expo, on November 21, the much-acclaimed Poultry Knowledge Day was organised at Novotel, Hitex City Hyderabad. The high-level conference discussed on cutting-edge advancements in modern feed mills, business models in Broiler sector and egg sector, best practices in modern poultry production, and the latest in poultry nutrition and animal health. Over 1500 delegates from India, Africa, Europe, USA and SAARC nations participated.

Mr Uday Singh Bayas
Mr Uday Singh Bayas, President – IPEMA at press conference

Mr Uday Singh Bayas, President, – IPEMA addressed a media conference to announce the beginning of the 15th Knowledge Day Technical Seminar (November 21st) at HICC and the 15th Poultry India Expo (November 22-24) at HITEC City. He was joined by several members of the Executive Advisory Committee, all Industry stalwarts from across the country.

“There is no gainsaying the fact poultry industry is playing a flagship role of being India’s champion to eradicate malnourishment and protein deficiency in the country,” said Uday Singh Bayas, President, Indian Poultry Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (IPEMA), organisers of this mega event in Hyderabad which is now in its 15th year.

Knowledge Day 2023“I am happy our Government is determined to safeguard our sector so that we continue to produce world class poultry meat and eggs. Today India’s poultry industry, with it enabling of low cost model with increased productivity, is a showcase of success across the world. It is one of the key contributors to India’s Agriculture and Animal Husbandry GDP. It contributes significantly to the eradication of protein deficiency and malnutrition and employ millions, especially women from rural India and has spawned dozens of small and medium entrepreneurs producing downstream products and services for the industry,” he added.

During its 14 year of existence, Poultry India has reached out to the communities and the government to deliver inexpensive easily available healthy proteins to school going children, youth and young mothers through various All-India rural and semi-urban programs.

Poultry industry has grown by leaps and bounds due to strict housekeeping, exacting ventilation, feeding practices, automation and disease control mechanism ministered by responsible and trained farmers.

The Exhibition’s main aim is to help farmers keep abreast of latest developments in management, animal health & nutrition, breeding, poultry farm equipment and new techniques in feed manufacturing and poultry production at an affordable cost.

Next edition of Poultry India is scheduled from 27-29 Nov 2024 at HITEX, Hyderabad (India). Visit www.poultryindia.co.in for more details.

After 25 years as one of India’s premier veterinary healthcare companies, Stallen has undergone backward integration. Stallen has recently unveiled and started operations at a new veterinary API facility in Vatva, Ahmedabad.

Stallen logoStallen offers a range of feed additives, formulations and vaccines for the poultry industry and is the only company in India that manufactures every product they market. With a market presence across India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka along with exports in 50 countries there is an increased focus to our long term goals.

Glassline reactors
Glassline reactors

Aniket Parikh, director at Stallen with double degrees in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University, USA shares the long term vision of Stallen which is a path to total self-dependence and sustainability. Given his background in chemical engineering and shared mission with our esteemed prime minister Narendra Modi on ‘Make in India’ – Stallen in focused on reducing imports and instead replacing the product range with specialty and indigenous products made in India.

Stallen FDA Standard Labs
FDA Standard Labs to Ensure BP Specifications

In order to continue offering quality, economical prices and timely deliveries, Stallen has started production of Halquinol, a non-antibiotic growth promoter belonging to a group of hydroxy-quinolines. It is a combination of 5-chloro-8-hydroxyquinoline, 5,7-Dichloro-8-hydroxyquinoline, and 7-Chloro-8-hydroxyquinoline. The product range produced is Halquinol 98% made as per the BP 80 (British Pharmacopeia 1980) specifications. Stallen is able to sell 98% as a chemical API used in veterinary formulations and feed additives, as well as the more common 60% and 12%. Given its BP specifications and monthly increased capacity, they are now able to easily serve its global customers with valid registrations of Halquinol in more than 15 countries.

Stallen Treatment Plants
Latest Effluent and Pollution Control Systems and Treatment Plants

Staquinol (Halquinol 12% and 60%) is highly active against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. It has an anti-peristaltic activity that promotes the absorption of nutrients. It is proven to have no withdrawal period and resistance enabling its further use in cases when the customers are moving towards antibiotic free produce.

Stallen aims to slowly introduce a slew of APIs from this facility to reduce the dependency of products being imported from China in the animal health sector.

The facility in Vatva is the 6th addition of a manufacturing plant in Stallen’s group of companies’ manufacturing activites. The plant supplements its 2 feed additive manufacturing facilities and 2 veterinary formulation facilities in Palghar, Maharashtra along with a feed premix and additive manufacturing unit in Canada.

In the heart of the burgeoning Indian Livestock sector, a partnership was born three years ago that would set a new benchmark for the poultry industry. Wyldox, a company at the forefront of water technology expertise, joined forces with the esteemed Srinivasa Farms, renowned for their half-century legacy in the poultry domain. Together, they embarked on a mission not only to enhance the status quo but to revolutionize it.

Wyldox SrinivasaOver the past three years, the Wyldox-Srinivasa collaboration has been a testament to the power of synergy. At the crossroads where innovation meets tradition, the duo has introduced the Wyldox Srinivasa Tablets – a ground-breaking solution in water sanitation – that promises to safeguard the health of poultry across India and beyond.

These tablets are not just another addition to the farmer’s toolkit. They represent a leap forward in ensuring the bio-security and water purity essential for poultry health, addressing the perennial threat of waterborne pathogens like E. coli. The result has been remarkable – healthier birds, more robust yields, and a significant uptick in farm profitability.

But this partnership’s impact goes beyond product innovation. It’s about building a legacy of empowerment and prosperity for the Indian farmer. It’s about writing a new narrative where the rural farmer harnesses the power of cutting-edge science to carve out a future of abundance.

As we celebrate this three-year milestone, we look back with pride at the lives touched and communities transformed. The Wyldox-Srinivasa partnership has been more than a commercial alliance; it has been a beacon of progress, illuminating a path for others to follow.

The journey, however, is far from over. The vision that brought these two entities together continues to drive them towards new horizons. With ongoing research and development, community education, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, Wyldox and Srinivasa Farms are not just participating in the poultry industry’s growth—they are leading it.

Join us in applauding this remarkable union of ambition and expertise. Here’s to the past three years of success, and to many more years of innovation and shared triumphs in the journey ahead.

Note: In Title pic (L to R): Mr. Varun Aggarwal, Founder at Wyldox; Mr. Suresh Raydu Chitturi, the visionary leader of Srinivasa Farms; and Mr. Kartik Aggarwal, Co-Founder at Wyldox.

With rising raw material costs and never ending disease problems, the future landscape for doing this business profitably will be dauntingly more challenging. Rising feed additives costs, and inconsistent feed ingredient quality add more difficulties and uncertainties to the sustainability of poultry farming.

Feed Imaging article authorsLet’s face this fact and ask the golden question “What more can be done to improve farm productivity and profitability?”. We cannot control rising ingredient costs, so the only thing left is to look inwardly for a better understanding of feed processing and the economic benefits of improving processed feed quality.

This article addresses an area of feed processing which many in the industry are most likely not aware of, due largely to the generally well accepted norm in feed processing and assessment of feed quality.

Feed Imaging exposes problems that could well explain the issues with high feed costs, poor farm productivity, and low survival rate. This forensic science also provides a much better post-mortem insights into the quality of processed poultry feed over current analysis – wet chemistry analysis for starch gelatinisation, PDI and Maillard Reaction.

Feed Imaging shows up accurate visual macro details for assessing the processed feed quality:

1) Poor Processing of Starch/Protein – This affects pellet binding, energy value and feed intake. The feed pellet could be very stable, but if intra-particles bonding is poor in the entire pellet, fines and dust can easily fall off while the pellets are being handled. Also feed intake in farm is directly related to texture of the pellets, 50% of pellet rejection incidences at farms are related to the texture of the pellets. Poorly processed starch and protein directly affects pellets texture and its intake at farms which will certainly affect the farm performance.

2) Maillard Reaction – Reaction of lysine/ and some other amino acids with reducing sugars such as glucose. This reaction impacts protein quality, critical for poultry nutrition. Certainly, we know that Maillard reaction binds lysine, making it non-reactive, and interferes with the transport of stored nutrients to the muscle for growth.

Maillard compounds have many negative effects on the poultry health as well as effects on absorption and storage of nutrients, synthesis and secretion of several enzymes for food digestion.

Stages of gelatinisation benchmark
Figure 1. Stages of gelatinisation benchmark

No More Guessing and Assuming that everything is fine!

• Changes in morphology of maize starch granules throughout the gelatinisation range, showing birefringence when observed under digital light microscopy

• As starch starts to gelatinise with sufficient moisture and heat, we start to observe an increase in granule size, loss of integrity, granular disruption and the eventual loss of birefringence.

• Finally, with the microscope image showing up the glass transition surface

Image of a typical pellet
Figure 2. Image of a typical pellet

What this image of a typical feed is telling us?

1) Starch poorly processed – Clear birefringence, moisture not penetrating the starch granules

2) A high degree of visible crystalline starch – Whitish streaks clearly indicating a lack of moisture hydrating the starch granules. When sufficient moisture penetrates the granule, the amorphous regions of the granules absorb the moisture and swell, resulting in the separation of starch chain from the crystallites. Sufficient water lowers the starch melting point and result in quick melting of the crystallites at high temperature.

3) Darkened colour – Clearly indicating browning from Maillard reaction. Sufficient moisture prevents the breakage of glucosidic-bonds holding glucose to carbohydrates. The Maillard reaction occurs when breakaway free glucose reacts with lysine.

Maillard reaction in feed processing
Figure 3. Maillard reaction in feed processing. When feed containing starch is cooked, the heat can break glycosidic bonds linking the glucose units together and effectively break-up the polysaccharides to release the glucose monosaccharides, which ultimately leads to the Maillard reaction in feed processing.

What is the problem with the current pelleting process?

Feed pelleting is a complex, semi-dry thermal processing, rendering it impossible to deal with the objective of processing starch and protein well, without the dreaded Maillard reaction problem.

The industry has been working under the notion that the feed has been processed well enough, but feed imaging now shows up the problems clearly. Feed pelleting is merely a forced feeding of hot-moist conditioned mash through the die, and at best, only the pellet surface is anywhere close to being better cooked due to high surface moisture and searing effect from the hot die surface. Hence, Pellet Durability Index (PDI) is merely a measure of the strength of the outside of the tube (integrity of the pellet surface). Putting a knife through a pellet often reveals a brittle exterior and very loosely bonded centre, as shown by feed imaging. This is the reason PDI improves when there is more surface moisture in the hot mash and with the higher die compression used for pellet production.

We are seeing abnormally high issues with the starch in the processed pellets. The whitish streaks and rough pellet surface are good indicators that things are not quite right. These weaknesses are clearly observed on all feed put under the microscope. Some obvious factors such as low moisture at conditioner, high temperature processing and high die compression make things worse.

In a very different context away from current industry norm, the main objective with feed processing should be:

  • Induce positive chemistry changes to starch and protein
  • Minimise the negative chemistry changes caused by Maillard reaction.

Using these fundamental principles, the next steps are to deploy the sciences needed to get the job done correctly and optimally.

Summary diagram on the pivotal role of feed processing to feed quality.
Figure 4. Depicts a summary diagram on the pivotal role of feed processing to feed quality.

Moisture plays a very important role in feed processing. It is one of 3 elements involved in cooking food – Heat, Moisture, Time. An effective moisture management technology determines if moisture will be used “functionally”, which greatly determines production efficiency and the processed pellet feed quality. Moisture can only be functional if it is being drawn into the feed chemistry…. Contributing to positive chemistry changes to starch and protein.

Results taken from 2 different approaches
Figure 5. Above image is the results taken from 2 different approaches. Treatment X with a “Surfactant Product” / Treatment Y with positive “Mash Hydrolysation” Concept.

Mash Hydrolysation TM

The whole Science around feed pelleting is centered around the proper hydrolysis and cooking of starch and protein. For this to happen, moisture need to get into the feed chemistry. However, the polarity of water molecule alone is insufficient to disrupt the hydrogen bonding of starch and protein structures.

A group of chemicals which contain divalent cations termed as “structure breakers” with a high charge density having the ability to disrupt hydrogen bonds of starch and protein. These cations also possess high polarity, thus attract water molecules strongly. With the disruption of hydrogen bonds, moisture can penetrate freely into the starch granule, leading to swelling, rupture, and the melting of amorphous and crystalline starch ……leading to starch gelatinisation irreversibly. Such bio-chemistry solution is important for activating moisture into the feed chemistry in the semi-dry feed pelleting process.

In the current low moisture scenario, when water molecules do not easily penetrate into the starch granules and can’t stay retained in the feed chemistry even after higher moisture addition in the mixer, Feed Imaging can easily work as a torch bearer to help feed millers gauge their pellet quality and to know how good they are able to use this added moisture to improve the feeding value of pellets.

Control and Treatment

Authors: Steven Goh and Dr Naveen Kumar, Delst Asia

For more details, write to drnaveen@delstasia.com


Previous article by author: Understanding Recent Feed Refusal And Poor Feed Intake

As the world population continues to grow, the demand for meat products, including poultry, is increasing. Poultry farmers are constantly looking for ways to improve their production while also ensuring the safety of their birds and consumers. One such technology that is gaining popularity in the industry is the use of ozone.

Vasanth Rao
Vasant Rao Attanti
Director Business Development
Lotus Ozone Tech. Pvt. Ltd.
Bangalore
M: +91 93425 29325
E: vasanth@lotusozone.com

Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent that is naturally found in the Earth’s atmosphere. It is produced by the interaction of ultraviolet light with oxygen molecules. In the poultry industry, ozone is used as a disinfectant to kill harmful microorganisms and viruses that can cause diseases in birds.

Ozone in poultry farming is a topic that has gained some attention due to its potential benefits in improving poultry health and farm hygiene. While it may not be the “Next Big Thing” in poultry farming, it is indeed an emerging technology worth considering. Here are some key aspects to understand:

Air and Water Purification: Ozone can be used to purify air and water. In poultry farms, maintaining clean air and water is crucial for the health of birds. Ozone can help remove odors, pathogens, and contaminants from the air and water, which can lead to better conditions for the birds.

Pathogen Control: Ozone has strong disinfection properties. It can help reduce the presence of harmful microorganisms in the poultry house, which can lower the risk of disease outbreaks. This can be particularly beneficial in preventing the spread of diseases like avian influenza.

Improved Water Quality: Ozone can be used in water treatment to remove impurities and pathogens. Clean water is essential for poultry health and growth. Using ozone for water treatment can lead to healthier birds and improved feed efficiency.

Reduced Antibiotic Use: By creating a cleaner and more hygienic environment, the use of ozone can potentially reduce the need for antibiotics in poultry farming. This is in line with the growing demand for antibiotic-free poultry products.

Reduced Ammonia Levels: Ozone can help reduce ammonia levels in poultry houses. High ammonia levels can be harmful to both birds and farm workers. Ozone can contribute to a healthier environment for all.

Environmental Benefits: Ozone is an environmentally friendly technology, as it does not leave chemical residues and breaks down into oxygen. This can be a selling point for poultry farms looking to adopt more sustainable practices.

The use of ozone in poultry farming is not without its challenges. Ozone is a very reactive gas and can be dangerous to humans and animals if not used properly. Poultry farmers need to be trained in the proper use and handling of ozone generators to ensure the safety of their birds and workers.

Despite these challenges, the benefits of using ozone in poultry farming are clear. It is a non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and effective method of disinfection that can improve the health and safety of both birds and consumers. As the demand for poultry products continues to grow, the use of ozone is likely to become more widespread in the industry.

Poultry Water treatment

Water is an essential nutrient for poultry, and ensuring its quality and safety is crucial for maintaining the health and productivity of birds. Water can become contaminated with various pathogens, bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can pose a significant risk to poultry health and welfare. One of the most effective methods of water disinfection is through the use of ozone, a powerful oxidant that can eliminate a wide range of contaminants in water. In this article, we’ll explore the use of ozone in water for poultry and its benefits for poultry farmers.

What is Ozone?

Oxygen - Ozone - Oxygen CycleOzone is a colourless gas that consists of three oxygen atoms (O3). It is a highly reactive and powerful oxidant that can break down organic matter and inactivate microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, by damaging their cell membranes and DNA.

Ozone is produced naturally in the atmosphere by the action of UV radiation on oxygen molecules, and it can also be generated through various industrial and water treatment processes, such as ozone generators.

Ozone Use In The Poultry Industry

Ozone Use In The Poultry Industry

Benefits of Ozone in Poultry Water Treatment

1. Effective disinfection: Ozone is one of the most effective disinfectants for water treatment, with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against bacteria, viruses, and parasites. It can also remove organic matter, odours, and flavours from water, improving its quality and palatability. The use of ozone in food production has now reached farm level where it is used in poultry production. It is believed that animals utilize the feed better, are healthier and are less likely to become sick when Ozone is used.

2. Non-toxic and residue-free: Unlike many chemical disinfectants, ozone is non-toxic and does not leave any harmful residues or by-products in water, making it safe for poultry consumption. It is a natural disinfectant, Ozone is replacing traditional chemical sanitizers in a growing number of industrial processes, including food, beverage, dairy and seafood processing. Ozone destroys all common pathogenic organisms through natural processes of oxidation, disinfection, and decomposition to Oxygen

3. Environmentally friendly: Ozone is an environmentally friendly disinfectant, as it does not contribute to the formation of harmful by-products, such as chloramines or trihalomethanes, that can contaminate the environment and affect human health. Ozone is extremely effective as a disinfectant at relatively low concentration.

4. Cost-effective: Ozone is a cost-effective water treatment method, as it requires minimal chemical inputs and can reduce the need for other disinfectants, such as chlorine or hydrogen peroxide.

5. It eliminates waterborne pathogens such as E.coli, Salmonella, etc. And prevents development of resistance by pathogens.

6. Oxidizes dissolved Iron, Manganese, Hydrogen Sulphide, etc.

7. It helps to increase the Dissolved Oxygen (DO) in water which helps the birds to tolerate Stress.

8. During the Ozonation process Ozone is consumed completely and converts into Oxygen, forming Oxygen Rich water, significantly increasing the Dissolved Oxygen (DO) levels in the water.

9. Benefits of High Dissolved Oxygen (DO) in Poultry Drinking water.

10. Oxygen is required in the “combustion” of feed to produce energy for survival as well as growth. In summer when temperature increases, Oxygen availability decreases in water & air, resulting in slow down of metabolism in the birds. In winter, as the air temperature drops, birds require more oxygen to metabolize feed into energy. Eg: at 27°C environment birds require 20% more energy and 5% more oxygen compared to 33°C environment.

11. Stress is yet another contributing factor to increase oxygen demand. Birds relocation to cages causes stress. This stress can be reduced by increased DO in the water.

12. Birds consume large quantities of feed for growth. This increases oxygen requirement for chick metabolism, unavailability to fulfil this demand leads to heart failure & ascites. Dry feed can form clumps in the bird digestive system, which can press on the bird’s carotid artery, causing blood flow to the brain to lessen. This can cause paralysis and possible death.

How to Use Ozone in Poultry Water Treatment

The use of ozone in poultry water treatment requires proper equipment, dosing, and monitoring to ensure its effectiveness and safety.

The following are some guidelines for using ozone in poultry water treatment:

  1. Ozone generators: Poultry farmers should use high-quality ozone generators that can produce ozone at the required concentration and flow rate for their water system. The generators should be properly installed and maintained to ensure their optimal performance and safety.
  2. Ozone dosing: Poultry farmers should determine the appropriate ozone dosage based on the quality of their water, the volume of their water system, and the desired level of disinfection. Over-dosing can lead to ozone residue in water, while under-dosing can reduce its effectiveness.
  3. Ozone monitoring: Poultry farmers should regularly monitor the ozone in their water system using a reliable testing. This can ensure that the ozone dosage is consistent and effective, and prevent any safety issues.

Schematic for water recirculation

Brief Introduction to Lotus Ozone Tech Pvt Ltd.

Lotus Ozone Tech Pvt. Ltd stands as a beacon of innovation and excellence in the field of poultry farming, having achieved a remarkable milestone of over 210 installations in diverse applications. Lotus Ozone Tech has demonstrated exceptional expertise in Water Treatment, Hatchery Air Treatment, and Breeder Egg Room Air Treatment, redefining the standards of poultry farm management.

Their service professionals play a pivotal role in ensuring the continued success of these installations, providing exceptional support and maintenance that underlines the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction. For more details, please visit www.lotusozone.com

In conclusion, the use of ozone in poultry water treatment can provide a safe, effective, and environmentally friendly solution for disinfecting poultry water. It is an effective method of disinfection that is safe for the environment and animals. As the industry moves towards more sustainable and eco-friendly practices, the use of ozone is sure to become a staple in the poultry farming toolkit. By using high-quality ozone generators, proper dosing, and monitoring, poultry farmers can improve the quality and safety of their water supply, reduce the risk of waterborne diseases, and promote the health and productivity of their birds.


Article by same author: Importance Of PH In Drinking Water

Indian Federation of Animal Health Companies popularly known as INFAH, is the united progressive force of companies & non-profit organizations working towards animal healthcare.

INFAH logoINFAH is created to promote ethical practices and enhance Animal Health Industry’s value and contribution in the society. It also offers a dynamic platform to create awareness about controlling diseases, provide effective treatments and improve overall productivity of animals.

Dr. Shirish Nigam, the newly elected President, in an exclusive interview with Poultry TRENDS magazine, shares INFAH roles in uplifting the Indian animal health industry, current challenges and way forward.

Excerpts:

What is INFAH and what are its key objectives?

Established in June 2011, the Indian Federation of Animal Health Companies (INFAH) stands as a beacon of unity and progress for companies and non-profit organizations dedicated to safeguarding animal welfare. It has emerged as a pre-eminent force in the animal health sector, boasting a sizeable membership of companies representing diverse segments of the animal husbandry industry. From animal healthcare, biologicals & feed additives to veterinary diagnostics, INFAH’s reach extends far and wide.

Guided by a vision of fostering trust among veterinary professionals and stakeholders across livestock, poultry, aqua, and companion animal domains, INFAH strives to elevate the animal health industry’s standing and societal contributions. INFAH champions ethical practices and actively promotes the animal health industry’s value and impact on society. Through dynamic platforms, INFAH raises awareness about disease control strategies, effective treatments, and overall animal productivity enhancement initiatives.

What role does the Association play in uplifting the Indian animal health industry?

Since its inception over 12 years ago, the Indian Federation of Animal Health Companies has played an instrumental role in shaping the policy framework for the Indian Animal Husbandry and Animal Health sector. Aligning with the national priorities, INFAH has consistently championed the accessibility of veterinary medicines and animal health products to promote animal health and welfare while advocating for their responsible use.

INFAH’s has been promoting the adoption of best practices in livestock management, contributing to enhanced productivity and disease prevention. Supporting research and development initiatives that address emerging challenges in animal health and welfare.

As INFAH continues its mission, it remains steadfast in its dedication to empowering the animal health industry to reach new heights of sustainability, productivity, and animal welfare. By working collaboratively with industry stakeholders, INFAH is shaping a brighter future for the sector, ensuring its continued contribution to India’s food security and economic growth.

Who can be a member and what are the member benefits?

Interested companies can reach out to INFAH at infah@ymail.com and through a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Members are inducted.

INFAH has its registered office in Mumbai and for more information, one can visit our website. INFAH is also on social media like LinkedIn 

What do you think are the current challenges and how do you plan to overcome this issue?

As we collectively strive for the growth and success of our organization, I am energized by the challenges that lie ahead and the immense potential for positive change and progress. This role presents a tremendous opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the well-being of animals and the broader ecosystem. At INFAH, we are working closely with industry experts, organizations, and stakeholders to advance the cause of animal health and ensure the highest standards of animal care.

In the ever-evolving landscape of animal health, the Indian Federation of Animal Health Companies (INFAH) stands solid in its commitment to current challenges like sustainability, responsible antimicrobial use, and the advancement of veterinary education.

INFAH is actively engaged in the fight against AMR, working closely with the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries (DADF) on the ‘National Action Plan on AMR 2.0 (2022-26)’. This collaborative effort aims to promote responsible antibiotic stewardship, prevent the emergence of resistant pathogens, and safeguard the effectiveness of antimicrobials.

INFAH collaborating with the Veterinary Council of India (VCI), is actively involved in reforming veterinary education, ensuring that it aligns with industry needs and produces graduates equipped for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

By championing responsible practices, fostering collaboration, and advocating for a supportive regulatory framework, INFAH is empowering the animal health industry to deliver innovative solutions, safeguard animal well-being, and protect the environment for generations to come.


INFAH New Committee 2023-25
INFAH New Management Committee 2023-25

Past Presidents of INFAH

  • Dr. Vijay Makhija (MSD)
  • Mr. Vijay Teng (Intas)
  • Dr. D K Dey (IMMEUREKA)
  • Dr. Arun Atrey (Zenex)
  • Mr. Satish Pasrija (Indian Herbs)
  • Dr. Asim Banerjee (Vetoquinol)