Ross PS Pocket Guide2013EN PDF
Ross PS Pocket Guide2013EN PDF
Ross PS Pocket Guide2013EN PDF
2013
An Aviagen Brand
ROSS Ps pocket guide: The Pocket Guide
Performance
This Pocket Guide summarizes best practice management for parent
stock that receive first light stimulation after 147 days/21 weeks
of age and achieve 5% production at 25 weeks of age. However,
poultry production is a global activity and across the world, differing
management strategies may need to be adapted for local conditions.
The information within this Pocket Guide cannot wholly protect against
performance variations which may occur for a wide variety of reasons.
The management techniques covered are considered to be the most
appropriate to achieve good performance, consistent with maintaining
the health and welfare of the bird.
www.aviagen.com
2
ROSS ps pocket guide: Contents
Contents
05 Key Management Timetable
Section 2
Management into Lay (15 Weeks to Peak
Production)
27 From 105 Days/15 Weeks to Light Stimulation
32 Separate-sex Feeding Equipment
33 Lighting
34 Management of Females Post Light Stimulation Until
5% Production
37 Management of Females from 5% Hen-day
Production Until Peak Egg Production
39 Management of Males from Post Light Stimulation
Until Peak Egg Production
3
ROSS ps pocket guide: Contents
Section 5 Ventilation
55 Ventilation
Section 6 Nutrition
62 Nutrition
4
ROSS ps pocket guide: Key Management Timetable
5
ROSS PS Pocket guide: Key Management Timetable
6
ROSS ps pocket guide: Key Management Timetable
Bird Handling
It is important that all birds are handled in a calm and correct
way at all times. All people handling birds (for catching,
weighing, physical assessment, crop fill assessment, or
vaccination) should be experienced and appropriately
trained so that they can handle the birds with the care that is
appropriate for the purpose, age, and sex of the bird.
7
Section 1
Rearing
(0-105 days/0-15 weeks)
Objective
Rearing
ROSS ps pocket guide: Rearing (0-105 days/0-15 weeks)
8
ROSS ps pocket guide: Rearing (0-105 days/0-15 weeks)
Spot Brooding
Brooder
Paper Cover
12 Feeder Trays
2m (6.6 ft) 1m (3.3 ft) 2m (6.6 ft)
5m (16.5 ft)
Automatic Feeder
Paper Cover 8 Bell Drinkers
Automatic Feeder
12 Mini Drinkers
Whole-house Brooding
9
5m (16.5 ft)
ROSS ps pocket guide: Rearing (0-105 days/0-15 weeks)
Brooding Management
• Frequently monitor house temperature and RH, adjust where necessary.
• Replenish feed and water regularly during the first 3 days.
• Provide maximum daily feed allocation in small amounts given
frequently (i.e. 5-6 times per day) and remove supplementary
drinkers completely by 3-4 days of age.
• Expand brooding rings (if used), gradually from 3 days of age and
remove brooding rings completely by 5-7 days.
• Open-sourced drinkers should be cleaned out regularly.
• Position supplementary feeders and drinkers near to the main
feeding and drinking systems.
• Check feed, water temperature, and RH 1-2 hours after placement
and adjust where necessary.
10
ROSS ps pocket guide: Rearing (0-105 days/0-15 weeks)
MANAGEMENT FUNDAMENTAL
Monitor chick behavior.
The following diagram illustrates bird distribution under brooders. The brooder
is illustrated by the light blue circle in the center of each diagram.
11
ROSS ps pocket guide: Rearing (0-105 days/0-15 weeks)
12
ROSS ps pocket guide: Rearing (0-105 days/0-15 weeks)
Lighting
The following table shows the recommended lighting program for rearing
birds 0-147 days/0-21 weeks of age.
Age Daylengths*
Light Intensity†
(days) (hours)
1 23
2 23 80-100 lux (8-10 foot candles)
in brooding area.
3 19
10-20 lux (1-2 foot candles)
4 16 in the house.
5 14
6 12
30-60 lux (3-6 foot candles)
7 11 in the brooding area.
8 10 10-20 lux (1-2 foot candles)
in the house.
9 9
10-146 8 10-20 lux (1-2 foot candles).
* Constant 8-hour daylengths should be reached by 10 days of age. However, if
problems have regularly occurred with early body-weight gain, the reduction to
a constant daylength may be more gradual so that 8 hours is not reached until
21 days.
† Average intensity within a house or pen measured at bird-head height. Light
intensity should be measured in at least 9 or 10 places and include the corners,
under lamps and between lamps. During the dark period (interpreted as night) a
light intensity of ≤ 0.4 lux (0.04 foot candles) should be achieved. Ideally, variation
in light intensity within the house should not exceed 10% of the mean.
13
ROSS ps pocket guide: Rearing (0-105 days/0-15 weeks)
PROCEDURE
Crop Fill
The chick on the left has a full, rounded crop while the chick on the right
has an empty crop indicating it has not found feed or water.
14
ROSS ps pocket guide: Rearing (0-105 days/0-15 weeks)
MANAGEMENT FUNDAMENTAL
If target levels of crop fill are not being
achieved then something is preventing the
chicks from feeding and drinking, and action
must be taken to resolve this.
15
ROSS ps pocket guide: Rearing (0-105 days/0-15 weeks)
The following table shows feeder and drinker space from 0-105 days/15
weeks.
Feeding Space
Male Female
Track Feeder Pan Feeder Track Feeder Pan Feeder
Age (days)
cm (in) cm (in) cm (in) cm (in)
0-35 days 5 (2) 5 (2) 5 (2) 4 (2)
36-70 days 10 (4) 9 (3.5) 10 (4) 8 (3)
71-105 days 15 (6) 11 (4) 15 (6) 10 (4)
16
ROSS ps pocket guide: Rearing (0-105 days/0-15 weeks)
Feeding Management
PROCEDURE
Transition from Floor to Automated Track Feeding
PROCEDURE
Transition from Floor to Automated Spin Feeder
17
ROSS ps pocket guide: Rearing (0-105 days/0-15 weeks)
Drinker Management
The recommended drinking space requirements during rear (post
brooding) are given below.
Type of Drinker Drinker Space
Bell drinkers 1.5 cm (0.6 in)
Nipples 8-12 birds/nipple
Cups 20-30 birds/cup
From 18 days old the The back of the For older birds,
base of the drinker chick should be at drinker should be
should be level with 35-45o to the floor. raised to form an
the bird’s back. angle of 75-85o
with the floor.
Introduction of Perches
Perches should be installed from 28 days onward allowing 3 cm (1.2 in)
per bird (sufficient for 20% of the birds to roost).
18
ROSS ps pocket guide: Rearing (0-105 days/0-15 weeks)
PROCEDURE
Bulk Weighing Chicks at Placement
PROCEDURE
Bulk Weighing Chicks at 7 and 14 Days
19
ROSS ps pocket guide: Rearing (0-105 days/0-15 weeks)
PROCEDURE
Individual Weighing After 14 Days
20
ROSS ps pocket guide: Rearing (0-105 days/0-15 weeks)
CV>12%?
YES NO
3- way 2- way
Grade Grade
Heavy 5-9% Pen 1 Light 25% Heavy 12-15% Pen 1 Light 25%
Pen 2 Normal 25% Pen 2 Normal 25%
Pen 3 Normal 25% Pen 3 Normal 25%
Pen 4 Heavy 25% Pen 4 Heavy 25%
22
ROSS ps pocket guide: Rearing (0-105 days/0-15 weeks)
Heavy
Target
Light
Body weight
Flock Grading
7 14 21 28 42 49 56 63 70
Age (days)
23
ROSS ps pocket guide: Rearing (0-105 days/0-15 weeks)
Heavy
Target
Light
Body Weight
Flock Grading
7 14 21 28 42 49 56 63 105 140
Age (days)
MANAGEMENT FUNDAMENTAL
If population sizes in lay are likely to be
larger than they were in rear, it is even more
important that managment after grading
ensures birds achieve a common weight by the
age of transfer.
24
ROSS ps pocket guide: Rearing (0-105 days/0-15 weeks)
25
ROSS ps pocket guide: Rearing (0-105 days/0-15 weeks)
Records
Record keeping, and data analysis and interpretation, are an essential aid
to effective management. Record keeping should be used in conjunction
with target performance parameters. Records required to be kept are as
follows:
Rearing
Breed
Source flock
Hatch date
Number of birds housed (male and female)
Floor area and stocking density
Feeder space per bird
Drinker space per bird
Feed/bird – daily, weekly and cumulative
Mortality and culls – daily, weekly and cumulative
Body weights, CV% and age of recording (male and female ) – daily/weekly
External and internal temperatures - minimum and maximum and
operating (internal only)
Water consumption – daily
Water:feed ratio
Sexing errors
26
Section 2
37 Management of Females 59
from 5% Hen-day
Production Until Peak Egg
Production
39 Management of Males 63
Post Light Stimulation
Until Peak Egg Production
Management
into Lay
ROSS ps pocket guide: Management into Lay
(15 Weeks to Peak Production)
Target Weight
Regular monitoring and recording of body weight and uniformity are
essential management tools during this period.
• Re-draw target body weight if the flock is 100 g (0.22 lb) or more above
target weight (overweight) or 100 g (0.22 lb) or more below target
weight (underweight) at 15 weeks.
• Grow birds that are underweight to regain target by light stimulation,
for overweight birds, set a new target.
27
ROSS ps pocket guide: Management into Lay
(15 Weeks to Peak Production)
Heavy
Target
Light
Body weight
Transfer
Day-old to Depletion
Where there is a change in feeding system between rear and lay, manage
this transfer carefully by ensuring that birds can easily find and get access
to the new feeders.
28
ROSS ps pocket guide: Management into Lay
(15 Weeks to Peak Production)
Mating-up
• Mating-up should start from 147 days/21 weeks of age.
• Ensure both males and females are sexually mature at mating-up.
• Mating-up should be delayed by 7-14 days if sexual maturity is delayed,
or when moving from dark-out rear to open-sided lay facilities.
• A mature male/female will have a well-developed comb and wattles
that are red in color.
29
ROSS ps pocket guide: Management into Lay
(15 Weeks to Peak Production)
Example of a sexually mature male (on the left) and an immature male (on
the right).
Example of a sexually mature female (on the left) and an immature female
(on the right).
30
ROSS ps pocket guide: Management into Lay
(15 Weeks to Peak Production)
Sexing Errors
It is good practice to remove sexing errors whenever they are identified during
the life of the flock. Ideally, all sexing errors should be removed before mating-up.
Criteria for identifying males and females for the resolution of sexing errors.
Male Female
Hock Joints
140 days/20 weeks
Thicker and broader in
males. Narrower and
smoother in females.
Feathering Around
the Neck
140 days/20 weeks
Long-fringed, spear-
shaped feathers in
males. Denser, paddle-
shaped feathers in
females.
Body Shape
140 days/20 weeks
Males longer and
narrower. Females more
compact and broader
around pelvis.
31
ROSS ps pocket guide: Management into Lay
(15 Weeks to Peak Production)
45-4
(1.75-17.8mm
8 in)
(2.36mm
in)
60
32
ROSS ps pocket guide: Management into Lay
(15 Weeks to Peak Production)
Lighting
Daylength increases from rearing to laying.
Daylength (hours) for flocks
Age with different CV% at Light Intensity
140 days/20 weeks
Laying Daylengths (Hours)
Days Weeks
CV 10% or less CV 10% or greater
10-146 8 8
147 21 11 8
154 22 12 12
161 23 13 13 30-60 lux
168 24 13 13 (3-6 foot candles)
175 - 25 -
13 13
depletion depletion
Daylength may be increased abruptly in a single increment without adversely affecting
total egg production (although peak may be higher and persistency slightly poorer)
provided the body weights are on target and the flock is uniform (CV ≤ 10%).
33
ROSS ps pocket guide: Management into Lay
(15 Weeks to Peak Production)
34
ROSS ps pocket guide: Management into Lay
(15 Weeks to Peak Production)
PROCEDURE
Monitoring Pin Bone Spacing
If pin bone spacing does not develop as expected, i.e. is below 1.5 fingers
at first light stimulation, or if there is a big variation in pin bone spacing
between individuals, then delay light stimulation by approximately 1 week.
35
ROSS ps pocket guide: Management into Lay
(15 Weeks to Peak Production)
Floor Eggs
To help manage and reduce floor egg levels, the following management
points may be used:
• Introduce perches from 28 days/4 weeks.
• Incorporate a suitable alighting/perching rail in nest box design.
• Have uniform distribution of light greater than 60 lux (5.6 foot
candles); avoiding the presence of dark and shaded areas next to
walls, corners, and in the areas next to steps and slat fronts.
• Run egg gathering belts several times each day from transfer where
automated systems are used.
• Walk around the house as frequently as possible (at least 6 and up to
12 times per day) picking up any floor eggs.
• Set feeder and drinker heights appropriately so that they are not
obstacles to nest access.
• Put 20% at floor level to start when using manual nests. Thereafter,
gradually raise them (over a period of 3-4 weeks) to the normal height.
• Allow 3.5-4 hens per nest hole for manual nests.
• Allow 40 hens per linear meter (12 birds per linear foot) for mechanical
(communal type) nests.
• Set feeding times to avoid the peak of egg laying activity. Feeding
time should be either within 30 minutes of “lights on”, or 5-6 hours
after “lights on” to prevent birds from feeding when the most eggs
are likely to be laid.
MANAGEMENT FUNDAMENTAL
Attention to detail avoids floor eggs.
36
ROSS ps pocket guide: Management into Lay
(15 Weeks to Peak Production)
Egg Weight
PROCEDURE
Weighing Eggs
38
ROSS ps pocket guide: Management into Lay
(15 Weeks to Peak Production)
MANAGEMENT FUNDAMENTAL
It is normal for average egg weight to fluctuate
on a daily basis due to sampling variation and
environmental influences.
39
Section 3
Management in Lay
(Peak to Depletion)
Objective
Management
in Lay
ROSS ps pocket guide: Management in Lay (Peak to Depletion)
PROCEDURE
Assessing Body Condition (fleshing)
40
ROSS ps pocket guide: Management in Lay (Peak to Depletion)
Breast Muscle
Keel Bone
Keel Bone
Breast Muscle
Abdominal Cavity
Muscle
Fat
Bone
41
ROSS ps pocket guide: Management in Lay (Peak to Depletion)
MANAGEMENT FUNDAMENTAL
Regular assessments of male and female
physical condition (fleshing) should be made
throughout the life of the flock.
42
ROSS ps pocket guide: Management in Lay (Peak to Depletion)
Head
• Comb, wattles and eye area should be uniform, intense red color.
• Well conditioned males will redden-up from the face towards the eye.
• Poorly conditioned males will lose color from the eye outwards.
• Males with low face color may have a low mating activity and should
be considered for removal.
A healthy, active male showing a red face and comb (on the left), and a
male in poorer condition, showing paleness around the eye (on the right).
Feathering
• Partial feather loss should be seen in good working males, especially
around the shoulders, thighs, breast and tail.
• Well feathered males generally have low mating activity and should
be considered for removal.
An active male showing some feather wear (on the left), and an inactive
male showing no feather wear (on the right).
43
ROSS ps pocket guide: Management in Lay (Peak to Depletion)
44
ROSS ps pocket guide: Management in Lay (Peak to Depletion)
45
ROSS ps pocket guide: Management in Lay (Peak to Depletion)
Keel Bone
Breast Muscle
Abdominal Cavity
Muscle
Fat
Bone
46
ROSS ps pocket guide: Management in Lay (Peak to Depletion)
MANAGEMENT FUNDAMENTAL
Using a combination of physical assessments
(body weight, fleshing, fat pad, and pin bone
spacing) provides a reliable indication of
overall female condition.
47
ROSS ps pocket guide: Management in Lay (Peak to Depletion)
Records
Record keeping, and data analysis and interpretation, are an essential aid to
effective management. Record keeping should be used in conjunction with
target performance parameters. Records required to be kept are as follows:
Laying
Breed
Source flock
Hatch date/date of housing
Number of birds housed (male and female)
Floor area and stocking density
Mating ratio
Eggs produced - daily, weekly, and cumulative per bird
Hatching egg number - daily, weekly, and cumulative
Floor eggs – daily, weekly, and cumulative
Feed - daily and cumulative
Clean-up time
Body weights (male and female) – daily and weekly
Average egg weight - daily and weekly
Egg mass - daily and weekly
Mortality and culls - daily, weekly, and cumulative
Hatchability
Fertility
External and internal temperatures - minimum and maximum and
operating (internal only)
Water consumption – daily
Water:feed ratio
Humidity
Hours of light
48
Section 4
Care of Hatching
Eggs on Farm
Objective
Care of
Hatching Eggs
on Farm
ROSS ps pocket guide: Care of Hatching Eggs on Farm
Egg Quality
Examples of good quality hatching eggs.
49
ROSS ps pocket guide: Care of Hatching Eggs on Farm
PROCEDURE
Egg Packing and Selection
50
ROSS ps pocket guide: Care of Hatching Eggs on Farm
Egg Disinfection
The use of formaldehyde fumigation is the preferred method for
disinfecting eggs, but appropriate safety precautions must be taken.
PROCEDURE
Egg Disinfection
51
ROSS ps pocket guide: Care of Hatching Eggs on Farm
• Spray eggs with a warm disinfection solution and avoid immersing eggs.
• Wash water should be 41°C (106°F).
• The process should be recorded and monitored.
• Make sure that the disinfectant concentration does not fall below the
recommended minimum effective concentration level.
• Allow eggs to dry before they are cooled in egg store.
• Washed eggs need to be fumigated, but this should not be done until
they are dry.
Egg Storage
The relationship between length of egg storage and temperature of egg store.
Storage Period Temperature of Storage*
(days) o
C (oF)
1-3 20-23 (68-73)
4-7 15-18 (59-64)
<7 12-15 (54-59)
> 13 12 (54)
* Humidity between 75 and 80%.
52
ROSS ps pocket guide: Care of Hatching Eggs on Farm
MANAGEMENT FUNDAMENTAL
Cooled eggs should not be moved into a warm
humid environment to avoid condensation
forming on egg surface.
Humidity
• Egg store humidity should be between 75 and 80% RH.
• Make sure that the water in the humidifier is clean and that spray
nozzles are maintained properly so that they produce a fine mist of
water and not large droplets.
53
ROSS ps pocket guide: Care of Hatching Eggs on Farm
Eggs may sweat when they are transported from a cold egg store on
the farm to a warm hatchery or from a cold egg store in the hatchery for
pre-warming or incubation.
If eggs are sweating they should not be fumigated or put into a cold egg
store until they are dry.
15 (59) 11 13
20 (68) 12 14 16 18
Pre-warming 23 (74) 12 15 17 19 21
25 (77) 10 13 16 19 21 23
30 (86) 14 18 21 24 26 28
35 (95) 18 21 25 28 31 33
Incubator 21 25 28 31 34 36
40 (104) 23 27 30 33 36 38
54
Section 5
Ventilation
Objective
Ventilation
ROSS ps pocket guide: Ventilation
Ventilation
Open-sided/Natural Ventilation
Natural ventilation requires continuous 24 hour management if the house
environment is to be satisfactorily controlled.
• Vary curtain height to achieve optimum airflow.
• Curtains should be fastened to the sidewalls at the bottom and be opened
from the top down to minimize drafts and wind flowing directly onto birds.
• Open curtains on both sides of the house to provide cross-ventilation.
• In light wind or wind that changes direction frequently curtains on each
side should be opened the same amount.
• If the wind is coming consistently from one side of the building, the curtain
on the prevailing side should be opened less than the downwind side to
minimize drafts.
• Recirculation fans should be used to supplement and enhance temp-
erature control within the house.
• In hot weather conditions, several steps can be taken to minimize the
impact of high temperatures:
• Reduce stocking densities.
• Ensure adequate roof insulation is in place, use water sprayed on the
house roof to cool the roof. (Use with caution as this may raise RH
levels).
• Use circulation fans.
• Use tunnel ventilation with evaporative cooling pads.
55
ROSS ps pocket guide: Ventilation
• If incoming air
flow speed and
volume is too low:
• Cold air will drop
directly on to the
birds/litter
• Litter will become
wet and birds may
get chilled
• Ventilation only 36
works effectively 34
if the house is 32
adequately sealed. 28
30
26
controlled. 34
30
Air leaks. 28
26
25.0°C
56
ROSS ps pocket guide: Ventilation
57
ROSS ps pocket guide: Ventilation
PROCEDURE
Evaluating Negative Pressure of Controlled
Environment Housing
1. Close all doors and inlets in the house.
2. Switch on one 122 cm (48 in)/127 cm (50 in) fan, or two
91 cm (36 in) fans.
3. The pressure within the house should not measure less
than 0.15 inches of water column (37.5 Pa).
Minimum Ventilation
• It is essential to provide some ventilation to the house regardless of the
outside conditions.
• Minimum ventilation is used for young chicks, nighttime, or winter
ventilation.
• Extraction fans (usually 91 cm [36 in] in size) operating on a cycle timer (on/
off) draw air into the house through sidewall or ceiling air inlets.
• It is recommended that a 5 minute cycle timer is used.
• Air inlets should be opened at least 5 cm (2 in) for the airflow into the house
to be effective.
• Accurate ventilation settings for the house can be determined by carrying
out smoke tests. Alternatively, strips of cassette tape can be hung from
the ceiling every 1-1.5 m (3-5 ft) in front of an air inlet up to the apex of
the house.
Correct airflow during minimum ventilation.
MANAGEMENT FUNDAMENTAL
Monitor airflow and bird behavior to determine
if settings are correct.
PROCEDURE
Calculating Minimum Ventilation Rates
Transitional Ventilation
• Transitional ventilation is used when the house temperature is above
the desired (or set point) temperature, but it is not yet warm enough,
or the birds are still not old enough, to use tunnel ventilation.
• A general guideline for transitional ventilation is to open enough air
inlets so that approximately 40-50% of the tunnel fan capacity is
being used.
59
ROSS ps pocket guide: Ventilation
Tunnel Ventilation
Tunnel ventilation is used to keep the birds feeling cool. The switch from
transitional ventilation to tunnel ventilation should occur when the birds need
the cooling effect of wind chill. Younger birds that are not fully feathered will
feel a greater wind chill than older birds and so are more prone to chilling.
PROCEDURE
Tunnel Ventilation Calculations
ROOF
Where:
• Design air speed (min).
HEIGHT
» 2.03 meters per
second (m/s) or 400
feet per minute (fpm)
for rearing. WIDTH
» 2.54 meters per
second (m/s) or 500 feet per minute (fpm) for production.
• Cross section area = (0.5 x Width x Roof) + (Width x Height).
60
ROSS ps pocket guide: Ventilation
MANAGEMENT FUNDAMENTAL
If in-house RH levels reach more than 70-80%,
turn off the evaporative cooling system.
Pad Cooling
• In pad cooling systems, cool air is drawn through a water soaked
filter (cooling pad) by the tunnel ventilation fans.
61
Section 6
Nutrition
Objective
Nutrition
ROSS ps pocket guide: Nutrition
Nutrition
• Birds respond to daily intakes of nutrients, therefore feeding programs
(and feed levels) must relate to dietary nutrient content; especially
energy and the nutritional requirements of the bird at a given age.
• Diets need to be regularly sampled and the samples analyzed to
ensure that the diet is as it should be.
Feeding Programs
Starter Feed
Starter feed should be fed as a sieved crumb from 0-28 days of age. If body
weights at 28 days are consistently below target then feeding the Starter diet
for an extra 1-2 weeks may help.
Growing Period
It is important to carefully manage the change in diet from Starter to
Grower, ensuring that there is no loss in body-weight gain.
Laying hens require 4-5 g (14-18 oz Ca per 100 birds) of calcium per hen per
day to maintain calcium balance. In practice, this is achieved by feeding the
recommended breeder ration calcium levels no later than 5% egg production.
To maintain optimal shell quality, consider supplementing 1.0 g (0.03 oz Ca per
bird per day) of calcium in the form of a large particle-sized limestone (diameter
3.2 mm [1/8 in]) or oyster shell.
62
ROSS ps pocket guide: Nutrition
Consequences for the laying flock of not meeting the nutrient specifications.
Effect of Undersupply Effect of Oversupply
Depends on amino acid Increased egg size
levels, but generally and lower hatchability.
Crude protein decreased egg size and Increased metabolic
number. Poor chick stress during hot
quality from young flocks. weather conditions.
Excess leads to
Body weight, egg size,
increased double yolks,
and egg number will
Energy oversized eggs, and
decrease unless feed
obesity. Late fertility/
quantity is adjusted.
hatchability suffers.
Lysine, methionine Decrease egg size and
& cystine number.
Linoleic acid Decreased egg size.
Reduced availability of
Calcium Poor shell quality.
nutrients.
May impair egg
Available production and
Poor shell quality.
phosphorous hatchability. Reduced
bone ash in chicks.
63
ROSS ps pocket guide: Nutrition
When temperatures are above 25°C (77°F) the relationship is not as straight
forward. Feed composition, feed amount, and environmental management
should be controlled to reduce heat stress.
Feed Management
• Ideally, feed should not remain on the farm for more than a week.
• Feed bins should always remain covered and be in good condition to
prevent water entry. Any feed spills should be cleaned up promptly.
• Use a standard weight to check the accuracy of the feed scales daily
before use.
• A visual assessment of every feed delivery should be made. The
feed should be assessed on its physical quality, color, appearance,
and smell. For mash, check that there is good distribution of raw
materials throughout the feed.
• Levels of fines should not exceed 10% for pellets/crumbs or 25%
for mash. The level of fines within a feed can be measured using a
feed shaker sieve.
64
ROSS ps pocket guide: Nutrition
Problem
Resistance to Disease
Bone Deformities
Egg Production
Feathering
Fertility
Possible Cause
Vitamin A x x x x x
Vitamin D3 x x x x
Vitamin E x x x x
Vitamin B12 x x
Riboflavin x x x
Niacin x x
Pantothenic Acid x x x
Choline x x
Vitamin K
Folic Acid x x x x
Thiamin B1
Pyridoxine B6 x x
Biotin x x x x x x
65
Section 7
Objective
Health and
Biosecurity
ROSS ps pocket guide: Health and Biosecurity
Site Cleaning
MANAGEMENT FUNDAMENTAL
Site cleaning must cover both the interior and
exterior of the house, all equipment, external
house areas, and the feeding and drinking
systems.
66
ROSS ps pocket guide: Health and Biosecurity
PROCEDURE
Site Cleaning
1. Plan.
2. Control insects:
• once the flock has been removed, while the house is
still warm, spray litter, equipment and surfaces with an
insecticide.
• spraying with an approved insecticide may also be done 2
weeks before depletion.
• a second treatment of insecticide should also occur prior
to fumigation.
3. Remove dust.
4. Pre-spray with a detergent solution throughout the inside of
the house.
5. Remove all equipment.
6. Remove and dispose of litter.
7. Wash using a pressure washer with foam detergent, and
rinse with hot water.
PROCEDURE
Cleaning Water Systems
67
ROSS ps pocket guide: Health and Biosecurity
PROCEDURE
Cleaning Feeding Systems
1. Empty, wash, and disinfect all feeding equipment.
2. Empty bulk bins and connecting pipes, and brush out where
possible.
3. Clean out and seal all openings.
4. Fumigate wherever possible.
Disinfection
• Disinfection should not take place until the whole building (including
the external area) is thoroughly cleaned and all repairs are completed.
• Disinfectants are ineffective in the presence of dirt and organic matter.
• Manufacturers’ instructions must be followed at all times.
• Disinfectant should be applied using either a pressure-washer or
backpack sprayer.
• Heating houses to high temperatures after sealing can enhance
disinfection.
• If using a selective coccidial treatment, this should only be used
by suitably trained staff and should be applied to all clean internal
surfaces.
68
ROSS ps pocket guide: Health and Biosecurity
Health Management
• Good management and biosecurity will prevent many poultry
diseases.
• Monitor feed and water intake for the first signs of a disease challenge.
• Respond promptly to any signs of a disease challenge by completing
post-mortem examinations and contacting an Aviagen veterinarian.
• Vaccination alone cannot prevent flocks from overwhelming disease
challenges and poor management.
• Vaccination is most effective when disease challenges are minimized
through well designed biosecurity and management programs.
• Base vaccination programs on local disease challenges and availability
of vaccine.
• Monitor and control worm burden.
• Salmonella infection via feed is a threat to bird health. Heat treatment
and monitoring of raw materials will minimize the risk of contamination.
• Only use antibiotics to treat disease with veterinary supervision.
• Keep records and monitor flock health.
69
®
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Aviagen and the Aviagen logo, and Ross and the Ross logo are registered trademarks
of Aviagen in the US and other countries. All other trademarks or brands are registered
by their respective owners.
© 2013 Aviagen.
Ross Male Ross 308 Female Ross Male Ross 308 Female
Age Age
Wks Weight Feed Amt Weight Feed Amt Wks Weight Feed Amt Weight Feed Amt
g g/bird/day g g/bird/day g g/bird/day g g/bird/day
0 ad lib ad lib 33 4240 138 3510 168
1 150 35 115 26 34 4270 138 3530 168
2 320 42 215 32 35 4300 139 3550 168
3 525 48 335 36 36 4330 140 3570 167
4 755 52 450 40 37 4360 140 3590 166
5 945 56 560 43 38 4390 141 3610 166
6 1130 60 660 45 39 4420 141 3630 165
7 1280 63 760 47 40 4450 142 3650 165
8 1420 66 860 49 41 4480 142 3670 164
9 1545 69 960 50 42 4510 143 3690 163
10 1670 72 1060 52 43 4540 143 3710 163
11 1795 75 1160 54 44 4570 144 3730 162
12 1920 78 1260 57 45 4600 144 3750 162
13 2045 81 1360 59 46 4630 144 3770 161
14 2170 84 1460 62 47 4660 145 3790 160
15 2295 88 1560 66 48 4690 145 3810 160
16 2420 92 1670 71 49 4720 146 3830 159
17 2560 96 1790 76 50 4750 146 3850 159
18 2715 101 1915 83 51 4780 147 3870 158
19 2875 106 2050 90 52 4810 147 3890 157
20 3035 111 2195 98 53 4840 148 3910 157
21 3195 115 2345 104 54 4870 148 3930 156
22 3355 120 2500 113 55 4900 149 3950 156
23 3515 123 2660 122 56 4930 149 3970 155
24 3675 127 2820 131 57 4960 149 3990 155
25 3825 129 2975 138 58 4990 150 4010 154
26 3960 131 3120 148 59 5020 150 4030 153
27 4035 132 3245 158 60 5050 151 4050 153
28 4090 134 3340 168 61 5080 151 4070 152
29 4120 135 3395 168 62 5110 152 4090 152
30 4150 136 3435 168 63 5140 152 4110 151
31 4180 136 3465 168 64 5170 153 4130 150
32 4210 137 3490 168 ROSS 308®
Ross Male Ross 308 Female Ross Male Ross 308 Female
Age Age
Wks Weight Feed Amt Weight Feed Amt Wks Weight Feed Amt Weight Feed Amt
lb lb/100/day lb lb/100/day lb lb/100/day lb lb/100/day
0 ad lib ad lib 33 9.35 30.4 7.74 36.9
1 0.33 7.6 0.25 5.6 34 9.41 30.5 7.78 36.9
2 0.71 9.3 0.47 7.0 35 9.48 30.6 7.83 36.9
3 1.16 10.5 0.74 8.0 36 9.55 30.8 7.87 36.8
4 1.66 11.6 0.99 8.8 37 9.61 30.9 7.91 36.7
5 2.08 12.4 1.23 9.4 38 9.68 31.0 7.96 36.5
6 2.49 13.2 1.46 9.9 39 9.74 31.1 8.00 36.4
7 2.82 13.9 1.68 10.3 40 9.81 31.2 8.05 36.3
8 3.13 14.6 1.90 10.7 41 9.88 31.3 8.09 36.1
9 3.41 15.2 2.12 11.1 42 9.94 31.4 8.13 36.0
10 3.68 15.9 2.34 11.5 43 10.01 31.5 8.18 35.9
11 3.96 16.5 2.56 12.0 44 10.08 31.6 8.22 35.8
12 4.23 17.2 2.78 12.5 45 10.14 31.7 8.27 35.6
13 4.51 17.9 3.00 13.0 46 10.21 31.8 8.31 35.5
14 4.78 18.6 3.22 13.7 47 10.27 31.9 8.36 35.4
15 5.06 19.4 3.44 14.5 48 10.34 32.0 8.40 35.2
16 5.34 20.2 3.68 15.6 49 10.41 32.1 8.44 35.1
17 5.64 21.2 3.95 16.8 50 10.47 32.3 8.49 35.0
18 5.99 22.2 4.22 18.3 51 10.54 32.4 8.53 34.8
19 6.34 23.3 4.52 19.9 52 10.60 32.5 8.58 34.7
20 6.69 24.4 4.84 21.5 53 10.67 32.6 8.62 34.6
21 7.04 25.4 5.17 22.8 54 10.74 32.7 8.66 34.5
22 7.40 26.4 5.51 24.9 55 10.80 32.8 8.71 34.3
23 7.75 27.2 5.86 26.9 56 10.87 32.9 8.75 34.2
24 8.10 27.9 6.22 29.0 57 10.93 33.0 8.80 34.1
25 8.43 28.4 6.56 30.5 58 11.00 33.1 8.84 33.9
26 8.73 28.9 6.88 32.7 59 11.07 33.2 8.88 33.8
27 8.90 29.2 7.15 34.8 60 11.13 33.3 8.93 33.7
28 9.02 29.5 7.36 36.9 61 11.20 33.4 8.97 33.6
29 9.08 29.7 7.48 36.9 62 11.27 33.4 9.02 33.4
30 9.15 29.9 7.57 36.9 63 11.33 33.5 9.06 33.3
31 9.22 30.1 7.64 36.9 64 11.40 33.7 9.10 33.2
32 9.28 30.2 7.69 36.9 ROSS 308®
Ross Male Ross 708 Female Ross Male Ross 708 Female
Age Age
Wks Weight Feed Amt Weight Feed Amt Wks Weight Feed Amt Weight Feed Amt
g g/bird/day g g/bird/day g g/bird/day g g/bird/day
0 ad lib ad lib 33 4240 138 3370 159
1 150 35 110 26 34 4270 138 3400 159
2 320 42 215 31 35 4300 139 3430 159
3 525 48 310 35 36 4330 140 3450 159
4 755 52 400 37 37 4360 140 2470 158
5 945 56 490 39 38 4390 141 3485 158
6 1130 60 580 41 39 4420 141 3500 157
7 1280 63 670 42 40 4450 142 3515 157
8 1420 66 760 43 41 4480 142 3530 156
9 1545 69 850 44 42 4510 143 3545 156
10 1670 72 940 46 43 4540 143 3560 155
11 1795 75 1030 47 44 4570 144 3575 155
12 1920 78 1120 49 45 4600 144 3590 154
13 2045 81 1210 51 46 4630 144 3605 154
14 2170 84 1300 54 47 4660 145 3620 153
15 2295 88 1390 58 48 4690 145 3635 153
16 2420 92 1480 62 49 4720 146 3650 152
17 2560 96 1585 67 50 4750 146 3665 152
18 2715 101 1700 73 51 4780 147 3680 151
19 2875 106 1825 80 52 4810 147 3695 151
20 3035 111 1960 86 53 4840 148 3710 150
21 3195 115 2100 93 54 4870 148 3725 150
22 3355 120 2245 99 55 4900 149 3740 149
23 3515 123 2395 107 56 4930 149 3755 149
24 3675 127 2545 117 57 4960 149 3770 148
25 3825 129 2690 126 58 4990 150 3785 148
26 3960 131 2825 139 59 5020 150 3800 147
27 4035 132 2955 151 60 5050 151 3815 147
28 4090 134 3055 159 61 5080 151 3830 146
29 4120 135 3145 159 62 5110 152 3845 145
30 4150 136 3230 159 63 5140 152 3860 145
31 4180 136 3285 159 64 5170 153 3875 144
32 4210 137 3300 159 ROSS 708®
Ross Male Ross 708 Female Ross Male Ross 708 Female
Age Age
Wks Weight Feed Amt Weight Feed Amt Wks Weight Feed Amt Weight Feed Amt
lb lb/100/day lb lb/100/day lb lb/100/day lb lb/100/day
0 ad lib ad lib 33 9.35 30.4 7.43 35.1
1 0.33 7.6 0.23 5.7 34 9.41 30.5 7.50 35.1
2 0.71 9.3 0.47 6.8 35 9.48 30.6 7.56 35.1
3 1.16 10.5 0.68 7.6 36 9.55 30.8 7.61 35.0
4 1.66 11.6 0.88 8.2 37 9.61 30.9 7.65 34.9
5 2.08 12.4 1.08 8.6 38 9.68 31.0 7.68 34.8
6 2.49 13.2 1.28 8.9 39 9.74 31.1 7.72 34.7
7 2.82 13.9 1.48 9.2 40 9.81 31.2 7.75 34.6
8 3.13 14.6 1.68 9.5 41 9.88 31.3 7.78 34.4
9 3.41 15.2 1.87 9.8 42 9.94 31.4 7.82 34.3
10 3.68 15.9 2.07 10.1 43 10.01 31.5 7.85 34.2
11 3.96 16.5 2.27 10.4 44 10.08 31.6 7.88 34.1
12 4.23 17.2 2.47 10.8 45 10.14 31.7 7.91 34.0
13 4.51 17.9 2.67 11.3 46 10.21 31.8 7.95 33.9
14 4.78 18.6 2.87 11.9 47 10.27 31.9 7.98 33.8
15 5.06 19.4 3.06 12.7 48 10.34 32.0 8.01 33.7
16 5.34 20.2 3.30 13.7 49 10.41 32.1 8.05 33.5
17 5.64 21.2 3.49 14.8 50 10.47 32.3 8.08 33.4
18 5.99 22.2 3.75 16.1 51 10.54 32.4 8.11 33.3
19 6.34 23.3 4.02 17.6 52 10.60 32.5 8.15 33.2
20 6.69 24.4 4.32 19.1 53 10.67 32.6 8.18 33.1
21 7.04 25.4 4.63 20.5 54 10.74 32.7 8.21 33.0
22 7.40 26.4 4.95 21.9 55 10.80 32.8 8.25 32.9
23 7.75 27.2 5.28 23.6 56 10.87 32.9 8.28 32.8
24 8.10 27.9 5.61 25.7 57 10.93 33.0 8.31 32.6
25 8.43 28.4 5.93 27.8 58 11.00 33.1 8.34 32.5
26 8.73 28.9 6.23 30.7 59 11.07 33.2 8.38 32.4
27 8.90 29.2 6.51 33.2 60 11.13 33.3 8.41 32.3
28 9.02 29.5 6.74 35.1 61 11.20 33.4 8.44 32.2
29 9.08 29.7 6.93 35.1 62 11.27 33.4 8.48 32.1
30 9.15 29.9 7.12 35.1 63 11.33 33.5 8.51 32.0
31 9.22 30.1 7.24 35.1 64 11.40 33.7 8.54 31.9
32 9.28 30.2 7.34 35.1 ROSS 708®
ROSS 308®
Age Hen Week Eggs/Bird/ Hatch All Cum. Chicks Egg Weight
Weeks % Cum. Eggs % Hen Housed g (oz/doz)