By Matt Donald, pig & poultry producer, north Yorkshire
Last month we had an interesting visit from Aviagen to give us some pointers on how to optimise our breeder performance. We have seen some differentials in floor egg percentages between four identical sheds at home, the only difference being lighting. With two buildings on LEDs and two still on old fluorescents and unfortunately, least floor eggs on the old patchy fluorescent lighting. Some possible funding for LEDs will result in us changing the remainder of the older lights, so we need to get to the bottom of it.
This led us to questioning the layout of lights and some work is to be done to adjust intensities on individual rows in order to discourage birds laying in the floor egg ‘hotspot’. Vital now as floor eggs are not required by the hatchery in order to improve the quality of chicks coming out of the hatchers. They are also extra work to both collect, process and then dispose off.
Fortunately other than that, the flock has had a strong start with extremely low levels of mortality, helped by little egg peritonitis and minimal lameness, both of which can flare up when the birds come under the stress of peak production. We also are going to try a tighter feeding regime for the males, this will hopefully keep weights down at the end of their cycle, encouraging strong end of flock fertility. So fingers crossed for a good result from them!
The pig and poultry fair last month was a great event, the new venue of the NEC worked well and made it easier to get around the show and see everything. I managed to take to the stage In the poultry forum to discuss how I got involved with poultry and the NFU, and how we as a business try to attract the next generation. It was a great occasion to see new products but also network with the people and businesses that we work alongside.