Optimizing the health of broiler breeder birds

Abstract

The main objective in broiler breeder production is to produce fertilized eggs resulting in healthy and robust day-old broiler chicks. Due to the continuing increase in the genetic potential of the offspring and the improved reproduction performance, there is a high need for professional management and poultry health care of broiler breeder flocks. Implementation of strict biosecurity measures in combination with intensive, well-orchestrated vaccination programs must prevent disease challenges for both breeders and offspring. Points of attention during the rearing period are stress factors like necessary feed restriction, flock density, bird handling, transport and vaccination reactions. A good coordination between rearing and laying period in equipment, management, feed strategy and health care is crucial for maximum chick performance. This chapter gives an overview of the diseases, vaccinations and direct and indirect effects of management and nutritional interventions on health and productivity in broiler breeders.

Effects of water access time and unlimited access to alfalfa straw on litter quality, performance, and behavior of breeder pullets

“…Furthermore, it was observed that pullets with 3 h access to water had higher water consumption between 07:30 am and 09:30 am h than did pullets with 5 and 8 h access to water. This rapid drinking during a short period of water access was previously observed in an on-farm study ( van Emous, 2022 ). Breeder pullets with a short period of water access (3 h) are conditioned to consume sufficient water quickly because they have experienced that they will then be deprived of water for a long period of time (21 h).…”

“…To prevent wet litter conditions, a restricted amount of water is also provided. Under Nortwest Europe commercial circumstances, water is typically provided for 3 h daily during the rearing phase and for 5 to 7 h daily during the laying phase ( van Emous, 2022 ). Approximately 65% of rearing and breeder farmers apply a maximum time limit on water access, while other farmers apply a maximum amount of water based on a water-to-feed ratio of around 1.8.…”

“…In our laboratory experiments, a significant disparity in water-intake behavior among adult breeders became apparent when subjected to different water management practices during the rearing phase. Specifically, breeders with 7.5 h access to water within the 8-h photoperiod during rearing had lower water intake at the onset of the laying period compared to pullets with restricted water access during rearing ( van Emous, 2022 ). Notably, pullets that received unrestricted water throughout the entire photoperiod during rearing displayed an elevated water-to-feed ratio (2.3 vs. 1.8), but this increase did not result in detrimental effects on litter quality.…”