1st 7-days weight in Broiler chicks.

Why 7 days weight in Broiler chicks is important ??

                 The target weight of 7 days of age should be maximum to get the full potential of broilers. The 1st 7 days of broiler chicks is vital as they utilize maximum energy (80%) for growth and for maintenance only 20%. The modern broilers are supposed to increase live weight of 4.25 times during 1st week from 40g to 80g. These weight has been increased by 8% in last 5 years. The 1st 7 days weight has significant effects on most parameters such as performance, carcass quality and body composition as due to improve nutritional maturity, accelarate development of GIT and good immuno response.
                 The 1st week body weight could be increased by feeding highly digestible raw materials since birds enzyme system is not fully developed along with high hygiene quality of material included as also the immuno system is immature. However, high quality feed presentation, correct brooding tempreture, easy access to feed, increase frequency of feeding, checking of crops and grading of chicks are the most important criteria to acchieve maximum weights in broiler chicks.

Evaluation of Chicks Quality

Following ways, the evaluation of Broiler chicks quality be made

1. Visual Scoring- Based on visual observation of feather, color, naval quality and behaviour.

2. Body weight- weighing of chicks with large population size, however it isn't a well indicator for quality as presence of high residual yolks.

3. Yolk Free Body Mass (YFBM)- performance depend on YFBM. It can be calculated by substracting the residual yolk from body weight. Higher YFBM indicates better performance.

4. Chicks Length- Positively correlated with YFBM. It is determined by stretching the chicks and measured with a scale from beak to the end of toe.

5. Yield Percentage- The weight loss during incubation and is calculated as the %age of chicks weight to the initial egg weight.

Mortality Controled by Feed Restriction in Broilers affected with Respiratory diseases.

The mortality can be reduced in broilers affected with Respiratory symptoms by Restricted feeding.
The economic performance with restricted feed was better than full feeding and improves FCR.

Mortality of Broiler chicks in winter.

The mortality of chicks in winter occurs due to faulty brooding management. Low brooding tempreture, poor ventilation, less space requirements leads to early stress in chicks. In winter omphalites in chicks occurs that's leads to colibacillosis . Generally at 12- 14 days mortality occurs 1-1.5% daily due to colibacillosis. The mortality can be reduced by giving Vit.E  with Selenium & Vit.C.
We have tried 10g vit.E with Se. & 3 tabs vit.C( Celin tab)/100 cicks in morning water for 3 days improves mortality.

IB infection in Broiler poultry

The mortality in broiler chicks of 12 -18 days (age) can be reduced by giving Disprin tab .2 tabs/100 chicks in morning water for two days.