Weighing poultry is a crucial aspect of broiler breeder management. Accurate body weight measurements and uniformity are key to ensuring proper feed allocation, which directly influences body weight profiles and flock performance. Additionally, weighing can be an effective tool to assess the success of brooding procedures. This guide is based on Aviagen’s Breeders Guide and outlines the proper procedures for weighing poultry in different settings to help you achieve optimal results.
Weighing Frequency and Timing
- Early Stages (0 to 21 days)
- Bulk Weighing: Conduct bulk weighing of birds twice a week until they reach 14 to 21 days of age. This early stage is critical for monitoring growth patterns and ensuring uniform development.
- Post 21 Days
- Individual Weighing: Begin weighing birds individually at least once a week from 21 days onwards. This method helps determine the average body weight and variation, allowing for more precise management as the birds mature.
Equipment and Calibration
- Scales: Use high-quality automatic and manual digital scales that are accurate to 1 gram (0.00220462 pounds) and have a maximum capacity of at least 10 kilograms (22 pounds). Regular calibration of the scales is essential to maintain accuracy.
- Efficiency Features: For maximum efficiency, utilise scales that automatically store each weight entry in an internal memory for easy comparison. Scales that calculate statistics automatically can also simplify reporting.
Sample Collection and Weighing Process
- Representative Sampling:
- Sample Size: Collect a sample that represents at least 2% of the bird population, or a minimum of 50 birds, whichever is greater.
- Increased Male Sample Size: During production, increase the male sample size to 10% to ensure accurate feeding management for males.
- Location: Samples should be taken from two or three random locations towards the middle of the pen or house to avoid bias.
- Bulk Weighing Procedure:
- Set your scale to the bulk weighing mode.
- Place an empty container (suitable for holding 10 to 20 chicks) on the scale, zero it, and decide how many chicks will be weighed in each batch.
- Gently place the chicks into the container, ensuring they are not stacked on top of each other.
- Record the weight, then carefully return the chicks to the flock.
- Repeat until all chicks in the sample have been weighed.
- Individual Weighing Procedure:
- Place the scale in a secure, easily accessible location within the pen.
- Attach a hook or weighing plate to the scale and zero it.
- Collect one bird at a time from the sample and gently place it on the hook or plate.
- For scales designed to compensate for bird movement, wait for the audio and visual signal that the weight has been recorded before releasing the bird back into the flock.
- Continue until all birds in the sample have been weighed.
Compiling, Transferring and Analysing Data
- Calculating Statistics: Specialised digital scales will automatically calculate statistics such as Average Body Weight, Body Weight Range, Uniformity, and Coefficient of Variation.
- Transferring Data: Depending on the model of the scale you use, there are various ways to transfer all individual bird weights and statistics to a computer or even your farm management system. Choose the way that is most suited to your needs.
- Investigate Anomalies: After each weighing session, review the data for any sudden changes in weekly body weight. If discrepancies are found, recalibrate the scales and reweigh a sample of the population to ensure accuracy.
Conclusion
Accurate weighing is vital for managing broiler breeders effectively. By following these procedures, you can ensure precise feed management, body weight control, and successful brooding outcomes. Regular and consistent weighing, coupled with careful data analysis, will help you maintain optimal flock performance.
