82 82 Stress and Behaviour Hens are creatures of habit and any change in their diet can cause stress. Stress can weaken their immune system, making them more susceptible to diseases. During transportation and vaccinations, birds are already under stress, and adding a dietary change can exacerbate the situation. Vaccination Efficacy During vaccinations, it is crucial that hens are in optimal health to ensure the effectiveness of the vaccine. Any dietary change can compromise their immune response, reducing the efficacy of the vaccination. Transportation Challenges During transportation, pullets and hens are subjected to various stressors such as handling, confinement, and environmental changes. A stable diet helps to reduce stress. A sudden change in feed form can lead to decreased feed consumption, further stressing the birds. Feed Consistency Consistency in macro- and microstructure of feed ensures that hens receive a balanced diet. Feeds may have different particle sizes and densities, which can lead to selective feeding. Pullets/hens may pick out certain components, leading to an imbalanced intake of nutrients (selective eating). Digestive Disruption Hens’ digestive systems adapt to the physical form of their feed. A sudden change from mash to pellets or vice versa can affect their digestion, leading to reduced feed intake and nutrient absorption. This can result in poor growth, laying performance, and overall health. AVOID TRANSITIONING BETWEEN MASH AND PELLET FEEDS PARTICULARLY DURING CRITICAL PERIODS SUCH AS TRANSPORTATION AND VACCINATIONS! LOHMANN › MANAGEMENT GUIDE › NUTRITION › PRODUCTION PERIOD IN CONCLUSION . . . . . . maintaining a consistent feed form and presentation is essential for the health and wellbeing of poultry, especially during critical periods such as transportation and vaccinations. Avoiding transitions between mash and pellet feeds helps in ensuring optimal digestion, reducing stress, and maintaining overall health.
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