Lohmann Hatchery Guide

29 29 LOHMANN TIERZUCHT › MANAGEMENT GUIDE A good hatchery has a “Quality Control Operator” who has to follow all the chicks’ pull-out and monitor the quality of the hatch (percentage and chicks conditions), record data and inform the hatchery man- ager about mistakes or issues. It is im- portant that the good collaboration and the total agreement between these two members of staff exists. Pasgar Score chicks evaluation: This high-quality formula, which is carried out at the chicks’ pull-out in the hatcher basket, can value our chicks with a numer- ical average. It is my preferred formula as it is easy and not subjective (operator can- not be influenced by personal opinion). Take 50 chicks from the hatchery basket, not specifically selected, and one by one test them for each of these 5 points; 1. Reflex, the reaction of the chicks to a reversed body: if the chicks stand up in regular position in a maximum time of 3 seconds, the score is =0; if chicks need more time or don’t try to take the cor- rect position the value is =1 2. Navel: a perfect navel has a score of =0: an open navel, a black button, a strictly navel, a brogue or an inflamed and red navel has a value of =1 3. Legs: good and strong legs of normal skin colour, score =0; dehydrated red and very slim legs, red hook, blood ves- sel in strong evidence, value =1 4. Beak: a clean and normal horn colour, nice and clear caruncle, score=0; a dirty or red beak, dirty and red caruncle, val- ue =1 5. Belly: a soft and smooth belly scores =0; a tight and hard full belly, or chicks which immediately expel meconium when their belly is touched, value=1 Every chick starts with a value of 10 points; all positive scores don’t affect the value and every negative score decreases the value. What is important in this test is the total average. If it is over 9, it shows a good chicks’ quality; if it is from 8 to 8.95 it shows a medium quality, and scores of 7.95 and below indicate a low chicks’ quality. The practical value of this test is the valu- ation in numerical value, and it leads to percentage discoveries of critical points and improvement areas where we have to direct our attention. In all LOHMANN TIERZUCHT GmbH hatcheries, quality control operators carry out the Pasgar Score Evaluation test. Chicks’ yield When monitoring chicks’ weight in rela- tion to weight of eggs at the set incuba- tion time, it is very important to follow the same trays from the recording of weight of eggs at the setter to the hatch pull-out. Count good chicks and record an average weight and divide for the eggs weight percentage. This helps to inform us if the weight loss of eggs at incubation/transfer time was right and if the correct param- eters were from 67.5 %–66 %. If the de- livery time is from 2 to 6 hours, or, in the case of very short delivery, 1 hour, a low percentage isn’t a problem but if the de- livery at the farm is very long, a value of 69 %–70 % helps the liveability. Regarding standardised time for prime flocks, every 2 hours more in the hatcher is relative to 1% of weight loss. Chicks’ uniformity The chicks musthave the same weight un- der the condition of good parameters. The uniformity of hatching eggs is also very important for this data. The uniformity has to stay over 85 %. Chicks’ length Another monitoring test is the record- ing of length in cm. This shows a perfect hatcher profile, and a perfect hatcher pull- out in case of real short delivery. This test is a little more complicated and needs at- tention and objectivity when recording. It is normally used in broiler hatcheries. Empty eggshell evaluation This monitoring test unfortunately needs good practice and experience, because it isn’t easy to recognise the borderline between one condition and another con- dition, but we can start with this helpful information: › › Shell Membranes are still moist and stay connected to the eggshell; inside the eggs there is a substance which looks similar to latex; the blood vessels in the membrane are visible but fine; and the eggshell is extremely clean. All these points confirm the anticipated pulling- out. Chicks are “fresh”, and for the best quality and performance we have to improve the chronological time. › › Shell are crushed in the hand; mem- brane can appear separate from egg- shell in many places; and eggshell looks dirty and covered in meconium. All these points confirm retarded chicks pulling-out. Chicks are “crispy”, total per- centage is high, but for the best chicks’ quality and relative liveability we have to reduce our chronological time.