a great accomplishment with many more to follow…

LOHMANN TIERZUCHT Canada organized a School that was held in the picturesque Rousseau Muskoka Resort in Minett on Lake Muskoka, Ontario. The event took the form of a two­day seminar, intended to be a forum for LOHMANN distributors to share information with their customers and local producers, and a chance present ideas by experts in the field from several parts of the world, utilizing LOHMANN’s knowledge base and network.

Background

Around 150 attendees participated in the meetings, from Newfoundland in the East to British Columbia in the West, around half of which were from Ontario. The event was an opportunity to showcase the latest developments of LOHMANN’s Genetic Program and production centers. It also served as a venue for the exchange of information in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, and an occasion for customer appreciation.
The issue of the hour in North America is the stir in the layer market caused by the continued pour of proclamations and pledges by food service and retail outlets in favor of cage free layer housing. Since Europe went through a similar experience a decade earlier, we thought it would be appropriate to present the European experience and highlight the similarities and contrasts with the North American conditions, while keeping in mind the implications of the Canadian Supply Management system.
The meetings were moderated by Khalil Arar, the Managing Director of LOHMANN TIERZUCHT CANADA Ltd. and Area Sales Manager for North America, who gave a brief overview followed by an introduction of the speakers. The latter also moderated the question and answer sessions.

Opening

The opening speech was given by Mr. Peter Clarke, Chairman of the Egg Farmers of Canada, who outlined the position of EFC in terms of current issues and summarized the efforts by the organization to serve its membership by ensuring the availability of information and resources necessary for the sustainability of egg farming in Canada. Mr. Clarke offered his insight based on his vast knowledge, gathered through intensive contact and dialogue with all parties on every side of the issue, i.e. from welfare organizations to retail, consumer advocates and poultry organizations ­ both national, regional and international.
Earlier in February, Egg Farmers of Canada announced an industry­wide transition away from conventional cage housing systems by means of a collective, coordinated and market­oriented approach that will take hen welfare, human health, environmental impact and food production sustainability into account. The chairman reiterated his belief that Canadian egg producers will embrace the change even faster than the announced target dates of no more than 15 % conventional cages in 15 years, and a 100 % enriched housing, free­run, aviary or free­range by 2036.

Genetic Update

The “Genetic Update” was presented by Dr. Matthias Schmutz, who started with a description of the breeding activities carried at the pedigree farm in Canada. Dr. Schmutz explained that the changes in housing systems in Europe and worldwide has propelled LOHMANN to select for new traits especially those related to animal welfare, using environments similar to those that selected birds are expected to experience. Traits like nest acceptance, laying off the perch, feather­pecking and beak shape/size, are now part of the selection index in LOHMANN’s genetic program.
Dr. Schmutz went on to explain the influence of multiplying the number of families in the program and extending the life­cycle on genetic progress, which benefits all production programs and not only those that are longer than 85 weeks. He also indicated that he has not lost sight of the importance of the traditional economic traits, and the housing systems that are still being used in many parts of the world.

LOHMANN has risen to current challenges

Javier Ramírez, the Managing Director of LOHMANN TIERZUCHT GMBH, gave a presentation describing the way LOHMANN has reacted to the challenges the layer business has been facing in the past few years. Investments in a variety of housing systems in several locations were made to support the genetic program. Avian Influenza that ravaged the poultry industry in North America and many other regions in Europe, Asia and Africa, has wreaked havoc on world trade. LOHMANN had to diversify its supply centers to overcome trade barriers and place multiplier flocks in strategic locations outside Germany and Canada.
As for the main theme of the event, Mr. Ramírez reminded the audience that although traditional cages are banned in Europe since 2015, the shift in housing systems is still on­going in response to market pressure, and it would be futile to try to predict who will be the winners and losers. As change continues, producers have to be prepared to jump in based on their own tolerance for risk.

Alternative Housing Systems Worldwide

Pieter­Jan Luykx, Area Sales Manager for Northern Europe, gave an invigorating talk on the experiences with alternative housing systems in Europe and in other parts of the world that he travels to, and focused on the issues of piling and floor eggs. He noted that these issues are seen in all breeds and are specific to each flock. Flock behavior should therefore be observed closely, to know when, where, how prevalent and what triggers the behavior.
Pieter­Jan listed a few common causes of piling that producers will need to check and eliminate. Piling results in stressful conditions that induce the birds to huddle together. Issues with nutrition, environment, health challenges, lighting etc., can cause discomfort and compel the birds to move in order to alleviate the stress or seek comfort in flock behavior. The remedy should therefore be tailored to address the trigger and eliminate the cause of stress. Sometimes, the remedy can be in the treatment



of the symptoms, as in using wood pallets to block the corners where birds pile, or playing music in the barn to dampen sudden noises that may startle the flock. With floor eggs, Pieter­Jan highlighted the importance of bird training and attention to detail in lighting, e.g. from the type of lighting to placement, dimming, etc. Furthermore, litter condition and depth of the same, affects floor eggs on litter. He recommended litter removal using simple automated systems that can keep the litter level at around 1 inch thick.

Alternative Housing Systems in France

Mickael Pezot, the Production Manager at LOHMANN FRANCE, an organization that distributes LOHMANN commercial chicks in France, gave a comprehensive presentation about alternative housing in France. He started with describing the evolution over the past 15 years. Currently, a little over 30 % of laying hens are in free range, organic, or barn housing systems, and 70 % are still in cages, albeit enriched. He went on to describe in detail the European/ French legislation governing animal welfare and poultry housing and provided several videos and images to illustrate his point.
Mr. Pezot explained that it is virtually impossible to rear a bird in a conventional cage and move it to an aviary for lay. Birds need to be trained to move up, down, and across the system and find water and feed from the early days of life. Birds would also need to develop their skeletal muscles and bone density that would allow them to fly and jump between levels and land safely. Compatibility of equipment between rearing and lay will also affect performance, as well as the proper layout of the equipment. From his experience, he went on to describe the advantages and disadvantages of some of the systems common in France. Like Pieter­Jan earlier, Mickael highlighted the importance of close attention to the laying barn at the time of transfer where birds have to be monitored closely to ensure their ability to move and find water and feed, and that all birds are up in the system at night­time. It does not take long for a flock to develop bad habits that can have serious economic implications.

Canadian Impression

Francois Duguay, Director of Sales and Services at Boire & Frères, LOHMANN’s distributor in Quebec, presented records from his area indicating that LSL­LITE are attaining impressive peak production, toping 98 % with excellent persistency (16 wks over 98 %, and 33 wks. over 95 %), while mortality is at around 1.5 % for the whole life of the flock, thereby enabling a HH production of 345 eggs by 72 wks. of age. Francois talked about the challenges with the new housing systems that started to appear in his area and the training Boire is providing to the service staff in cooperation with LOHMANN. He also described the layer hatchery that Boire has built lately and the impressive hatchability records seen in LOHMANN lines. Biosecurity improvements with the new hatchery have enabled Boire to supply high quality chicks, with a first 10­day livability of 99.7 %.
Greg Brown, the Director of Sales and Technical Service at Archer’s Poultry, LOHMANN’s largest distributor in Canada covering Ontario, gave a presentation summarizing his observations from the field. LSL­LITE, which represents more than 86 % of their chick sales, is reaching 336 eggs/HH to 358 day of production, with 75 % large and x­large eggs and 3.7 % undergrads with a feed consumption averaging to 104 g/b/d.
Greg went on the describe the challenges that the new housing systems present with respect to pullet services and the planning required to be able to raise a pullet fit for the destined layer barn system. He mentioned that from his experience, egg numbers in alternative systems are close to the conventional cage systems which Canadian producers have learned to manage well. However, livability and feed consumption in alternative systems are still a challenge.
Greg lamented the past decade and wondered what the future of egg production in Canada would be in 2050.

Animal Welfare from a European Perspective

Michael Lüke, Coordinator of Animal Welfare and Communication at the EW­Group, gave a presentation on Animal Welfare from a European perspective in which he went over the developments leading to the current situation and the focus on the following three issues: ban on conventional cages, beak trimming and the culling of day­old males in layer hatcheries. The ban on conventional cage systems has led to increased cost of production in terms of a higher perimeter of space per bird, feed consumption, higher mortality and increased egg­downgrades, in addition to the costs of replacing the equipment. Flocks kept without beak trimming had higher mortality from cannibalism, more feather loss and higher feed consumption as compared to trimmed flocks. Michael then addressed the issue of day­old male chicks and added that the present solutions talked about are in­ovo gender determination and raising males for meat production including dualpurpose breeds, both of which are not ready yet for commercial application.

Antibiotic-free Egg Production

Dr. Eric Gingerich, DVM with Diamond­V gave the final presentation about “Successful Antibiotic­free Egg Production”. The drive for antibiotic­free food production has intensified lately and has succeeded in convincing several corporate players to pledge eliminating antibiotics from their food products.
Programs for successful ABF production rely on bio­security, vaccination, water sanitation, nutrition and the use of non­antibiotic products and treatments. Enhancing management to reduce stress and training of employees are important components that should not be ignored. He highlighted the importance of documentation and verification of biosecurity practices. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) should be comprehensive and accessible to all employees.
With nutrition, Eric emphasized on the importance of monitoring ingredient quality, the use of mold inhibitors and sterilizing products, as well as the use of enzymes to ensure birds get their nutrient requirements without impediment. Water sanitation is an important component not to be ignored. For maintaining health, probiotics, fermentation metabolites, prebiotics, essential oils, anticoccidials and anti­mycotoxin products are non­antibiotic products that can be used. Maintaining a healthy environment also requires attention to ammonia and dust levels in addition to temperature and humidity.
Last but not least, a good disease surveillance program is needed to ensure flock health, with Infectious bursal disease, Mycoplasmosis and Coccidiosis as the main diseases of concern in North America. Vaccinal immunity should be monitored for Pox, SE, ND, IB and AE.

Social Program

Outside the presentations program, a few other activities were organized to give the participants the opportunity to socialize and to discover the area where the meeting was held. A dinner cruise on the Muskoka Lake turned out to be a great success, the weather was perfect and so were the views, especially the sunset. The participants also appreciated the food and the relaxed atmosphere.
A few of the attendees ventured on a guided nature hike in the vicinity of the hotel, looking at some of the flora and fauna around the lake. For the sports enthusiasts, a bike and row tour tested their endurance and physical fitness. Overall, the feedback was very positive as the participants enjoyed the natural beauty of the area and appreciated the comradery.

Summary

In summary, the LOHMANN SCHOOL CANADA 2016 was a great success based on the feedback we received. Participants expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the level of professionalism of the speakers, the seriousness of the presented material and the organization of the event.

Khalil Arar