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Mohamed Hamada Nasser

Member
October 16, 2025 at 9:17 am in reply to: vaccination

Vaccination during the first 35 days is vital because it helps build early immunity against major diseases like ND, IB, IBD, and Marek’s, when chicks are most vulnerable. A strong early vaccination program ensures better survival, uniform growth, and long-term flock protection, reducing the need for antibiotics later.Vaccination during the first 35 days is vital because it helps build early immunity against major diseases like ND, IB, IBD, and Marek’s, when chicks are most vulnerable. A strong early vaccination program ensures better survival, uniform growth, and long-term flock protection, reducing the need for antibiotics later.
Muhammad Ahmad

Member
October 16, 2025 at 9:17 am in reply to: vaccination

The first 35 days of a chicken’s life, especially for broilers (meat birds), are the most significant period for vaccination because it is the window to establish foundational active immunity against the most devastating, fast-acting diseases that can destroy a flock and cripple growth.

This early period is crucial due to three main factors:

1. Protecting the Vulnerable Immune System

The initial days of a chick’s life represent a critical period of vulnerability as its innate immune system is still developing.

* Waning Maternal Immunity: Chicks receive temporary protection, called maternal antibodies (MAs), from the hen via the egg yolk. These MAs are critical but fade within the first 1 to 3 weeks. Vaccination must be timed precisely to generate the chick’s active immunity before the MAs drop too low, which would create a dangerous “susceptible window” for infection.

* Immune System Targeting Diseases: Diseases like Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD or Gumboro) specifically target and damage the B-cells of the bursa of Fabricius in young chicks. If a chick is infected before active immunity is established, the damage to the bursa causes immunosuppression, making the bird unable to respond to later vaccines or fight off other common infections. Early vaccination prevents this irreversible damage.

2. Preventing Acute, High-Mortality Diseases

The diseases targeted in the first five weeks are those that cause high mortality or long-term growth defects.

| Disease | Typical Vaccination Time | Impact if Unvaccinated |

|—|—|—|

| Marek’s Disease (MD) | Day 1 (often in ovo or in the hatchery) | A highly contagious viral cancer causing paralysis, tumors, and death. Must be given on Day 1 to be effective. |

| Newcastle Disease (ND) | Days 5–7 and a booster around 14–21 days | A highly contagious respiratory and nervous system disease that causes severe symptoms and high mortality. |

| Infectious Bronchitis (IB) | Days 5–7 and often a booster | A respiratory disease that severely impacts breathing in broilers and can later cause poor egg quality/production in layers. |

| IBD (Gumboro) | Around 12–21 days (depending on MA level) | Causes immunosuppression, leading to death from secondary infections. |

3. Maximizing Performance and Profitability

For commercial poultry, vaccination in the first 35 days is an economic necessity directly tied to the final market weight.

* Short Lifespan: Broilers are raised for a very short period (typically 6–9 weeks). Any disease outbreak or severe vaccine reaction in the first half of their life can cause a significant growth setback (stunting) that they cannot recover from before slaughter.

* Feed Efficiency: A healthy, non-stressed, and protected bird converts feed into muscle mass much more efficiently. Preventing disease maximizes the bird’s genetic potential, ensuring maximum Body Weight (BW) gain and the best possible Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR).

* Uniformity: Early hatchery vaccination (Day 1) ensures uniform protection across the entire flock, which is crucial for uniform growth and efficient processing at the slaughterhouse.The first 35 days of a chicken’s life, especially for broilers (meat birds), are the most significant period for vaccination because it is the window to establish foundational active immunity against the most devastating, fast-acting diseases that can destroy a flock and cripple growth.
This early period is crucial due to three main factors:
1. Protecting the Vulnerable Immune System
The initial days of a chick’s life represent a critical period of vulnerability as its innate immune system is still developing.
* Waning Maternal Immunity: Chicks receive temporary protection, called maternal antibodies (MAs), from the hen via the egg yolk. These MAs are critical but fade within the first 1 to 3 weeks. Vaccination must be timed precisely to generate the chick’s active immunity before the MAs drop too low, which would create a dangerous “susceptible window” for infection.
* Immune System Targeting Diseases: Diseases like Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD or Gumboro) specifically target and damage the B-cells of the bursa of Fabricius in young chicks. If a chick is infected before active immunity is established, the damage to the bursa causes immunosuppression, making the bird unable to respond to later vaccines or fight off other common infections. Early vaccination prevents this irreversible damage.
2. Preventing Acute, High-Mortality Diseases
The diseases targeted in the first five weeks are those that cause high mortality or long-term growth defects.
| Disease | Typical Vaccination Time | Impact if Unvaccinated |
|—|—|—|
| Marek’s Disease (MD) | Day 1 (often in ovo or in the hatchery) | A highly contagious viral cancer causing paralysis, tumors, and death. Must be given on Day 1 to be effective. |
| Newcastle Disease (ND) | Days 5–7 and a booster around 14–21 days | A highly contagious respiratory and nervous system disease that causes severe symptoms and high mortality. |
| Infectious Bronchitis (IB) | Days 5–7 and often a booster | A respiratory disease that severely impacts breathing in broilers and can later cause poor egg quality/production in layers. |
| IBD (Gumboro) | Around 12–21 days (depending on MA level) | Causes immunosuppression, leading to death from secondary infections. |
3. Maximizing Performance and Profitability
For commercial poultry, vaccination in the first 35 days is an economic necessity directly tied to the final market weight.
* Short Lifespan: Broilers are raised for a very short period (typically 6–9 weeks). Any disease outbreak or severe vaccine reaction in the first half of their life can cause a significant growth setback (stunting) that they cannot recover from before slaughter.
* Feed Efficiency: A healthy, non-stressed, and protected bird converts feed into muscle mass much more efficiently. Preventing disease maximizes the bird’s genetic potential, ensuring maximum Body Weight (BW) gain and the best possible Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR).
* Uniformity: Early hatchery vaccination (Day 1) ensures uniform protection across the entire flock, which is crucial for uniform growth and efficient processing at the slaughterhouse.
Mohamed Hamada Nasser

Member
October 16, 2025 at 9:16 am in reply to: Pre-grinding Vs post-grinding

Both systems have pros and cons, but generally:

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Pre-grinding (grinding ingredients separately) gives better control of particle size and formula accuracy, especially for complex diets. However, it may use more energy and time due to multiple grinding steps.
Post-grinding (grinding after mixing) is more energy-efficient and simpler, but it can lead to uneven particle size and less precision in nutrient distribution.

In practice, pre-grinding is preferred for high-precision feeds, while post-grinding suits large-volume, less complex production.Both systems have pros and cons, but generally:

Pre-grinding (grinding ingredients separately) gives better control of particle size and formula accuracy, especially for complex diets. However, it may use more energy and time due to multiple grinding steps.

Post-grinding (grinding after mixing) is more energy-efficient and simpler, but it can lead to uneven particle size and less precision in nutrient distribution.

In practice, pre-grinding is preferred for high-precision feeds, while post-grinding suits large-volume, less complex production.

Mohamed Hamada Nasser

Member

October 16, 2025 at 9:15 am in reply to: water addition at the mixer level

Generally, adding 1–2% water at the mixer level is acceptable to improve pellet quality and conditioning efficiency, but the exact amount depends on feed formulation and raw material moisture. The final feed moisture should stay around 11–12.5% to avoid mould growth and maintain pellet durability. Always monitor mixer uniformity, conditioner temperature, and dryer settings to ensure consistency.Generally, adding 1–2% water at the mixer level is acceptable to improve pellet quality and conditioning efficiency, but the exact amount depends on feed formulation and raw material moisture. The final feed moisture should stay around 11–12.5% to avoid mould growth and maintain pellet durability. Always monitor mixer uniformity, conditioner temperature, and dryer settings to ensure consistency.

Muhammad Ahmad

Member

October 16, 2025 at 9:15 am in reply to: chest size of broiler

The size of the chicken chest (breast muscle) in broiler poultry is primarily increased by manipulating the amino acid (protein) content and balance of the feed, as muscle tissue is composed of protein. This strategy is critical because breast meat is the most valuable part of the carcass.

The key nutritional factors used to maximize breast meat yield are:

1. High-Density Essential Amino Acids (AAs)

The most direct way to increase breast muscle growth is by ensuring a high and optimal supply of essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein that the chicken cannot produce on its own.

* Lysine (Lys): This is considered the single most critical amino acid for muscle accretion (growth). Broiler feed formulations are often based on the ratio of other AAs to Lysine. Higher levels of digestible Lysine are directly correlated with increased breast meat yield.

* Methionine (Met) and Threonine (Thr): These are the second and third most limiting amino acids, respectively, and are essential for maximizing the efficiency of Lysine utilization and for overall protein synthesis.

* Total Sulfur Amino Acids (TSAA): The combination of Methionine and Cystine (which Met converts to) is crucial for growth and feathering, but also significantly impacts breast muscle development.

* Arginine and Leucine: These and other essential amino acids also play important roles, particularly Leucine, which is known to activate the mTOR pathway, a cellular mechanism that directly regulates muscle protein synthesis and growth.

The Ideal Protein Concept

Modern poultry nutrition uses the “Ideal Protein” concept, which means balancing the ratio of all essential amino acids to Lysine, rather than simply feeding a high crude protein (CP) diet. The requirements for maximizing breast meat yield (BMY) are higher than the requirements for simply maximizing body weight gain or feed efficiency.

2. Protein-to-Energy Ratio

While amino acids are the building blocks, the bird needs energy to power the growth process. The relationship between protein and energy must be balanced:

* Higher AA-to-Energy Ratio: Broilers that are genetically selected for rapid growth and high breast yield require a relatively higher ratio of digestible amino acids to metabolizable energy (\text{ME}) in the feed.

* If the energy content is too low relative to protein, the bird may burn the expensive protein for energy instead of using it for muscle growth.

* If the energy content is too high, the bird might deposit more abdominal fat instead of lean muscle mass.

3. Feed Format and Consistency

The physical form of the feed affects how much a broiler can eat, which in turn impacts muscle growth.

* Pelleted Feed: Feeding broilers a pellet or a crumb (broken pellets for young birds) rather than a mash generally leads to:

* Increased feed intake.

* Improved feed conversion ratio (FCR).

* Higher growth rate and, consequently, a higher breast meat yield. This is due to reduced time spent eating and less energy wasted in digestion.

4. Other Functional Ingredients and Timing

* Feeding Phases: The density of essential amino acids is typically highest in the starter and grower phases when the breast muscle has the highest allometric growth rate (growing faster than the rest of the body). Some programs also increase the density in the finisher phase to compensate for the continued rapid growth of the breast muscle.

* Micronutrients and Additives:

* Chelated Trace Minerals: These are more bioavailable and can improve overall health, allowing more nutrients to be directed toward muscle deposition instead of immune function.

* Antioxidants (like Vitamin E and Selenium): These can help mitigate muscle myopathies (such as “woody breast” or “white striping”) that sometimes occur in fast-growing birds, which negatively impact meat quality and yield.The size of the chicken chest (breast muscle) in broiler poultry is primarily increased by manipulating the amino acid (protein) content and balance of the feed, as muscle tissue is composed of protein. This strategy is critical because breast meat is the most valuable part of the carcass.
The key nutritional factors used to maximize breast meat yield are:
1. High-Density Essential Amino Acids (AAs)
The most direct way to increase breast muscle growth is by ensuring a high and optimal supply of essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein that the chicken cannot produce on its own.
* Lysine (Lys): This is considered the single most critical amino acid for muscle accretion (growth). Broiler feed formulations are often based on the ratio of other AAs to Lysine. Higher levels of digestible Lysine are directly correlated with increased breast meat yield.
* Methionine (Met) and Threonine (Thr): These are the second and third most limiting amino acids, respectively, and are essential for maximizing the efficiency of Lysine utilization and for overall protein synthesis.
* Total Sulfur Amino Acids (TSAA): The combination of Methionine and Cystine (which Met converts to) is crucial for growth and feathering, but also significantly impacts breast muscle development.
* Arginine and Leucine: These and other essential amino acids also play important roles, particularly Leucine, which is known to activate the mTOR pathway, a cellular mechanism that directly regulates muscle protein synthesis and growth.
The Ideal Protein Concept
Modern poultry nutrition uses the “Ideal Protein” concept, which means balancing the ratio of all essential amino acids to Lysine, rather than simply feeding a high crude protein (CP) diet. The requirements for maximizing breast meat yield (BMY) are higher than the requirements for simply maximizing body weight gain or feed efficiency.
2. Protein-to-Energy Ratio
While amino acids are the building blocks, the bird needs energy to power the growth process. The relationship between protein and energy must be balanced:
* Higher AA-to-Energy Ratio: Broilers that are genetically selected for rapid growth and high breast yield require a relatively higher ratio of digestible amino acids to metabolizable energy (\text{ME}) in the feed.
* If the energy content is too low relative to protein, the bird may burn the expensive protein for energy instead of using it for muscle growth.
* If the energy content is too high, the bird might deposit more abdominal fat instead of lean muscle mass.
3. Feed Format and Consistency
The physical form of the feed affects how much a broiler can eat, which in turn impacts muscle growth.
* Pelleted Feed: Feeding broilers a pellet or a crumb (broken pellets for young birds) rather than a mash generally leads to:
* Increased feed intake.
* Improved feed conversion ratio (FCR).
* Higher growth rate and, consequently, a higher breast meat yield. This is due to reduced time spent eating and less energy wasted in digestion.
4. Other Functional Ingredients and Timing
* Feeding Phases: The density of essential amino acids is typically highest in the starter and grower phases when the breast muscle has the highest allometric growth rate (growing faster than the rest of the body). Some programs also increase the density in the finisher phase to compensate for the continued rapid growth of the breast muscle.
* Micronutrients and Additives:
* Chelated Trace Minerals: These are more bioavailable and can improve overall health, allowing more nutrients to be directed toward muscle deposition instead of immune function.
* Antioxidants (like Vitamin E and Selenium): These can help mitigate muscle myopathies (such as “woody breast” or “white striping”) that sometimes occur in fast-growing birds, which negatively impact meat quality and yield.

Mohamed Hamada Nasser

Member

October 16, 2025 at 9:14 am in reply to: Boosting broiler performance

Keeping litter dry and birds healthy starts with good ventilation and moisture control. Ensure proper airflow to remove humidity, avoid water leaks or overfilling drinkers, and stir or replace wet spots regularly. Use absorbent litter materials, maintain the right temperature and stocking density, and provide balanced feed to prevent diarrhea that can wet the litter.Keeping litter dry and birds healthy starts with good ventilation and moisture control. Ensure proper airflow to remove humidity, avoid water leaks or overfilling drinkers, and stir or replace wet spots regularly. Use absorbent litter materials, maintain the right temperature and stocking density, and provide balanced feed to prevent diarrhea that can wet the litter.

Muhammad Ahmad

Member

October 16, 2025 at 9:13 am in reply to: Poultry

Chicken egg production is affected by a complex interplay of genetic (internal) and environmental/management (external) factors. Maintaining an optimal balance across all these areas is crucial for high and consistent laying performance.

Here are the key factors:

1. Biological and Genetic Factors

| Factor | Effect on Production |

|—|—|

| Age of Hen | Production increases rapidly to a peak (around 25–35 weeks) and then gradually declines as the hen gets older. |

| Breed/Strain | Different breeds and genetic strains are selected for different laying capacities (e.g., Leghorns vs. Dual-Purpose). |

| Body Weight | Achieving the correct target body weight during the rearing phase is essential for optimal onset and peak production. |

| Molting | Hens naturally go through a molting period (feather shedding and renewal), during which egg production stops or is severely reduced. |

2. Nutritional Factors

The hen must consume adequate amounts of specific nutrients to sustain the energy and material demands of laying an egg daily.

| Nutrient | Role in Egg Production |

|—|—|

| Energy | Required for metabolism and the energy-intensive process of egg formation; deficiency reduces laying rate. |

| Protein/Amino Acids | Essential for forming the albumen (egg white); Methionine and Lysine are crucial amino acids. |

| Calcium | Vital for eggshell formation; deficiency leads to thin-shelled or soft-shelled eggs and lower production. |

| Vitamin D3 | Required for efficient calcium absorption; deficiency negatively impacts shell quality and production. |

| Water | An egg is \sim70\% water; dehydration due to poor access or quality is one of the fastest ways to stop egg laying. |

3. Environmental and Management Factors

These are external factors controlled by the producer that dramatically influence a hen’s stress level and physiological processes.

| Factor | Effect on Production |

|—|—|

| Light Duration (Photoperiod) | Hens require at least 14–16 hours of light per day to stimulate the pituitary gland for optimal laying. Shortening day length reduces production. |

| Ambient Temperature | High heat stress (>30^{\circ}\text{C}) reduces feed intake, increases stress, and severely drops egg production and shell quality. Extreme cold also stresses the bird, shifting energy from egg production to maintenance. |

| Stress | Any form of negative stress (e.g., overcrowding, sudden changes, loud noises, fright, excessive handling) can cause production to decline rapidly. |

| Housing/Density | Poor ventilation (leading to high ammonia levels), wet litter, or overcrowded conditions increase stress and disease risk, reducing lay. |

| Health and Disease | Diseases (e.g., Infectious Bronchitis, Newcastle Disease, Avian Influenza) or high parasite/mite loads can cause a sharp drop in lay and often result in misshapen or poor-quality eggs. |Chicken egg production is affected by a complex interplay of genetic (internal) and environmental/management (external) factors. Maintaining an optimal balance across all these areas is crucial for high and consistent laying performance.
Here are the key factors:
1. Biological and Genetic Factors
| Factor | Effect on Production |
|—|—|
| Age of Hen | Production increases rapidly to a peak (around 25–35 weeks) and then gradually declines as the hen gets older. |
| Breed/Strain | Different breeds and genetic strains are selected for different laying capacities (e.g., Leghorns vs. Dual-Purpose). |
| Body Weight | Achieving the correct target body weight during the rearing phase is essential for optimal onset and peak production. |
| Molting | Hens naturally go through a molting period (feather shedding and renewal), during which egg production stops or is severely reduced. |
2. Nutritional Factors
The hen must consume adequate amounts of specific nutrients to sustain the energy and material demands of laying an egg daily.
| Nutrient | Role in Egg Production |
|—|—|
| Energy | Required for metabolism and the energy-intensive process of egg formation; deficiency reduces laying rate. |
| Protein/Amino Acids | Essential for forming the albumen (egg white); Methionine and Lysine are crucial amino acids. |
| Calcium | Vital for eggshell formation; deficiency leads to thin-shelled or soft-shelled eggs and lower production. |
| Vitamin D3 | Required for efficient calcium absorption; deficiency negatively impacts shell quality and production. |
| Water | An egg is \sim70\% water; dehydration due to poor access or quality is one of the fastest ways to stop egg laying. |
3. Environmental and Management Factors
These are external factors controlled by the producer that dramatically influence a hen’s stress level and physiological processes.
| Factor | Effect on Production |
|—|—|
| Light Duration (Photoperiod) | Hens require at least 14–16 hours of light per day to stimulate the pituitary gland for optimal laying. Shortening day length reduces production. |
| Ambient Temperature | High heat stress (>30^{\circ}\text{C}) reduces feed intake, increases stress, and severely drops egg production and shell quality. Extreme cold also stresses the bird, shifting energy from egg production to maintenance. |
| Stress | Any form of negative stress (e.g., overcrowding, sudden changes, loud noises, fright, excessive handling) can cause production to decline rapidly. |
| Housing/Density | Poor ventilation (leading to high ammonia levels), wet litter, or overcrowded conditions increase stress and disease risk, reducing lay. |
| Health and Disease | Diseases (e.g., Infectious Bronchitis, Newcastle Disease, Avian Influenza) or high parasite/mite loads can cause a sharp drop in lay and often result in misshapen or poor-quality eggs. |

Mohamed Hamada Nasser

Member

October 16, 2025 at 9:03 am in reply to: Feed form consistency & bird performance

Yes, definitely — broilers usually perform better on pellets or crumbles than on mash. Pelleted feed improves feed intake, growth rate, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) because birds spend less energy eating and waste less feed. Crumbles are especially good for young chicks as they’re easier to eat. However, if pellet quality is poor (too much fines), performance can drop — so feed form consistency and quality are crucial for the best results.Yes, definitely — broilers usually perform better on pellets or crumbles than on mash. Pelleted feed improves feed intake, growth rate, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) because birds spend less energy eating and waste less feed. Crumbles are especially good for young chicks as they’re easier to eat. However, if pellet quality is poor (too much fines), performance can drop — so feed form consistency and quality are crucial for the best results.

Mohamed Hamada Nasser

Member

October 16, 2025 at 9:02 am in reply to: Poultry

Factors affecting chicken egg production include:

Nutrition – Balanced feed with enough protein, calcium, and vitamins.
Lighting – Hens need 14–16 hours of light daily for steady laying.
Age and breed – Productivity declines with age; some breeds lay more eggs than others.
Health status – Diseases, parasites, or stress reduce output.
Temperature and housing – Extreme heat or cold affects laying consistency.
Management practices – Clean housing, fresh water, and reduced stress are key.Factors affecting chicken egg production include:

Nutrition – Balanced feed with enough protein, calcium, and vitamins.

Lighting – Hens need 14–16 hours of light daily for steady laying.

Age and breed – Productivity declines with age; some breeds lay more eggs than others.

Health status – Diseases, parasites, or stress reduce output.

Temperature and housing – Extreme heat or cold affects laying consistency.

Management practices – Clean housing, fresh water, and reduced stress are key.

Mohamed Hamada Nasser

Member

October 16, 2025 at 9:00 am in reply to: Managing Winter Respiratory Challenges in Broilers

To prevent respiratory issues in broilers during winter, it’s essential to balance ventilation and temperature. Keep houses warm but ensure fresh air flow to remove ammonia and moisture. Key strategies include:

Proper ventilation – Avoid airtight houses; maintain air exchange without chilling birds.
Litter management – Keep it dry to reduce ammonia and bacterial growth.
Humidity control – Maintain 50–70% to prevent condensation and respiratory irritation.
Heater maintenance – Ensure uniform heat distribution and clean burners regularly.
Biosecurity – Limit disease entry from outside sources.
Nutrition – Provide vitamins (A, E, C) and trace minerals to strengthen immunity.To prevent respiratory issues in broilers during winter, it’s essential to balance ventilation and temperature. Keep houses warm but ensure fresh air flow to remove ammonia and moisture. Key strategies include:

Proper ventilation – Avoid airtight houses; maintain air exchange without chilling birds.

Litter management – Keep it dry to reduce ammonia and bacterial growth.

Humidity control – Maintain 50–70% to prevent condensation and respiratory irritation.

Heater maintenance – Ensure uniform heat distribution and clean burners regularly.

Biosecurity – Limit disease entry from outside sources.

Nutrition – Provide vitamins (A, E, C) and trace minerals to strengthen immunity.

Mohamed Hamada Nasser

Member

October 16, 2025 at 8:56 am in reply to: Economic differences

That’s a great summary — it clearly highlights the key economic differences between broiler and layer farming in terms of return speed, risk, and income stability.That’s a great summary — it clearly highlights the key economic differences between broiler and layer farming in terms of return speed, risk, and income stability.