Commer Al Layer Management: e Ov e A e P o C Di ND Cato 970 71 201 C A e
Commer Al Layer Management: e Ov e A e P o C Di ND Cato 970 71 201 C A e
Commer Al Layer Management: e Ov e A e P o C Di ND Cato 970 71 201 C A e
The chickens developed and reared for egg production are termed as layer. At the hatchery itself,
day-old layer-type chicks are sexed mostly by vent sexing and only female chicks are retained for egg
production or sale to farmers for layer farming. Transformed from rural farming to poultry has developed
full-fledged industry within short span of 30-35 years. Today, poultry is one of the fastest growing segments
of the agricultural sector in India and many other countries. In India, egg production, egg number and per
capita availability of eggs have increased several times from 1970 to 2011-12 (Table -1).
Overall, modern layers registered the % increase in various parameters over vintage layers is given
below:
~ Eggnumber - 28.8 per cent
~ Eggmass -42.7 per cent
~ Eggweight -11.7 per cent
~ Feed efficiency - 32.4 per cent
The increase in production volume and productivity per bird may largely be attributed to the ongoing
genetic improvement programme and release of modern strains of broilers and layers. All Indian
Coordinated Program initiated in early 19070's by ICAR have contributed largely towards development of
modern layer/broiler strains both at SAUs and ICAR institutes. The high yielding layer strains were also
developed at private sector. There are three major layer breeding companies in the world viz. Erich
Wesjohann (with Lohmann Tierzucht (LTZ), Hy-Line and H & N (Heisdorf and Nelson Farms lnc.), Hubbard-
ISA (with ISA, Shaver, Babcock and Hubbard) and Hendrix poultry (with Hisex, Bovans and Dekalb). The
layer breeding companies in India, have also developed and released several modern layer strains. Their
grandparent stocks are imported into the country from poultry breeders in developed countries. They are
propagated by franchise hatcheries or breeder firms according to the guidelines of the breeder, and the
commercial chicks are obtained, sexed and sold to the interested farmers. Three- or four-way crossing is
commonly used to produce the commercial layer, with four way being the most common. Hence, all the
parent breeder males and females will be hybrids. Crossing is carried out to exploit hybrid vigour. The layer
breeding companies have utilised different breeding and selection programmes at different periods of time.
Several commercial strains of layer-type chickens (like BV-300, Bovans or Hyline) are available in the
market.
Current Status of Poultry Production in Uttar Pradesh: Present poultry population (18.66 million) in Uttar
Pradesh constitutes about 27.2% of total livestock population (68.71 million) of the state and 2.5% of total
poultry population in India (729.2 million). The total livestock population in Uttar Pradesh has increased
from 60.27 million to 68.71 million during 2007 to 2012 whereas poultry population exhibited steep rise
from 8.17 millon to 18.66 million (111.41%) during the period, showing an increasing popularity of poultry
in the state over the time. The egg production (908.3 million) was 121 % of target set for the state in year
2012-13 but constitute only 2.4% of the national egg production. The per capita availability of egg has
increased from 5 to 8 in the state during 2007 to 2012 but it is far below the national average of 58
(BAHFS,2014).The number of broilers and poultry meat production has also declined in 2012-13 compared
to 2007-08.These situations indicate the potential of the state for poultry rearing but warrants a proactive
approach and policies to support poultry production in Uttar Pradesh.
100 6 4.5 2
200 9 6 2
500 18 7.5 2
1000 36 9 2
CAGE SYSTEM:
Perch (cm/hen) na na 15 15
Abrasive strip na na present present
* includes 600 cm2/hen free space and an additional 150 cm2/hen of nest and dust bath space
na = Not available
Brooding, growing and layer house equipment for egg type chickens:
Brooder management: For commercial layer farming the day old chicks are maintained from 0-6 or 8 weeks
of age in brooder house with ad lib water and feed. Brooding means taking care of young chicks soon after
hatching until they are fully feathered and able to maintain their body temperature. It consists primarily of
providing a comfortable environment including heat, air, water and feed.
Warm Room Brooding - In this system, the whole pen is held at a temperature of 30-32 "C both day and
night. The temperature- is lowered about 1.5 "C per week until the ambient temperature is reached, but
cC
should not go below 21 "C until 6 to 8 weeks and not below 18 until 10 to 15 weeks. Light should be over
feed and water.
Brooding equipment: Following equipments are used in brooding for brooding on litter:
• Hover
• Heating devices
• Chick guard
• Feeders
• Waters
• Feed storage bins
Battery Brooder (For brooding in battery brooders)
Equipment for Grower management:
The equipments used during growing stage are almost same excepting hover and heating devices. The
waterer and feeders are of larger size than that used during brooding stage. The round hanging
feeders with capacity of 8-10 Kg capacity may also be used during growing stage. The water channels
or automatic watering system may be used for supplying water during growing stage. In summers; the
cooling devices like water sprinklers, foggers, coolers, fans etc are also used. Besides, on sides of
grower houses the trees can be planted to keep the environment cool. High quality Foggers, which are
used by poultry farmers during the summers for bringing down the temperature by 8-10 °Celsius.
Equipment for Bio-security and hygiene:
In poultry, bio-security literally means protection of poultry birds from disease producing organisms
like viruses, bacteria, protozoons, parasites, fungi and other infectious agents. But in the broader
sense, it includes all management practices to minimize germ load, toxic principles and anti-nutritional
factors in feed, as well as to limit spread of infection on farm and to keep birds healthy and generate
maximum production. Some of the basic tenets are: Proper disposal of the dead birds, restricted entry
of visitors, complete removal of litter material after disposing the birds, cleaning and disinfection of all
equipments, use of strong broad-spectrum disinfectant to destroy all the pathogens, fumigation of
poultry house and equipment with formaldehyde gas, use water and air sanitizer and observing
integrated pest control program.
For observing above measures, the electric furnaces or fuel furnaces are used to dispose of dead
birds. The pressure wash gadgets/ appliances may also be used for thoroughly washing the poultry
sheds and cages. The flame gun and fumigators are used for disinfecting the poultry sheds. Gas
fuelled 'Flame Gun' is developed for destroying bacterial, viral, fungal and insect contamination in and
around the shed.
Light regime:
Initially, chicks can be exposed to 21-23 hrs of continuous light at one and two days of age and then
reduced to 15 or 16 hrs of light until the birds are three weeks of age.
At three weeks of age, reduce the hours of light to about 12 hours or as dictated by natural day length.
When target body weights are achieved start your stimulatory lighting program to increase 13 hours
and then add 15-30 min per week until 16 hrs of light is reached. Light stimulation should continue
until peak production is achieved.
One bulb of 60 watt is sufficient for an area of 100 sq. feet, if hanged 8' above floor.
Two basic Principles:
1. Never Increase the duration or intensity of light during the growing period.
2. Never Decrease the duration or intensity of light during the production period.
The sensitivity of the young pullet to an increase in photoperiod varies with age and is at a maximum
between 9 and 12 weeks of age and thus increasing the photoperiod at or soon after 18 weeks has little
effect on age at 50% lay: Therefore, the use of step-down - step-up lighting programs should be timed to
bring the birds into lay at the age. With early lay you will get more, smaller eggs and with late lay you will
get fewer, larger eggs, but the total egg mass at the end of lay will not be much different.
Where the lamps should be placed in the building
In both breeder/layer and broiler facilities, it is best to place the lamps such that the darkest areas
have at least .5 -.75 fc of light. The number of feet between lamps will depend upon the size of the lamp
and the physical surroundings of the building, such as walls, posts, ceiling reflectivity, etc. Just remember,
the goal is to achieve even lighting throughout your building, at the desired brightness level for the birds.
Dirty lamps will also decrease light output, by as much as 15 to 20%, therefore it is important to clean the
lamps off at least once per week.
Economic Feed Formulation and Feeding of Layers
Principles of feeding
Nutrition and feeding in early part of life do not have influence on subsequent laying
performance. Fast growth is also not the criteria in rearing replacement pullet. The
major objective is to raise them at good health to attain sexual maturity at a given
weight depending upon genetic make up of the birds with minimum nutritional input.
Modern layers, however, rich to the sexual maturity i.e. the point of lay at little earlier
age than ever before, as a result the birds have been able to produce 310-325 eggs per
year. Besides nutrition the other factors that influence the age of sexual maturity
includes season of hatch, duration of light days, light stimulation, overall management
and stress and diseases. Light plays important role on age at sexual maturity.
Decreasing duration of day light delays sexual maturity. A low protein and/or low
energy diet, or quantitative restriction of a balanced feed also delays sexual maturity. A
larger egg size is obtained from delayed sexually matured birds. Reaching to sexual
maturity at an earlier age is always associated with smaller size of eggs.
Maize and soybean meal are conventional feedstuffs used in poultry diet. However, the
various alternative feed resources available in India, which can be used in place of
maize and soybean meal, depending upon the availability in local market, their quality
and cost.
1. Cereals: The alternative cereals of maize, which can be used partly to replace maize
depending upon availability, are broken/undersized wheat, broken rice, paddy,
bajra, jowar (white, brown, yellow), oat, barley, ragi, fox tail millet, kodo, etc.
2. Cereal by-product: The different cereal by-products, which can be used, are rice kani
(broken rice), rice polish, rice bran, rice bran (de-oiled), wheat bran (use may be
restricted in poultry diet), hominy feed, maize gruten meal, maize germ meal, maize
germ cake, maize grit, rice gluten, dried distillery grains with soluble (DDGS),etc.
3. Oilseed by-products and meals: Soybean meal is the conventional proteinic
supplement in poultry diet. However, different proteinic by-products that can be
used replacing soybean meal are groundnut oil meal, mustard/rapeseed meal,
sesame oil meal, sunflower oil meal, safflower oil meal, neem seed meal, karanja
cake, kusum cake, linseed oil cake, cotton seed cake, niger cake, coconut meal,
mahua cake, palm kernal cake, guar meal (raw), high protein roasted guar korma,
peas, different pulse losses, etc.
4. Animal protein sources: Different protein sources of animal origin can be
component of poultry feed. The meals/products that can be used to replace soybean
meal are fish meal, meat meal, meat cum bone meal, tarula yeast, blood meal,
poultry by-product meal, hydrolyzed feather meal, silk worm pupae meal, dry skim
meal, shrimp meal, etc.
5. Leaf meals: Different leaf meals can also be used depending upon the type of diet
and need. The various leaf meals that are added in poultry diet are alfalfa meal,
berseem meal, subabulleaf meal, groundnut haulm meal, etc.
6. Miscellaneous: The other items, which can be used in poultry diet, are molasses,
cassava meal, animal fat (tallow, lard), fish oil, vegetable oil, poultry droppings,
coffee waste, etc..
Egg size
Egg size is expressed as weight of the egg. The factors that affect egg size include
protein and amino acids profile, balancing of amino acids, and levels of dietary
minerals, vitamins and linoleic acid, and strain and age of the birds. Increasing protein
level up to 20% with balanced amino acid level in diet increases egg size progressively,
and about 1% larger egg can be achieved for every 1% increased protein content up to
20% CP level. Deficiency of protein decreases albumin content of egg and egg size.
Therefore, selection of protein level in diet to achieve optimum egg size is a point of
economic consideration depending upon market premium for larger eggs. Birds
respond to increased methionine concentration in diet (up to 0.40%) by increasing egg
size. Low level of vitamin D3and high level of calcium may result in reduced egg size.
Linoleic acid influences egg size but not number of eggs produced. The requirement of
linoleic acid is 0.5 to 1.5%. Birds provided maize in diet (30% or more) do not require
attention for linoleic acid contents in diet, as its content is sufficient in maize (2.20%
linoleic acid) and also in sorghum (0.8 to 1.1%) or pearl millet (0.84%) based diet.
However, wheat (0.5 to 0.6%) based diets require special attention for linoleic acid
contents. Certain unidentified factors normally present in diet also improve egg size.
Egg size is low initially at the points of lay, increased gradually to second phase of egg
production (about 50-55weeks) and then reduced with age. Tranquilizers have been
reported to increase egg size.
Designer eggs
There are growing public concern over consumption of eggs being high in cholesterol
(200-300mg)and poultry meat with more of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol. It may
be of economical advantage for the producer to market eggs with low cholesterol and
meat with low fat. Numerous, including nutritional factors have been demonstrated to
alter cholesterol deposition in egg. Cholesterol content of egg yolk may be altered by
about 25% through manipulation of dietary fat/ energy and cholesterol. Dietary fiber
and administration of certain drugs also reduces yolk cholesterol concentrations but
only marginally. However, it will be commercially viable only when egg cholesterol is
reduced (50%) to a level of 125 to 150 mg/ egg. Another approach has been to let the
hens lay eggs enriched with omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids,
docosohexaenoic acid and icosapentaenoic acid), due to the beneficial effect of the
polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3) on human health. Higher intake of polyunsaturated
fatty acids (PUFA) decreases the risk of heart diseases and strokes, and also exerts
immunological and neurological effects. These eggs should also have lower omega-
6/omega-3 ratio than the normal eggs, which is beneficial for consumption. The dietary
PUFA are readily incorporated into eggs. The main sources of PUFA are fish oil,
linseed, millets and sea algae. The sea algae are the best sources for producing omega-3
fatty acid enriched eggs. Moreover, their PUFA content is more stable and in more
active form that in the plant oils. The cereals such as corn, barley and oats are also rich
in linolenic acid. The combination of animal (fish oil) and vegetable oils viz. rapeseed,
linseed oils is also effective. Egg enrichment in n-3 fatty acids results in higher rate of
oxidation that could be controlled by the antioxidants such as alpha-tocopherol.
Therefore, adequate amounts of alpha-tocopherol should also be supplied to obtain
eggs with adequate antioxidant protection of PUFA that prevents the unwanted
oxidation and the related health problems. The supplementation of diet with 200mg
vitamin E per kg feed may reduce fatty acids (n-3) oxidation.
Feed intake
Feed intake is an important factor in the economic production of eggs. Generally a
White Leghorn hen consumes 8 kg of feed up to 20 weeks of age and 39 kg during 360
days (about lI0g/bird/ day or l30g/ egg and producing 300 eggs per year) of laying
phase. However, feed intake is governed by many factors such as dietary energy and
protein concentration, environmental temperature and humidity, stress, vaccination,
beak treamming and disease, etc. Tentative feed intake at different age is given in Table
6.
Table 1. ISI specification of nutrient requirements (% or unitJkg feed, DM basis) of
egg type pullets (BIS, 1992)
Growth phases of Layers
Nutrients Unit Chicks Grower Layer Breeder
0-8wk 8-20wk 20wk> 20wk>
ME kcal 2600 2500 2600 2600
Crude protein % 20.0 16.0 18.0 18.0
Crude fibre, max. % 7.0 8.0 8.0 8.0
AlA, max. % 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0
Linoleic acid % 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Lysine, min. % 0.9 0.6 0.65 0.65
Methionine, min % 0.3 0.25 0.3 0.3
Met. +Cys tine % 0.6 0.5 0.55 0.55
Calcium, min. % 1.0 1.0 3.0 3.0
A va. Phos. , min % 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
NaCl, max. % 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6
Manganese mg 90.0 50.0 55.0 90.0
Iodine mg 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Iron mg 120.0 90.0 75.0 90.0
Zinc mg 60.0 50.0 75.0 100.0
Copper mg 12.0 9.0 9.0 12.0
Vitamin A IU 6000 6000 8000 8000
D3 IU 600 600 1200 1200
E mg 15 10 10 15
K mg 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Thiamine mg 5.0 3.0 3.0 3.0
Riboflavin mg 6.0 5.0 5.0 8.0
Pyridoxine mg 5.0 5.0 5.0 8.0
Pantothenic acid mg 15 15 15 15
Nicotinic acid mg 40 15 15 15
Biotin mg 0.2 0.15 0.15 0.20
Vitamin B12 mg 0.015 0.01 0.01 0.01
Folic acid mg 1.0 0.5 0.5 0.5
Choline mg 1300 900 800 800
Max.= Maximum, min.= minimum, AIA= acid insoluble ash
Table 2. Nutrients requirements (% or per kg diet, 90%DM) of startmg and growing
pullets of white-egg-Iaying strains as per NRC (1994) or modified from NRC on
energy basis.
Nutrients Unit NRC (1994)
0-6wk 6-12 wk 12-18 wk 18wk-1st egg
Energy kcal 2850 2850 2900 2900
CP % 18.0 16.0 15.0 17.0
Arginine % 1.0 0.83 0.67 0.75
Isoleucine % 0.60 0.50 0.40 0.45
Leucine % 1.10 0.85 0.70 0.80
Lysine % 0.85 0.60 0.45 0.52
Methionine % 0.30 0.25 0.20 0.22
Meth.+ Cys. % 0.62 0.52 0.42 0.47
Phenylala. % 0.54 0.45 0.36 0.40
Phe.+ Tyr. % 1.0 0.83 0.67 0.75
Threonine % 0.68 0.57 0.37 0.47
Tryptophan % 0.17 0.14 0.11 0.12
Linoleic acid % 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Calcium % 0.90 0.80 0.8 2.0
NPP % 0.4 0.35 0.30 0.32
Sodium % 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15
Chloride % 0.15 0.12 0.12 0.15
Copper mg 5.0 4.0 4.0 4.0
Iodine mg 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35
Iron mg 80 60 60 60
Manganese mg 60 30 30 30
Selenium mg 0.15 0.10 0.10 0.10
Zinc mg 40 35 35 35
Vitamin A IU 1500 1500 1500 1500
D3 ICU 200 200 200 200
E IU 10 10 5 10
K mg 0.5
. 0.5 0.5 0.5
Thiamin mg 1.0 1.0 0.8 0.8
Riboflavin mg 3.6 1.8 1.8 2.2
Pyridoxine mg 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0
Vitamin B12 rng 0.009 0.003 0.003 0.004
Biotin mg 0.15 0.10 0.10 0.10
Folic acid mg 0.55 0.25 0.25 0.25
Niacin mg 27.0 11.0 11.0 11.0
Pantoth. acid mg 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0
Choline mg 1300 900 500 500
Table 3. Nutrients requirements (% or unit/kg, 90% DM basis) of starting and growing
pullets of brown-egg-laying strains NRC (1994) or modified from NRC (1994)
Nutrients Brown-egg-laving strains
Unit 0-6wk 6-12 wk 12-18 wk 18wk-1st egg
Energy Kcal 2800 2800 2850 2850
CP % 17.0 15.0 14.0 16.0
Arginine % 0.94 0.78 0.62 0.72
Isoleucine % 0.57 0.47 0.37 0.42
Lysine % 0.8 0.56 0.42 0.49
Methionine % 0.28 0.23 0.19 0.21
Meth.+ Cys. % 0.59 0.49 0.39 0.44
Phenylala. % 0.51 0.42 0.34 0.38
Threonine % 0.64 0.53 0.35 0.44
Tryptophan % 0.16 0.13 0.10 0.11
Linoleic acid % 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Calcium % 0.90 0.80 0.80 1.80
NPP % 0.40 0.35 0.30 0.35
Sodium % 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15
Chloride % 0.12 0.11 0.11 0.11
Copper mg 5.0 4.0 4.0 4.0
Iodine mg 0.33 0.33 0.33 0.33
Iron mg 75 56 56 56
Manganese mg 56 28 28 28
Zinc mg 38 33 33 33
Vitamin A IU 1420 1420 1420 1420
D~ ICU 190 190 190 280
E IU 9.5 4.7 4.7 4.7
K mg 0.47 0.47 0.47 0.47
Thiamin mg 1.0 1.0 0.8 0.8
Riboflavin mg 3.4 1.7 1.7 1.7
Pyridoxine mg 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8
Vitamin B12 mg 0.009 0.003 0.003 0.003
Biotin mg 014 0.09 0.09 0.09
Folic acid mg 0.52 0.23 0.23 0.23
Niacin mg 26.0 10.3 10.3 10.3
Pantothenic mg 9.4 9.4 9.4 9.4
acid
Choline mg 1225 850 470 470
Table 4. Nutrients requirements (as % or unit per kg of diet, 90% DM basis) of
Leghorn type hens (NRC, 1994)
Dietary concentrations required by White-egg layers
Nutrients Unit at different feed intakes
so- 90ab' 100ab no-: 120ab
Crude protein % 18.8 16.67 15.0 13.64 12.5
Arzinine % 0.88 0.78 0.70 0.64 0.58
Isoleucine % 0.81 0.72 0.65 0.59 0.54
LYsine % 0.86 0.77 0.69 0.63 0.58
Methionine % 0.38 0.33 0.30 0.27 0.25
Methionine+ % 0.73 0.64 0.58 0.53 0.48
Phenv lalanine % 0.59 0.52 0.47 0.43 0.39
Phenvl. + Tyrosine % 1.04 0.92 0.83 0.75 0.69
Threonine % 0.59 0.52 0.47 0.43 0.39
Tryptophan % 0.20 0.18 0.16 0.15 0.13
Linoleic acid % 1.25 1.11 1.0 0.91 0.83
Calcium % 4.06 3.61 3.25 2.95 2.71
Non phvtate % 0.31 0.28 0.25 0.23 0.21
Sodium % 0.19 0.17 0.15 0.14 0.13
Iodine mg 0.044 0.04 0.035 0.03 0.029
Iron mg 56 50.00 45 40.91 38
Manganese mg 25 22.22 20 18.18 17
Selenium mg 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.05 0.05
Zinc mg 44 38.89 35 31.82 29
Vitamin A IU 3750 3333 3000 2727 2500
D3 ICU 375 333 300 273 250
E IU 6 5.56 5 4.55 4
K mg 0.6 0.56 0.5 0.45 0.4
Thiamin mg 0.88 0.78 0.70 0.64 0.60
Riboflavin mg 3.1 2.78 2.5 2.27 2.1
Pyridoxine mg 3.1 2.78 2.5 2.27 2.1
Vitamin B12 mg 0.004 0.004 0.004 0.004 0.004
Biotin mg 0.13 0.11 0.10 0.09 0.08
Folic acid mg 0.31 0.28 0.25 0.23 0.21
Niacin mg 12.5 11.11 10.0 9.09 8.3
Pantothenic acid mg 2.5 2.22 2.0 1.82 1.7
Choline mg 1310 1166.67 1050 954.55 875
a Grams feed intake per hen daily.
b Based on dietary ME of 2900 kcal/kg and assumed rate of egg production 90% .
• Translated
• The distance between any two sheds of same must be minimum 20 m'and for adults and
chick sheds, it should be 100 m.
• Facilities for safe scientific disposal of dead birds is must. Disposal pit must be located at
least 500 m away from sheds to avoid disease spread.
• Poultry sheds in the farm should be safe housing, with suitable wild birds and rodent
proofing.
• Feed, litter and equipment should be stored in a section separated from live bird area to
prevent contamination. Isolation room for sick birds is a good option.
• Mandatory installation of foot and wheel dips of sufficient size at shed and main
entrance level. These dips must be cleaned and filled with suitable disinfectant on daily
basis.
Operational Biosecurity
• Never introduce any equipment inside the farm from other farm source. in the case of
breeders, no vehicles or equipment should be allowed within the farm area from the time
of delivery of flock until disposal.
• Maintain record for visitors and their purpose.
• Always obtain hatching eggs, pullets from a certified source that is free of vertically
transmitted diseases like salmonellosis, mycoplasmosis etc.
• While visiting the different sheds, always visit young followed by adult i.e., chicks,
growers and adults.
• Keep the shed locked at all times.
• Follow all-in-all-out system protocol for broilers and layers. In commercial broiler unit, a
minimum inter flock interval of two weeks is recommended after depopulation of old
flock and before introduction of new flock.
• Entire shed must be cleaned and disinfected preferably by formaldehyde fumigation or
fogging.
• All the feeders and waterers must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before using for
another batch. Litter material must be disposed off away from farm premises.
• All material used in farm operations should cleaned and disinfected before and after use.
• Recycling of egg packing materials etc. should be decontaminated at the point of entry of
farm. The disinfectant should be used with right dilution as per manufacture's direction.
• Regular culling of unhealthy, unproductive and diseased birds.
• Implementing appropriate program of disease diagnosis and proper vaccination
schedule. Routine disease monitoring procedures like postmortem examination and
periodic serum antibody assay to determine immune status of the flock.
• Use an effective integrated pest management program to control pest and rodent
through biological, chemical and mechanical means.
1
1
2
11. Always sterilize all the vaccine materials in boiling water before and after use.
12. Change the needles regularly to minimize the spread of infection.
13. Using automatic vaccinator/syringes will reduce time and labour and increase
vaccination efficiency.
14. The entire vaccine must be used within 2~3 hrs, once the vaccine vial is opened.
15. Keep also the prepared (reconstituted) vaccine on ice while vaccinating the birds.
Remove small quantities for use, frequently.
16. Shake the reconstituted vaccine frequently during vaccination.
17. Destroy the leftover vaccine and vaccine vials etc. immediately after use in an appropriate
manner.
Vaccination methods:
1. There are two types of vaccines to be used generally in poultry, live and Killed. Live
vaccines for a particular disease must always be applied before killed vaccines are
administered so as to have better protection.
2. live vaccines must be given either through oral route, nasal route, as an eye drop or
spray.
3. Killed vaccines must be given inform of injection either subcutaneously or
intramuscularly by using a syringe with a 22 gauge needle.
4. Injection sites for subcutaneous are back of the neck and wing, while common sites for
intramuscular route are breast and thigh muscles.
5. When injecting oil emulsion killed vaccines, subcutaneous route is recommended.
Vaccination Program:
A suitable vaccination program must be designed with the help of poultry veterinarian.
The vaccination programs may change from area to area based on the prevailing disease
situation.
Suggested vaccination schedule for layers
Age Name of the Vaccine Route Doselbird
0~1Day Marek's Disease (MD) Vaccination SIC neck region 0.2 mlIchick
(HVT)
5 -7 days Ranikhet Disease Vaccine live (RDVK/ Intra ocular / In tra One drop
Lasota) nasal , each
14 days Infectious Bursal Disease Vaccine Intra ocular / Intra One drop
.(Georgia/Intermediate) nasal/spray each
28 days Ranikhet Disease Vaccine live (RDVK/ Intra ocular / Intra One drop
Lasota) nasal each
Infectious Bronchitis (IBH~120)
35 days Infectious Bursal Disease Vaccine Live Intra ocular / Intra One drop
(Georgia/In termediate) nasal/spray each
42 days Fowl Pox live Vaccine Wing web o.i- 0.2 ml
8 ~10 weeks Ranikhet Disease Vaccine Killed (R2 B) SIC or I/m O.5ml
8 weeks Infectious Bronchitis (IBH~120) Intra ocular / Intra One drop
2
3
nasal/spray each
12 weeks Infectious Bronchitis (IEH-120)
16 -18 weeks EDS-76 vaccine (Killedj-optional , SIC or 11m 0.5 ml
16-18weeks IE Killed (Mass) SIC or 11m O.Sml
18 - 20 weeks Ranikhet Disease Vaccine (Killed) SIC or 11m O.5ml
At the age at Infectious Bursal Disease Vaccine SIC or Ifm O.Sml
sexual maturity (Killed)
Ranikhet Disease Vaccine (RDVK/ Intra ocular / Intra One drop
Lasota): to be repeated once in every 2 nasal/spray each
months
Suggested vaccination schedule for broilers
Age Name of the Vaccine Route Dose/bird
0-1 Day Marek's Disease (MD) Vaccination (HVT) Not applicable in broilers
5 -7 days Ranikhet Disease Vaccine Live (RDVK/ Intra ocular / Intra One drop
Lasota) nasal/spray each
14 days Infectious Bursal Disease Vaccine Live Intra ocular / Intra One drop
(Georgia/Intermediate) nasal/spray each
28 days Ranikhet Disease Vaccine Live (RDVK/ Intra ocular / Intra One drop
Lasota) nasal/spray each
28 days Infectious Bronchitis Live (IEH-120) in IE Intra ocular / Intra One drop
prevalen t areas nasal/spray each
3S days Infectious Bursal Disease Vaccine Live Intra ocular / Intra One drop
(Georgia/In termediate) nasal/spray each
Suggested vaccination schedule for backyard/desi 120ultry
Age Name of the Vaccine Route Dose/bird
0-1 day Marek's Disease (MD) Vaccination SIC neck region 0.2ml
(HVT)
S -7 days Ranikhet Disease Vaccine Live (RDVK/ (Intra ocular / Intra One drop
Btl Lasota) (RD) nasal) each
14 days Infectious Bursal Disease Vaccine Live O/N or water One drop
(lED) (Gumboro Intermediate) each
28 days Ranikhet Disease Vaccine Killed Intra ocular / Intra One drop.
(RDVK/B/ Lasota) nasal) each
6 weeks Fowl Pox Live Vaccine Wing web 0.1- 0.2 ml
8 -10 weeks Ranikhet Disease Vaccine (R2 B) SIC or l/m O.5ml
12weeks Fowl Pox Vaccine Wing web 0.1- 0.2 ml
16 -18 weeks Ranikhet Disease Vaccine (Killed) SIC or 11m O.5ml
Ranikhet Disease Vaccine (RDVKIB/ Lasota): to be repeated once in 3 months
Fowl Pox vaccine: to be repeated once in 6 months
Prevention IS Always Better than Cure
3
Avian Influenza in Poultry Production and its Control Measures
Dr. J.M. Kataria and Dr. Gautham Kolluri,
leAR-Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar- 24 3122
Avian Influenza is a highly contagious and infectious disease of poultry with ability to
transmit to humans and cause potential disease. Several species of food producing birds
(chicken, turkey, quail, guinea fowl, etc.), as well as pet birds and wild birds are susceptible to
infection. This is also an economically important disease causing a heavy loss to poultry
production worldwide.
Classification:
The Avian Influenza is of two types based on the virus ability to cause disease (pathogenicity).
• Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus spreads rapidly, may cause serious
disease and result in high mortality rates (up to 100% within 48 hours).
• The low pathogenic avian influenza (lP AI) can causes mild disease that may be
undetected or no symptoms at all in some species of birds.
Transmission of disease:
• Water birds like ducks, geese and other migratory birds offers a potential source of
infection.
• Infected wild birds and poultry can transmit the virus to susceptible poultry and humans
through contaminated poultry products like eggs, feeders, waterers, feed and feed bags,
secretions, excretions or carcasses etc.
• The winter months are particularly favorable to its spread. With concentrated efforts,
HPAI virus has effectively brought under control, LPAI is still prevailing by circulating in
birds, thereby becoming endemic in India. Since lPNAI has never been reported in India
before, it is considered to be greater hazard than HP AI in India. lPNAl can transmit
via products of poultry and animal origin and pose potentiality for adverse consequences
specially when complemented with ND virus, if the disease agents become established in
Indian commercial and backyard poultry.
Clinical signs in poultry:
• Respiratory signs: Ocular and nasal discharges, coughing, sneezing and dyspnoea,
swelling of the sinuses anellor head and apathy,
• Gross signs; Reduced vocalisation, marked reduction in feed and water intake, cyanosis
of the unfeathered skin, wattles and comb, whitish or greenish diarrhea.
• Nervous signs: Incoordination, torticollis (twisting of head)
• In laying birds: clinical features include a marked drop in egg production, usually
accompanied by an increase in numbers of poor quality eggs. Typically, high morbidity is
accompanied by high and rapidly escalating unexplained mortality. Generally, 100%
mortality occurs within 48 hours.
Differential Diagnosis:
Newcastle disease, Infectious coryza and other respiratory diseases.
Outbreaks in India:
2
First outbreak was recorded in February 2006 in Maharashtra and Gujarat and then till
date around 17outbreaks were reported in India with most frequency in NE and adjoining areas.
West Bengal and North Eastern states are highly vulnerable to avian influenza out breaks in the
country. Recently outbreak is reported in Tripura on January 2016.
Control of avian influenza in India during out breaks (Government of India Guidelines)
There is no vaccination policy for avian influenza in India, the on ly control method
adopted is stamping out policy in which all the poultry will be culled in O~S km diameter from
the point of outbreak (epicentre) followed by disinfection. Culling is done either by burning or
underground disposal.
GOl has framed specific guidelines to manage the emergency outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic
Avian Influenza and they are as follows
• An extensive information, education campaign (IEC) in the area to be undertaken by
means of news, paper advertisement, radio/TV announcement/programme, leaflet,
handbill, milking and conducting meetings with panchayat system ete. to familiarize the
all the population on the perceived threat of Avian influenza and the precautions that
should be taken to prevent its spread.
• Extensive field surveillance to detect any mortality in crows and other wild birds, and for'
unusual mortality in poultry birds.
• No post-mortem examination of dead birds in the field must be attempted and refer
those to the nearest designated Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.
• Incineration of dead poultry, crows and other wild birds to contain the virus spread.
• Dead birds should not be handled directly and must wear gloves prior to handling and
must wash hands thoroughly after.
• Extensive surveillance of forest areas to detect any abnormal mortality of wild birds must
be undertaken.
On farm Biosecurity measures
• Foot dips with powerful and long retention time disinfectants at the entries and exits of
all the pens of poultry farms.
• No multiple species must be reared on the same premises.
• Disinfection or cleaning up the farm premises regularly.
• Use of protective guards for handling of any suspected birds/material.
• Periodic testing of poultry feed and water.
• Knowing the signs of disease
• Proper disposal of wastes and manures /dead birds
• Discourage rearing of birds of different age groups on the same farm. Encourage all in all
out practice.
• Inter-sectional movements of farm personnel should be restricted.
• Movement restriction of poultry and poultry products, farm equipmcnts and machinery
from and to suspected/infected area.
3
• Immediate reporting of unusual deaths of poultry, crows and other wild birds veterinary
officials immediately.
• Maintain the strict vigilance of any mortality or sickness in wild and domestic birds.
• Thorough washing of hand and hairs with soap and water.
• Intensive surveillance at live and wet markets must be undertaken by the veterinary.
officers in the area. The contact number of officers for immediate reporting should be
advertised.
At wet markets
• Conversion of open unrecognized and unorganized open wet markets into organized
slaughter houses with proper biosecurity measures.
• Strict biosecurity of wet markets including daily cleaning and sanitization.
• Ensuring of no return of birds from wet markets.
• Surveillance of flocks coming to wet markets and tracing back the source of infected
birds, if any.
• Reporting of incidence of any unusual sickness/mortality in birds to the veterinary
authorities immediately.
At border areas
• Intensive surveillance in all the bordering districts at access and exit points.
• International bordering areas having no fencing should be strengthened to check the
movement of poultry and poultry products.
• No movement of poultry and poultry products should be allowed across the border
during outbreak.
• Information, Education and Communication Campaign (lEC) in bordering areas may be
undertaken by means. of meetings with panchayat system, newspaper advertisement,
radiolTV announcements/programmes and leaflets ete. Target population must be
familiarized with avian influenza impact and precautions that should be taken to
prevent it and in case any symptoms are noticed to report the same to the concerned
authorities without any loss of time.
• District level preparedness needs to be assessed and required equipmcnts and chemicals
made available in order to tackle any eventuality.
f • Veterinary officers should undertake special surveillance of the daily/weekly markets in
the bordering areas.
As a responsible citizen:
• Any unusual and sudden deaths in chicken, crow or even wild birds must be reported
immediately to Govt. authorities.
• Always follow clean poultry production practices.
• ICAR-National Institute for High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal is the reference
laboratory for diagnosis of avian influenza in the country.
• The suspected dead bird can be sent directly to this laboratory in chilled conditions for
disease confirmation.