Field Officers Check List

Brooding Process Management in Broiler Farming: 

• Pre-Heating of the Shed
  • Pre-warm the brooding area at least 24 hours before       chick placement to achieve the ideal floor and air temperature.
• Maintaining Optimal Temperature
  • Maintain brooding temperature at 32–34°C during the       first week, gradually reducing by 2–3°C each week based on bird behaviour       and age.
• Adequate Ventilation
  • Ensure sufficient fresh air without causing drafts.       Proper oxygen supply is crucial to prevent respiratory stress while       maintaining warmth.
• Chick Comfort and Distribution
  • Observe chick behaviour frequently; even       distribution around the brooding area indicates comfort. Crowding or       scattering signals temperature or ventilation issues.
• Clean and Dry Litter Management
  • Keep the litter dry, fluffy, and clean to prevent  disease outbreaks. Wet litter increases ammonia, leading to respiratory       problems.
• Availability of Fresh Water
  • Provide easy access to clean, fresh, and lukewarm       water immediately after placement to encourage hydration and feed       intake.
• High-Quality Starter Feed
  • Supply a high-protein, easily digestible starter feed in       ample feeders close to chicks to promote early gut development and       uniform growth.
• Proper Lighting Program
  • Maintain bright light (around 30–40 lux) during the       first few days to encourage feeding and drinking behaviour. Gradually       adjust based on growth stage.
• Biosecurity Measures
  • Strictly control farm access, sanitize equipment, and enforce       hygiene protocols to minimize early chick mortality and disease       transmission.
• Monitoring Health and Performance
  • Regularly monitor chick body weights, crop fill (should       be >85% within 6 hours post-placement), and health parameters to       detect any issues early.

Feeding Process Observations in Broiler Poultry Farming:

Timely and Consistent Feeding:

• Maintain a strict feeding schedule to ensure birds receive       nutrition at regular intervals, minimizing stress and competition.

Feeding Process Management at Farm Level:

a) Ensure that feed is stored properly in clean, dry, and ventilated conditions to prevent contamination from moulds, mycotoxins, or pests.

b) Implement first-in, first-out (FIFO) usage of feed stock to maintain freshness.

c) Regularly monitor feed intake and observe bird behaviour to detect early signs of feed quality issues or nutritional deficiencies.

Feeder Management and Adjustment:

1. Adjust       the height of feeders regularly according to bird size (at bird’s back       level) to avoid feed wastage and ensure easy access for all birds.
2. Uniform      Feed Distribution:
   1. Distribute       feed evenly across all feeders and feeding zones to avoid overcrowding,       ensuring weaker birds also get access to feed.
3. Phase-wise      Feeding Strategy:
   1. Implement       proper starter, grower, and finisher feed changes according to the birds'       age and weight targets, with careful transition periods to avoid       digestive upset.
4. Monitoring      Feed Intake:
   1. Record       daily feed consumption and compare against standard performance charts to       detect early signs of health or management issues.
5. Clean      and Dry Feeding Equipment:
   1. Regularly       clean and sanitize feeders to prevent bacterial or fungal growth, and       ensure feeders are kept dry to maintain feed hygiene.
6. Controlled      Feeding (if applicable):
   1. In       some systems, practice controlled or restricted feeding methods to       improve feed conversion ratios (FCR) and uniform flock weight.
7. Access      to Fresh, Clean Water:
   1. Adequate       water availability is critical, as feed intake is closely linked to water       consumption; ensure drinkers are functioning well.
8. Observation      of Bird Behaviour During Feeding:
   1. Monitor       bird activity and feeding behaviour; any abnormal patterns (e.g.,       lethargy, uneven feeding, aggression) may indicate health, nutrition, or       environmental problems requiring immediate attention.

Farm-Level Observations for Bird Health Management:

1. Daily Monitoring of Flock Behaviour
   • Observe birds for alertness, activity levels, feeding behaviour,       and uniform movement patterns to detect early signs of stress or illness.

1. Strict Biosecurity Compliance
   • Enforce farm entry protocols (foot dips, visitor restrictions,       protective clothing) to prevent pathogen introduction.

1. Routine Health Checks
   • Conduct regular physical checks for signs like sneezing, coughing,       lameness, diarrhoea, ruffled feathers, or skin lesions.

1. Proper Litter Management
   • Maintain dry, clean, and friable litter to prevent respiratory       infections and reduce ammonia buildup.

1. Water Quality and Hygiene
   • Ensure continuous access to clean, treated water; clean drinker       lines regularly to prevent microbial contamination.

1. Balanced and Fresh Feed Supply
   • Provide nutritionally balanced feed according to bird age and       monitor feed intake closely for any sudden drops.

1. Vaccination and Preventive Medication Schedule
   • Strictly adhere to the recommended vaccination programs and       preventive medication protocols, recording all administrations.

1. Environmental Control (Ventilation, Temperature, Humidity)
   • Maintain optimal temperature, humidity, and air quality inside       sheds to minimize stress and support respiratory health.

1. Mortality Monitoring and Post-Mortem Analysis
   • Record daily mortality rates; conduct post-mortem examinations for       any abnormal mortalities to identify disease patterns early.

Regular Assessment of Body Weight and Flock Uniformity

Periodically sample and weigh a group of birds to monitor growth rate and flock uniformity, ensuring that birds are gaining weight as per the standard curve and identifying early signs of nutritional or health issues.

Farm-Level Biosecurity Management Practices:

1. Controlled Farm Access
   • Strictly restrict entry to authorized personnel only. Maintain       visitor logs and ensure foot dips and hand sanitizers are used at all       entry points.

1. Dedicated Farm Clothing and Footwear
   • Provide and mandate the use of farm-specific clothing, footwear,       and personal protective equipment (PPE) for all workers and visitors.

1. Vehicle and Equipment Disinfection
   • Disinfect all vehicles and equipment entering the farm premises       with appropriate disinfectants to prevent pathogen introduction.

1. Bird Placement Management
   • Implement an all-in, all-out system. Avoid partial       placements and staggered bird introductions to minimize       cross-contamination risks.

1. Rodent, Wild Bird, and Pest Control
   • Maintain a comprehensive rodent and pest control program. Block       all potential entry points and regularly monitor for signs of       infestation.

1. Feed and Water Biosecurity
   • Ensure feed is sourced from reliable suppliers, stored       hygienically, and protected from rodents and wild birds. Regularly test       water quality and treat water to remove pathogens.

1. Strict Litter Management
   • Keep litter dry and clean. Regularly remove wet patches and       maintain optimal ventilation to control moisture and ammonia levels.

1. Dead Bird Disposal
   • Promptly remove and dispose of dead birds using approved methods       like incineration or deep burial to prevent disease spread.

1. Regular Health Monitoring and Vaccination Compliance
   • Monitor bird health daily for early signs of disease. Follow a       strict vaccination and medication schedule as recommended by veterinary       consultants.

1. Farm Sanitation and Downtime Between Batches
   • Thoroughly clean, disinfect, and dry the farm premises between       production cycles. Maintain a minimum downtime to break disease       transmission cycles.