Cobb Breeder Administration Information: Body weight management, weighing & evaluation

18 July 2024

5 minute learn

Editor’s observe: This text is an excerpt from the Cobb Breeder Administration Information and extra articles will comply with. The Information was designed to focus on vital elements which can be more than likely to affect flock efficiency. The administration suggestions mentioned had been developed particularly for Cobb merchandise. The suggestions are meant as a reference and complement to your individual flock administration abilities with the intention to apply your data and judgement to acquire constantly good outcomes with the Cobb household of merchandise. To learn or obtain the whole Information or to view Cobb’s different administration guides, click on right here.

There are two really helpful methods to feed a flock in rearing and be sure that the birds are in situation at 20 weeks of age.

1. Feed in response to the Cobb body weight profile that’s particular for the breed. Bear in mind {that a} feed change takes 2 to three weeks to be detected in body weight change. Subsequently, frequent will increase and reduces in feed change might be complicated and end result in fluctuating bodyweights which might induce stress and have an effect on flock uniformity.
2. Feed in response to a pre-determined and confirmed feeding regime with particular feed specs. The birds are fed based mostly on a program and the birds’ bodyweights are saved between 98 and 102 % of the usual. If the body weight deviates an excessive amount of from the usual the feed quantities needs to be adjusted up or down in small increments starting from 1 to three g (0.22 to 0.66 lb/100 birds). Once more, bear in mind that feed change takes 2 to three weeks to be realized in feed restricted birds.

The 2 described feeding strategies could also be used collectively. Initially, comply with the primary idea during which the feed quantity is decided by the body weight growth in rearing. As soon as a very good feeding profile is decided, the second idea can be utilized making it simpler on administration normally. Utilizing each strategies will give extra constant outcomes and success in assembly manufacturing targets.

The target of body weight management is to rear all of the birds to the goal weight for age with good uniformity. Body weight targets are achieved by controlling feed allowances. Feed quantities throughout rearing are based mostly on body weight achieve and upkeep, whereas in lay they’re based mostly on these two elements together with egg manufacturing and egg weight. Correct feed quantities can solely be decided if the body weight is measured precisely each week.

Hand Weighing

The scales used to measure body weight will need to have a most capability of 5 kg (11.02 lb) and be correct to +/- 20 g (0.05 lb). Scales should be calibrated on a daily foundation. It’s advantageous to make use of digital scales with a printout functionality. This may cut back human error and help the weighing group. At 3 weeks and older, weigh 3 % of the females and 10 % of the males or 50 birds at the least consultant pattern. To extend accuracy of the sampling, use a catching pen, don’t randomly choose up and weigh birds. Place catching frames at set areas throughout the barn – entrance, center and again. Weekly pattern weights should be consultant of the entire home. Don’t place a catch body close to the principle hopper space as a result of birds on this space are likely to weigh above common from consuming feed from the hopper. 

Forcing birds into the pen or selectively catching birds and inserting them in a pen can lead to a non-representative flock pattern for weighing. As an alternative, the catch body needs to be positioned to permit the birds to freely enter the pen for a extra consultant pattern of the flock. Weigh each chook individually contained in the catch pen, together with small birds, and don’t reject any weights, apart from sexing errors. After every chook is weighed, launch the chook into the home. Proceed weighing till the pen is empty.

Report every weight and calculate the typical weight in addition to the flock weight distribution. Plot the typical body weight on the suitable chart and use this knowledge to calculate the feed quantity for the next days. It’s additionally vital to find out if the feeding program is working and holding the birds near the usual body weight.

Computerized Weighing

Computerized scales are rising in popularity with improved weighing gear and software program. They can be utilized each day and over a particular time interval every day. Sometimes, measurements are taken for 1 to 2 hour(s) previous to feeding. For instance: if the lights activate at 7 AM, then scales function from 7 to eight AM or 9 AM with feeding beginning at both 8:01 or 9:01 AM.

On common, 100 females will step on the dimensions per hour. The automated scales are both a suspended or fastened platform, however there isn’t a clear benefit for both. The size vary is usually set between +/- 25 to 30 % of the inhabitants imply body weight.

Within the graph above, the each day, automated weighing knowledge (blue dots) constantly comply with the weekly body weight commonplace. At 16 and 17 weeks of age, hand weighing (inexperienced dots) was finished close to the principle feed hopper and the body weight elevated in contrast with the fastened place of the auto scale. The variations in body weight had been corrected when the hand weighing was finished close to the auto scale. It is a clear instance how location modifications in hand weighing may cause misguided common bodyweights that lead to modifications within the feeding program, probably affecting conditioning of the females. That is significantly vital for flocks between 16 and 20 weeks of age when a hard and fast growth schedule is required to get the females in the correct situation at 20 weeks of age.

Benefits of automated scales:

• Day by day weights obtainable and graphically represented. Most trendy home controllers have software program for assortment and evaluation of body weight knowledge.
• Many suppliers supply stand-alone pc methods which might acquire knowledge from as much as 8 scales positioned amongst a number of homes.
• Ultimate for homes with out pens.
• Fast response to any deviations from the usual – indication of attainable feeding gear or distribution issues.
• Information is extra constant in contrast with hand weighing.
• Much less labor – a bonus by way of biosecurity and labor price.
• If utilizing pens, calculate weighted common uniformity.

Disadvantages of automated scales:

• Not appropriate for weighing males.
• Scale placement in manufacturing is vital to forestall weighing a mixture of female and male breeders. Scale placement on the slats will give a higher illustration of feminine weights.
• Much less chook dealing with with automated scale methods can enhance nervousness in a flock.
• Auto scales can be utilized till 30 to 35 weeks of age with good accuracy.
• After peak manufacturing heavier females are likely to keep away from scales.
• Would require personnel accustomed to knowledge assortment, analyzing and computing know-how.

To learn or obtain the whole Cobb Breeder Administration Information or to view Cobb’s different administration guides, click on right here.