Technical Focus - Cobb

1/2002
Publication of Cobb-Vantress, Inc.
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Cobb
Expansion
Forges
Ahead in
Brazil
arge-scale new investment in Brazil, the world's second
largest chicken market, will expand production of Cobb
500 grandparent stock for Latin America.
The new farm complex near São Paulo was officially opened
by James Bell, President of Cobb-Vantress, Inc. at a two-day
The Cobb-Vantress Brasil team of farm, office and technical personnel pictured with President James Bell
event for more than 100 customers and suppliers.
during the grand opening event.
Great grandparent stock was placed in December, and the
led to the formation of a joint venture company with Frango Sertanejo and
first grandparent chicks are scheduled to be hatched in the early summer at
Globoaves in 1995. The company is now wholly owned by Cobb-Vantress
the new hatchery now under construction.
which is investing $6 million in the great grandparent operation.
The development by Cobb-Vantress Brasil Limitada marks the latest phase
A location near São Paulo was chosen because of its strategic position, lying
in the spectacular expansion of the Cobb 500 breed in Brazil where sales for the
between the main chicken production regions of the north and south, and
open market have increased from one to 9.5 million parent stock in eight years.
enabling the furthest grandparent customers to be supplied in less than 16
Consistent, resilient performance by the Cobb 500, supported by strong
hours. Its proximity to a main international airport is also important for the
technical support for customers, has enabled the breed to gain a major share of
export business, expected to grow from 25 to around 50 percent of production.
the market.
The Cobb 500 was introduced to Brazil in 1986, and its growing popularity
L
Continued on top of page 2
New Research Impetus
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wo major new developments - expansion and restructuring of the
worldwide pedigree breeding program and the formation of Cobb Europe
- will bring significant benefits to customers through the next few years.
Development work on the Cobb 500 broiler breeder, and on new products,
is now focused on the four state-of-the-art research complexes set up by CobbVantress in the United States.
This will provide a more direct route for distribution of product advances
from the US research program. It also positions the company closer to existing
markets and emerging poultry industries, helping to provide top quality
product at the right price.
Providing for
World Growth
his new publication features exciting new
developments in two continents that are
paving the way for continued growth of Cobb
products in the world market.
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Over the past 15 years Cobb has made massive investment in research and
development for the Cobb 500, as well as acquiring in June 2000 the Avian
breed.
Today there are four separate full pedigree research complexes across
Missouri, Oklahoma and Kentucky. Their isolated location in rugged, wooded
countryside on sites averaging 640 hectares achieves a high level of biosecurity.
Introduction of the latest technology, such as identifying the presence of
individual genes, is set to accelerate genetic progress. Utilizing natural breeding
methods together with the technology to track the transmission of genes
provides new opportunities for genetic progress such as improving disease
resistance. Not only is there the ability to increase selection pressure, but also
to select on genetic potential rather than on agricultural performance alone.
In Brazil, where sales of the breed have risen
nearly ten-fold in eight years, a new great
grandparent complex has been officially opened
(see above).
In Europe, grandparent production is also
moving closer to customers, with plans for a major
new great grandparent complex in Germany and
new divisional headquarters in Holland (pages 2
and 3).
Continued on bottom of page 2
On other pages
Dominican investment
Prestige project in Egypt
World Technical School
Review of biosecurity
Maintaining good leg health
Analyzing customer data
Our new Cobb Europe team
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Feed is manufactured in the company's own
dedicated mill, using maize, soya and solely vegetable
protein. All rations are pelleted, and are bonded until
cleared by results of the laboratory tests.
The hatchery, situated 25 km (15.5 miles) from the
farm, is being equipped with Casp setting and
hatching machines manufactured in Brazil, with
high specification environment control including
air filtration and egg injection facilities.
Cobb-Vantress Brasil, which is led by General
Manager Jose Manduca, employs more than 130
people including the five-strong technical services
team which aims to visit customers every six to eight
weeks and works closely with the US-based technical
support specialists.
“The high level of technical input pays dividends
The official opening of the new Cobb-Vantress Brazil great grandparent farm complex brought together customers
in helping to achieve the excellent results customers
from Brazil, Argentina and Peru as well as suppliers and allied industry members.
are seeing with the Cobb 500,” says Mark Barnes,
Cobb Manager for Latin America. “The Brazilian
Continued from top of page 1
industry is one of the most efficient in the world, benefiting from a
favorable climate, an abundance of grain, economies of scale, a
The 243-hectare (600-acre) farm, well isolated from other poultry, has
professional approach, a skilled work force and technical expertise.
separate rearing and production units based on the design which has
“Our new investment in the great grandparent facility will be a
become the world standard for Cobb research and breeding farms. Among
major advantage in supplying Brazil and the growing Latin
the features providing a top quality environment are tunnel ventilation,
American market generally, providing a direct link with the
evaporative cooling and total light control.
advances we are making in product development in the US research
Aspects of biosecurity are also central to the design. Service vehicles
program.”
supply feed, litter and other materials from outside the perimeter fence.
The industry in Brazil is producing for both the domestic market,
Automatic cleaning, disinfection and fumigation is provided for chick
requiring typically a fresh 2.4 kg (5.3 lb) broiler for a population
vehicles and any others required to enter the facility. Employees have a
whose chicken consumption averages 31 kg (68 lb)/person/year,
shower and change of clothing on entering the site, and this procedure is
and for the growing international trade in frozen product.
repeated at each unit. A 50 cm (20 in) rodent shield provides vermin control.
Cobb Europe Takes Shape
The new structure of Cobb Europe moves the divisional headquarters
to Holland and will introduce production of grandparent stock to
Germany, which is strategically well placed to serve the breed's growing
customer base.
As part of the moves Cobb-Vantress has acquired the business of
Cobb Holland, which has been expanding rapidly to meet demand and
which includes the Putten offices opened four years ago. The founders
of Cobb Holland, Gijsbert and Aartje Wassink, will lead the new Cobb
Europe team.
A new complex to expand production of Cobb 500 grandparent stock
using the latest facilities is being developed in eastern Germany. The
first grandparent stock is planned to be hatched in 2003, replacing
output from the existing UK facilities. There will continue to be
production of parent stock in the UK where a new technical services,
sales and marketing center will be established.
VIV 2001 Exhibition at Utrecht, Holland - one of Europe’s leading shows.
Continued from bottom of page 1
The aim is to bring all customers genetic advancements rapidly and supply the best
quality chickens at the right price. The potential for introducing new technology also
places new responsibilities on the breeding company.
Concern for the continual well-being of Cobb stock, for research ethics and for the
environment underlie the breeding policy.
The 2001 International Poultry Exposition at Atlanta, USA.
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Dominican Investment
joint venture company is set to produce the first Cobb
500 parent stock in the Dominican Republic this
autumn.
The company, in which Cobb-Vantress, Inc. has a 20
percent stake, is constructing a grandparent farm to
produce initially 700,000 parents a year. The first stock is
due to be placed in April.
The island, with a population of around 7.4 million
people, represents the largest chicken market in the
Caribbean region. Chicken is a popular dish, with the
average person eating more than 30 kg (66 lb) a year.
Some 82 percent of the birds are sold live in the
traditional fashion, although there is a trend towards
dressed poultry.
Cobb's partners in the joint venture are a group of
independent companies involved in producing and
marketing chicken. They include Avicola Almibar, one of
the best known Dominican producers which supplies its
own fast food chain Pollos
Victorina, and
another
major
producer
Pollos
Veganos.
The Cobb 500 has been used
in the country since 1993 with
parents supplied direct from the
USA and the breed represented
by Eligio Jaquez, who is also a
local politician and agronomist. New grandparent farm under construction in
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he development of Cobb
Europe is part of our new
world structure designed to benefit
our customers
now and in the
future,” says James Bell, President of
Cobb-Vantress Inc.
“A major advantage will be
providing more direct distribution of James Bell
new products such as the Cobb 700,
which will be available to customers worldwide following its final phase
of test marketing in the United States.
“Cobb Europe will place our new great grandparent operation
alongside the expanding chicken industries of central and eastern
Europe, while providing improved access to the established markets of
the European Union. There will also be the competitive advantage of
producing and trading in euros.
“Given our parent company's understanding of the importance of
the future of our products, we are investing an increasingly significant
proportion of our sales in research and development. We also want to
give all our customers the early benefit of the advances that this brings
in both the Cobb 500 and in new products.”
A high meat yield, roaster type of chicken, the Cobb 700 has been test
marketed in the USA for more than two years, and parent stock is now
available in limited quantities to customers around the world.
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the Dominican Republic.
c o b b
Prestige Project in
Western Desert
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ore than one million Cobb 500 parent stock will be produced
this year from the new grandparent complex developed over
the past two years by the breed’s franchise distributors Cobb Egypt.
The first phase of the project - to produce 1.2 million Cobb 500
parents a year - is now almost complete at a remote location in the
Western Desert 175 kilometers (110 miles) north west of Cairo. For
the partners in Cobb Egypt it represents an investment of more
than 35 million Egyptian pounds (US$10 million) in the project.
The three partners - Managing Director Dr. Mohamed Saleh,
Dr. Ismail El Khawaga and Dr. Tharwat El Zeiny - are placing
almost 500,000 parent stock in their own operations and a similar
volume is being sold this year on the free market where the Cobb
500 broiler enjoys a good reputation and is in high demand.
The quality assurance building, with vehicle washing bay on the left.
e g y p t
Dr. Saleh’s father was one of the founders of the modern poultry
industry in Egypt, and also Cobb Egypt, and sadly died before the
project was completed. His son, a plastic surgeon by profession,
takes an active role in Egyptian commercial and political life. He is
a board member of the Egyptian Poultry Association which is
promoting health standards and increased consumption, and is also
a member of the Egyptian
Parliament.
All three partners have
their own poultry businesses,
producing day-old chicks and
feed for customers and for their
own rearing activities.
In developing the ambitious
new project Cobb Egypt has
achieved a grandparent complex
which provides a world model for
producing breeding stock.
The partners in Cobb Egypt
employed the latest advances in
housing and managing parent
stock to create a facility that fully
meets Cobb’s world standards
for biosecurity and genetic purity.
The importance of high
biosecurity standards led to the
choice of the Western Desert site
near Wadi el Natrûn, providing The Cobb Egypt team - partners (front row from
complete isolation from other left) Dr. Tharwat El Zeiny, Dr. Ismail El Khawaga
and Dr. Mohamed Saleh, with staff at the Cairo
poultry.
Continued on page 4
offices joined by Nick Lynn (right, second row),
Cobb’s Regional Sales and Marketing Manager.
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A 22-kilometer (13-mile) stone road was built
from the tarmac highway to the site, which is
strategically well situated to supply customers
many of whom are based near the Cairo to
Alexandria road. Even the furthest customers some 1000 km (622 miles) away in Upper Egypt can be reached in little more than ten hours.
Road construction was the opening phase of
work on the project, and also involved some 17
km (10 miles) of internal roads within the 1600hectare (3954-acre) complex. The roads brought
on to the site not only the building materials but
also water for the construction and for up to
750 workers living there at the peak of the activity.
The site was known to have extensive water
resources below ground. Two wells were sunk
One of the first Cobb 500 grandparent flocks at the new complex, pictured at 40 weeks of age.
some 215m (705 ft) but the high salt and iron
content - 4500 parts per million - meant that
Eggs are fumigated on arrival at the hatchery where they are stored
desalination plants had to be installed before the water could be used.
in an air conditioned room. The single-stage system is currently
Today the wells provide more than 150 cubic meters of water a day,
meeting orders from 13,000 to 46,000 chicks, using a range of machine
ample for all needs on site.
capacities in the two hatcher rooms for the male and female line stock.
The farm units, hatchery, feed mill and quality assurance buildings
Cobb’s World Quality Assurance Standards have influenced the
are located on different parts of the complex, each with their own
planning and management of the complex. The distance between the
electricity generating plants.
rearing and production farms is more than 1000m (1094 yards), and all
The first Cobb 500 grandparents were reared in spring 2000, with the
wood shavings are fumigated before coming on to the site. In fact,
parent stock chicks delivered to customers in July. The rearing units,
Cobb Egypt insists that all items taken on to the farms - even the food
like those on the production farm, are solidly built from bricks made
for the workers - are given ultra-violet treatment. All the farms have
from local clay. By using tunnel ventilation the internal temperature
shower-on facilities. The workers live on site for 15 to 21 days at a time,
remains at 25 to 26 degrees Centigrade when outside it’s in the mid
and a rigorous salmonella testing regime ensures that they do not
40’s, with hot air heaters to keep out the chill of the coldest winter
contaminate the flocks when they return to work.
nights.
Around 100 people including 15 engineers are employed on the
The tunnel ventilation system, designed by Cobb-Vantress
complex. Many have previous experience with breeding stock, and all
environment control specialist Robert Barnwell, automatically
benefit from the extensive training program that includes courses at the
controls the environment according to the needs of the birds. The
University of Cairo. Senior managers such as the complex manager
system provides high air speed and evaporative pad cooling of
Dr. Talat Mohamed, a veterinarian, also undergo training with Cobb.
incoming air in hot weather and minimum ventilation to maintain
All feed is milled and mixed on site in a plant providing 1000 metric
good air quality and litter conditions in the cold.
tons of silo capacity for maize and 160 metric tons of storage for
The rearing houses are totally light proof to allow control of
bagged soya. Both the raw materials and finished feed are tested for
daylength and sexual maturity
salmonella at Cairo University laboratories, and no feed is used until
of flocks regardless of the
the batch is cleared.
season. The feed is delivered to
twin bins serving each house
from outside the 2.5-meter
(8.2 ft) high perimeter stone
wall.
High speed chain feeders are
used - moving at 36
lose co-operation and support from Cobb has helped the
meters/minute (118 ft /
Egyptian project to succeed.
minute) - so that the feed for
“Building the complex has been a joint project,” says Eng
6000 birds can be distributed
Mohamed Abdel Azim, general manager of Cobb Egypt. “Our
in less than four minutes. The
partners at Cobb have given us access to a complete range of
production houses are curtaintechnical support, including ventilation, hatchery and veterinary
sided with a central automatic
advice which has proved extremely valuable in designing the project
egg collection system.
and being able to meet our targets.”
The high-speed chain
Nick Lynn, Cobb’s Regional Sales and Marketing Manager, is
feeders in the production
impressed by the speed and scale of the development: “Cobb Egypt
houses are fitted with male
has come a long way in a short time,” he says. “We are very proud of
excluders and separate sex
what they have achieved.”
feeding is carried out using a
Across the world the Cobb policy is based on much more than just
pan feeding system for the
selling chickens. “We are building business partnerships,” says
males. The egg collection
Ronald Lelieveld, Cobb Europe Director of Sales and Marketing.
system is operated four times a
“We work with companies such as Cobb Egypt who share our
The double gate to the rearing pen provides security
day, with the eggs picked up
philosophy, have a total vision of their industry and recognize the
against birds migrating from the pen during access.
daily by the hatchery.
importance of product quality and its impact on profitability,
together with responsibilities to the consumer.”
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Partnership key to
success of project
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Global Success of Training Schools and Seminars
Cobb-Vantress is dedicated to providing top-of-the-line service to customers. We see ourselves as
partners with our customers in helping them to achieve Cobb's full genetic potential.
Structural changes have been made in the company to help us better serve our customers, with
Dr. Ken Laughlin becoming World Technical Director responsible for the World Technical
Support Group, Technical Service throughout the world and for the Cobb-Vantress laboratory.
“Our technical team is continually sharing information among our customers, extending the
breadth and depth of our expertise to cover the whole field of Total Chicken Management,” he
explains.
Regular field visits by local and regional technical service managers continue to provide
much-valued advice for customers, but over the last few years we have also developed a greatly
enhanced level of technical support, as Melody Pope describes.
top priority for our
technical teams is to
educate our customers, and we
have found that we can
successfully accomplish this
through a variety of technical schools. These schools give us a great
opportunity to interact with many of our customers at one time,
and they also allow our customers to network with each other.
For the last three years, we have held the
Cobb-Vantress World Technical School at our
headquarters in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. This
Date
has grown invaluable in educating our
customers in Total Chicken Management.
December 2000
This school presents an excellent
March
opportunity to update participants in all the
latest advances in poultry production. Those
April
selected to attend are key managers in their
companies, and are seen as future company
July
leaders. They are exposed to all areas of
poultry production over two weeks of
presentations and field visits. Topics covered
September
include breeder production, broiler
production,
hatchery
management,
ventilation, processing and nutrition. The
December
aim is to prov ide a stimulating and
informative contribution that will help
customers to develop their own operations.
Some of the greatest knowledge gained by participants comes
not from the program itself, but from exchanging thoughts and
ideas. At each school, there are approximately 25 participants
from as many as 18 countries. In addition to the attendees
learning from each other, they are able to interact with our
technical people from around the globe and discuss how best to
approach particular difficulties and problems facing the industry
everyday.
The World Technical School is growing and developing each
year. Our technical team continually strives to give our
customers the best information possible, while participants
provide the feedback that is so valuable in making further
improvements. Yet, this school is not the only training program
that Cobb offers each year - it is just one of many.
We have also found great benefit in sponsoring shorter, more
focused technical schools in regions around the world, enabling
us to reach an increasing number of customers through the
year.
These regional technical seminars are geared towards the local
poultry industry. Many of the same topics covered in the World
Technical School are also presented at these seminars, but they are
more detailed to meet the needs of those there. Our World Technical
Support Group plays a big part in contributing to these schools,
sharing their expertise in production, nutrition, environment
management, hatchery management and poultry health.
World Technical Support Analyst
Melody Pope is helping to devise
improved management strategies
for Cobb stock.
A
In addition to this group, the local Cobb technical service
representatives as well as invited speakers share their knowledge
on a variety of subjects related to poultry production. Typically,
the schools last two to three days including lectures and group
field visits and, again, they are an excellent opportunity for our
customers to communicate with each other. Over the last year
we had regional seminars throughout the world (see table
below) and many more are taking place this year.
Seminar
Location
Latin America
Lima, Peru
200
35
Asian Region
Technical Seminar
Penang, Malaysia
80
30
Brazilian
Technical Seminar
Recife, Chapeco,
& Campinas, Brazil
275
100
Protinal - Cobb
Technical Seminar
Caracas, Venezuela
100
10
Management in
Guadalajara, Mexico
Poultry Production:
3rd International Technical Seminar
150
40
Produss - Cobb Broiler
/Hatchery Clinic
200
70
Lima, Peru
People in Companies in
Attendance
Attendance
Not only are we training our customers around the world, but
we are also providing learning opportunities for our domestic
customers. Roundtable discussions have become a hallmark of
Cobb Technical Schools. The idea of the roundtable began two
years ago as a way of bringing our customers together so that
they could share ideas, and reinforce or confirm their
management practices.
Unlike many of our other technical schools, these schools are
not focused around lectures and visits. The core of the
roundtable discussion is the participants. Each roundtable is
facilitated by a Cobb representative who is there to provide
direction and keep the meeting moving. The topics discussed
and the depth of discussion are solely up to those in attendance.
Over the past year, Cobb has sponsored breeder, broiler and
hatchery roundtables across the United States, and they are
beginning in Europe.
Local Cobb technical service representatives facilitate the
breeder and broiler roundtables, which usually include 20 to 30
departmental managers and technical servicemen from 8 to 10
different companies. Housing, lighting programs, brooding,
and mortality issues are often chosen for discussion.
This type of school allows our customers to share as little, or
as much, information with each other as they like. The schools
do not get into specific vaccination programs or feeding
programs, but the participants will only get from the school
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The World Technical School outside the Cobb-Vantress headquarters.
“O u r t e c h n i c a l t e a m i s
continually sharing information
among our customers, extending
the breadth and depth of our
expertise to cover the whole field of
Total Chicken Management.”
The global expertise of the Cobb technical service team is not limited
to the schools. Many members are recruited to speak at seminars and
clinics sponsored by other organizations - as shown.
World Technical Director, Dr. Ken Laughlin extending the scope of technical support.
what they are willing to contribute. Roundtables were held at the
following locations during the last year:
Date
Location
March
May
September
October
November
November
Gainesville, GA
Siloam Springs, AR
Concord, NC
Decatur, AL
Jackson, MS
Shreveport, LA
In addition to these breeder and broiler roundtables, we have also had
a tremendous response from our hatchery roundtables. Typically, 15
to 25 hatchery managers, hatchery coordinators, and breeder/hatchery
managers attend from 5 to 10 different companies. Each school chooses
its own specific topics but embryo diagnosis, machine and room settings,
chick quality, incubation time and labor issues are common. Scott Martin,
Technical Support Hatchery Specialist, facilitates these meetings and
provides additional insight on the topics discussed. In an effort to reach as
many customers as possible, we had hatchery roundtables at these
locations during the last year at Shreveport, (LA), Russellville, (AR), San
Francisco, (CA), Jackson, (MS), Charlotte, (NC), Atlanta, (GA).
We had such a positive response after these roundtables that many
customers requested their own more specialized schools, and so we have
organized several for individual customers inside their own hatcheries.
These schools were training workshops and generally covered candle and
residue breakouts, or embryo diagnosis, egg and chick assessments and
general effective hatchery management. Many more hatchery roundtables
are already planned for the coming year, both in the US and internationally.
6
•
•
•
•
•
•
Georgia Breeder/Hatchery Clinic
Chickmaster School
North Carolina Breeder/Hatchery Conference
Georgia Veterinary Medical Association Conference
PIX Conference, Australia
Poultry Beyond 2005: 2nd Annual International Poultry
Broiler Nutrition Conference - NZ
• Australian Poultry Science Symposium
• Animal Feed Manufacturers Association Forum 2001 - South Africa
The last year has been very active and successful, but we are far from
complacent and our technical group is continually seeking ways to
provide new avenues of service to meet all our customers' needs. That
is why in the coming year Cobb will be even more focused on serving
our customers.
Pete Sbanotto - ‘keeping schools small stimulates discussion’.
t r a i n i n g
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our seminars and schools in Latin America illustrate the
success of organizing local technical events.
In Brazil the emphasis of the schools last year was broilers
and hatcheries, as
a follow-up to the
1999 schools that
focused on breeders.
Jose
Manduca,
General Manager of
C o b b - Va n t r e s s
Brazil, spoke to the
group about the
future
of
Cobb
in
Brazil
and
the building of
the Cobb great
g r andparent far m
Ernesto Vogeler (right), President of Protinal,
there.
talking to Dr. Ken Laughlin.
In Venezuela the seminar was held in conjunction with Protinal.
Proavica, the Cobb distributor for Venezuela, invited their other
customers to attend the school. Field visits included a grandparent
farm, two hatcheries, broiler farms with emphasis on ventilation,
and breeder farms. Ernesto Vogeler, President of Protinal, provided
the introduction to the school.
The Mexican school was a three-day event for Cobb customers
throughout the country, with the emphasis on breeders, broilers,
and hatcheries. On the opening day Antonio Gutierrez, General
Manager of BioMaster, welcomed 150 people from 40 companies to
the school. There were field visits to a hatchery, grandparent farms,
and parent stock farms and a roundtable discussion.
In Peru schools were held in conjunction with Produss, Cobb's
distributor for Peru and Bolivia, and San Fernando. Also attending
were customers from Ecuador and Colombia.
At the two separate two-day schools, the emphasis was on
broilers and hatcheries with presentations in the morning and field
visits by courtesy of San Fernando in the afternoon.
‘Wonderful forum’ for
latest ideas
different regions of the world.
“We make the schools as practical as we can, provide the
opportunity to see university research and include a leisure
activity weekend so participants can make the most of their visit
to the US.”
Technical Services Manager for North America, Pete Sbanotto,
speaks enthusiastically about the training events:
“Keeping the schools relatively small helps in stimulating
roundtable discussion,” he says. “It also helps in keeping
discussion at the level appropriate to the participants so everyone
can readily take part. It quickly becomes apparent what are some
of the real concerns.”
F
VI President James Bell views the annual World Technical
Schools as increasingly central to customer support. The first
was held in 1999 and plans are well advanced for the fourth in
May this year.
“The schools provide a wonderful forum for the latest concepts
in chicken management,” he says. “Those attending are able to put
these concepts into practice to help in developing their own
operations, and we all learn by sharing experiences across very
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Training much valued by
our customers
ustomers have expressed their appreciation of the Cobb
approach to training.
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Santiago Agreda, Marketing Manager for Produss,
Cobb’s Peruvian and Bolivian representative:
“The Cobb product is constantly changing. The
broilers are being grown at various levels and feed types,
while the eggs are being incubated in various machines at
different altitudes.
“We know our customers enjoy and recognize the
value of the Cobb-Vantress technical support team and
are fully aware of their knowledge about the Cobb 500
product. In listening, analyzing and putting into practice
the recommendations, they know their margins will
improve with the Cobb product.
“Cobb is already the leading broiler in Peru because
of its excellent feed conversion, growth rate and
rusticity. The additional information will be important
for the customers as they strive to obtain even better
results”.
Enrique Mayor, General Manager of Proavica's,
Cobb’s Venezuelan distributor:
“In Venezuela the Cobb 500 has achieved great success,
subjected to different management and climates over the
years.
“The object of the Cobb/Protinal seminar was to
discuss the latest techniques in all aspects of the Cobb
product, particularly relating to the recent genetic
modifications. As Cobb-Vantress possesses highly
knowledgeable technicians in all facets of poultry
management, it seemed logical to divide the seminar into
both field visits and the class room sessions.
“The information exchanged will help both Protinal
and the Venezuelan customers to increase their
profitability in every area with the Cobb 500 product.”
Bruce Porter, Director of Live Operations, Foster
Farms:
“The roundtable sessions provide an excellent road
map to check how we are doing against other operations
on weight guidelines, production curves, hatchability
and overall management practices. Not only do these
schools show how we measure up, they also assist us in
identifying the areas we need to address in our own
operation.”
Don Waldrip, Vice President of Operations,
Continental Grain (Wayne Farms, LLC):
“Cobb’s roundtable discussions provide us with
valuable information which shows us how we measure
up against other programs. They also serve as launching
pads to improve our own operation by helping identify
trends specific to Wayne. One of the key benefits is
providing excellent baselines for troubleshooting specific
areas in need of improvement.”
7
r o l e
o f
va c c i n e s
Integrated
Approach to Bird
Health Pays
Dividends
by Daniel Parker, Slate Hall Veterinary Practice, UK,
& Dr. Aldo Rossi, Cobb World Technical Support Group
roducers expect to buy stock which has good genetic
potential and will remain healthy. Only if bird health is
good, along with proper nutrition and management, will
birds be able to express their full genetic potential.
This article deals primarily with infectious disease, but it
must be remembered that the nutritional status and
management will affect the course of most infectious
diseases.
The epidemiology of infectious disease is seldom simple
but results from the complex interaction of a number of
factors. The possible factors that may be involved in
respiratory disease complex are:
P
Daniel Parker is the
principal of a four-man
poultry veterinary practice
at Cambridge in the UK
whose clients include several
integrated broiler and
commercial layer producers
in the UK and overseas.
1
2
3
4
5
6
The viral challenges
The bacterial challenges
The fungal challenges
The parasitic challenges
The immunocompetence of the bird
Management factors.
With respiratory disease complex, there are a large number of factors
that can interact and affect the outcome. Even with a more “simple”
disease, such as IBD or Gumboro disease, the outcome will depend on
a number of factors:
1
2
3
4
5
The type of virus (eg vIBD or vvIBD)
The amount of challenge
The age of the birds
The immunocompetence of the bird’s vaccination status
Concurrent disease.
The simple answer to the prevention of infectious disease is to stop
the birds being infected with the virus, bacteria, fungi, parasites, or
mycoplasma. This might be achievable in the isolation of a research
institute, but it is not achievable in the real world of commercial
production. In fact, with a few exceptions, we do not want to raise
poultry in a “sterile” environment. Completely eradicating some of the
“good” or less aggressive organisms from a poultry operation may
i n
b i o s e c u r i t y
allow the more aggressive agents to
dominate the environment and infect the
birds.
Stock cannot be totally isolated, but
good biosecurity and hygiene can
significantly reduce the chances of
introducing a virulent pathogen or a
sufficient dose of a less virulent pathogen
to cause a disease episode. Vaccination
enhances the bird’s immunocompetence,
but the biosecurity, hygiene and
vaccination programs must be integrated
— otherwise it will not be successful.
Vaccination only targets specific viruses,
whereas biosecurity and hygiene control all
types of infectious agents from entering the
farm or the birds.
Hygiene
Director of Veterinary
Services Dr. Aldo Rossi has
held technical and broiler
production positions in both
North America and the UK.
Before joining Cobb in 2000,
he was with Simmons Foods
providing technical support
for all live production and
three processing plants.
Carryover of pathogens from one crop
or flock to another will be significant. For
example, Marek’s disease virus is shed in
feather dander where it will survive for long periods of time. Good
hygiene will remove the feather dander from the shed and reduce the
risk to the next flock placed on the farm. If cleanout is inadequate,
then, despite vaccination, the stock will succumb to the disease.
If broiler litter is reused, it is essential that the broiler stock are
vaccinated before placement. In addition, with reused litter, the
amount of down time between flocks will have an impact on the health
and performance of the next flock. Increasing down time between
flocks (for example, more than 10 days) to allow sufficient time to
decrease the incidence and viability of potential disease causing agents
on the farm is highly recommended when reusing litter .
There is a choice of disinfectants and cleaning regimes — phenolic,
chlorine based products, quaternary ammonium products and
gluteraldehydes. Yet, the single most important factor is ensuring
adequate removal of organic material. If organic material is left in the
house, it will inactivate all the disinfectant types listed.
Biosecurity
There are a number of routes by which infectious agents can enter a
flock, and approximately 70% of the routes of entry can be controlled
at the farm level. Biosecurity is the only alternative to controlling
diseases in which treatment or vaccines are not available. Everyone in
live production needs to understand that their efforts in biosecurity
are at least as important as specific health programs in limiting the
impact of infectious agents. All aspects of biosecurity need to be
written down and reviewed on a regular basis by all members of
production.
Feed
This article does not set out to consider feed in detail, however, in
the making of poultry feed, issues with contamination of feed with
infectious agents can occur before, during or after production. Many
poultry companies invest time and money in purchasing quality
ingredients and equipment to ensure using feed free of bacterial
contamination.
Water
Routine
monitoring
plays a key
role in
biosecurity.
8
Water can be a biosecurity risk, which is why closed water systems
have become popular over the years. The nipple drinkers help to keep
the water cleaner and the litter drier, thus decreasing the load of
infectious agents the birds are exposed to. It is critical to clean and
disinfect water systems between flocks, and to maintain a water
sanitation program during production for all types of water systems
and water sources including city supplied water.
r o l e
o f
va c c i n e s
Stock
Broiler or parent stock brought on to the farm may carry some
vertically transmitted diseases, e.g. mycoplasma, so it is important
that the stock you purchase is guaranteed free from these types of
diseases. Primary breeding companies for broiler breeders test their
flocks for many of the vertically transmitted diseases to assure that
they are providing the best quality product to their customers. In
addition, testing and certification of freedom for many of the
vertically transmitted diseases is a requirement in all of the
countries into which broiler breeders are imported.
People
People can be a considerable biosecurity risk. They can actively
carry pathogens such as salmonella and can passively carry others
e.g. mycoplasma, NDV. The greatest risk is any other poultry with
which workers may come into contact outside their work place.
Staff working with high value breeding stock should not be allowed
to have contact with other poultry or with other people that have
direct contact with poultry. Movement of people between farms
should be avoided. If it is unavoidable, different protective clothing
should be used at each farm.
Equipment
Equipment is often shared between farms, and, if inadequately
cleaned, pathogens can be carried passively between farms.
Equipment sharing should be avoided if possible between broiler
farms — and should be prohibited between breeder farms.
Catching crates used to carry broilers to slaughter are a significant
risk, mainly because they are inadequately cleaned between broiler
farms. Similarly, the crates used to move breeders from rearing to
laying accommodation are often at risk, especially if they do not
belong to the farm.
Vermin, Insects, and wild birds
Access to poultry stock must be avoided. Wild birds can carry
pathogens such as NDV, AI and mycoplasma. Insects, birds and
vermin will be attracted to poultry farms because of the feed
source. Ensuring any spilt feed is cleaned up quickly, and deterring
access to the buildings will reduce the risk. Baiting for vermin is an
essential management tool, as is ensuring that protective cover, e.g.
rubbish and vegetation, is cleared from around the poultry
buildings. Insect control measures between flocks on a farm is also
essential in minimizing their impact on introducing infectious
organisms.
Dead bird disposal
Dead birds clearly present a risk to the poultry on site. Adequate
disposal is important to deter insects, birds, dogs, scavengers, and
vermin attracted to dead birds. Incineration is probably the best
disposal route, ensuring that carcasses are held in secure
accommodation until they are incinerated.
Airborne spread
Very few diseases are actually carried by airborne transmission,
but it must be considered a risk on units located close to other
poultry or close to roads heavily traveled by vehicles transporting
live birds or litter. Planning of new units must take into account the
location of existing poultry units, thoroughfares used by the local
poultry industry, and areas used to spread or dispose of used litter.
Risks can be reduced by ensuring adjacent poultry units are not of
a different poultry type (i.e. commercial egg layers), that they have
the same vaccination programs, and, with broilers, trying to ensure
the stock are of a similar age, i.e. all-in, all-out.
Costing biosecurity
An outbreak of Mycoplasma gallisepticum in a broiler breeder
i n
b i o s e c u r i t y
flock in 1998 was costed as follows:
36,000 broiler breeders at 40 weeks of age
£
$
€
Mortality 10%
6,000
8,571
9,677
Egg loss = 285,000 eggs 45,000
64,285
72,580
Treatment of flock
6,500
9,285
10,485
Egg injection costs
31,000
44,285
50,000
LESS Feed cost
11,550
16,500
18,629
TOTAL
76,950
109,926
124,113
I would consider these costs as conservative, but they still
illustrate the high cost of this disease. You can buy a lot of
biosecurity for this money!
Vaccination: 'No free lunch'
At the outset it must be remembered that vaccination is only part
of an integrated health program. The course of a disease depends
on the balance between the dose of virulent pathogen and the
immunocompetence of the birds. If the hygiene on site is very
poor, the birds will be exposed to such a high dose of virulent
pathogen that it will overcome the
immunity of even moderately well
protected birds.
Vaccination takes advantage of the
bird’s immune system to stimulate and
produce protective antibodies and
immune cells. Vaccines are either
attenuated forms of the disease, (e.g.
Clone 30) or controlled exposure
using a low dose of the pathogen (e.g.
AE vaccine).
There’s an expression in England,
“There's no such thing as a free
lunch”. When you use a vaccine, it will
have a detrimental effect on the birds.
This detrimental effect will be
marginal compared to the effects of
the exposure to the virulent disease. Thorough cleaning and disinfection is central
The cost of vaccination includes to sound hygiene.
buying the vaccine, administering it
and the reduced performance of the birds. These sectors must be
considered before embarking on a vaccination program.
The program must be established after considering the risk of a
particular disease in an area.
How many times should a flock be vaccinated? This will depend
on the management, hygiene and biosecurity status of the farm,
level of exposure, and possibly, in the case of young stock, their
maternal antibody status [MDA]. Some vaccination programs are
very intensive, with birds being vaccinated once or even twice per
week. These programs will be costly in terms of vaccine purchase
and bird performance.
The key to successful vaccination programs is to:
•
•
•
•
Identify the virus and virus strain causing the disease
Identify the disease risks to the stock
Select the appropriate vaccines (if available)
Administer the vaccine correctly so all birds receive a
dose of vaccine
Success of the program will also depend on the hygiene and
biosecurity of the flock. Exposing the birds to high doses of
virulent pathogen before the vaccine has 'taken' will result in the
birds being overwhelmed before their immune system has had
time to mount a full immune response.
9
b r e e d e r
f l o c k
m a n a g e m e n t
How to Maintain Good Leg Health
by Nick Lynn - Regional Sales and Marketing Manager.
aintaining leg health is an important aspect of the production of
fertile eggs and viable day-old chicks from meat breeds. It has
implications far wider than the day-to-day management of broiler
breeders, reaching into the breeding program and genetic
improvement of the elite stock from which the chickens of tomorrow
are selected.
Broiler breeding programs have developed remarkably in
sophistication since they began in the late 1950’s. In the early 1970’s,
when the Cobb 500 breeding program was conceived, pure line
selection was based on nine characteristics. The current program
includes more than 35 traits and the list continues to grow as the
markets for chicken products develop and our customers become more
demanding. Leg health has, however, remained one of the most
important features of the breeding program for more than 25 years.
M
and mate properly in the littered area, leaving sufficient slatted area
on which to place the drinking system and give easy access to the
nests.
The positioning of feeding and drinking equipment is important.
If the house is properly laid out, the birds should be able to use their
wings to help them overcome the step between the slats and the litter.
If either the feeders in the litter area, or the drinkers on the slats, are
too close to the edge of the slats, the birds will not be able to use their
wings when jumping from the slats to the litter. The dead-drop that
is the result can increase the risk of birds injuring themselves. It is
advantageous to keep the height of the step to the minimum e.g.,
30cm (12 in) necessary to prevent the litter filling the void under the
slats. Many new installations achieve this by building a “mini-pit”
that is large enough to hold the manure produced during one flock.
Wider houses should be an approximate multiple of the 12m (39
ft) model, i.e., 20-22m (65 – 72 ft) wide with two rows of nests.
Although they can be made to work, it is more difficult to optimize
the ratio of birds to the slatted and littered areas, drinkers, feeders
and nests in a wider house.
Perches
Nick Lynn (right), pictured at Cobb Egypt inspecting Cobb 500 grandparents with farm
manager Fisel Metwly.
The Cobb 500 breeding program, which is based on the continued
development of balanced pure blood lines rather than the sudden
introduction of “improved lines”, ensures that any families which show
undesirable characteristics can be identified and removed.
Furthermore, the breeding program relies on natural mating and birds
that are incompetent are never selected, regardless of their value in
other respects.
It is not the intention of this article to discuss the effects of genetic
selection, clinical disease or nutrition on leg health. Needless to say,
broiler breeders are subject to all the major leg problems that afflict
their progeny, with the added complication of the need to rear stock
that will be capable of natural mating. Leaving these issues aside, there
are many ways in which the management of breeding stock can be
improved to the benefit of not only their leg health but also their
welfare and productivity.
10
The introduction of perches to rearing houses in rear-and-move
systems can help ensure leg health. In many houses where spin
feeders have been installed the birds have no opportunity to learn to
perch, hop up or hop down. Perches should be introduced during the
first week of rearing and should be adjustable in height to suit the
size of the birds.
There should be sufficient perch space to allow all the birds to
exercise in this way. As a guide, there should be sufficient space for
20% of birds to perch at any time. If birds have not been given access
to perches during rearing, they should be moved to their laying
accommodation by 18 weeks of age, provided both the rearing and
laying housing is light-proof. Moving at the correct age will give the
birds time to learn to use the slats properly before they reach 5%
production.
Vaccination
Current vaccination programs usually involve the birds being
handled on at least two occasions. Vaccination in the breast muscle
avoids damage to the legs of the birds. Nevertheless, careful handling
remains an important safeguard of flock health.
Ventilation
The importance of proper ventilation is often overlooked in
breeder houses. It is necessary to provide a minimum number of air
changes – related to the birds’ needs for fresh air – regardless of the
conditions or temperature either inside or outside the breeder house.
The installation of heaters to allow conditions of both air quality and
temperature to be maintained has helped to significantly improve
litter condition on many farms, thereby improving leg health.
House Layout
Liveweight Management
Throughout the developed markets the labor cost of producing a
viable day-old chick is increasing, encouraging use of mechanical
nesting and egg collection systems, which has implications for
breeder house design and layout.
The optimum width for a breeder house with an automated
nesting and egg collection system is approximately 12m (39 ft). One
layout that has proved successful installs nests along the center line
of the building, with 1.2-1.5m (4 – 5 ft) width of slats leading up to
the nest fronts and a 4m (13 ft) wide littered area on each side. The
advantage of this layout is that the birds have adequate space to feed
Every breeding company publishes liveweight targets and feeding
guides. Actual feed allowances will depend on the quality of the feed
that is provided, but independent studies have shown that the output
of viable chicks is highest when the breed standard liveweight targets
are achieved. Experience has taught us that growth between 18 weeks
and peak egg output is critical; to properly assess a flock’s liveweight
change over this period, it is important to weigh the birds twice
weekly. Once a reliable assessment of growth has been obtained, it is
possible to make appropriate changes to feed allowances and to
monitor their effect.
a n a l y s i s
o f
c u s t o m e r
d ata
customers in sharing
total information
covering weekly flock performance.
Ultimately, the goal is to create a program
providing annual awards for such parameters as the
customer achieving the top level of cooperation and
the one providing the best quality data.
Grandparent and parent stock customers are both
supplying data, and after six months more than 20
customers are willing to share weekly information
by Pelayo Casanovas - Regional Technical Manager
with us. This is most encouraging and shows that
for Western Europe.
the new service is already being appreciated.
The customers come from across Europe, the
ost of our customers gather a lot of
Middle East, Africa and Australia, and all regions are
information about the performance of the
Pelayo Casanovas has worked with
showing keen interest, making the comparisons
Cobb 500 in their own operations. This is valuable
US Northern Market Technical
valid across the world industry. In North and South
data, but how often is it fully used to help improve
Services Director Pete Sbanotto in
America and other regions our technical team in the
the management of the stock?
collecting, analyzing and evaluating
US is taking a similar approach.
Production information covers egg production,
data for customers. He is providing
By supplying data, a customer has the right to
bird weights, feed consumption, egg weights,
a similar service, known as the Cobb
expect some analysis in return. Every effort is made
fertility and hatchability. From some countries,
Data Evaluation Service (CODES),
to provide the analysis of data speedily, encouraging
such as the UK, data is received from more than 90
for European customers.
customers to share future information.
percent of the Cobb 500 flocks, but in others the
The new CODES analysis is a free service for
response has been very variable.
customers. We are fully aware that our success is dependent on the
Over a six-month period, the response from grandparent
success of our customers, and that is why we are keen to share the
operations has been good or excellent — varying from 74 percent for
analysis and help them continue improving the performance of our
all flocks outside the UK depleted since January 2001 to 92 percent in
stock in their operations.
the UK. However, for parent flocks the figures are much more
variable from 19 to 83 percent return.
Figure 1.
There are two basic reasons for collecting and analyzing data:
Grandparent Total Egg Production
(Top vs. Bottom 25% performing flocks)
• To help customers improve the performance of their breeding
80
stock, and reduce the production costs;
75
70
• To help achieve a better understanding of the Cobb bird and be
65
60
able to develop improved management guidelines.
55
Our customers generate an incredible amount of information, and
50
45
do not often have the time to analyze the data and make full use of it.
40
Total egg
35
Sometimes the data is collected in different ways and is not easy to
production curves.
30
Top vs. Bottom
25
retrieve when you are seeking to put all the information together.
groups compared
20
to
standard.
It is a great advantage when customers share the information with
15
10
us electronically. In this way, data can be analyzed much faster and we
5
25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51 53 55 57 59
can handle more information in a year.
Age (Weeks)
Top
Bot
Cobb std
In the longer term, the goal is to develop a software program that
is internet based so we can share the information with our customers
Grandparent Hen Energy Consumption - 20 to 64 weeks
on a real time basis. With those customers still hand recording data,
490
480
the information has to be input at Cobb and this may delay the
470
460
450
analysis for some weeks. By involving our technical services team in
440
430
420
analyzing the data, customers can benefit from their broad expertise.
410
Hen energy
400
390
There are two ways in which we gather the data. The CODES Basic
consumption from
380
20 to 64 weeks of
370
360
Analysis looks at data from individual flocks as they are depleted. It
age (Top vs.
350
340
Bottom groups).
330
is used to produce general statistics twice a year, enabling us to study
320
310
industry trends.
300
290
280
The Total Analysis is performed only with customers who share
2022242628303234363840424446485052545658606264
weekly production information from a number of flocks. Trends are
Age (weeks)
Top
Bot
Cobb std
analyzed in order to pinpoint why the best performing flocks did
well, or why the poorly performing flocks did badly.
Figure 1 shows the production trend of the top 25 percent of
performing flocks of one customer versus the bottom 25 percent,
Figure 2.
which had poor persistency in production after 40 weeks of age.
From the second graph, it can be seen that the energy consumption
of the females in the worst performers was too high after 45 weeks,
indicating too slow a feed withdrawal program. The birds became
too heavy and lost egg production.
As an example of information from the CODES Basic Analysis,
figure 2 shows a list of parent stock customers from around the world
ranked by total egg production. Your own location is highlighted so
that you — and only you — can see how you are faring compared
with the others, providing you with a benchmark of performance.
Within Cobb, the aim is to achieve a 100 percent return of the
basic information every year, and involve
at least 10 to 12
Identifying
Pointers to
Top Flock
Results
M etabolizable Energy (Kcal/bird/day)
TE/HD %
M
11
m o v i n g
c l o s e r
t o
o u r
c u s t o m e r s
Meet our Cobb
Europe team
W
ithin Cobb Europe there is a new structure which provides more
responsibility and more opportunities for the young
management team.
The division will be based at Putten in Holland which, together with
plans for the production of grandparent stock in Germany, will bring
Cobb closer to many of its customers in Europe.
“We are confident that the new structure of Cobb Europe and its new
management team will meet the changing needs of our customers and
provide for an exciting future for the breed,” says Jerry Moye, Vice
President of Cobb.
The new management team for European production is led by The new European divisional headquarters is being established at Putten where Cobb-Vantress has
Gijsbert Wassink, general manager, who joins the company from Cobb acquired the business of Cobb Holland. These premises were opened by Cobb Holland in 1998 to
provide for continuing expansion.
Holland, and Glen Willbye, European production manager; sales and
marketing by Ronald Lelieveld, and technical service by John Vincent.
based in the UK, Pelayo Casanovas working in western Europe, James Atrill in
In the sales and marketing team James Truscott is responsible for Europe,
eastern Europe, Philippe Gouault in the Middle East and David Perrin in a
Nick Lynn for the Middle East with sales consultant Gordon Edmonson, and
regional technical support role.
Allan Meldrum for the UK and southern Africa.
They will work closely with the World Technical Support Group led by Dr
The technical services team has regional responsibilities with Jonathan Cade
Ken Laughlin, which is featured on pages 5 to 7.
Technical Services
Sales & Marketing
General Manager
Ronald Lelieveld
Gordon Edmonson
John Vincent
James Atrill
Gijsbert Wassink
James Truscott
Allan Meldrum
Jonathan Cade
Philippe Gouault
European Production
Manager
Pelayo Casanovas
David Perrin
Glen Willbye
Nick Lynn
COBB-VANTRESS
Cobb-Vantress, Inc.
PO Box 1030, Siloam Springs,
Arkansas 72761, USA
Tel: +1 479 524 3166
Fax: +1 479 524 3043
Email: [email protected]
Cobb Europe
Midden Engweg 13, 3882 TS
Putten, The Netherlands
Tel: +31 341 36 08 80
Fax: +31 341 36 05 24
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cobb-vantress.com
12
COBB BRAZIL
Cobb-Vantress
Brazil, Ltda.
Rodovia Assis Chateaubriand, Km 10
Cep: 15110-000/Caixa Postal 2,
Guapiaçu-SP-Brasil
Tel: +55 (17) 3267 9999
Fax: +55 (17) 3267 9992
Email: [email protected]