How to... 01 WHy MeAsuRe egg WAteR Loss? Measure Egg Water Loss
Transcription
How to... 01 WHy MeAsuRe egg WAteR Loss? Measure Egg Water Loss
How to... Measure Egg Water Loss 01 Why Measure Egg Water Loss? •Controlling incubator humidity to ensure that egg weight loss is in the optimal range will maximise hatch and chick quality. •Routine monitoring of egg water loss is the best way to check that incubator humidity is correct - it uses the egg to tell us what is required. Incubator Humidity Correct Air cell too large and embryo is dehydrated Air cell too small and embryo cannot inflate lung Action: Decrease Humidity Incubator Humidity Too Low No Action Required Action: Increase Humidity • Changes in egg weight during incubation are due entirely to the loss of water from the egg. Therefore egg weight loss can be easily measured by weighing the egg. •Incubated correctly, eggs lose on average 11 - 12% of their egg weight between laying and transfer at 18 days. Note: A small amount of water (typically 0.5% per week of storage) is lost from the egg during storage. Any water loss during storage should be taken off that lost during incubation, e.g. if eggs are stored for a week average water loss between set and transfer at 18 days would be 10.5 - 11.5%. 01 Why Measure Egg Water Loss? Incubator Humidity Too High THE PROCEDURE FOR MEASURING EGG WATER LOSS How to... Measure Egg Water Loss • To accurately measure egg water loss: - monitor egg water loss from 3 incubator trays from each breeder flock - use a balance that can weigh a whole incubator tray of eggs to an accuracy of at least 5 grams (0.2 oz) Step 1: Fill setter tray with the fresh eggs - exclude any cracked or poor shell quality eggs. 01 Step 2 Step 2: Weigh full setter tray - record weight and number of eggs on tray. The Procedure For Measuring Egg Water Loss Step 3: Step 3 Label the tray so that it can be relocated at transfer. Note: Trays should be located in the incubator so that one is positioned near the top, one near the middle and one near the bottom of the incubator rack. The Procedure For Measuring Egg Water Loss Step 4: If eggs are fertility tested prior to transfer, do not remove any clear or non-viable eggs. Step 5: At 18-day transfer, reweigh the tray of eggs - record weight. Reject any tray weights if there are cracked eggs on the tray. Step 5 Step 6 Step 6: Weigh empty setter tray - record weight. % Water Loss = ull tray weight Full tray weight F - at transfer at set x 100 Full tray weight Empty tray at set weight For Example: Empty tray = 1205g; Full tray at set = 8201g; Full tray at transfer = 7382g % Water loss = % Water loss = % Water loss = 8201 - 7382 8201 -1205 819 6996 11.7% This calculation also applies to imperial measurements 02 x 100 x 100 Note: If eggs are not transferred and weighed at 18 days, calculated water loss should be corrected to 18 days to allow accurate and appropriate quality control. This is done by dividing by the actual number of days at transfer and then multiplying by 18. If eggs are transferred at 17 days then water loss corrected to 18 days would be: (11.7% ÷ 17) x 18 = 12.4% How to... Measure Egg Water Loss Calculation of Egg Water Loss 01 Example of water loss recording sheet. This sheet also records chick yield information as the two quality control processes can be easily combined – see How To... Measure Chick Yield Egg Weights and Chick Weights Farm ACME Farming Windyhill Farm 26 weeks Age 1, 2 and 3 Setter No. Date Set 26th Oct 2009 Date Hatched 16th Nov 2009 Date Broken Out 16th Nov 2009 1 Hatcher No. Tray No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 No. of Eggs 132 132 132 132 132 132 132 132 132 Weight of Empty Tray 1205 1210 1205 1208 1206 1208 1212 1201 1205 Weight of Full Tray 8201 8364 8175 8191 8242 8336 8089 8263 8307 Transfer Weight 7382 7499 7324 7451 7510 7637 7113 7183 7206 120 116 123 122 115 118 109 104 106 4268 4238 4384 4395 4193 4371 3748 3667 3724 Culls and Deads 1 0 1 1 2 1 2 3 2 Unhatched Eggs 11 16 8 9 15 13 21 25 24 Egg Weight Loss (%) 11.7 12.1 12.2 10.6 10.4 9.8 14.2 15.3 15.5 Mean Egg Weight (g) 53.0 54.2 52.8 52.9 53.3 54.0 52.1 53.5 53.8 Mean Chick Weight (g) 35.6 36.5 35.6 36.0 36.5 37.0 34.4 35.3 35.1 Chick Yield (%) 67.1 67.4 67.5 68.1 68.4 68.6 66.0 65.9 65.3 No. of Chicks Hatched Total Chick Weight 03 Calculation of Egg Water Loss Company How to... Measure Egg Water Loss Interpreting Results The graph below shows the water loss results from 3 different incubators: 16 X X Water Loss (%) 15 X 14 13 12 11 01 Increase Humidity Investigate X X X Ideal X X X 10 Investigate 9 Decrease Humidity 8 7 1 2 3 Setter Number Incubator 1 has water losses within the acceptable range. No action required. Incubator 2 has slightly low water loss but close to the acceptable range. Action: Check the water loss from this incubator again, make sure humidifiers are working correctly and if it is still low, decrease incubator humidity. Note: this water loss would be normal for long stored eggs. Interpreting Results Incubator 3 has very high water loss. Action: Make sure there were no cracked eggs on these trays (these will lead to an artificially high estimate of water loss), make sure humidifiers are working correctly and increase incubator humidity. Note: if cracked eggs are found to be present the data for that tray should be ignored and a repeat measurement taken. • To alter egg weight loss by 1%, humidity should be changed by o o about 5%RH or 2 F (1 C) wet bulb. 04 How to... Measure Chick Yield 02 Why Measure Chick Yield? •Chick yield (the weight of the chick at hatch as a percentage of egg setting weight) is a simple method of checking whether hatch timing and incubation parameters are correct. •Chicks with a low yield have either been: 1. hatched for a long time before they were removed from the hatcher or, 2. incubated at a high temperature or a low humidity. These chicks are at risk of being dehydrated and perform poorly on the farm. •Chicks with a high yield have either: 1. only just finished hatching when they were removed from the hatcher or, 2. have been incubated at a low temperature or a high humidity. If placed on the farm quickly these chicks will not be ready to eat and drink and will tend to be lazy. > 68% High This chick will be lazy and not ready to feed and drink when placed on farm. > 67 - 68% Ideal This chick will be active and ready to feed and drink when placed on farm > 67% Low This chick will be dehydrated and have little yolk reserve. Often very active and noisy. Note: If chicks are to be placed onto the farm the day after hatch 1% should be added to the above ranges, i.e. optimum chick yield would be 68-69%. If eggs are stored 0.5% should be added for each week of storage i.e. for eggs stored for 2 weeks optimum chick yield would be 68-69%. 01 Why Measure Chick Yield? Optimum Chick Yield How to... Measure Chick Yield The Procedure For Measuring Chick Yield • To accurately measure chick yield and check the hatch timing of a flock: - monitor the chick yield from 3 incubator trays - use a balance that can weigh a whole incubator tray of eggs or a box of chicks to an accuracy of at least 5 grams (0.2 oz) Note: This procedure can be easily combined with the monitoring of egg water loss. Step 1: Weigh empty setter tray – record weight. Step 1 Note: This can be done at setting or transfer. Step 2: Fill setter tray with fresh eggs. Exclude any cracked or poor shell quality eggs. Step 3: Weigh full setter tray – record weight and number of eggs on tray. Step 3 Step 4: Label the tray so that it can be relocated at transfer. The Procedure For Measuring Chick Yield Note: Trays should be located in the incubator so that one is positioned near the top, one near the middle and one near the bottom of the incubator rack. Step 5: At transfer ensure the hatcher tray is labelled so that it can be associated with the correct egg tray. Step 6 Step 6: At hatch take-off, zero the balance with the empty chick box. Note: If the chicks are to be vent sexed then the chicks need to be weighed before counting. Step 7: Count all the good chicks from the hatcher basket into the box - record number. Step 8: Weigh the full chick box – record weight. 02 Step 8 02 How to... Measure Chick Yield Calculation of Chick Yield 02 Average Chick Weight % Chick Yield = x 100 Average Fresh Egg Weight For Example: Empty tray = 1205g; Full tray @ set = 8201g; Number of eggs = 132; Full chick box @ hatch = 4268g; Number of chicks = 120 % Chick Yield = % Chick Yield = % Chick Yield = 4268 ÷ 120 ((8201 -1205) ÷ 132) 35.6 53.0 x 100 This calculation also applies to imperial measurements x 100 67.1% Example of chick yield recording sheet. This sheet also records egg water loss information as the two quality control processes can be easily combined - see How To... Measure Egg Water Loss. Egg Weights and Chick Weights Farm ACME Farming Windyhill Farm 26 weeks Age 1, 2 and 3 Setter No. Date Set 26th Oct 2009 Date Hatched 16th Nov 2009 Date Broken Out 16th Nov 2009 1 Hatcher No. Tray No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 No. of Eggs 132 132 132 132 132 132 132 132 132 Weight of Empty Tray 1205 1210 1205 1208 1206 1208 1212 1201 1205 Weight of Full Tray 8201 8364 8175 8191 8242 8336 8089 8263 8307 Transfer Weight 7382 7499 7324 7451 7510 7637 7113 7183 7206 No. of Chicks Hatched Total Chick Weight 120 116 123 122 115 118 109 104 10 106 4268 4238 4384 4395 4193 4371 3748 3667 3724 Culls and Deads 1 0 1 1 2 1 2 3 2 Unhatched Eggs 11 16 8 9 15 13 21 25 24 Egg Weight Loss (%) 11.7 12.1 12.2 10.6 10.4 9.8 14.2 15.3 15.5 Mean Egg Weight (g) 53.0 54.2 52.8 52.9 53.3 54.0 52.1 53.5 53.8 Mean Chick Weight (g) 35.6 36.5 35.6 36.0 36.5 37.0 34.4 35.3 35.1 Chick Yield (%) 67.1 67.4 67.5 68.1 68.4 68.6 66.0 65.9 65.3 03 Calculation of Chick Yield Company How to... Measure Chick Yield Interpreting Results The graph below shows the chick yield results from 3 different flocks: 02 Chick Yield (%) 70 Investigate Cause 69 X X X 68 67 Repeat X X X Ideal Repeat X X 66 X 65 1 2 Investigate Cause 3 Flock id Flock 1 has chick yields within the acceptable range. No action required. Flock 2 has slightly high chick yield but close to the acceptable range. Action: Check the chick yield from this flock again and if it is still high, use table below to investigate the cause of the high chick yield. Note: This high chick yield would be acceptable if the chicks do not arrive on the farm on the same day as hatch. Flock 3 has low chick yield and these chicks will be at risk of dehydration. Action: Use the table below to determine the cause of the low chick yield. Interpreting Results Factors Affecting Chick Yield Low Chick Yield High Chick Yield 1. Incubating the eggs too long. 2. High incubation temperature. 1. Incubation time too short. This may be as a consequence of long egg storage, or eggs from very young or old breeders. 3. Low incubator humidity. 2. Low incubation temperature. 3. High incubator humidity. 04 How to... Measure Eggshell Temperature 03 Why Measure Eggshell temperature? •Correct setter temperature is critical for hatching good quality chicks. •Setter temperature is what is experienced by the embryo inside the egg. It is not the air temperature of the setter. •Eggshell surface temperature is closely related to internal egg temperature (see graph below). It is therefore a useful tool for determining whether or not setter temperature is correct. •Shell temperature can be easily measured using a medical infrared thermometer. •Optimum shell temperature for maximum hatch and chick quality is 37.8 38.3oC (100 - 101oF) throughout the whole setting period. Measured internal egg and eggshell temperature during the incubation period when incubated at a constant temperature – based on Tazawa & Nakagawa (1985) and French (1997) Temperature (°C) 100 37.8 99 37.2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Day of Incubation • Knowledge of eggshell temperatures allows setter temperatures to be adjusted to optimize conditions for differences in embryo heat production and machine design. •Measurement of eggshell temperature should be used to establish the correct machine temperature setting for the type of egg that is being incubated and for the design of setter. •It should not be used for calibrating setters or checking machine temperature uniformity. 01 Temperature (°F) Incubator Egg Shell Why Measure Eggshell temperature? 101 38.3 How to... Measure Eggshell Temperature The Procedure for Measuring Eggshell Temperature •The only equipment required for measuring eggshell temperature is a medical infrared ear thermometer. •It is recommended to use a Braun ThermoScan ExacTemp (Model IRT 4520, type 6022). •Correct region for measuring shell temperature is shown below. The Procedure for Measuring Eggshell Temperature Region for measuring eggshell temperature 02 03 How to... Measure Eggshell Temperature Where and When to Check Eggshell Temperature 03 •The objective is to sample eggs within the machine from locations on the left and right, front and back and top, middle and bottom of the setter. The exact locations will vary with machine design but attempt to cover all areas of the setter. •Do not chose trays at the very top or bottom of the trolley or rack. 38.3oC/100.9oF •To get a complete profile of the setter, eggs will need to be monitored at each stage of incubation. 30.9oC/87.6oF Thermal image of eggs on a setter tray. Note that the temperature of the air cells and eggs at the edge of the tray is cooler than temperature at the equator of eggs in the center of the tray. 03 The Procedure for Measuring Eggshell Temperature •Choose eggs in the center of the incubator tray to monitor; those at the edges of the tray will be cooler. How to... Measure Eggshell Temperature 03 Step 1: Check that the measuring tip of the thermometer is clean and that it has a new plastic cover on. (Some older thermometer types may need to be kept at incubation temperature for 30 minutes prior to use to prevent an error message). Step 2: Plan where to sample eggshell temperatures before opening the setter door, so that it will be possible to work quickly once inside. Ensure each area of the setter is monitored. The Procedure for Measuring Eggshell Temperature Step 3: If it is not possible to work inside the setter safely while it is operating, turn it off and measure as many eggs as possible in 10 minutes. If it is not possible to measure eggs at all locations within 10 minutes, close and restart the setter and return after 30 minutes to complete the measurements. Step 4: Measure shell temperature at the equator of the egg, not at the top or bottom. Make sure the tip of the thermometer is flat against the eggshell surface. Step 5: Sample 3 eggs from the center of each setter tray. For eggs in the second half of incubation, reject any measurement that is significantly cooler (> 0.4°C/0.7°F) than the other eggs on the tray as it is likely there is no embryo in the egg. Step 6: Record results. Determine average eggshell temperature and spread of eggshell temperatures. Step 7: Compare results against graph opposite to determine if incubation temperature correct. 04 How to... Measure Eggshell Temperature 03 39.4 103 38.9 102 38.3 101 37.8 100 37.2 99 36.7 98 36.1 Shell Temperature (oF) Shell Temperature (oC) Interpreting Eggshell Temperature Danger Risk Ideal Risk Delayed Hatch 97 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Day of Incubation •The objective is for most of the eggs to be within the ideal temperature range (37.8 – 38.3oC/100 – 101oF) throughout the incubation period. •In single-stage systems this is achieved by adjusting the temperature program at each age of incubation. •In multi-stage systems where only one temperature setting can be used, there may have to be a compromise between the requirements for the start and the end of incubation. It is probable that at the start of incubation it will be necessary to have eggs cooler than ideal in order to ensure that eggs do not become too hot at the end of incubation. •High incubation temperature is normally more damaging than low incubation temperature. 05 Interpreting RESULTS •If there is a wide spread of eggshell temperatures across one machine it may indicate that it needs maintenance. How to... Examples of temperature profiles Measure Eggshell Temperature 03 DangerRisk IdealRisk Note: Prior to any alteration of setter operating temperatures, ensure that there are no maintenance problems with the machine. Note: Prior to any alteration of setter operating temperatures, ensure that there are no maintenance problems with the machine and multi-stage loading of the setter is correct. 38.9 102 38.3 101 37.8 100 37.2 99 36.7 98 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 38.9 102 38.3 101 37.8 100 37.2 99 36.7 98 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 97 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Temperatures within ideal range: no adjustments required. Temperatures within ideal range: no adjustments required. 38.9 102 38.3 101 37.8 100 37.2 99 36.7 98 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 103 38.9 102 38.3 101 37.8 100 37.2 99 36.7 98 36.1 97 1 39.4 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Shell Temperature (oF) 103 Shell Temperature (oF) 39.4 Shell Temperature (oC) Day of Incubation Shell Temperature (oC) Day of Incubation 36.1 97 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Temperatures from day 14 onwards too high: lower incubator temperature to bring day 14–18 temperatures into ideal range. Temperatures at the start of incubation in low risk area and at the end of incubation within the high risk area: no adjustment. 103 38.9 102 38.3 101 37.8 100 37.2 99 36.7 98 36.1 97 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 39.4 103 38.9 102 38.3 101 37.8 100 37.2 99 36.7 98 36.1 Shell Temperature (oF) 39.4 Shell Temperature (oC) Day of Incubation Shell Temperature (oC) Day of Incubation Shell Temperature (oF) Interpreting RESULTS 103 36.1 97 1 39.4 Shell Temperature (oF) 103 Shell Temperature (oF) 39.4 Shell Temperature (oC) multi-stage machines Shell Temperature (oC) single-stage machines 36.1 06 Delayed Hatch 97 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Day of Incubation Day of Incubation Temperatures from day 8 -10 too low: increase incubator temperature to bring day 8 - 10 temperatures into ideal range. Temperatures from day 16 onward in danger range: lower incubator temperature to bring day 16 onward temperatures into risk range. How to... Identify Infertile Eggs and Early Deads 04 Why measure fertility and early deads levels? •An unfertilised egg cannot produce a chick. •Flock fertility is governed by management of males and females on the breeder farm and cannot be affected by egg handling, egg storage or incubation conditions. •Early embryo mortality can be affected by egg handling, egg storage or incubation conditions. An individual egg being candled. 01 Why measure fertility and early deads levels? •The action required to correct poor fertility is not the same as that required to correct excess early dead, therefore it is important to distinguish between infertility and early deads. How to... Identify Infertile Eggs and Early Deads Procedure for AssessING Flock Fertility 04 • What is an infertile egg? - An infertile egg is one that has not been fertilised • What is an early dead embryo? - An early dead is an egg which has been fertilised but in which the developing embryo dies in the first week of incubation - After an embryo dies it will deteriorate over time, therefore the longer eggs are incubated the more difficult it becomes to distinguish early deads from infertiles •During candling eggs with a developed embryo will appear dark. •Clears are not always infertile •A clear egg may be infertile or contain an early dead embryo. Procedure for AssessING Flock Fertility •Therefore, to accurately identify infertility and early deads a breakout of candled clears needs to be completed. Dark eggs contain a live embryo. •There are 2 methods for assessing flock fertility: 1. in un-incubated eggs 2. in clear eggs candled between 10 and 14 days of age Advantages Disadvantages Quick feedback Destroys potential hatching eggs Can be done on farm Un-incubated Can see mottling and egg quality issues eggs Small sample size (so the sample result can be very different from the flock average) Takes practice Clears 10-14 days Does not destroy potential hatching eggs No results until approx. 17 days after lay Bigger sample size (so better precision) Not necessarily standard practice to candle at 10-14 days Easy to learn Internal egg quality issues difficult to see 02 How to... Procedure for AssesSing Flock Fertility Identify Infertile Eggs and Early Deads 04 Method 1 - Identifying Infertility in Un-incubated Eggs •Eggs are fertilised high in the reproductive tract and embryonic development continues until the egg is laid. •This makes it possible to identify infertile eggs before incubation. Step 1: Take a sample of 100 fresh normal hatching eggs per house, of known egg age. Step 2: Break eggs, one at a time, over a bucket allowing the albumen to drop into the bucket and catching the yolk in your hand. Roll the yolk over until the germinal disc can be seen. Infertile Blastodisc Fertile Blastoderm •Dense, white spot, 2-3 mm (0.1 in) •White, symmetrical ring 4-5 mm (0.2 diameter in) diameter, with a clear central area •Rarely perfectly round, jagged edges •Round, with smooth uniform edges •Bubbles •No bubbles 03 Procedure for AssesSIng Flock Fertility - Method 1 Note: The task is easier in good natural light. If this is not available, a single-led (light emitting diode) torch will illuminate the disc without causing reflection off the yolk surface. A magnifying glass can also be helpful. How to... Identify Infertile Eggs and Early Deads Example of egg fertility recording sheet. Record incidence of fertile and infertile eggs and compare to targets (see page 8). ACME Farming Company Procedure for AssesSing Flock Fertility - Method 1 Date 31st January 2010 Farm W/H 26W S/V 36W U/H 46W R/R 56W No. of Eggs Sampled 100 100 100 100 Fertile 81 95 81 87 Infertile 19 5 19 13 - Motted Yolk 1 2 20 30 - Watery Albumen - - - - - Sticky Yolk - - - - Take the chance to observe and record any yolk mottling. If severe, this can increase very early dead embryos. 04 04 How to... Identify Infertile Eggs and Early Deads Procedure for Assessing Flock Fertility 04 Method 2 - Identifying Infertile eggs and Early Dead Embryos in clear eggs candled between 10 and 14 days of incubation •Fertility can also be assessed in eggs candled clear between 10 and 14 days of incubation. •It is not advisable to try and assess fertility on eggs candled any later than this because post mortem degeneration of the embryo makes it difficult to distinguish infertile eggs from those with very early embryonic development. Step 1: Candle three setter trays per flock, between 10 and 14 days incubation. Step 3: Open the eggs with forceps at the air cell, taking care when removing the membrane that no egg contents are discarded. Step 4: Identify fertility or stage of development at death, using the photos on reverse page. Degeneration after death will change the appearance of the early dead embryos and this is also shown in the photos. 05 Procedure for Assessing Flock Fertility - Method 2 Step 2: Remove and hold the clears, keeping them separate to flock and setter tray. How to... Identify Infertile Eggs and Early Deads 04 Normal appearance of live embryo Appearance after 8-10 days incubation Appearance after 14-15 days incubation Infertile Procedure for Assessing Flock Fertility - Method 2 Death After 24 Hours Development Death After 48 Hours Development Death at Blood Ring Stage* (2.5-4 days) Death at Black Eye Stage** (5-12 days) Note: * With blood ring stage deaths, once the blood vessels degenerate, often the only sign of embryo development is a change in colour to a creamy yellow. This does not indicate contamination. ** Embryo death at the black eye stage is often associated with bacterial rots – in addition to discolouration, the egg contents smell bad and have often disintegrated. 06 How to... Identify Infertile Eggs and Early Deads 04 Example of candling analysis recording sheet. Record incidence of fertile and infertile eggs and compare to targets (see page 8). Transfer Candling Analysis ACME Farming Farm Underhill Age 46 weeks 150 Setter Tray Size Tray No. 1 2 3 4 Date Set 31st Jan 2010 Date Candled 11th Feb 2010 Date Broken Out 11th Feb 2010 4 Setter No. 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total % of Eggs Set No. of Eggs Removed 36 34 30 100 22.2 Infertile 27 22 21 70 15.6 24h Early Dead 1 2 2 5 1.1 48h early Dead 2 2 2 6 1.3 “Blood Ring” (2.5-4 days) 5 6 7 17 3.8 “Black Eye” (5-12 days) 1 2 1 4 0.9 Notes: 07 Procedure for Assessing Flock Fertility - Method 2 Company How to... Identify Infertile Eggs and Early Deads INTERPRETING RESULTS •The table below gives top quartile targets for hatchability losses when performing detailed diagnostic/research type egg breakouts (% of total number of eggs set). 04 Stage of Development of Embryo Flock Age Infertile 24 hours 48 hours Blood Ring Black Eye Feathers Young 25-30 weeks 6 1 2 2.5 1 1 Peak 31-45 weeks 2.5 0.5 1 2.0 0.5 0.5 Post Peak 46-50 weeks 5 0.5 1 2.5 1 0.5 Ageing 51-60 weeks 8 0.5 1 3.0 1 0.5 •If the target for a category is exceeded the cause of this should be investigated. Hatchery Young/old Males Males heavy or losing condition Females under/over weight or losing condition Nutrition Drugs/toxins in feed Disease Legs/feet in poor condition INTERPRETING RESULTS Causes of High Infertility Causes of Early Embryo Mortality (1-4 days) Long egg storage (> 7 days) Egg store temperature too hot, too cold or fluctuating Formalin exposure 12-96 hours of incubation Slow to reach incubation temperature Causes of Embryo Mortality 5-7 days Long egg storage (> 7 days) Egg store temperature too hot, too cold or fluctuating Formalin exposure 12-96 hours of incubation Slow to reach incubation temperature Eggs contaminated during storage Condensation on the egg surface Turning angle too shallow, frequency too much or too little 08 Farm Yolk mottling due to stress (over mating, stocking density) or nicarbazine Egg collection not often enough (should be >3 times/day) Nutrition Yolk mottling due to stress (over mating, stocking density) or nicarbazine Egg collection not often enough (should be >3 times/day) Nutrition Floor or soiled eggs How to... Break Out and Analyse Hatch Debris 05 Why break out and analyse hatch debris? •It is normal for there to be some embryo mortality during incubation. •Embryo losses tend to follow a consistent pattern (although it will vary slightly with flock age). •Some embryo malpositions and abnormalities have known causes and can be the result of specific problems. •Analysing embryo mortality patterns and abnormalities can help to identify which aspects of the incubation process need closer investigation in order to improve hatchability and chick quality. 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 Day of Incubation 01 Why break out and analyse hatch debris? Probability of Embryo Death Normal Pattern of Embryo Loss During incubation showing peaks in mortality during early and late incubation How to... Break Out and Analyse Hatch Debris 05 The Procedure for Breaking Out Hatch Debris Step 1: Sample selection and preparation. • Hatch debris breakouts should be integrated with other QA procedures such as measuring egg water loss and chick yield. • Monitor three setter trays per flock per week, and label sample trays clearly at the time of set. • The eggs used for the sample trays should be clean nest eggs of known flock source, flock age and egg age. The Procedure for Breaking Out and Analysing Hatch Debris Note: Clear or non-viable eggs should not be removed from trays. However, it will not be possible to distinguish infertile from early embryo mortality on clear eggs left in the setter for 18 days. A separate sample of eggs should be used for fertility identification (see How To... Identify Infertile Eggs and Early Deads). Step 2: ‘Take off and count dead in shell. • On the day of hatch, count chicks and culls out of the sample setter trays. Record their numbers per tray. • Collect, count and separate out the unhatched (dead in shell) eggs. Record their numbers per tray. Step 2 Note: The totals for chicks plus culls and dead-in-shell should equal the number of eggs set, less any removed at candling. Step 3: Breaking out dead in shells. • Identify and count any eggs where the beak has pierced the shell (pips). Record numbers, and note if any chicks are still alive. • Open all the eggs, at the air cell. Take care not to remove Step 3 any egg contents when lifting the air cell membrane. • Identify the stage of development of the embryo and sort eggs into groups of infertile, early dead (0-7 days) mid dead (8-15 days) and late dead (15-21 days) using the pictures on page 3. • Check very late (20-21 days) dead embryos for malpositions. • Check for malformations in the mid and late dead embryos. • Also record any with cracked or poor quality shells and any eggs that are contaminated. 02 How to... Break Out and Analyse Hatch Debris 05 At the start of the recording period, the embryo will look like this: By the end, the embryo will have grown to look like this: After death, the appearance changes and the dead in shell embryos may look like this: Infertile No obvious signs of development. The end of this stage is marked by the appearance of the egg tooth on the beak. Mid Dead 8-14 days Embryos have an egg tooth but no obvious feather development. Late Dead 15-19 days Well feathered embryo, fills the shell. Yolk may be external or retracted. External pip 20 days The beak has broken through the egg shell. Contaminated Deep discolouration of the egg contents, which smell off. 03 The Procedure for Breaking Out and Analysing Hatch Debris Early Dead 1-7 days How to... Break Out and Analyse Hatch Debris Common Malpositions The Procedure for Breaking Out and Analysing Hatch Debris 05 Normal Hatching Position Malpo 2: Head in small end of egg Malpo 3: Head turned to left Malpo 5: Feet over head Malpo 6: Beak above right wing Note: Malpositions normally occur in 1.5% of all eggs set. The incidence of Malposition 3 (Head turned to left) and Malposition 5 (Feet over head) is normally 0.25% of eggs set (each). The incidence of Malposition 6 (Beak above right wing) is normally about 0.4% of eggs set. Head in small end of shell (Malposition 2) is the most variable malposition as it caused by setting eggs upside down. The occurrence of this malposition should not exceed 0.1% of eggs set. Common Malformations Exposed brain Ectopic viscera Duplication of body parts Note: Occasional abnormalities are not a cause for concern. Further investigation Is appropriate only if a single malformation occurs at levels over 0.5% of the eggs set. 04 How to... The Procedure for Analysing Hatch Debris Break Out and Analyse Hatch Debris 05 •Record the number of eggs falling into each category for each tray. •Add theses numbers together to determine the total number of eggs falling within each category. •Calculate the total as a percentage of the number of eggs set. Example recording sheet for hatch debris break out information B20 Farm 31 weeks Age Hatch Tray Size 1 Date Hatched 14th March Date Broken Out 24th March 150 Setter No. 12 Hatcher No. 3 Tray No. 3rd March Date Set 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total % of Eggs Set No. of Eggs Removed 19 18 15 52 11.6 Infertile 6 4 4 14 3.1 “Early Dead” (0-7 Days) 5 5 5 15 3.3 “Mid Dead” (8-14 Days) 2 1 1 4 0.9 “Late Dead” (15-21 Days) 5 5 4 14 3.1 External Pip 1 3 1 5 1.1 Dead and Cull Chicks 1 0 2 3 0.7 Contaminated 1 3 1 5 1.1 Poor Sheel Quality 0 0 1 1 0.2 Cracked Shell 0 0 1 1 0.2 Malpositions- Head in Small End of Egg 1 - - 1 0.2 - Head to Left - - - - - Feet Over Head - 2 1 3 0.7 - Beak Above Right Wing - - - - - Malformations- Exposed Brain/Eye Defect - - - - - - Extra Limbs - - - - - - Ectopic Viscera - - - - - Notes: 05 The Procedure for Breaking Out and Analysing Hatch Debris How to... Break Out and Analyse Hatch Debris Interpreting Results 05 •Compare the results with the targets for the age of the flock concerned Stage of Development of Embryo Flock Age Infertile Early Dead Mid Dead Late Dead External Pip Cracked Contaminated Young 25-30 Weeks 6 5.5 1 3.5 1 0.5 0.5 Peak 31-45 Weeks 2.5 3.5 0.5 2.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Post Peak 46-50 Weeks 5 4 1 2.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Ageing 51-60 Weeks 8 4.5 1 3 0.5 1 1 •Plot results against target. If any figure is above target an investigation into the reason for this should be set up Simple Hatch Debris Analysis 4.0 % of Eggs Set 3.5 Top Quartile % Percentage (%) 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 Cracked Shell Poor Shell Quality Contaminated External Pips Late Dead (15-21 Days) Mid Dead (8-14 Days) Early Dead (0-7 Days) Infertile Interpreting Results 0.0 Notes: Any assessment of infertility made at the end of incubation during a breakout is likely to be inaccurate as it is not possible to distinguish true infertile from early deads. If the early dead plus fertility numbers exceeds the target then follow the procedures in the How To... Identify Infertile Eggs and Early Deads before taking further action. 06 How to... Break Out and Analyse Hatch Debris Possible Causes of Embryo Mortality 05 Hatchery Farm Formalin exposure 12-96 hours. Early Dead (1-7 Days) Slow to reach incubation temperatures Inadequate egg collection Condensation on egg surface Nutrition Turning angle/frequency not correct Egg contamination Long egg storage Floor/soiled eggs Fluctuating egg storage temperature Mid Dead (8-14 Days) Embryo temperature too high Nutritional deficiencies Contamination Setter/hatcher temperatures/humidities incorrect – check egg shell temps and water loss. Late Dead (15-19 Days) Transfer damage Eggs set upside down Nutritional deficiencies Contamination Insuffcient water Loss Inadequate turning/eggs set upside down At piping Transfer damage Excessive fumigation in hatcher Nutritional deficiencies Long egg storage Egg shell disinfection inappropriate Contamination Condensation on egg surface during storage or transport High levels of floor eggs Thin or cracked shells Poor nest hygiene High level of contamination in the hatchery (if late deads only) Beak above right wing - heat stress Beak above right wing - Nutritional deficiencies (linoleic acid) Other malpositions - causes unknown Exposed brain - high early incubation temperatures Malformations Ectopic visera - high incubation temperatures mid-term Extra limbs - rough handling or jarring of the eggs during collection/transport 07 INTERPRETING RESULTS Malpositions Head in small end – egg incubated upside down, high incubation temperature or shallow turning angle How to... More Information Break Out and Analyse Hatch Debris 05 More Information •Ross Tech – Investigating Hatchery Practice •H.R. Wilson’s “Hatchability Problem Analysis” published by the University of Florida and available as a free download on the internet. •Others in the Hatchery How To series: 01 Measure Egg Water Loss 02 Measure Chick Yield 03 Measure Eggshell Temperature 04Identify Infertile Eggs & Early Deads 08 How to... Hatchery Egg Weights and Chick Weights Company Date Set Farm Date Hatched Age Setter No. Tray No. Date Broken Out 1 2 Hatcher No. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 No. of Eggs Weight of Empty Tray Weight of Full Tray Transfer Weight No. of Chicks Hatched Total Chick Weight Culls and Deads Unhatched Eggs Egg Weight Loss (%) Mean Egg Weight (g) Mean Chick Weight (g) Chick Yield (%) As illustrated in How To... Measure Egg Water Loss and Measure Chick Yield How to... Hatchery Breakout of Unincubated Eggs Company Date Farm No. of Eggs Sampled Fertile Infertile - Mottled Yolk - Watery Albumen - Sticky Yolk As illustrated in How To... Identify Infertile Eggs and Early Deads How to... Hatchery 10-14 Day Candling Analysis Company Date Set Farm Date Candled Age No. of Eggs/Tray Tray No. Date Broken Out 1 2 3 Setter No. 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total % of Eggs Set No. of Eggs Removed Infertile 24h Early Dead 48h Early Dead “Blood Ring” (2.5-4 days) “Black Eye” (5-12 days) Notes: As illustrated in How To... Identify Infertile Eggs and Early Deads How to... Hatchery Hatch Debris Analysis - Simplified Version Company Date Set Farm Date Broken Out Age No. of Eggs/Tray Tray No. Date Setter No. 1 2 Hatcher No. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total % of Eggs Set No. of Eggs Removed Infertile “Early Dead” (0-7 Days) “Mid Dead” (8-14 Days) “Late Dead” (15-21 Days) External Pip Dead and Cull Chicks Contaminated Poor Shell Quality Cracked Shell Malpositions- Head in Small End of Egg - Head to Left - Feet Over Head - Beak Above Right Wing Malformations- Exposed Brain/Eye Defect - Extra Limbs - Ectopic Viscera Notes: As illustrated in How To... Break Out and Analyze Hatch Debris Notes on using the Aviagen Hatchery Spreadsheet v1.0 1. Installing on computer a. Create a folder called C:\Hatchery on computer for keeping the spreadsheet and associated files together b. Copy the all files from the installation disc into the folder. C:\Hatchery c. To read the “How To..” documents it will be necessary to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. This can be downloaded for free at http://get.adobe.com/reader . 2. Getting started. a. Double left click on Aviagen Hatchery Monitoring.xls in Windows Explorer to start the Excel spreadsheet. A security warning box will open asking whether you wish to enable macros. Click on the Enable Macros button. The spreadsheet will then open on the Menu Page. b. If using the spreadsheet for the first time you will need to enter your company name in the white box in the bottom left corner. c. A list of breed names is shown on the left of the sheet. You can delete names from this list if they are not used within your operation or add other names at the bottom of the list. d. On the right side of the menu are links to the “How to..” documents that describe how carry out the hatchery quality control procedures for reference. To open the document single left click on the button. If the Hatchery Spreadsheet V1 1 of 14 27/10/2010 document does not open make sure that the document pdf files have been saved in the same folder as the spreadsheet and the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader has been properly installed on the computer e. In the centre of the menu page are buttons for entering data from breakout of candling analysis, hatch debris analysis and egg moisture and chick yields. For each data type there is a blue button where data are entered, a yellow button to view the database for each data type and a graph button that gives simple trend graphs over time. 3. Navigating within the workbook a. To enter any of the data entry areas, single left click on the blue button on the menu page. b. To enter the database area, single left click on the yellow database button on the menu page. c. To enter the trend graph area, single left click on the graph button. d. From any of the other pages it is possible to return to the menu page by single left clicking on the Menu button. e. On the data entry and graph pages the button looks like: Menu f. On the data entry pages, clicking on the return to menu button will not save the data entered into the data entry sheet across to the database. If you navigate away from the data entry page without saving the data, a box will appear asking whether you intend to leave the data entry area without saving the data. If you wish to save the data entered into the database before exiting, then you must single left click on the Copy & Clear Data button: Copy & Clear Data 4. Action Buttons a. On the data entry pages three buttons will carry out specific actions. 1. The print button will send a copy of the page to your default printer. Print Hatchery Spreadsheet V1 2 of 14 27/10/2010 2. The copy & clear data button will copy data from the data entry form into the database and then clear the data entry form ready for the data from the next flock to be entered. Copy & Clear Data 3. The envelope icon will allow you to email the data from the database to Aviagen incubation specialists so that they can comment on the results. All results sent to Aviagen will be treated in strictest confidence. 5. Entering Candling Data a. On the Menu Page single left click on the Candling Analysis button. The data entry page will open up: b. At the top of the page is where all the flock details are entered. This information needs to be completed in order to copy data into the database. Hatchery Spreadsheet V1 3 of 14 27/10/2010 c. Breed should be entered using the drop down box. d. Entering the flock age will produce a “Top Quartile” prediction for the flock. This will be shown on the right side of the data entry table. e. In the data entry table, in the first row enter the number of eggs set per tray. In the second row enter the number of eggs removed from the tray by candling. This number will show up as red until it equals the sum of the number of eggs entered in the different age categories. The number of egg removed figure will remain red until it equals the sum of the number of eggs within each age category. When the correct numbers of eggs have been entered then the figure will turn blue. f. As data are entered the percentage incidence of each age category are shown on the right side of the table, next to the top quartile prediction. Hatchery Spreadsheet V1 4 of 14 27/10/2010 g. The notes area can be used to type in information about the hatch or flock – this will be stored with the results in the database. h. Scrolling down the page will show a graph of the results (blue bars) plotted against the top quartile flock prediction (red line). When the blue bar is higher than the red line it shows that the level of infertility or embryo mortality is higher than predicted and should be investigated. i. When data entry for the flock is complete it should be transferred into the database using the Copy and Clear Data button. This will also clear all the data from data entry spreadsheet ready for the next flock or hatch. 6. Entering Hatch Debris Analysis Hatchery Spreadsheet V1 5 of 14 27/10/2010 a. On the Menu page left click on the “Simple Hatch Debris Analysis” button. The data entry page will open up: b. Data entry into this form is the same as described in the Entering Candling Data section above. c. In the data entry table, in the first row enter the number of eggs set per tray. In the second row enter the number of unhatched eggs left on the hatcher tray. This number will show up as red until it equals the sum of the number of eggs entered in the different age categories. The number of egg removed figure will remain red until it equals the sum of the number of eggs within each age category. When the correct numbers of eggs have been entered then the figure will turn blue. Hatchery Spreadsheet V1 6 of 14 27/10/2010 d. When data entry for the flock is complete it should be transferred into the database using the Copy and Clear Data button. This will also clear all the data from data entry spreadsheet ready for the next flock or hatch. Hatchery Spreadsheet V1 7 of 14 27/10/2010 7. Entry of Egg and Chick Weight a. On the Menu page left click on the “Egg & Chick Weight” button. The data entry page should then appear: b. The flock information at the top of the page should be entered in the same way as described in the Candling Analysis data entry page. c. The set and transfer dates need to be entered to allow the correct calculation of % egg weight (moisture) loss. If this information is not present the calculated egg weight loss will be displayed as ######. d. Weights should be entered in grams. e. As the weights are entered into the boxes the average egg weight, % egg weight loss, average chick weight and % chick yield are calculated automatically. The calculated % egg weight loss is automatically adjusted to 18 days using the set and transfer date information. Hatchery Spreadsheet V1 8 of 14 27/10/2010 f. Scrolling down the spreadsheet, will show the % egg weight loss and % chick yield graphed. The data are plotted against the normal ranges so that it can be quickly seen whether results are normal or if corrective action needs to be taken. g. When data entry for the flock is complete it should be transferred into the database using the Copy and Clear Data button. This will also clear all the data from data entry spreadsheet ready for the next flock or hatch. Hatchery Spreadsheet V1 9 of 14 27/10/2010 8. Database. a. All data copied from the data entry sheets into the database can be accessed using the yellow “Database” button on the Menu page. b. It is strongly recommended that if the user wishes to use the data for analysis, it is copied out of the Hatchery Analysis Workbook into a new Workbook. Do not do the analysis within the Hatchery Analysis Workbook. c. Data entered into the database can be edited or deleted if required. However, it is strongly recommended that this is only done in exceptional circumstances and a copy of the Workbook is made before attempting this. 9. Graphs a. Simple graphs show changes over time can be seen using the graph icon on Menu page. Left click on the graph icon and a graph will appear: b. If new data have been entered into the database, left click on the “Refresh all Pivots” button to ensure the latest data are included in the graphs. Hatchery Spreadsheet V1 10 of 14 27/10/2010 c. Clicking on the down arrow at the right side of the yellow “Select a Graph” bar will give a list of available graphs that can be displayed. d. The time period over which the graph is shown can be controlled using the “Date Hatched” button Click on Date Hatched down arrow Hatchery Spreadsheet V1 11 of 14 27/10/2010 Click on date boxes to select all the dates that need to be graphed Then click OK e. Once data has been collected over a longer period of time it will also be possible to plot data by month, quarter or year. Right click on the Date Hatched button at the bottom of the graph and a menu will appear. Left click on Group and Show Detail and then left Click on Group. A Grouping box will then appear that will allow the user to select either a time period range or plot by moth, quarter or year. f. To clear current date plotting restrictions and to properly plot new data, right click on date buttons at bottom of graph, left click on Group and Show Detail and then left Click on Ungroup. Hatchery Spreadsheet V1 12 of 14 27/10/2010 1. Right click on Date box 2. Left click on Group and Show Detail 3. Click on Group 4. In Grouping box, it is possible to chose ¾ Date range ¾ Daily plot ¾ Monthly plot ¾ Quarter plot ¾ Annual plot Hatchery Spreadsheet V1 13 of 14 27/10/2010 10. Saving Data and Exiting the Workbook. a. To make sure all data are saved when exiting the workbook, use the Save and Close button on the Menu page. Hatchery Spreadsheet V1 14 of 14 27/10/2010