Hatchery-Breeder Clinic: Profiles in Breed Development

TUCKER, GA - Improvements in broiler performance start at the hatchery level, where maintenance, measurement, and monitoring should be consistently performed, remarked Scott Martin, hatchery specialist for Cobb-Vantress' world technical support team, at the Hatchery-Breeder Clinic held in conjunction with the 2012 International Poultry Expo and International Feed Expo. "When it's all said and done, we can affect broiler performance at the hatchery level," Martin said.

In his presentation on Profiles in Breed Development, Martin commented that breeders should also address incubation management. Research has shown that storage time and temperature affect outcomes, and this applies not only to the hatchery but to other components of egg storage, such as farm egg rooms, warehouses, setter halls, and transportation. Martin commented that breeders should use data loggers to monitor the temperature and humidity of eggs at all of these points. These devices are especially valuable at showing trends.

In his presentation on Breast Vaccination Concerns, Terry Bruce, Tip Top Poultry, remarked that the poultry industry could be adversely impacted unless it addresses the issue of granulomas associated with salmonella breast injections. Lack of industry action is likely to have a financial impact and could also lead to loss of consumer confidence and increased regulatory oversight.

"Granuloma formation is a natural response to the bacterial vaccine. It's not something foreign that is being introduced," Bruce said. While granulomas associated with either cholera vaccines or salmonella vaccines have been observed for more than a decade, issues concerning granulomas linked to salmonella vaccines in breast injections have recently resurfaced.

Following an earlier round of problems, the poultry industry worked with government regulators on language stating that granulomas were a food quality issue rather than a food safety risk. However, this may not continue to protect the industry if the granuloma issue remains unaddressed. Bruce explained that granulomas devalue hens, which must be processed to remove the growths. And lower hen value, in turn, would lead to higher eggs costs.

Other topics included a Disease Update for Breeders; New Equipment for Hatcheries and Breeder Farms; Changing Vaccination Programs and the Impact on Disease Trends; and Male Management for Optimum Fertility.