- Males sterile or poorly selected (flock may have poor fleshing, shrunken wattles and combs)
- Too many or too few males
- Inadequate feed and water space allowance or water too warm/cold
- Disease
- Wet litter causing foot problems Excessive beak treatment of males Leg or joint infections
- Excessive weight gain or loss Insufficient weight gain
- Seasonal effect (decline in fertility in late summer and fall) Poor sexual synchronization
Government and regulatory Policy and regulation Markets and economics
End of chicken tariffs a major win for South African consumers
The suspension will last 12 months
3 August 2022
3 minute read
By: Global Ag Media
In a recently published press release, the South African Meat Importers and Exporters Association (AMIE) welcomed the suspension of anti-dumping duties on chicken imported from Brazil, Spain, Poland, Ireland and Denmark for twelve months, saying this decision is a major win for millions of cash-strapped South African consumers.
"In making its decision, the Minister (Ebrahim Patel) considered the current rapid rise in food prices in the SACU market and globally and the significant impact this has, especially on the poor, as well as the impact that the imposition of the anti-dumping duties may have on the price of chicken as one of the more affordable protein sources," said the announcement, published in the Government Gazette. "The Minister, therefore, decided to suspend the imposition of the anti-dumping duties for a period of 12 months.’"
“This is an exceptional outcome for South African consumers, because they are under such significant financial pressure," said Paul Matthew, CEO of AMIE. "Chicken is the most affordable, and therefore vital source of protein for South African consumers, especially those living below the poverty line. This shows that our government, and specifically Minister Patel, are alive to the plight of consumers, and ready to take bold actions to help mitigate the impact of rampant inflation, which is encouraging."
Water management for parent stock broiler breeders
Top tips for water systems, suppply and bird training.
2 August 2022
9 minute read
By: Paul Welten
Feed intake in broiler breeders is controlled and therefore overcompensation of water must be prevented because it can have many negative consequences. On the other hand, water must be provided sufficiently and timely for optimal welfare and production. In this article, important aspects regarding water management for parent stock broiler breeders are described.
Water systems for rearing and production
Different system can be used to provide water to broiler breeders. Bell, nipple, and cup drinkers have their own characteristics. Bell and cup drinkers use a natural way of drinking where the bird must lift its neck to let the water flow from the mouth down the esophagus by gravity.
Bell Drinkers
Figure 1: The correct height for bell drinkers. The dotted line indicates that the bottom of the drinker should align with the chicken’s back.
A bell drinker has an open water system giving the birds easy access. It is easily checked visually to determine if water is available in every drinker. The challenge is that water quality management is more complicated and labor intensive (cleaning). It is important to have the correct water level in the drinker for optimal drinker comfort. The bell drinker water level should be 0.5 cm from the lip of the drinker at placement and reduced gradually after seven days to a depth of 1.25 cm (or thumbnail depth). Another important point is the height of the system. The bell drinker should be suspended at a height to ensure that the lip of the drinker is equal to the height of the birds’ back when it is standing normally.
Sustainability Market trends Markets & policy
Sustainability panel shares benefits of regenerative ag, egg production
Egg Innovations CEO said production benefits pasture
1 August 2022
2 minute read
By: Global Ag Media
US leaders in regenerative farming and sustainability came together as an educational panel to discuss one of the fastest growing market segments in food production. Set on the pastures of a regeneratively certified farm in Wisconsin, the special event celebrated how suppliers, retailers and consumers have the power to give back to the planet through the businesses they support, according to a press release from participant Egg Innovations.
"Helpful Hens is the fastest growing egg product in the marketplace now and the thought leader to put regenerative farming in the egg case," said John Brunnquell, president & CEO of Egg Innovations owner of the Helpful Hens premium egg brand. "Our egg producing flocks are benefitting pastures across the Midwest as they restore the soil and help build healthy ecosystems on farm."
11/05/2022
Gh¢20 Million Compensation for Poultry Farmers Affected By Bird Flu Ready
Over 700,000 birds and quantities of crates of eggs had been culled and destroyed in the country following the outbreak of the bird flu at a poultry farm in Tema on July 18 last year, which had since spread across the country.
Although the spread of bird flu had been brought under control, the poultry farmers who had lost their livelihoods due to the infections, had been crying out to the government for compensation to get back to business.
On why the compensation had taken long, Dr. Akoto stressed the need for a "solid data" on the affected farmers to facilitate the disbursement of the compensation, adding "we are finalising the modalities for the disbursement, we are processing the modalities for payment, the money is with us," he added.
He said the latest strain of the virus in the country and other parts of the sub-region was "very deadly and massive," saying that it had tremendously affected the poultry industry.
Dr. Akoto further disclosed that the government had given financial clearance for the recruitment of 500 veterinary surgeons and technicians to expand services and improve upon animal health in the country.