House Layout
Contents
1.2. The thicker the plate the higher the feed level in the trough therefore the more feed available to the males Figure 4 4 Feed intake boot e The feed level should be at its maximum for the first few days after placement This will help the birds find the feed and adjust to their new environment encomatic Copyright 2001 by Vencomatic Inc All rights reserved 22 29 10 2002 5 Feed Management e Atamaximum level you can expect some feed wastage to occur Therefore once the birds have become accustomed to their environment the feed level can be lowered Figure 4 5 Feed level in auger e Ata feed level of approximately 75 full the feed is better protected between the spiral coils of the auger Males because of their wider heads can not easily reach the feed so their body weights can be better controlled without affecting the feed intake of the females sail lle Figure 4 6 Difference between feed level for male and female 5 Check after every feeding to make sure that all of the feed has been distributed from each hopper If there are differences in feed distribution between the hoppers try to determine the cause If you have any concerns do not hesitate to contact your Vencomatic representative encomatic Copyright 2001 by Vencomatic Inc All rights reserved 23 29 10 2002 The change from a pullet to adult body weight occurs within a two week period Therefore this trans
3. Time spent drinking water should be minimized to allow the less dominant birds to have access to the water and the nest If birds are spending too much time at the water line you may want to control their water intake Before employing any method of water restriction do the following 1 Ensure that the flow rate on the water line is at least 90 ml min 2 Feel the crop of several birds to make sure that it is kneadable If it is then you know that the birds are consuming enough water 3 Speak to a Vencomatic representative about water restriction One method of water restriction e Under normal temperatures 20 to 25 C or 68 to 77 F the birds will drink 1 75 to 2 times as much water as the feed consumed e Full access to water must be provided in the morning and up to 3 5 hours after feeding e The birds can be given water again at the end of the day just before the lights go off The increased movement throughout the colony unit may potentially increase mating activity e Feel the crops on several birds to make sure that you are not restricting the water too much and observe the bird s behavior encomatic Copyright 2001 by Vencomatic Inc All rights reserved 17 29 10 2002 5 Feed Management The goal of the Veranda feeding system is that all of the birds in the house receive the same amount of feed at the same time This system is unique as both males and females must eat from the same feeder Although this is not
4. Routine Checks e Problems can arise that may not become obvious right away Each colony unit should be inspected daily for mortality feed distribution general behavior and mating activity e Adjust the level of the water column to 0 25 m 10 in e Adjust the height of the water line so that the birds are standing straight they are not hunched over or squatting to get water The birds should have to turn their heads upward to drink Typically the distance from the top of the slat to the nipple is 0 5 m 19 5 in e The amount of space given to the males can be adjusted Each male should have approximately 0 15 m of feeder space this is equivalent to 0 075 m of trough as they can eat from both sides This is only an approximation as different strains have different feeder space requirements e Mortality should be recorded everyday Females should not be replaced but males should at least during the first week in the house Mortality may need to be entered into the feeding program to facilitate feed allocation e Make sure the nests stay closed at placement Opening the nest prior to the production of the first egg will only encourage the pullets to roost in the nest e Fora detailed description of daily weekly and monthly maintenance activities refer to Appendix A encomatic Copyright 2001 by Vencomatic Inc All rights reserved 16 29 10 2002 4 Placement in the Breeder House Water Restriction if applied
5. This elevator will collect the eggs from each level Figure 1 11 Picture of a conveyor that can transport the eggs to a single collection point The cross conveyor can be modified to transport eggs from multiple houses to a central point In addition if you have a high volume of eggs greater than 10 000 per day then an automated packing system for placing eggs on setter trays can be installed as a time saving measure Various packers are available from Vencomatic encomatic 29 10 2002 Copyright 2001 by Vencomatic Inc All rights reserved 7 2 Veranda Layout Ventilation and Manure Handling Ventilation is another critical factor in obtaining optimal results with any Vencomatic system Manure will fall through the slats onto a plastic belt under the unit Figure 1 12 The belt is as long as the Veranda row and there is a belt under each tier Air channels 7 Figure 1 12 Side view of Veranda row showing the manure belt and air channels The manure belt ensures that the colony unit stays relatively manure free and provides a nicer environment for the birds There is an air channel located on either side of every manure belt Air 0 8 m3 bird hour is brought to each colony unit 24 hours a day througha special air channel Figure 1 12 This not only provides fresh air for the birds but it also aerates the manure on the belt Studies in Holland have shown that with this system the manure stays dry approximately
6. at either one or two weeks of age Depending on the breeder company chicks will be full fed from the time they are placed in the house until they have achieved a specific critical body weight While the birds are on full feed they can be group weighed However once feed restriction begins individual weights are more desirable General points e Scales should be regularly checked for accuracy e Body weights should be taken in the same area of the house at the same time of day preferably before feeding or on a non feed day e Determining the appropriate number of birds to be weighed should be based on the size of the population gt Breeder companies recommend that at least 4 of the flock should be weighed e Record body weights and calculate the average body weight and the uniformity in body weight gt One common method to calculate flock uniformity is the coefficient of variation or CV Some breeder management guides will give you a method to calculate the CV gt Another common method is the calculation of the number of birds that weigh within 10 or 15 of the average body weight should suffice See Table 2 1 e Allocate feed based on how close the average body weight of the flock is to the target body weight as recommended by the breeder management guide gt The birds should not lose weight at any time during the rearing phase encomatic Copyright 2002 by Vencomatic bv All rights reserved 9 29 10 2002 Ta
7. boxes and a water line encomatic Copyright 2001 by Vencomatic Inc All rights reserved 2 29 10 2002 2 Veranda Layout Figure 1 3 Cross section of a possible breeder house with the Veranda system There are four rows each row has three levels or tiers Nests Each colony unit is equipped with four nest boxes Figure 1 4 The nest has a movable floor and the egg belt is located behind the nest box The nest boxes and the egg belt extend out into the aisle or walk way Each nest box measures 1 15 m 3 8 ft long and 0 36 m 14 in wide The total length of all four nest boxes is 4 6 mor 15 1 ft long A jaa ts est B ai 1195 360 Figure 1 4 A Top view of a colony unit showing the slat area and four nest boxes B Picture of the inside of a nest box The floor in the nest box is covered with a soft rubber pad called a Venco mat encomatic Copyright 2001 by Vencomatic Inc All rights reserved 3 29 10 2002 2 Veranda Layout Flooring The slat area measures 4 6 m long and 1 15 m wide 15 1 ft x 3 8 ft The stocking density is approximately with 66 birds 60 females and 6 males 840 cm bird The floor in each colony unit is equipped with a specially designed 2C Venco slat Figure 1 5 This slat addresses two challenges that are often associated with cage systems One it is properly suited for broiler breeders providing the strength and stability needed for good footing I
8. should be performed late in the day so as to minimize the disturbance to the hens gt Repeat this procedure at 45 weeks or when necessary e At approximately 42 to 45 weeks clean the covers on all of the light bulbs so that light intensity is not decreased encomatic Copyright 2002 by Vencomatic bv All rights reserved 29 29 10 2002 7 Male Management The best sources of information on the rearing of males are the breeder management guide and the tech service representative There are however some recommendations that are specific to the Veranda system and this section will attempt to address this Rearing General points e Male chicks cockerels should not have their combs dubbed The full size of the comb at maturity is needed to prevent the males from fitting their heads between the grills on the feeder e The back toe should be clipped and the beak tipped shortly after hatching e Males and females must be reared separately gt The body weight of the males is difficult to control when they are reared together with females gt If there are problems with male body weight during rearing it will be difficult to correct once the birds are placed in the Veranda Male Condition At Housing Males should be ready for light stimulation at the time of housing and should have the following characteristics e high body weight uniformity straight beak no cross beaks under bites or over bites strong legs tall st
9. 2 Copyright 2001 by Vencomatic Inc All rights reserved 19 5 Feed Management Feed Allocation 1 Calculate feed allocation for each hopper see below Note The hoppers must be filled for 2 tiers and males are fed with the same system Per bird Females 2 155 g day Males 4 140 g day Determine the amount of feed to be given each day to every bird based on breeder company recommendations Per unit 60 x 155g day 9300 g day 6 x 140g day 840 g day Each colony unit will have 60 females 2 and 6 males 8 Calculate the amount of feed to be allocated to each colony unit males and females combined 9300 840 10140 g day Per tier 15 units tier x 10140 g day 152100 g day Calculate the amount of feed to be allocated to each tier or level In this example there are 15 units tier Per hopper 2 tiers hopper x 152100 g day 304200 g day f 304200 g day 1000 g kg Convert the amount from grams to kilograms a kariy The hopper must be filled with 304 kg of feed per day 2 Fill the hoppers with the required amount of feed Calculate the amount of feed to be filled into each hopper remembering that there is one hopper for every two tiers 3 Determine the number of runs that are needed to deliver this feed e You can control the number of runs by changing the level of feed in the trough e Often the amount of feed to be transported can not be evenly divided by the number of runs Th
10. 55 to 65 dry matter and that there is a reduction in the ammonia level in the house 80 85 The manure belts can be turned over once every 5 or 6 days A concrete pit at the end of the house is fitted with a single belt that runs across all of the rows Figure 1 13 The manure from each tier is dumped onto this belt which can then be taken out of the building Heat Exchanger Unit Manure cross conveyor Figure 1 13 Cross section of the breeder house showing the manure cross conveyor which is used to remove manure from the building The heat exchanger is located above the Veranda units encomatic Copyright 2001 by Vencomatic Inc All rights reserved 8 29 10 2002 Maximizing productivity in the breeder house begins in the rearing house A flock that is uniform in body weight throughout rearing will respond to light stimulation as a synchronous group As a result the number of days between lighting and onset of lay will be reduced while peak persistency of production and livability will be higher For this to happen an accurate determination of the average body weight and uniformity of the flock must be made ona weekly basis Body Weight And Uniformity Males and females should be reared separately to control feed intake thereby controlling body weight Most breeder companies recommend that the first weighing take place
11. Discussing options such nutrient dilution with feed supplier encomatic Copyright 2001 by Vencomatic Inc All rights reserved 10 29 10 2002 Preparation For Breeder House e Electric wire placed over the water lines will help train the birds not to perch on the lines gt The goal is to get the birds off the water line not to discourage them from jumping in general Jumping strengthens the leg muscles which results in fewer leg problems in production gt It is preferable to use the shock wire only when it is absolutely necessary e The pullet house should be light tight The day length should not increase during rearing and it should not decrease during production Therefore if natural day light enters the house then this may affect the lighting program in the breeder house e Carrying over procedures from the pullet house into the breeder house will greatly benefit the flock by easing the transition into their new environment gt The birds will have to use an auger type feeder and nipple drinker during production therefore they should also be used during rearing encomatic Copyright 2001 by Vencomatic Inc All rights reserved 11 29 10 2002 4 Placement in the Breeder House Before Placement e Structural layout for the Veranda has already been discussed in Section 1 0 e All inside house construction assembly and or desinfection should be completed by now e Label each unit with the row tier and unit num
12. Management Manual VERANDA Broiler Breeder Guide l V Jencomatic 29 10 20 Management Manual for the Veranda Vencomatic GB Ltd 10 St Mellion Way NG17 8NN Kirkby in Ashfield Notts United Kingdom Phone 44 1623551118 Fax 44 1623552988 email paul turley vencomatic com Vencomatic bv Meerheide 5 5521 DZ Eersel P O Box 160 5520 AD Eersel The Netherlands Phone 31 0 497 517380 Fax 31 0 497 517364 E mail info vencomatic com Vencomatic Equipment of Canada Suite 324 11245 Valley Ridge Drive NW Calgary Alberta T3B 5V4 Phone 403 241 7692 Fax 403 241 7694 Email canadainfo vencomatic com Find us on the World Wide Web at www vencomatic com Copyright 2002 Vencomatic bv Notice of Rights All rights reserved No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic mechanical photocopying recording or otherwise without prior written permission from Vencomatic bv Notice of Liability The information in this manual is distributed on an As is basis without warranty While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this manual neither the author nor Vencomatic Inc shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to any liability injury loss incidental and or consequential damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the furnishing performance usage a
13. a practice that breeder companies would recommend by using the techniques outlined in this section as well as careful management the body weights of the males and females can be controlled separately Before Placement General points e make sure no materials or objects have been left in the trough e make sure all regulators are in the right position e check whether all bolts and nuts have been fastened correctly e check the time clock and the regulator which controls both the feed amount and the number of runs for proper functioning e check the feed weighing machine gt remove the feed in the machine first and adjust the machine with standard weights This system transports feed at a speed of 30 m minute using a drag type spiral auger Before placing the first flock determine the running time of the spiral auger Mark a point on the auger and determine the time needed for that point to make a complete loop This is considered one run Set this time into your control panel eg 5 minutes and 45 seconds number of sections 2 tier 4 6m 11m F eedhopper Grill Feedtrough Motor 30 m min 9 peme eE d I IIIT Figure 4 1 Feed circuit encomatic Copyright 2002 by Vencomatic bv All rights reserved 18 29 10 2002 5 Feed Management System Operation Basic principles The firs
14. ales throughout this period If signs of over aggression or inactivity appear it may be necessary to reduce the number of males in each colony unit see 6 0 Male Management gt gt Male to female ratio for more details encomatic Copyright 2002 by Vencomatic bv All rights reserved 28 29 10 2002 Post Peak Production e At this point unless there are any major problems concerning the flock continue the management practices that were used before peak production e Body weight egg production and fertility should be closely monitored e Egg weight increases as the body weight of the hen increases Begin weighing a sample of eggs each week As long as egg weight is increasing you can reduce the amount for the females With decreasing feed amount the interval between runs will have to be shortened to prevent the males from getting underweight e Continue to monitor the behavior of the birds particularly the males e t may be necessary to count the number of females that are left within a colony unit and adjust the male to female ratio e At around 32 to 35 weeks some time after peak egg production check the nest pads and determine whether they need to be cleaned gt Adirty nest will be difficult to clean at the end of the production cycle gt The best method with a tip up floor is to brush the nest pads while the nest is open When the nest is closed at the end of the day the debris will fall off the pad gt Cleaning
15. ance development of secondary sexual characteristics e g the comb and wattles will begin to show significant growth will begin at around 21 to 22 weeks of age At 16 weeks of age before placement the males should be separated based on their body weights Lightweight males should be placed in a separate pen to avoid competition from the larger more dominant males Likewise heavy males should be isolated If at the time of placement there are still males that are under or overweight they should be removed from the flock so that uniformity of the male population remains high The males must be placed in the house at least 1 or 2 days before the females There are several reasons for doing this 1 The males typically need more time to adjust to their new environment than the females 2 It is easier to evaluate body condition when there are no females present encomatic Copyright 2002 by Vencomatic bv All rights reserved 30 29 10 2002 7 Male Management 3 Males that are similar in body weight and size are put together within the same colony unit placing the males before the females in the house makes this easier to facilitate 4 It helps to ensure that there is the same number of males in every unit Replacement or surplus males can be placed together within one or two colony units A unit can house 30 males when there are no females present Some of the grills will have to be removed to provide enough feeder space for t
16. and body weight uniformity was included in this manual to reinforce the importance of these factors in good production and flock management In addition we have provided comments about production and general management which reflect our view of the best practices being put forward by our customers There can be a lot of strain to strain variation in how a bird responds to lighting feeding and laying eggs In the end the technical service representative of a breeder company is the most knowledgeable person on how to properly manage a particular strain of bird If problems arise while the hens are in production it is important to consult a tech service representative However if there are questions concerning the Veranda or other related equipment do not hesitate to contact Vencomatic for their input If you have any comments about this manual or suggestions for improvement please contact Vencomatic bv Meerheide 5 5521 DZ Eersel P O Box 160 5520 AD Eersel The Netherlands Phone 31 0 497 517380 encomatic Copyright 2002 by Vencomatic bv All rights reserved 1 29 10 2002 2 Veranda Layout When you purchase the Veranda system the placement of the feed water nest lights and manure belts is pre determined The layout of the feed and water lines provides what Vencomatic feels is the most efficient use of the space while at the same time encouraging movement throughout the unit and towards the nest In addition perforated
17. ant that these males are similar in body weight they have excellent body condition and are actively moving throughout the unit Spiking e In certain cases it will be necessary to add new males to the flock mid way through a production cycle If you have been keeping replacement males in separate colony units up to this point spiking will be easier as these males will already be familiar with the Veranda system encomatic Copyright 2002 by Vencomatic bv All rights reserved 31 29 10 2002 7 Male Management e If you have not then the new males must be given 2 weeks by themselves in colony unit s to adjust to the Veranda system e Do not mix new males with older ones New males should be put into those units where there are no other males present e Add new males to the colony units just before the lights are turned off to prevent aggression between the hens and the new males encomatic Copyright 2002 by Vencomatic bv All rights reserved 32 29 10 2002 Appendix A Veranda Maintenance Guide Veranda Maintenance Guide This maintenance guide is designed to help Vencomatic s valued customers take proper care of their Vencomatic Veranda This guide is divided into daily weekly monthly and after each flock sections In addition a set of charts has been included with this manual to help track your maintenance activities Check them off or have the farm manager initial them as maintenance is completed Plea
18. ber before you place the birds This will make identification of each unit much easier Ensure that the labels are large enough to see from approximately 10 m away gt The most common method is to number each row beginning from the left of the house to the right Each tier within a row is labeled alphabetically with the lowest tier given the letter A The units are numbered beginning at 1 and going from the left end of the row to the right gt 1A first row bottom tier first unit gt 3C12 third row third tier twelfth unit e The house should be cleaned and disinfected before placement For details on cleaning and preparation of the system prior to bird placement review Appendix A gt gt Veranda Maintenance Guide e Recommendations for the house prior to placement are outlined in Table 4 1 encomatic Copyright 2002 by Vencomatic bv All rights reserved 12 29 10 2002 4 Placement in the Breeder House Table 3 1 Check list for breeder house prior to placement House temperature lt Program ventilation and temperature for the house including the alarm settings Minimum 18 C Lighting Set timers for appropriate day length and check to maker sure they work Light bulbs for all units should be functioning properly lt Supplemental lighting can be used during placement Feeding system amp Fill hoppers with the desired amount of feed amp Adjust the lines so that they are parallel with the floor o Keep the
19. ble 2 1 Calculation of flock uniformity using the 10 method Flock uniformity measures how many birds in a flock are at a similar body weight Record the body weight of each individual Example calculations Calculate the average body weight by taking the sum of all the aa hee 125 individual body weights and dividing it by the number of birds weighed Average body weight 150 kg 125 1 2 kg Multiply ie average bird weight by 0 9 to calculate the lower 12 kg e090 ideki range 10 Multiply the average bird weight by 1 1 to calculate the upper T range 10 1 2 kg x 1 1 1 32 kg You now have the range of body weights that are within 10 of 1 08 kg to 1 32 kg the average Count the number of birds who weigh within this range Divide this number by the total number of birds weighed P ieee Multiply this number by 100 0 832 x 100 83 2 So 83 of the flock weighs within 10 of the average body weight If flock uniformity is low it should immediately be corrected This may involve e Isolating birds based on weight category and tailoring the feed allocation to each group s needs e Changing the rate of feed increases each week or the absolute amount of feed allocated e Reducing bird density square meters footage per bird e Increasing the number and or changing the spacing of the feeders and drinkers e Checking the accuracy of the feed weighing equipment and the rate of feed distribution e
20. e The males should be placed in the breeder house 1 or 2 days before the females The number of males at the time of placement will be equal to 10 of the female population gt Sort males by body weight Put heavier males together in units and lighter males together in other units gt Make sure that the same number of males is placed in every unit e The same number of females should be put into the crates used for moving gt Counting crates is easier than counting birds gt This prevents an unequal number of hens per unit gt As with the males the females should be crated together based on body weights and put in the same units where they can fairly compete with each other gt In order to keep uniformity high females that are too small or too large should not be placed in the breeder house 7 VAN U one Figure 3 1 Placement of the birds encomatic Copyright 2001 by Vencomatic Inc All rights reserved 14 29 10 2002 4 Placement in the Breeder House Immediately After Placement 1 It is essential that the birds recognize their water source right away a If the birds are not accustomed to using a nipple drinker then at placement train some of the birds within each unit to drink from the nipple 2 Feed the birds a On the first day give only 50 of the daily feed allocation For the following two days feed 125 of the daily feed allocation You can resume feeding 100 of the daily feed allocation on th
21. e body weight of the flock by changing the length of the interval Because males receive feed from the same trough as the females controlling male body weight is critical Fixed Interval e This is the most simple and common method used e Set one time for the interval length and continually repeat this time between runs The length of the interval will depend on the body weights of the males If the males are underweight gt shorten the interval e This increases the frequency of the runs increasing the amount of feed available to the males e If the males are overweight gt lengthen the interval This decreases the frequency between runs decreasing the amount of feed available to the males 4 Set the feed level in the trough e With every Veranda installation Vencomatic will supply a set of 8 metal plates that vary between 5 to 12 mm in thickness e The plates can be used in both pre production and production e Typically during pre production the 5 to 8 mm plates are used and during production the 9 to 12 mm plates are used Never use anything encomatic Copyright 2001 by Vencomatic Inc All rights reserved 21 29 10 2002 5 Feed Management less than the 9 mm plate during production otherwise the feed level will be too low and the males will not be able to reach the feed Figure 4 3 Plates for adjusting the intake boot e The plate is placed inside the feed intake boot to adjust the opening of the feed intake gate
22. e distribution of body weights within a flock Solid line Highly uniform flock Dashed line A low uniform flock B Solid line Egg production of the highly uniform flock Dashed line Egg production of a low uniform flock Preparation For Lay from placement to light stimulation Pullets are not subjected to light stimulation until they have achieved a target body weight and a critical body composition For example heavy breeders are required to have a certain percentage of body fat and lean body tissue before they begin sexual maturation If the flock is underweight before light stimulation Underweight birds will probably take longer to come into sexual maturity they will produce smaller eggs and have a poor rate of egg production Underweight is a relative term consult the breeder management guide for what is considered underweight and follow the breeder company s recommendations General points e Do not encourage rapid body weight gain in an attempt to get back on the target curve Instead the curve could be re drawn e Light stimulation may have to be delayed until the body weights are back on track e Examine the nutrient composition of the diet e Use a pre breeder ration with additional crude protein or leave them on the grower for a longer time consult a feed representative for the best advice encomatic Copyright 2002 by Vencomatic bv All rights reserved 26 29 10 2002 If the flock is overweight b
23. e fourth day b Feed level in the trough should be at its maximum Once birds have acclimatized to the feeding system the feed level can be lowered see 4 0 Feed Management gt gt Body weight management for more information c Check each tier in the house during feeding for proper distribution of feed and water Check the water line again later in the day d Pay attention to water and feed intake for the whole house not just individual e A good indicator of whether a bird is getting enough feed and water is to feel its crop shortly after they have eaten The function of the crop is to store food before digestion After feeding the crop will be quite visible it will look like the bird has a bulge on the side of its neck The crop should be feel full and kneadable f Birds that are not drinking or eating must be separated or removed from the house 3 Remove any equipment that was used to place the birds from the house 4 Clean the aisles if necessary 5 After the birds have been fed the aisles have been cleaned and you re sure they have found the nipple drinkers leave the birds alone for the rest of the first day to adjust 6 On that first day the lights should be left on through the night as some birds may have difficulty adjusting right away The next day go back toa regular day length encomatic Copyright 2001 by Vencomatic Inc All rights reserved 15 29 10 2002 4 Placement in the Breeder House
24. e result is that the last run of the day transports less feed than the previous runs e To correct this discrepancy there should always be an uneven number of runs On the first run of the day the feed system will move in the opposite direction of the first run from the previous day This ensures that the feed from the last run is not given to the same tier every time encomatic Copyright 2001 by Vencomatic Inc All rights reserved 20 29 10 2002 5 Feed Management Body Weight Management 1 It is preferable to re fill the hoppers immediately after feeding e The sound of the turning augers from the silo will not cause any stress to the birds e The hoppers can be checked to make sure they are filled correctly This way if there are any problems you will have time to solve it before the next day s feeding 2 Fix the required feeding times e Some customers have not fed the birds until 6 to 8 hours after lights on gt They have found this successful because most hens will lay their eggs in the morning leaving the afternoon for feeding and mating In addition having some feed left in the digestive tract after the lights off has led to improved egg shell quality This has lead to improved hatchability Note Speak to a Vencomatic representative before employing this method 3 Determine the length of the interval between runs using one of two methods discussed below Regardless of the method you choose you can control th
25. efore light stimulation Although overweight birds will begin laying early they will have a larger amount of fat defective egg production and in general poor health Follow the breeder company guide for what is considered overweight General points e Do not take away feed or encourage weight loss e Re draw the body weight curve according to breeder management guide recommendations e If the weight difference is detected before 20 weeks of age the birds can be brought back on the original curve eventually e If it happens later after 20 weeks of age it may be necessary to re draw the curve for the entire production cycle e The goal is to feed to achieve consistent body weight gains Light Stimulation And The Onset Of Lay e Determining the age to light stimulate is going to depend on a number of factors including Strain age body weight the amount of fleshing flock uniformity body composition VVVVVV e The appropriate lighting program will be outlined in the management guide provided by the primary breeder company e As arule of thumb the day length should never decrease during production If the birds were reared in a curtain walled house and were exposed to long natural day lengths the day length in production should be even longer encomatic Copyright 2002 by Vencomatic bv All rights reserved 27 29 10 2002 e Once the pullets have been light stimulated the nests should be left open for a fe
26. egg belts rubber nest pads a self cleaning floor system and a durable and stable plastic slat give the birds the most optimal environment to live While much of the guess work is taken care of success with this system is really about using a different management technique as it is not the same as a floor system The following recommendations are applicable to heavy breeders and have been made to help the flock manager work with this unique system House Layout The Veranda is designed for those that want to house over 10 000 female breeders The Veranda consists of small colony type units each containing a water line feed trough light and four nest boxes Figure 1 2 The units are placed on top of each other to form multiple levels or tiers and side by side to form rows The system is most economically viable when at least three tiers are used Figure 1 3 A single Veranda unit including nest space and egg belt measures 4 6 m long and 1 86 m wide 15 1 ft 10 ft is a ie H H petttte TT t I i ze i H H y 4 TT TT oa tt H Figure 1 2 Drawing of a colony unit with the slatted floor feed trough four nest
27. es should be between 0 3 BAR 4 PSI and 3 BAR 40 PSI The feeding system 1 When cleaning the troughs the outlet of the feed system in the rear is opened so that water can run directly out of the feed system 2 After cleaning remove remaining water to prevent corrosion 3 Run some feed through the system once every other day to prevent the spiral auger from getting stuck Manure belts 1 After putting in a new flock stretch the belts when the house temperature drops 2 In the case of extreme heat stretch the belts before removing the manure and release the tension afterwards You should remove the manure in the morning 3 If the belt does not lay horizontally after coming off the pressure roller increase the tension on the belt at the return station end 4 If the belt slips on the drive roll you must tighten the pressure roll more 5 Take care that the tumbler is equally stretched both to the right and to the left encomatic Copyright 2002 by Vencomatic bv All rights reserved 40 29 10 2002 Appendix A Veranda Maintenance Guide Air Inlets 1 There is a rope in the tubes that can be used to pull a brush through The brush will shake off any dust within the tube and by turning the ventilator on the dust can be blown out 2 This should be done before any major washing is done to the slats or the manure belts encomatic 29 10 2002 Copyright 2002 by Vencomatic bv All rights reserved 4
28. hese males Male To Female Ratio Depending on the breeder management guide the appropriate male to female ratio can range between 6 and 10 males for every 100 females The optimum level of males in the house will depend on actual flock performance determined mostly by mating activity and the percentage of fertile eggs The Vencomatic Veranda divides the population into smaller units Therefore the maintaining the appropriate number of males in each unit is critical The loss of one male in a unit at the wrong time can significantly affect the fertility of that unit At the time of placement there should be 6 males for every 60 females This gives the flock manager an opportunity to observe the males with females and to remove those males that are not fit for mating It is important to keep a record on the number of males per unit Until 25 to 26 weeks of age maintain this ratio using the surplus males By 25 to 26 weeks of age you can reduce the male population to 5 males for every 60 females Males that are underweight overweight or inactive must be removed This will help maintain a high degree of uniformity 75 in male body weight If during production you notice that there are males that are overly aggressive then reduce the number of males to 5 per 60 females if you have not already done so The number of males can be reduced to 4 males per 60 females if necessary If reducing the population to only 4 males then it is import
29. ing s seals Notes a The control panels are maintenance free It is a good idea to turn off the power to the panels if the systems are to remain idle for more than a few days This reduces the risk of a lightning strike damaging the inverter and or motor and also prevents any inadvertent switching on of the conveyor while maintenance or cleaning may be in progress b If your systems are not so equipped lightning arrestors are available from your Vencomatic dealer or distributor These devices further reduce the risk that lightning could damage belt drive inverters These arrestors are maintenance free and are rated to protect against an unlimited number of strikes c The electric motors and gearboxes supplied with your systems are completely maintenance free and lubricated for life No care other than a gentle cleaning is ever needed encomatic Copyright 2002 by Vencomatic bv All rights reserved 37 29 10 2002 Appendix A Veranda Maintenance Guide Specific Points Egg belt drive If an egg belt is slipping on the drive roller the pressure roller spring tension needs to be increased The pressure roller is pressed against the large drive roller by a spring on each side of the roller Use a 13 mm wrench to adjust the hex nut at each side of the roller thereby increasing the tension on the spring The rule of thumb on adjustment is to use the minimum amount of spring tension which will drive the belt with no slippage and
30. ition is considered one of most critical periods in the life of the flock During this time a pullet undergoes rapid body weight gain particularly in terms of fat deposition as she prepares for sexual maturation Sex steroid production increases and the ovary and the oviduct begin to develop Fortunately this is where controlling body weight and maintaining flock uniformity throughout rearing pay off Body Weight Weigh both males and females on a weekly basis especially from placement to peak egg production They can be weighed on a bi weekly basis after peak however a greater understanding of body weight will come with a weekly weighing through the entire production cycle e The number of birds to be weighed should adequately represent the population gt Select minimal 1 unit per row From the first row select f e a unit of the lowest tier in the beginning of the house From the second row a unit from the 2 tier at 1 3 of the building from the third row a unit 3 tier at 2 3 of the building and from the fourth row a unit from the 4 tier at the end gt All males from each of these units and minimal 20 of the females should be weighed accurately Each unit should contain minimal 4 males e The same colony units should be weighed each week to produce comparable data e Additionally each week an additional unit should be chosen at random and weighed By doing so you can determine if the other units are at similar body weigh
31. line low enough for the birds to recognize it This will help them find water more easily amp Check the water pressure o Should be reduced for the first few days after placement to allow the birds to get water easily o Adjust the level of water in the bleeder to 5 to 8 cm 2 to 3 in amp Check if the water level is the same in all of the bleeders at the end of the lines lt Spot check the availability of water in the nipples of the different lines if there is a leak move the pin in the nipple back and forth If this does not work then replace the nipple Nests amp Should stay closed until light stimulation Manure belt amp Turn on the air supply to the manure belts aeration At Placement It will take approximately a few days for the birds to adjust to their new environment The following recommendations will help ease the transition from the pullet house to the breeder house e The best age to transport birds is when they are between 18 and 20 weeks old At this time they are approaching maturity they have had their vaccinations and any possible reactions to the vaccines should already have occurred e All moving should begin in the early morning so that all of the birds can be transported in a single day This also gives the birds enough time to adjust to each other and to their new home encomatic Copyright 2001 by Vencomatic Inc All rights reserved 13 29 10 2002 4 Placement in the Breeder House
32. nsion the chain can slip off the corners 8 Check the tension springs on the egg belts When the tension is too low they can block in the drive rolls encomatic Copyright 2002 by Vencomatic bv All rights reserved 33 29 10 2002 Appendix A Veranda Maintenance Guide 9 After collecting eggs at a table wipe down the collection surface and table cover with a mild soap solution Also clean the transitions between the egg belts elevators and trash boxes 10 Check for proper operation of the nest close out mechanism Because the nests close half an hour before the lights go out the nest floors can be checked in this period to see if no nests stay open because of a mechanical failure or blockage Weekly Maintenance 1 Check the barred rollers in the return stations for build up of debris and other material inside and below their housings gt Clean out any material always making sure that the electric power to the belt drives is locked out 2 Check the tension on the cross conveyor chain If there is too little tension the chain can slip off the corners 3 Check for proper egg belt slack adjustment When there is not enough tension in the egg belt the tension springs in the belt guides must be repositioned This usually applies when there has been a change in temperature gt Check tension spring adjustment at each egg belt drive point gt After any adjustments make sure that the springs are adjusted evenly for g
33. ody weights will look like the dashed line in Figure 5 1A The shape of the curve is short and more flat because there is a lot of variability in body weight The body weights are not clustered together rather only 50 of the flock weigh within 10 of the average body weight e If uniformity is low before lay the pullets will mature at different ages when light stimulated gt This will result in birds reaching peak egg production at different ages gt The egg production curve will look like the dashed line in Figure 5 1B The increase in egg production before peak is not as high as fora uniform flock and peak egg production is low e Feed allocation for a non uniform flock will be difficult as the birds are at different stages of production so their nutrient requirements will differ e It is very difficult to regain uniformity once a flock has started laying gt The most common recommendation is to delay light stimulation This gives the underweight birds more time to catch up to the heavier birds without having to use large increases in feed allocation encomatic Copyright 2002 by Vencomatic bv All rights reserved 25 29 10 2002 A B Flock uniformity of body weight at the onset of lay Egg production curve throughout lay Number of birds Egg production Body weight SOR G Oe Oo Figure 5 1 The effect of variation in body weight on egg production A Body weight uniformity for two flocks Each line represents th
34. ood belt tracking 4 Check the following on the egg elevators gt The dosator grill the bar for the belts and the white discs should be free of dirt and feathers otherwise the belts could break gt Make sure that the drive roller and the tension roller in the drive unit are free of dirt and manure gt Check the tension and lubrication of the drive chains gt Check the tension roller in the drive unit Make sure the egg belts can not slip over the drive roller 5 Check the carriers in the elevators and clean them if necessary Take off the guards 6 Check the white wire mesh on the egg guides in between the carriers They can be removed to be cleaned if necessary encomatic Copyright 2002 by Vencomatic bv All rights reserved 34 29 10 2002 Appendix A Veranda Maintenance Guide Manure belts Check the following during manure collection 1 If the manure belt runs against a belt guiding plate on one side or runs a little upwards the belt should push itself back by it s own stiffness 2 If the manure belt shifts to one side while running it must be adjusted gt For example if the belt shifts to the right increase the tension on this side of the belt both at the drive and return ends of the belt or reduce the tension on the left hand side gt Refer to the Veranda User Manual gt gt 4 4 Manure belts for more detailed information 3 If the belt runs upward to the point that it can be permanen
35. orrect operation This will eliminate many problems and assure that your systems will be ready when the birds arrive encomatic Copyright 2002 by Vencomatic bv All rights reserved 36 29 10 2002 Appendix A Veranda Maintenance Guide General Points 1 Remove the feed in the hoppers and feed troughs and clean out all manure and debris from the manure belts egg belt covers and return stations High pressure water is acceptable to clean the Veranda system but should not be used on any electric motors control panels bearings or gearboxes Cover all motors with plastic while pressure washing the units and building To clean motors first use compressed air to remove dust and loose particles then a damp cloth for final cleaning 2 Loosen tension on all egg and manure belts before cleaning so the belt can shrink rather than stretch 3 After clean out is complete remove the limit switch cover on the closeout gearboxes black plastic cover fastened with 4 Philips screws to allow any moisture to evaporate preventing switch gear corrosion Replace cover once all moisture has dried out making sure the gasket is in good condition and properly aligned 4 Repair any tears or damage to the egg belts Check the egg belt drive rollers for wear and cleanliness replace and clean as needed 5 Apply grease to the bearing s grease fittings on each side of the drive roller until you see a small amount of grease escaping from the bear
36. pple drinkers themselves When the water supply is turned on again at the arrival of the new flock you may notice the some of the nipple drinkers that are leaking To solve this problem e Flush the lines with low concentration cleaner during the flock Ask your supplier if this is possible Read the instructions for using the cleaner Never exceed the recommended dose e Move each leaking nipple back and forth Replace the nipple if necessary encomatic Copyright 2002 by Vencomatic bv All rights reserved 39 29 10 2002 Appendix A Veranda Maintenance Guide To prevent this problem in the future e Thoroughly flush the lines after each flock with disinfectants that contain non aggressive acids eg Acetic acid e Leave the water pressure on the lines between flocks Regularly check the water quality and the water pressure to obtain the maximum performance of the system and prolong the life of the system Have the water checked by a renowned control company in your area You may have to treat or filter the water Use Table A 1 as a guideline for checking your water quality Table A 1 Common problems with water quality and their treatment Problem Problem level Treatment Hardness Over 12 DH German degrees Use a water softener Calcium equivalent to 2 14 mmol CaO per liter of water PH Under 6 5 Use a neutralizing filter Iron Over 0 5 ppm Mechanical filtering system Chlorinate the water Water pressure in the lin
37. rved 38 29 10 2002 Appendix A Veranda Maintenance Guide Water Supply 1 The drinking lines must be thoroughly cleaned after each flock e First set the bleeders in rinsing position lift the support 5 cm and turn the transparent tube 90 to the right Remove the plugs from the bleeders e Then set the regulator in rinsing position turn the longest finger of the opening valve 180 up e Now flush the lines one after another by opening the water taps Do not forget to put the parts first the regulator then the bleeders back into their original position when finished gt Attention The water pressure must not be higher than 3 BAR 40 PSI when flushing the lines If it is higher the connectors can split open e During the flock you can proceed the same way if necessary after administering vaccines or medication In this situation fix a water thaw water hose to the bleeders BEFORE flushing the lines so the water flows out of the house e After thorough cleaning of the inside of the lines you can put disinfectants in the water Always follow the instructions from the disinfectant supplier and never exceed the recommended dosage CCC 2 Some poultry farms have water with a high calcium and or iron content This is usually not a problem during the production cycle But between flocks the water supply is usually shut off During this time sediments can build up in the lines and within the ni
38. s are an important factor in the breeder house as day length helps stimulate sexual maturation and egg production Each colony unit has one fluorescent light that is located behind the unit in the center Figure 1 8 The light intensity throughout the unit varies with approximately 50 lux at the water line and 30 lux at the feeder line The light intensity can not be adjusted and usually there is no supplemental lighting in the house Figure 1 8 Side view of a Veranda row showing the light bulb Each colony unit is equipped with a single light bulb that remains at a fixed light intensity Egg Handling Almost all eggs are laid in the nests and roll onto the egg belt Figure 1 9 Slat eggs should roll through the nest and also onto the egg belt 7 Figure 1 9 A Side view of a Veranda row showing the egg belt B Picture of a nest box and egg belt The nest box is usually covered with plastic The egg belt is perforated to keep the eggs clean encomatic 29 10 2002 Copyright 2001 by Vencomatic Inc All rights reserved 6 2 Veranda Layout An egg elevator at the end of each row collects the eggs from each tier Figure 1 10 The eggs can then be taken to an individual collection table in front of each elevator To simplify the egg collection process a cross conveyor can be fitted into the house that will take the eggs from every elevator to a central collection point Figure 1 11 Figure 1 10 Picture of an egg elevator
39. se make copies of the charts as needed If you do not have these maintenance charts speak to your Vencomatic representative Before performing any maintenance or cleaning of any part of the system shut off and lock out all power sources for the Vencomatic Veranda system Daily Maintenance General points 1 Check for any dead or trapped birds in each of the units remove or free them 2 Check the height of the water line and the water pressure 3 Inspect cross conveyors elevators and egg packer if using one for obstacles Remove them before egg collection begins 4 Eggs must be distributed evenly over the conveyor during transport from the egg belts to the collection table otherwise you run the risk of damaged or cracked eggs gt If you are using an automated egg packing machine the flow of eggs to the packer should match its packing capacity Frequent starting and stopping of the egg belts will increase the risk of damaged or cracked eggs gt You can adjust the speed of the egg belts using the frequency collection 5 If there is an unusually high number of dirty eggs there is probably an obstruction on the egg belts or on the elevators 6 Inspect joints in the egg belts for any wear or damage It is helpful to mark the belts with a very visible color a few feet before the joint so that you have enough time to stop the belts for inspection 7 Check the tension on the cross conveyor chain If there is too little te
40. ssociated management material and instructions of the Veranda system or any part thereof Printed in The Netherlands Vencomatic USA Inc 253 Center Street 143 Lake Geneva WI 53147 1982 Phone 877 934 3972 Fax 877 934 397 Email erik draaijer vencomatic com Vencomatic do Brasil Rua Maestro Angelo Lamari 336 13930000 SERRA NEGRA SAO PAULO BRASIL Phone 0055 1938927889 Fax 0055 1938927881 Email brasilinfo vencomatic com Jencomatic Copyright 2002 by Vencomatic bv All rights reserved 29 10 2002 Table of Contents 1 Introduction 1 2 Veranda Layout 2 3 Rearing 9 4 Placement in the Breeder House 12 5 Feed Management 18 6 Production 24 7 Male Management 30 Appendix A Veranda Maintenance Guide 33 Jencomatic Copyright 2001 by Vencomatic Inc All rights reserved 29 10 2002 1 Introduction This manual contains recommendations to help the producer manage birds with their Vencomatic Veranda system This is to be used as a guide only and in no way is meant to replace the management guide that is provided by the primary breeder company This manual was created to help our customers achieve the best possible results with our system As an equipment manufacturer Vencomatic realizes that our equipment will not enhance or detract fertile egg production However Vencomatic can give customers the benefit of years of experience as to what has worked and not worked Information on body weight
41. t few times that you start the feeding system it will shake slightly Afterwards it should run smoothly The hopper contains only the amount of feed to be allocated that day One hopper is allocated for every 2 tiers or levels The feeding system operates on a loop Each tier is one half of the loop One run is defined as the length of time needed for the system to complete a single loop This time is fixed and can not be changed gt In order to divide the feed in the hopper evenly among both tiers the system will need to make more than one run gt The number of runs will depend on the level of feed in the trough the feed form the amount of feed per bird clean up time and body weight After the first run the system will pause to allow the birds to eat the newly distributed feed before starting again This time between runs is known as an interval The length of the interval can be altered When the feed system begins the next run it will move in the opposite direction of the previous loop gt For example if the first run moved in a clockwise direction the second run will move in a counter clockwise direction The feed system will always reverse directions after each run running time reeding time interval ra Z 77 My 7 f YY Liss Pa y f fy 1 Uy Y tiff YY f E a a a a aa a a a E a a a E a a a a E E E A A a A a E A A a A E A a A A a Feeding time minutes Figure 4 2 Feed run encomatic 29 10 200
42. t is also a cushioned surface for eggs that are laid outside the nest Eggs that are laid on the slats will roll through the nest and onto the egg belt Slat 7 Figure 1 5 Side view of a Veranda row showing the slat and nests The slats are a specially designed 2C material that provides the stability needed for broiler breeders without damaging eggs Water Line The water line in the colony unit consists of a supply line and 8 nipple drinkers with cups The water line is located next to the nest Figure 1 6 This strongly induces the hens to approach the nest regularly and has been found to be very important in obtaining good results particularly with broiler breeders encomatic 29 10 2002 Copyright 2001 by Vencomatic Inc All rights reserved 4 2 Veranda Layout Water line Figure 1 6 Side view of a Veranda row showing the water line There are eight nipple drinkers and with drip cups in each colony unit Feeder Lines The feed line is a drag auger with an exclusion grill Figure 1 7 Every two tiers per row has one hopper The feed is delivered automatically to each hopper and runs on a charged line Feed line Figure 1 7 Side view of a Veranda row showing the feeder line The feeder is intended for both males and females Large gaps between the grills allow the roosters to eat encomatic Copyright 2001 by Vencomatic Inc All rights reserved 5 29 10 2002 2 Veranda Layout Lights The light
43. the manometer drops below this marking it is an indication that the negative pressure has increased and that you may need to clean the filters 3 If the filters are clean check to make sure that the level in the manometer is still where you had marked it If it isn t you may need to loosen both small bars from the manometer and adjust Other options are to re calibrate the manometer mark the new spot with a zero or to add more manometer liquid 4 The higher the negative pressure in the air intake manifold the less air will be blown over the manure belts So we recommend that you clean the filters regularly Egg belts 1 There is an initial period where the egg belts will stretch then they will stabilize 2 Regularly clean the rolls in the return station 3 After doing anything to the roll in the return station ensure that the roll is straight after tightening it this prevent the egg belt from rubbing against the sides After Each Flock Clean the units and building as soon as possible after the flock is removed to allow enough time to perform maintenance and any necessary repairs This also reduces or eliminates potentially harmful microorganisms left over from the previous flock Be sure to order any spare parts that you may need well in advance of the end of the flock so that they will be at your farm when needed Once everything has been done be sure to power up the control panels and test all of the systems for c
44. tly deformed or damaged you must stop manure removal immediately If necessary release the tension roll and or the pressure roll so that you can push the belt back to the center of the roll 4 Release and clean the belt scrapers after removing the manure from the house 5 Check the drive roller the drive roller scraper and the pinch rollers for debris and clean if necessary 6 Check the scraper on the return roll and clean it if necessary 7 Ensure the manure belts can not slip over the drive rollers 8 Clean the manure removal unit after each manure removal so that ther is no manure on the parts 9 The bearings pinions chains shafts etc must be well treated with a preservative supplied by Vencomatic All the chains should be well greased and stretched 10 Cover the pit completely after each manure removal encomatic Copyright 2002 by Vencomatic bv All rights reserved 35 29 10 2002 Appendix A Veranda Maintenance Guide Monthly Maintenance Perform a general inspection of the equipment for any misalignment obstructions or damage Heat Exchanger 1 The manometer is used as indicator of negative pressure in the heat exchanger gt The scale on the manometer column is in millimeters gt Example If the manometer level is at 0 5 this is equivalent to 5 mm gt Pressure 5 mm x 10 50 Pascal 2 When the air filters are clean mark the value on the manometer with a zero When the level in
45. to adjust both springs to the same tension Be sure that the spring still has some room to compress this will allow belt splices to pass through smoothly without binding Egg elevators 1 The elevators can be cleaned with high pressure water Loosen the pressure roller tension springs at the belt inlet of the elevators First Spray everything so that all parts can soak Then you can easily spray all of the parts clean 2 Let all parts dry well and place any removed parts back in the elevator Tension the egg belt again and make sure the belts run straight over the barred rollers in the return stations Repair any possible damages 3 The bearings and motors on the elevators do not need to be lubricated 4 Check the transition of eggs from the belt on the carriers The eggs should be placed right into the carriers If you are there are two or more tiers that are feeding into the same elevator the eggs from one tier should not be placed in the same carriers as eggs from another tier but after each other If this is not the case you should adjust the timing of the dosator grill cam 5 Refer to the Veranda User Manual gt gt Section 4 6 Elevators for full instructions on egg elevator adjustment Nests and Units 1 Remove all the nest pads 2 Vencomatic recommends that the slats should also be removed and cleaned separately 3 Clean and disinfect the nest pads encomatic Copyright 2002 by Vencomatic bv All rights rese
46. ts to the units that you weigh regularly e Every bird in the unit must be weighed Generally you will find that the smallest birds are weighed last So if you only weigh a limited number of birds per unit it will almost always be the heaviest birds This can have serious implications on your body weight management e To make weighing birds proceed more smoothly a partition made out of styrofoam plastic or thick cardboard can be used to keep all of the birds on one side of the unit As each bird is weighed it can be moved over to other side of the unit encomatic Copyright 2002 by Vencomatic bv All rights reserved 24 29 10 2002 Flock Uniformity When uniformity is high e The distribution of body weights will look like the solid line in Figure 5 1A The shape of the curve is narrow and tall because there was very little variability between body weights The majority of the birds 90 of the flock weigh within 10 of the average body weight of the flock gt This is the type of curve that you should aim for e This shape indicates that the birds are at a similar stage of development therefore they can respond to the light stimulation as a synchronous group gt That is the pullets will mature at the same rate and will commence egg production at a similar time e The result is that the peak and persistency of egg production will be high solid line in Figure 5 1B When uniformity is low e The distribution of b
47. w hours each day gt As they begin to mature the hens will begin looking for a suitable nesting place They will be drawn to areas that are peaceful less traffic and comfortable gt The females need at least two weeks before egg production begins to find the nest gt Clearly the goal is to make the nest the most attractive place for the hen to lay her egg Early Lay Production e Record the appearance of the first egg and continue to record daily egg production thereafter A file with egg production data should include records of the number of settable or hatching eggs the number of small eggs and the number of defective eggs e After the first egg the nest should opened for the whole day e Inthe Veranda system open the nests immediately after the lights come on This way you give the hens an opportunity to move away from the nest floor before it opens e The nests should be closed 30 minutes before lights off e During the night the nests should remain closed this practice should be continued to the end of the production cycle e Review Appendix A gt gt Daily Maintenance e Eggs should be stored as soon as possible after collection The eggs are stored in a room that is cooled to an optimum temperature and air humidity thus increasing hatchability Speak to your hatchery representative about the appropriate temperature and humidity for your storage room e Continually monitor the behavior of the males and fem
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