as100 lec 8

• Nutrition


  One of the factors that can influence the health and productivity of an animal
• Breed


  One of the factors that can influence the health and productivity of an animal
• Management


  One of the factors that can influence the health and productivity of an animal
• If animals are not protected against environmental factors, the animals may still not be productive even if nutrition, breed, and management are done right
• How improper housing and environment affect the productivity of animals

  • Exposed to extreme weather conditions like heavy rain and extreme hot weather
  • Exposed to predators such as foxes, cats, rats, etc.
  • Can cause overcrowding if the cage is too small for the amount/size of the animal/s
• There is no single best type of housing when it comes to animals
• Factors that determine the most appropriate housing for a farm


  • Local climatic conditions
  • Topography
  • Costs
  • Availability of building materials
  • Breed of animal
• Characteristics of a good animal house

  • Provides biosecurity and protection of the animals against the elements of nature
  • Provides convenience and ease of work for caretakers
  • Has durability to allow maximization of investments
  • Made with accessible and cheap materials without sacrificing durability and comfort
• Purpose of having good ventilation

  • Removes excess moisture
  • Reduces heat in hot weather
  • Removes odor of the farm
  • Provides supply of fresh, oxygenated air
• Factors to consider when selecting a site

  • Should preferably be away from crowded cities and towns and human habitations, but not too far from market
  • Should be of adequate size to accommodate the requisite buildings and should also have sufficient space for further expansion
  • The land area should be level and without abrupt slopes
  • Should also be far from rivers and steep areas
• A good animal house must have

  • A non-slippery floor
  • A solid, high wall
  • A durable roof
  • A well-angled roof
  • A well-designed manger
  • A wide gate
  • A secure fence
• Brooding


  The process of providing heat to chicks 1 - 14 days old
• Indicators of brooding temperature

  • Too hot- chicks will move away from the heat source
  • Too cold- chicks will tend to clench up and form groups to keep each other warm
  • Right temperature- the chicks will be evenly scattered/distributed
• Watt to chick ratio


  One watt is equivalent to one chick
• Heat sources for brooding

  • Light bulb
  • LPG
  • Infrared Lamp
  • Kerosene Lamp
  • Charcoal
  • Electric Brooder
• Temperature requirements for brooding

  • 1 - 7 days = 32.2 - 35.0 ºC
  • 8 - 14 days = 29.4 - 32.2 ºC
• Aside from providing heat, having a light source during the first few days of brooding will allow the chicks to see and eat during the night
• Floor space requirements for layer chickens

  • 1 - 21 days = 0.3 square feet / bird
  • 3 - 8 weeks = 0.5 square feet / bird
  • 8 - 12 weeks = 1.0 square foot / bird
  • Litter Floor = 2.0 - 2.5 sq. ft. / bird
  • Slatted Floor = 1.5 - 2.0 sq. ft. / bird
  • Battery Cage = 0.75 - 1.0 sq. ft. /bird
• Floor space requirements for broiler chickens

  • 1-14 days = 0.3 square feet / bird
  • 15 days–market = 1.0 square foot / bird
• Broilers are generally harvested now after 28 days, but some broilers are harvested when they reach a certain weight, regardless of age
• East-West orientation of poultry housing


  Allows the sides of the farm to be protected longer (through the roof) from direct sunlight during day hours, making the housing and the chickens less hot
• Light management rules for poultry intended for egg production

  • Never increase light during growing period
  • Never decrease light during laying period
• Chicken's internal rhythm


  Activated on their pineal gland through light
• Increasing the light during the growing period will hasten their sexual maturity, which results to production of more pullet eggs (small eggs)
• Layers in turn will be prone to prolapse and shorter egg production if light is increased during the growing period
• Light exposure limits


  • 11 - 12 hours during the growing stage (8 - 12 weeks) of pullets
  • 16 - 18 hours for layer hens
• Signs that a pullet is ready to lay eggs

  • Their wattles and comb will be larger and have a brighter red appearance
  • They will be friendlier and more docile
  • They will instinctively look for nest
  • Their vent and abdomen will become large
  • If she laid an egg
• Ideally, pullets can create better eggs and longer production period if they start being productive at 22 weeks of age
• How to delay egg laying in pullets

  • Reduce 20% of the feed being given
  • Dilute the feeds by incorporating fiber materials (like rice hull)
  • Provide low protein diets
  • Skip feeding
  • Reduce light
• Hens lay eggs between 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM with majority happening at noon
• Reasons why eggs must be collected as early and as efficiently as possible

  • To prevent the eggs from being exposed to heat, bacteria, etc.
  • To prevent the eggs from being eaten by the hens
  • To prevent the eggs from being pooped on
  • To prevent the eggs from being trampled
• Cannibalism


  A bad habit developed by some growing birds
• Causes of cannibalism

  • Imbalanced ration (a high energy diet with low protein)
  • Overcrowding
  • Insufficient feeding and drinking spaces
  • Extended period without feed and water
  • Poor ventilation
  • Excessive heat and too much light
• Prevention of cannibalism


  • Addressing the said causes
  • If it is common for the breed or if the problems persist, debeaking can be done
  • Usually performed at chicks 7 - 10 days old
• Ideal Rooster to Hen ratio is 1:10
• Downtime (period of rest) in between batch of flocks is usually 10 - 14 days
• 1 gallon of water is enough for 100 chicks per day
• Barn


  Housing for large ruminants
• Pen


  Housing for small ruminants
• Sty


  Housing for swine