NETHERLAND - During a recent trip to the tropics, Martin 'Tiny' Barten, senior hatchery specialist at Pas Reform, had the chance unexpectedly to visit a hatchery that was due to host a Pas Reform Academy Seminar. He writes that his unplanned visit was well received, giving the hatchery manager the chance to talk to him about chick quality, which was not entirely satisfactory. Culled chicks and first week mortality were slightly high by their standards.
Four hatch days each week meant that Mr Barten could witness chick take-off during his visit. The newly hatched chicks presented with full bellies – and too many unclosed navels. Other signs confirmed that 502-504 hours of incubation were not enough: the chicks were being pulled too early. At the end of the short visit, they agreed that relative humidity set points would be reduced from 53 to 50 per cent, with incubation starting four to six hours earlier.
A month later, as the hatchery welcomed delegates from all over the region to the Academy seminar, the company's General Manager asked if Mr Barten would join him and his team in the evenings. It seemed that while there had been some improvements in chick quality since the previous visit, results were still not quite as they should be.
During the day, all participants were fully occupied with the Seminar programme, taking part in practical sessions, attending presentations and enjoying lively discussion.
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