Now that the shooting season has come to an end, rearing sites begin their site preparations and game farms turn their attention to the breeding stock.
It is of the upmost importance to manage and maintain a healthy breeding flock. Birds that are free from stress and disease will perform better, have higher fertility and produce stronger, more viable chicks. Birds that have been caught up may well be immunosuppressed, in poor health and must be carefully cared for, as we prepare for the breeding season ahead.
The following points should be considered when managing laying flocks at this time of year:
- Avoid mixing flocks: Try and avoid newly caught birds being mixed with over wintered flocks. In doing so, the risk of stress and disease transmission is reduced
- Keep stocking densities low: The consequence of too many birds in a pen is an increase in competition and stress, leading to poor fertility and ill health. Our recommendation is around 10 hens per cock bird. Outdoor flock pens should be spacious and away from disturbance. Provide cover, quiet nesting areas and low level partitions to allow cock birds to create territories, this will decrease the likelihood of confrontation. Provide more than enough feeders and drinkers so competition is limited.
- Keep vigilant for disease: Birds should be regularly monitored and checked for any signs of ill health. Look out for increased ocular discharge or facial swelling, as well as deaths or muscle wastage. If you are concerned, then contact your vet immediately either with a visit, post-mortem or send them a picture. Stress can soon lead to break-outs of clinical disease such as Mycoplasma. Regular worming is recommended as a build-up, gut worms can lead to poor health and even death. Taking faecal samples for worm egg counts is advisable.
- Provide adequate nutrition: As mentioned earlier, we must support the hens in the build up to laying. Choosing the correct diet is essential to provide the nutrition need for these birds to grow. Too high energy and laying birds will become fat, compromising both fertility and laying ability.
- Provide clean drinking water: Providing clean, uncontaminated and palatable water is essential at all times when dealing with captive game birds. Consider using a water cleaner and a hydrogen peroxide based product regularly to keep the biofilm in the pipes at bay. High bacterial contamination will compromise bird health.
- Update your Flock Health Plan: Registered flocks require a yearly updated flock health plan. Book in time with your vet to audit your plans and ensure proceedings are in place for the forthcoming breeding and hatching. Make the most of the vet visit. Use it to discuss a preventative approach.
- Biosecurity: Never underestimate the importance of keeping your site bio-secure – indeed it is currently a legal requirement for many as part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone in place. Use foot dips to keep boots clean and barriers to prevent unwanted guests. Separate boots for each pen would be ideal. With the real threat of Avian Influenza, I cannot stress how important good biosecurity and movement record keeping is.
If you have any questions or concerns about the health of your birds, get in touch on 01392 872932.
