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The Benefits of Chick Master’s Avída Single-Stage Setters from Hatchery to Farm
David Marsh
These trials compare hatchery and on-farm performance traits of leading broiler strains from the same donor flocks. To date we have monitored a total of 5 million eggs incubated in hatcheries around the globe. The results are consistently showing the same trends of a measurable performance advantage in favor of Chick Master Avida Single Stage incubation systems.
The Avída Single-Stage Setter - model A12
The unique design of the Chick Master Single Stage setter with its programmable ventilation system is the first of it’s kind. The design is based on experience dating back more than ten years from research with actual field installations of high density, large volume single stage hatcheries. This, of course, is in addition to more than 25 years experience in the production of Single Stage incubators for commercial operators incorporating trend setting designs in air movement, CO2 control and process improvement techniques. The setter cabinet design incorporates a unique interlocking wall system, double- seal door gaskets, and sealed pulley guards and dampers. Since these design features make the setter virtually air-tight, it can be programmed for virtually no air exchange in the first 9-10 days of incubation. As a result, very little egg weight loss takes place during this period, while the buildup of CO2 is brought to levels that help to stimulate skeletal and muscle development. The conditions within the setter cabinet create a synergy between very even temperature and high humidity resulting in superior heat transfer and an increased level of CO2. It is through this synergy that a highly conditioned embryo is produced, leading to enhanced hatchery and on farm performance. In brief, the conditions in the setter are ideal for this critical period in the embryo’s development. Egg weight loss is achieved in the final 8-9 days in the setter. Although the average % loss is within acceptable limits, there is in fact quite a large variation from setter tray to setter tray. This is true even from the same flocks and within the same area of the machine. As a result of this and other similar experiences, we have concluded that the only truly effective way to maintain a proper environment is through the use of Chick Master’s unique programmable ventilation system and sectional control. With this system the results are consistent hatch after hatch, despite the variations found in the individual egg weight loss. From the completed and ongoing trials we have constructed a database comparing hatchery performance in areas such as breakout analysis, chick weight and uniformity, and on- farm performance (mortality, weight for age, feed conversion). A brief summary of these findings follows: Break out analysis – higher hatches have been recorded with some running as much as 5% higher than the control equipment. The results are quite dependent upon flock age but the average hatch improvement across the life of the flock is in the region of 2-3% of all eggs set. We have also found 1.5-2% lower embryo mortality from the single stage equipment compared to the control equipment. Chick weight and uniformity –has proven to be consistently in the region of 2gms higher from single stage process compared to the multistage control with better CV’s of 6-7%. On-Farm Performance is as follows:
In summary, Chick Master Single Stage incubation systems, when compared to other incubation systems, can provide the following benefits for any hatchery and or producer:
Energy is another popular subject in our industry. We can demonstrate that in a Single Stage operation, after the initial warm-up of the machine (which in an Avida 18 is a little over 6 hours), the heating activity virtually stops! This condition is maintained for the entire close-up period, (usually 9 days in chickens, 14 days in turkeys). In this period the eggs are endothermic, so the completely sealed machine is advantageous. In the second phase of the setting period, (9 days in chickens, 11 days in turkeys) the eggs are exothermic. During this phase the programmable ventilation control system fully opens the dampers to gain maximum ventilation to remove the heat of the eggs and to remove the humidity thereby enabling the necessary egg weight loss. This clearly demonstrates that the operation of our Single-Stage machines matches exactly the requirements of the eggs in the endothermic and exothermic periods. The Avida therefore not only maximizes performance and results but does so through the most efficient means possible (lowest cost) for energy needs. Furthermore it has been proven on some sites, with our Single Stage machines using our latest recommended programs, that there is no need at any time throughout the set to introduce artificial humidity (spray nozzles in the machine). This has proven to be a major positive influence in maintaining the stable conditions within the setter cabinet (no heating needed to balance the cooling effect that the artificial humidity brings with it). Clearly there are capital and energy cost advantages from not having to introduce artificial humidity into the machine. Another feature helping to reduce further the unnecessary waste of energy for cooling and heating is the LOGIK (Pulsed Energy Saving Control), which is now included as a standard in the Avida control system. LOGIK gives greater accuracy of control to predict heating and cooling set points so that expensive overshoots are avoided. This results in highly stable environmental profiles within each section of the incubator - and each section can in fact have a profile unique to the egg strain and age within it - which reduces hatchery energy bills and results in better chick quality. Use of these profiles has proven to be far more effective than any attempts to be guided by egg weighing systems. A last remark: The sectional design and control makes our machine unique in the ability to incubate eggs from different flocks and different ages in the same setter without losing performance and results. No one else can provide equipment capable of doing this effectively. This is a unique and powerful package that we at Chick Master can provide--from our wide range of Avida Single Stage systems - in order to give our customers enhanced performance in the hatchery and on the farm. It is equally applicable to all species and levels of production, from Pure Line through to Multiplier. Energy efficiency, bio-security, quality control audit paths, increased hatches, better uniformity of chicks, better feed conversion, lower on farm mortality and heavier grow-out weights. I guess that’s about all you can expect to gain with the Chick Master Avida series single stage process. Perhaps that’s enough to encourage you to call?? We will be able to help improve your bottom line! If you would like to contact the author for more information on this subject please email dmarsh@chickmasteruk.com. |
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Hatchability results from a major broiler producer, representing
over one years data.