As the winter season continues, it is a good time to reflect on the considerable challenges that this period can bring for free-range egg producers.
Wet winter conditions are far from ideal for free-range chickens. The range becomes muddy, litter gets wet, and parasites and diseases can thrive. So, what can producers do to overcome these difficulties?
Working very closely with clients on these issues, year after year, we have identified that the key is to optimise intestinal health. This ensures energy and protein can be absorbed and assimilated, thereby maximising production and the bird’s immune system.
Intestinal health
Maintaining optimum intestinal health can be a challenge at the best of times for many egg producers, however the winter requires a consistent and proactive approach for the best chances of success across free-range farms.
The biggest challenge for the birds is concentrated around periods of stress, which often occur upon arrival at the farm, during transit, following a change in environment, water quality or diet, and when exposed to new diseases – all of which have a considerable impact on intestinal health.
Early warning signs of compromised intestinal and gut health often manifest in finding a number of frothy yellow droppings within the range, and close attention should be paid during these stressful periods so symptoms can be treated quickly. Feed and water intake will also drop, weight gain will slow, and eggs may be smaller than expected, with poor quality shells. We often advise that producers try to minimise the stress on pullets through careful terminal cleaning and range management.
During the winter, good range management can be hard, however it is the upkeep of effective cleaning and husbandry protocols that play one of the biggest roles in combating disease challenges amongst the birds. It is also worth remembering that whilst cold winters have the benefit of reducing disease levels and internal parasites, mild and wet weather is ideal for pathogens to flourish.
Worms
The main worms to look out for are capillaria, ascaridia and heterakis, with both capillaria and ascaridia worms causing irritation in the lining of the intestine which leads to poor nutrient absorption and general bacterial enteritis.
Heterakis worms are not harmful in their own right, but can carry blackhead, a disease which can be deadly to layers. Worm burdens can also depress appetite, which in itself can affect the balance of good and bad bacteria in the intestine.
Producers should ideally take faecal egg counts every six to eight weeks, and speak to their vet regarding giving a licensed wormer if required.
Terminal hygiene is crucial in the management of worms, and it’s important to use a Defra-approved disinfectant to destroy worm eggs. There are many products available that provide varying results, and so we would recommend speaking with your local vet or field services team who can advise on the best product for your site.
Range management
Although cleaning and disinfecting the shed is relatively straightforward, managing the range can be more difficult.
Ensuring grass is kept short and that tree cover never completely stops light reaching the soil’s surface is important, and the application of agricultural lime at turnaround can also help destroy worm eggs and other pathogens that are present.
It is also crucial that farmers ensure that the range is consistently well-drained as standing water can harbour bacteria that can cause diarrhoea. Installing French drains outside the pop holes and an area of hard standing around the shed will reduce tracking of wet mud back into the house. If possible, the introduction of a paddock system can work well to give the range a rest during these wetter months.
Drinking water
Drinking water also plays a very important role in maintaining the health and wellbeing of the birds. The average layer drinks 200ml of water a day, and the bacteria that live in drinking water can be particularly harmful. With borehole water it’s essential to have water treatment systems in place that are monitored every six months and serviced regularly. However, bacteria can soon build up, even in mains water, and so a robust cleaning protocol is essential to prevent the contamination of water supplies to the range.
There are many water sanitation products and systems available, each with varying efficacy, costs and processes. The main threat to clean water is the formation of biofilm, which harbours bacteria and can be a stubborn substance to remove from your water system. Products such as those that contain stabilised hydrogen peroxide are often very effective in the removal of biofilm, however we would recommend speaking to your local veterinary surgeon who can discuss the many product options with you to identify the best solution for you.
Even where a farmer’s range management, terminal hygiene and water quality is excellent, birds can still suffer from intestinal upsets simply through the stress of laying, and so producers should consider bolstering intestinal health with feed or water additives.
Probiotics and organic acids
The introduction of probiotics into a chickens’ diet can often be beneficial in supporting their overall gut health. There are two broad types available – those with ‘good’ bacteria found in the intestine of healthy chickens, and those with bacteria that produce substances to destroy harmful bacteria.
Products that contain lactobacilus should be given early in life or after antibiotic treatment, as they work by displacing harmful bacteria. Those that destroy harmful bacteria include Bacillus subtilis, which inhibits Clostridium perfringens – the most common harmful bacteria found in the gut.
Another option is to use organic acids. These make the gut more acidic, encouraging the growth of ‘good’ bacteria which prefer an acidic environment, while discouraging harmful bacteria which prefer a more alkaline environment. Organic acids also encourage development of villi -microscopic fingerlike projections in the gut which increase its surface area. Greater villi development boosts nutrient absorption, which directly improves performance of the bird.
Whatever the weather, producers need to be as proactive as possible to optimise bird health. A careful balance of thorough cleaning and range management, along with providing birds with additional dietary supplements and support at times of stress or throughout the laying period will help to maintain good overall health and wellbeing for the season.