Holostic Approach Needed to Prevent Osteoporosis and Bone Fractures in Laying Hens
Label Rouge: Pasture-Based Poultry Production in France
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Breeding, housing & nutrition could solve welfare issue 2010.
POULTRY Digital Expert Knowledge at your Fingertips February 2011 - Issue 2
European Conference Offered a Flavour of Global Research in Genetics and Breeding Invited speakers from across the world offered a glimpse into the rapid progress being made on poultry genetics, as well as on topics of more practical interest such as broiler breeding and incubation techniques at last year's European Poultry Congress. Jackie Linden, senior editor of ThePoultrysite, selects some of the highlights.
Recent Outcomes and Future Prospects for Avian Genomics In his plenary paper, Alain Vignal from INRA at Castanet Tolosan in France explained that genomics was first defined as the association of molecular and cell biology with classical genetics, fostered by computational science. It started with the mapping and sequencing of genes on a global scale (genome) and now concerns the study of all genes, their products (transciptome, proteome) and interactions (interactome) in an individual cell or tissue under different conditions. For any species under investigation, the whole genome sequence in considered a peak in ge-
nomics research and although it is only one aspect, it gets most media attention. The chicken genome was sequenced and published in 2004 but the new parallel sequencing technologies allows a great increase in sequence production and, as a consequence, more avian species' sequences, such as turkey and duck, are expected soon. Following the trend set by human genomics, the most recent chicken genomics studies include whole genome re-sequencing approaches. Nucleotide polymorphism can have an important impact on the implementation of marker-assisted or genomic selection for poultry, said Dr Vignal. In-depth analyses of transcriptome, proteome and interactome (gene networks) data will allow continued on page 4... 1
Issue 0 - November 2010
Expert Knowledge at your Fingertips
Expert Knowl-
Febuary 2011 - Issue 2
Features 1
Editorial Team
European Conference Offered a Flavour of Global Research in Genetics and Breeding
Jackie Linden -
A glimpse into the rapid progress being made
Chris Wright-
on poultry genetics, broiler breeding and incu
chris.wright@5mpublishing.com
Senior Editor
jackie.linden@5mpublishing.com
Senior Editor
bation techniques from last year's European Poultry Congress.
Sarah Mikesell -
3
Editorial
8
Holistic Approach Needed to Prevent Osteoporosis and Bone Fractures in laying Hens
Senior Editor
sarah.mikesell@5mpublishing.com
Charlotte Johnston -
Editor
charlotte.johnston@5mpublishing.com
Breeding, housing and nutrition could solve a serious welfare issue.
12
Label Rouge: Pasture Based Poultry Production in France How broilers are reared for this successful niche
Chris Harris -
Editor in Chief
chris.harris@5mpublishing.com
Sales Team
market in France.
Alex Guy -
Sales Manager
alex.guy@5mpublishing.com
20
Regional News The latest regional news from the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania
Vicki Robson -
Global Account Manager
vicki.robson@5mpublishing.com
24
Events Conferences and trade shows coming up for the poultry industry in the coming weeks..
2
Sue Snyder -
Americas Sales Manager
sue.snyder@5mpublishing.com
Editorial Welcome to ThePoultrySite Digital Issue 2
From Endangered Breeds To Incubation Conditions In this issue, we have a review of just some of the papers presented at last year's European Poultry Conference, chosen to fit with our theme of 'Breeding and Genetics'.These cover a wide range of topics from the preservation of endangered poultry breeds to how lighting affects broiler breeders and how incubation conditions can impact the lifetime performance of broilers. And to offer every reader something of interest, there are features on the range of approaches needed to tackle the related problems of osteoporosis and bone fractures in laying hens, and on Label Rouge chicken production in France. The European poultry news highlights this week come from a meeting of the European Agriculture and Fisheries Council. There, it was confirmed once again that the ban on conventional battery cages for laying hens will come into effect from the 1st of January next year. Also discussed was a return to the use of meat and bone meal in pig and poultry diets, proposed by Poland. Although receiving some support, the proposal was rejected until issues over the material's involvement in the transmission of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) have been resolved.
broilers.This should make it easier to spot health and/or leg problems in real time. And finally, on poultry diseases, the number one poultry-producing state in India, Andhra Pradesh, is on a heightened bird flu alert after an outbreak of H5N1 in the far north-east of the country – India's first outbreak of this flu season. Reports of the disease in Japan and South Korea are slowing down, indicating that the situation is being brought under control there. Meanwhile, Newcastle disease continues to be reported sporadically in countries as far apart as Sweden, Israel, Mexico and Peru.
Jackie Linden ThePoultrySite.com Senior Editor
Two research items caught the eye. In Norway, it was found that mild weather and rain increase the risk of Campylobacter in chickens, and that farms using their own water sources also had a higher risk of infection. And a group led by Professor Marian Dawkins from the University of Oxford in the UK has developed a system with a small-scale camera and computer to improve the welfare of 3
Feature Article European Conference Offered a Flavour of Global Research in Genetics and Breeding ...continued from page 1
increases levels of genome annotation, including that of non-coding RNA genes and regulatory regions, leading to refined global comprehension of the biology of avian species, he concluded.
Gene Networks to Study Complex Traits Mari Smits of Wageningen Livestock Research in the Netherlands devloped the theme of gene networks and what their study can reveal. Animal sciences have arrived at the threshold of a genomics data explosion due to the recent advances in high-throughput biological technologies such as massive parallel sequencing, transcriptome and proteome analysis, said Dr Smits. Biological processes are too complex to be explained by the analysis of individual components alone but the application of systems biology offers great promise for a global understanding of the expressions, interactions, modifications and regulation of cellular networks. One type of cellular network is the gene regulatory network, which can be viewed as an inputoutput device; the inputs are signals, signalling pathways, transcriptional factors etc., and the outputs are gene expression levels, the amount of mRNA produced by genes and the functional properties that arise from the network. Dr Smits showed the inference of gene regulatory networks using seven-time series gene expression measurements derived from control and Salmonella-infected chickens. This work revealed socalled 'hub genes', the central elements in the gene regulatory network, which are potential targets to modulate the biological processes involved in intestinal development of young chicks and their host response to Salmonella infection. 4
Epigenetics Helps Explain Diversity Ten years after the end of the human genome project, many of the fundamental questions remain unanswered, said Dr Andras Paldi of ISERM in Evry, France. It is becoming clear that genome sequencing alone cannot explain the diversity of phenotypic forms in the living world. How organisms with an identical genotype have dramatically different phenotypes is covered by 'epigenetics', which is usually used to design heritable phenomena that cannot be explained by the transmission of DNA. The phenotypic diversity of differentiated cells in an organism and the maintenance of their phenotypes after division is a representative example of how epigenetic mechanisms contribute simultaneously to the phenotypic diversification of the cells and mitotic inheritance of the phenotypic state, providing both variation and the faithful transmission of phenotypes. A gene's functional state can be transmitted through meiosis as well, he said. The known examples of epigenetic inheritance such as imprinting defects in mammals show that the genetically identical organisms display different, highly stable heritable phenotypes that do not follow Mendelian segregation. High stability of epigenetic inheritance is increasingly recognised as an important factor in the development of multicellular organisms. In addition, substantial evidence shows that environmental stimuli can, in some cases, influence the transmission of epigenetic traits, Dr Paldi concluded.
Studying Changes in the Chicken Transcriptome Larry Cogburn of the University of Delaware in the US presented work carried out at his institute, the universities of Maryland and Georgia
Maintaining Genetic Diversity Global awareness has increased efforts to conserve animal genetic resources, explained Dr Harvey Blackburn of the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation, part of the USDA Agricultural Research Service. Ex-situ conservation and management of these genetic resources is can now be achieved by an array of reproductive and genetic biotechnologies, he said. By combining the biotechnologies, highly effective conservation actions can be achieved, without the need to maintain the animals alive. Dr Cogburn explained that this can ease the pressure on the research community to reduce the number of insitu populations maintained. As th techniques are improved further, poultry populations can be securely cryopreserved and regenerated as needed by industry or the research community.
This leads to a larger initial egg size but fewer eggs per hen and so it has implications on feeding during the transitional period, i.e. from 20 weeks of age to onset of lay. In open rearing houses, natural daylength during rearing (latitude 30째 South) proved to be more beneficial than a constant 14hour programme. A model for predicting the effect on age at sexual maturity of 20-week body weight and the photoperiod used during rearing has been developed from the results of a number of trials conducted by Dr Gous. He continued that egg production is inferior when the breeders are exposed to 16hour days because the advance in the onset of adult photorefractoriness, i.e. the end of the breeding season, is proportional to the stimulatoriness of the photoperiod provided inlay.
Managing Broiler Breeders with Lighting Regimens The response of broiler breeders to light is strongly modulated by two factor irrelevant to the lighting of egg-type hybrids, namely, controlled feeding and photorefractoriness, explained Dr Rob Gous of South Africa's University of KwaZulu-Natal n his paper on managing reproductive performance of breeders. Where broiler breeders are reared on short days, the photorefractory influence is not evident. However, it becomes pertinent when photoperiods of 14 hours or longer are used, for example, in open-sided rearing houses in summer. Dr Gous said that juvenile photorefractoriness can cause delays of three weeks or more in achieving sexual maturity.
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Feature Article European Conference Offered a Flavour of Global Research in Genetics and Breeding
Superior egg production is achieved when broiler breeders are reared on eight hours and subjected to a 13-hour photoperiod in lay, explained Dr Gous.There is no advantage in providing photoperiods longer than this, nor is there any advantage is using a light intensity greater than 70 lux, he added.
Thermal Manipulation During Incubation Affects Broiler Performance Shlomo Yahav of Israel's Volcani Center explained how epigenetic adaptation is involved in the response to thermal manipulations during incuba-
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aimed at improving the bird's thermotolerance and improving carcass quality. The incubation period of broilers has received more attention during the last decade, he said, because it has been shown that environmental manipulation may induce long-lasting physiological memory (LLPM) caused by epigenetic adaptation. Dr Yahav reviewed the effects of long-term mild manipulations. He described how temperature during the period of hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid and adrenal axes development and maturation leads to a significant improvement of thermotolerance in broilers up to marketing age.This is explained by both a significant reduction in heat production and with a significant increase in sensible heat loss as well as reduced signs of heat stress. The responses were detected already during embryogenesis. Dt Yahav added that the thermal manipulation also increased relative breast muscle weight and reduced the abdominal fat pad.
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References Blackburn H. 2010. Reproductive technologies and management of genetic diversity. Cogburn L. et al. 2010. Meta-analysis of the chicken transcriptome across multiple tissues, genotypes and ages during juvenile development. Gous R. 2010. Managing reproductive performance in broiler breeders with lighting regimens. Paldi A. 2010. Genetics and epigenetics. Smits, M. et al. 2010. Gene networks as a tool for the study of complex traits. Vignal, A. 2010. Recent outcomes and future prospects arising from avian genomics. Piestan Y. et al. 2010. Thermal manipulations during broiler's embryogenesis – its effects on thermotolerance acquisition and chicken's quality. (presented by S.Yahav). All papers were presented at the 13th E-uropean Poultry Congress in Tours, France in August 2010. Hosted by the French branch of WPSA.
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Feature Article
Holostic Approach Needed to Prevent Osteoporosis and Bone Fractures in Laying Hens The Farm Animal Welfare Council has reported on its review on osteoporosis and bone fractures in laying hens, which are judged to be serious welfare issues in terms of pain and limiting the bird's mobility to reach feed and water. Breeders, nutritionists, housing/equipment designers, farm managers and legislators need to work together to eliminate these conditions, it concludes. The aim of its Opinion on Osteoporosis and Bone Fractures in Laying Hens is to review the implications of osteoporosis and bone fractures for the welfare of laying hens, particularly in light of the forthcoming ban on conventional cages in Great Britain, says the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC). The report was published in December 2010. Its main recommendation was that the egg industry (including retailers) should aim to eliminate bone fractures in live birds altogether, using a combination of genetics, house design and nutrition.
Extent and Nature of the Topic Skeletal health is an important aspect of the welfare of laying hens, FAWC point out. Fractures are common but are mostly detected, if at all, after slaughter. They are referred to as either 'old' fractures, i.e. those which occurred during the laying period, or 'new' fractures, i.e. those which occurred during depopulation, transport or slaughter. Factors that influence the incidence of fractures are the weakness of 8
ones, the design of housing systems and handling at depopulation. Bone weakness in laying hens mainly results from osteoporosis, which is a pathological condition associated with progressive loss of structural bone throughout lay. This makes the bones fragile, susceptible to fracture and in severe cases, it can lead to collapse of spinal bone and paralysis.
There is ev the preval bone fract laying hen declining actually b
The keel bone (or sternum) is initially made of cartilage but ossifies at about 35 weeks of age, explains FAWC. Before ossification, it may become twisted or otherwise deformed. It may be damaged or broken by collision, for example when the hen jumps onto a perch and lands awkwardly. Loss of bone from the skeleton is increased by mobilisation of calcium for egg shell formation and is decreased by load-bearing and biomechanical forces. The hen therefore benefits from walking, hopping, wing flapping and other exercise.
The incidence of weakened bones and fractures is affected by genetics and strain, nutrition, housing system and methods of depopulation and is
and is exacerbated by the high egg output and persistency of lay of modern hybrid strains. Finally, FAWC adds that hens are subjected to pain as a result of bone fractures.
Welfare Aspects Osteoporosis and bone fractures were recognised as welfare concerns soon after cages were introduced over 50 years ago, but it was some time before it was established that osteoporosis was related to the restriction of movement and lack of exercise. Osteoporosis is further exacerbated by the great egg output of modern hybrids.
vidence lence of tures in ns is not and may be rising.
Sexual maturation in the pullet is associated with the development of medullary bone and the cessation of re-modelling of structural (i.e. cortical and cancellous) bone. Medullary bone is a calcium store for egg shell formation – each bird requires about 2.3 g calcium each day for egg production –– and is formed at the expense of structural bone.The hen cannot re-model cortical structural bone during lay, which therefore leads to a low density of structural bone, osteoporosis and a propensity to fracture. Bone fracture is acutely and chronically painful in humans, says FAWC, and the same will hold true for chickens. The effects are worse and healing takes longer if the fracture site is mobile during repair, and a hen must move to reach food, water and a nest box.
According to FAWC, the incidence of bone fractures is greatly increased by trauma, caused by collisions with ‘furniture’ in buildings or by poor handling, particularly at depopulation. In terms of eliminating or minimising suffering arising from osteoporosis and bone fracture, the design of husbandry systems affects both whether birds perform sufficient activity for adequate bone strength and the risk of traumatic injuries. Genetics and nutrition can also reduce the extent and impact of osteoporosis. Until these improvements can be realised, the decisions of managers and workers determining husbandry and handling practices, especially at depopulation, are particularly important to reduce the frequency of bone fractures.
Extent of Problem About 30 million laying hens per year are kept in the UK in a variety of husbandry systems, according to FAWC. In terms of egg output, the most common system in 2009 was the conventional cage (46 per cent), followed by free-range (37 per cent) and enriched cages (nine per cent) with barn and organic free range systems accounting for about four per cent each. It is estimated that about 30 per cent of the total mortality of hens in cages (around four per cent) is linked to osteoporosis, but that the proportion is much lower in hens in non-cage systems, which have a higher total mortality of about eight per cent. Thus the number of hens whose death is linked to osteoporosis is about one quarter of a million per year in the UK. This estimate excludes mortality during depopulation and transport to the slaughterhouse. 9
Feature Article Holostic Approach Needed to Prevent Osteoporosis and Bone Fractures in Laying Hens
The extent of mortality alone indicates significantly poor welfare for many laying hens. There are no reliable estimates of the morbidity due to osteoporosis and/or bone fractures for the industry as a whole.
Legal Context
r welfare, it says.This need is acute in view of the forthcoming ban on conventional cages, which will reduce some causes of bone fracture (particularly osteoporosis) but increase others (particularly collisions in some housing designs).
The incidence of bone fractures of laying hens, both during and at the end of lay, is too high in all systems of husbandry.
The following existing regulations were considered pertinent to the report: The Animal Welfare Act 2006 (and the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006);The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007 (and similar regulations in Scotland and Wales); and The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006 (and similar regulations in Scotland and Wales).
Selection for high egg production, combined with rearing methods including control of light periods, has produced hens that are vulnerable to bone fractures. FAWC questions whether it is possible to maintain egg output of around 300 eggs in the laying cycle while attaining bone strength sufficient to reduce this vulnerability. Conclusions
As from 1 January 2012, laying hens may not be kept in conventional cages in the European Union, and thereafter only enriched cages or non-cage systems will be permitted.There are also detailed EU requirements for marketing poultry meat. Commission Regulation (EC) No. 543/2008 requires that meat from birds in which the tip of the sternum is rigid (ossified) must be marketed as from a cock, hen, casserole or boiling fowl.This includes end-of-lay hens. Critical Issues FAWC highlighted that there is evidence the prevalence of bone fractures in laying hens is not declining and may actually be rising. More needs to be done to reduce this significant cause of poor 10
A direct result of selection and management of laying hens for egg production and intensive rearing is a steady fall in the real price of eggs, but laying hens suffer because of bone fractures, according to FAWC. The incidence of bone fractures of laying hens, both during and at the end of lay, is too high in all systems of husbandry, says the Council. Breeding selection and production system management can reduce this problem considerably and perhaps eliminate it, which is the ideal. The design and management of systems of egg production needs to be regulated to minimise the risk of bone fractures, both in terms of im-
proved design and hen handling at depopulation. Although raised perches in non-cage systems sometimes increase the prevalence of fractures, particularly of the keel bone, there are other benefits for welfare, says FAWC, so their design and layout of perches needs to be improved to prevent bone fracture. Regarding nutrition, FAWC says that is difficult to feed calcium in large particles to laying hens and so new methods are needed to benefit bone strength. While it is not feasible at present to identify all hens on farm with fractures, FAWC says that if hens with fractured bones are detected, they should be treated or culled. The Council concludes that practical techniques and criteria for intervention for use on farm should be developed for public or private surveillance (and should be adopted by assurance schemes among others). Detection of bone fractures at the abattoir is feasible, using palpation for some breaks and automatic methods for others, and could be used to quantify the extent of the problem in particular flocks and to identify and reduce the causes. It would also allow carcasses with newly broken bones to be identified, reducing the number of bone fragments and increasing the value of the meat. Looking to the future, the modification of restrictions on describing meat from end-of-lay hens as chicken would increase its value and encourage better care of end-of-lay hens prior to and during killing, says FAWC. Killing end-of-lay hens in their housing would avoid the problems of bone fractures during depopulation.
Finally, FAWC concludes that the economics of implementing all the measures to reduce or prevent fractures – breeding, feeding and handling – will need careful evaluation but should not be sole factor in determining outcomes.
You can view the full report from the FAWC, including the evidence it reviewed and its recommendations, by clicking here.
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Feature Article
Label Rouge: Pasture-Based Poultry Production in France Pasture-raised poultry is increasingly popular in the United States. American farmers and small companies can benefit from studying the French Label Rouge programme, write Anne Fanatico and Holly Born, NCAT Agriculture Specialists. Started as a grassroots movement, the programme now commands 33 per cent of the French poultry market and it has helped boost incomes for small farmers. Pasture-raised poultry is the leading product in a programme in France called 'Label Rouge'. This programme provides premium products to consumers, increases farmer income and strengthens rural development. It consists of many regional producer- oriented alliances, called 'filieres', which produce and market their own branded products under a common label. A third-party certification programme ensures that strict standards are being followed. Other countries are beginning to take note of the Label Rouge programme. In the US, a grassroots pastured poultry movement has been growing since the early 1990s. Poultry raised on pasture are processed on-farm and direct marketed, creating supplemental income on small diversified family farms. See ATTRA's Alternative Poultry Production Systems and Outdoor Access for a description.The French Label Rouge, which also started out as a grassroots programme, provides an example of what is possible when farmers, consumers and organisations work together. This article will cover Label Rouge production.
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The Label Rouge programme focuses on superior quality and gourmet taste
Production Label Rouge began 40 years ago as a grassroots movement led by visionary farmers. As poultry became more industrialised after World War II, demand grew in France for the taste of traditionally raised farm chickens. Label Rouge performance has been called 'stunning' and now accounts for 30 per cent of poultry sales to the public, in spite of its high price – twice the price of conventional poultry (Westgren, 1999). The Label Rouge programme focuses on highquality products, mainly meat, with poultry as the flagship product. It emphasises quality attributes such as taste and food safety and free-range production practices. The average consumer can note a positive difference in taste between Label Rouge and conventional poultry – in fact, regular taste-testing is a certification requirement to prove that these products are 'vividly distinguish-
able' from conventional poultry, according to the programme. The main reason for the superior taste is considered to be the use of slow-growing birds instead of the fast-growing birds used in the conventional industry. The slow-growing birds are from specialty rustic genetic stock and are harvested close to sexual maturity, The meat is flavoursome and firm, but not tough.
Standards Strict and comprehensive standards ensure quality. Following are the standards related to broiler production. Independent third-party certifying organisations ensure that standards are being followed. Inspection occurs once for each flock, twice a year for feed mills, monthly for processing plants and twice a year for hatcheries. Each visit includes bacteriology tests and process control inspections.There are five taste tests a year.
Besides broilers, standards also exist for layers, turkeys, ducks, geese, guinea fowl and capons. Layers require double yards (rested in rotation) because they are on the range longer than broilers. The standards are available in French [click here].There are also Label Rouge hams, sausages, eggs, rabbit and cheese products. As is evident from this discussion of standards, a certification programme can permit much broader production claims than a mere definition can. In addition, production claims can be verified by the consumer.
Case Studies: Lands Filiere and Loue Filiere The journey from a grassroots movement to an industry can be seen by studying two different filieres. The Label Rouge movement began in the 1960s in the southwest of France, in the forested Landes region. Landes poultry are still known for being raised in a pine forest, using small portable housing called Marensines.
The standards are a base-line that many Label Rouge filieres surpass. For example, some groups: * use dividers in the house to break down flocks into smaller groups * require tree and bush plantings to integrate the house into the countryside as well as provide shade on pasture * use smaller, portable houses * do not permit pesticide use on the range * require grit and whole grains to improve gut health, and * maintain a constant ration to keep the taste of the birds constant, not changing it when other ingredients are less expensive.
The Landes filiere uses portable housing Photo: NCAT
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Feature Article Label Rouge: Pasture-Based Poultry Production in France
Table 1. Label Rouge standards for broiler production Genetics
Only certain genetics are allowed – slow growing breeds suited for outdoor production.
Buildings
Buildings are a maximum of 4,304 square feet. No farm can have more than four buildings. Building must be at least 98 feet from each other.
Maximum density in building
The maximum stocking density is 0.98 square feet for a bird. No more than 4,400 birds are permitted in each building. Chickens require 2.2lb of litter each.
Access and size of range
All birds have access to the outdoors from 09:00 until dusk after six weeks of age, and must be outside for at least 42 days of grow-out. Range requirements are 22 square feet per bird. About two acres of land are needed per house. 1.2 feet of pophole exits are required for 100 square feet of building.
Feed
Feed must consist of at least 75% cereal and must be non-medicated; starter rations can be 50% cereal because of a higher soybean ocntent. Rations cannot ocntian animal products, growth stimulants or other additives. Fishmeal is not permitted. Synthetic amino acids are allowed.
Other
Although routijne meidcations are not allowed, antibiotics prescribed by a veterinarian are. Coccidiostats are permitted but must be withdrawn five days before slaughter.Vaccination is allowed; beak and toe trimming are not.
Slaughter age
Birds must be grown a minimum 81 days.
Dressed Weight
Minimum 2.2kg without giblets
Sanitation period
There is a minimum sanitation period of 21 days between flocks.
Transport
No more than two hours travelling time or 64 miles to processing plant
Processing
Air-chill
Shelf life
Sold fresh within nine days of slaughter
Chart adapted from François Paybou's Technical and Economic Feasibility Study of Adopting French Label Rouge Poultry Systems to Illionois (2000)
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The size of the buildings ranges from 16 feet × 16 feet (256 square feet) to 20 feet × 33 feet (660 square feet). Older houses were built of wood; new ones are metal. In a dense forest, the smaller houses fit between the trees. Litter is spread in the houses, which are floorless. Brooding is done in the houses with gas brooders. Part of the feed is kept outside to help train birds to go out.
he southwest in the Landes filiere. He is now elderly and has lost a leg to a combine but still raises corn and poultry – 50,000 birds a year by himself. He has 20 small houses, which take two days to move with the help of three people. (The houses are dismantled before moving.) He also has an on-farm feedmill and mixes feed daily for his use and for sale.
The houses are moved after every grow-out (three times a year) and have knobs where wheels can be attached and towed by tractor.The houses are sometimes placed beside corn-fields so that birds can benefit from shade and forage for insects. Often, only three sites on the farm are used in rotation.The sites have a water line or producers fill barrels, which feed water troughs, every couple of days.
Although Label Rouge production began in the Landes region, it was the Loue filiere that was instrumental in making it a viable industry. Label Rouge did not grow as an industry until the product became widely available at supermarkets.
Stationary houses and yards are common in Label Rouge
It is not necessary to use stationary housing in order to build a national industry. Pastured-poultry producers in the United States are keenly interested in pasture rotation and use portable houses. In adapting Label Rouge features, US producers are more likely to promote portable housing than stationary housing. However, small speciality companies may adapt a stationary system. Production systems are an excellent way to differentiate between companies in the marketplace, as long as the basic standards are followed
production. Pictured is a Loue farm. Photo: NCAT
You can read about the Landes filiere on its web site [click here]. There is an English-language option. George Berbille invented the portable Marensine system 40 years ago and is considered the father of range poultry production in France. His farm is
Loue is now the largest filiere and represents the typical production system used – a small fixed house and yard.The house has automated feeding and watering equipment, and chicks are brooded in it. The house has several popholes that allow access to the range. There are shade bushes planted in the yard as well as tree plantings. The yard immediately outside the house is dirt. Since speciality rustic genetics are used, the birds forage well beyond the house and have access to grassy pasture. Feed and water are also provided outside. The Loue Web site [click here], is available in French only but has many informative pictures.
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Feature Article Label Rouge: Pasture-Based Poultry Production in France to market under a common label. Label Rouge birds are usually produced on diversified farms where they are integrated with other livestock and grain production. Bird rations are supplemented with whole grains from the farm; litter from the house is spread on the fields. Poultry may bring in 50 per cent of the farm income. Although no fence is used in either the Loue or Landes filiere, the loss to predators is only one per cent. The United States, however, has more predator pressure. European Union (EU) definitions differentiate fenced and unfenced production systems: * fenced – 'raised in open air' * unfenced – 'raised in total freedom' The Label Rouge programme permits both. The European Union specification 1538-91 defines Label Rouge as 'traditional free-range poultry'.
Genetics Slow-growing birds are key in Label Rouge production – birds grow to five pounds in 12 weeks. In comparison, the fast-growing broilers (Cornish cross) of the conventional industry reach five pounds in six to seven weeks. Not only does slow growth allow the organs, muscle and bones to grow in harmony, it also results in a more flavoursome meat. The carcass is generally more elongated and has a smaller breast and larger legs than conventional carcasses. In addition, slower growing breeds are more suited to outdoor production than Cornish cross. In Europe, the slow-growing genetics are mainly supplied by the poultry breeding companies SASS0 and Hubbard. The companies do not sell 16
A black SASSO broiler with a naked neck characteristic. Pictured is a Loue farm. Photo: NCAT
the actual broiler chicks, but rather the parents. However, many pastured poultry producers have hatching capability. SASSO's typical Label Rouge cross is T44N male × SA51 female (using a different male – the T44NI – results in white underfeathers in the offspring).A typical Hubbard cross is S77N male × JA57 female. Broilers from both of these crosses will have red feathers, yellow shanks, thin skin and a naked neck. Other parents are available for broilers with white feathers and skin, black feathers, barred, non-naked neck and more or for faster growth.
Health The use of slow-growing genetics and the lowdensity Label Rouge production system offer distinct health advantages – ascites, leg problems and sudden death are minimal, and birds have good immunity. Mortality for conventional broilers in France is six per cent during a six-week grow-out; it is half that for Label Rouge production (three per cent) even during a much longer grow-out of 12 weeks (Faure, 2002). Since Label Rouge birds have a longer life, they
have a different vaccination schedule from conventional broilers. For example, in France, conventional broilers are not vaccinated for Marek's Disease; Label Rouge broilers are vaccinated. Label Rouge birds are generally vaccinated for coccidiosis and given de-wormers in the feed. Probiotics are used; antibiotics can be used only if prescribed by a veterinarian. Regular biosecurity on the farm is important – foot-baths are used at the entry-ways to houses and visitors must wear protective clothing. Since France has a mild climate, birds are raised outdoors However, the mean number of flocks
per year is only 3.2 because the grow-out is long and there is a long downtime required between flocks for proper sanitation and pasture rest.
Feeding A low-protein and low-calorie diet is used for slow-growing birds.Whereas typical fast-growing Cornish-cross rations in the industry start at 22 per cent crude protein and finish at 17 per cent protein, Label Rouge rations start at only 20 per cent protein and finish at 15 per cent. According to Jeff Mattocks of Fertrell, pastured poultry producers in the United States often use one ration
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Feature Article Label Rouge: Pasture-Based Poultry Production in France of 19 per cent protein. A low-protein ration is used to slow down the rapid growth of Cornish cross. This type of ration could easily be used for slow-growing genetics. For more information on poultry nutrition, Jeff Mattocks's publication Pastured Poultry Nutrition, can be requested through ATTRA. All meat meal is banned from livestock feed in Europe. Even fishmeal is not permitted in Label Rouge production because it could be confused with meat meal. Only vegetable fat is permitted and no genetically engineered crops can be used in feed. Some feed mills in France are dedicated to the eradication of salmonella in feed. At Landal, a feed mill in the southwest that supplies feed to the Landes company, entering trucks must be disinfected and high heat is used during milling to kill pathogens.
Processing Some processing plants exclusively process Label Rouge products; for others, Label Rouge is only a percentage of their work. There are several large automated Label Rouge plants – for example, Fermier Landes processes 200,000 birds a week – as well as small ones. There are many quality control points during Label Rouge processing to ensure a high-quality carcass. Processing plants in France cool carcasses by air chilling instead of immersion chilling. In immersion chilling, the carcasses soak up water. A soft scald is used instead of the hard scald 18
The Label Rouge carcass (left) is more elongated than the compact conventional carcass (right). Photo: NCAT
typical in the United States. A soft scald uses a lower temperature for a longer time than a hard scald and keeps the skin intact. Although ready-to-cook products are the most common, a variety of dressing methods are used. In the 'efilee' style, the bird is eviscerated but the crop, head and feet are left intact. Corn finishing is a part of this presentation. The customer should be able to feel whole grains still in the crop. Birds dressed in this style are slaughtered and eviscerated manually. Processing plants may also handle a variety of species. For example, Fermier Landes processes chickens, guinea fowl, cockerels and rabbits, as well as capons and turkeys from Christmas. Although it is a large plant, it can put together small custom orders for butchers and other clients.
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Regional News Americas New NTF Chairman Tells Industry to Face Challenges
Turkey Industry Pioneer Receives NTF Award
US - The National Turkey Federation's (NTF) Board of Directors elected Rick Huisinga to serve as the federation's 2011 chairman. Mr Huisinga is executive vice president of Willmar Poultry Company in Willmar, Minnesota.
US - The National Turkey Federation (NTF) honoured George Nicholas, founder of Nicholas Turkey Breeding Farms, with the NTF Lifetime Achievement Award. More...
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MSU Projects Receive Agriculture Initiative Awards
Marfrig Announces Plant Move BRAZIL - Marfrig is to move production from São José do Rio Preto industrial unit to Jaguariúna. More...
Concern over Antbiotic Resistance in Retail Chicken CANADA - Store-bought chickens used is a survey of bacterial contamination have found that all the potential foodborne pathogens were resistant to at least one antibiotic and some up to eight antibiotics. More...
Anti-Dumping Investigation Initiated in Mexico
US - The Animal Agriculture Initiative (AAI) at Michigan State University (MSU) has announced the recipients of project funding for 2011-2012. The AAI awarded a total of $314,774 divided between seven projects. More...
Animal Health, Traceability on Top of APHIS Agenda US – Animal disease traceability in the United States will be the primary discussion topic at the US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) meeting of the Secretary's Advisory Committee on 4 March. More...
MEXICO & US - Mexico has initiated an antidumping investigation into US chicken leg quarters. More...
Peco Foods to Acquire Townsends Poultry Complex US - Peco Foods is set to acquire Townsends Poultry Complex in Batesville, Arkansas. More...
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Regional News Asia Two More H5N1 Outbreaks in South Korea
Bangladesh Reports Six More Bird Flu Outbreaks
SOUTH KOREA - More than 8,000 poultry have been destroyed as the result of the two latest outbreaks of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the north-west of the country.
BANGLADESH - There have been six new outbreaks of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks.
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India Reports First Bird Flu Since June 2010
TEQU Invests in Poultry Breeding Project
INDIA - The first outbreak of H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been reported in the country since June last year.
CHINA - TEQU Investment is to spend $79.73 million on a poultry breeding project. More...
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Three More Outbreaks of Bird Flu in Miyazaki JAPAN - There have been three more outbreaks of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) on poultry farms in Miyazaki prefecture. More...
Three New Outbreaks of Newcastle Disease Reported ISRAEL - There have been three new outbreaks of Newcastle disease in village poultry flocks. More...
National Poultry, Food Expo Announced PAKISTAN — The Pakistan Poultry Association is holding a two-day National Poultry & Food Expo on 16 and 17 September 2011 at Expo Centre in Johar Town. More...
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Regional News Europe Battery Cage Ban Goes Ahead
Copa-Cogeca Calls for More Support for Egg Industry
EU - At the Agriculture Council on 21 February, ministers discussed the state of play regarding the phasing out of conventional cages for rearing hens. More...
UK Action Sees off Delay to Battery Cage Ban UK - British-led action has prevented an attempt by some EU Member States to delay a ban on battery cages for laying hens. More...
Council Takes Next Step on Food Labelling Rules EU - The proposed regulation on nutritional labelling of foods received Council approval yesterday, 21 February. Country of origin labelling (COOL) is to be included if 'the failure to do so would mislead consumers'.
EU - Copa-Cogeca has highlighted the crucial role of EU farmers as a drive of the rural economy, and called on Member States to allocate more money to animal welfare in their rural development programmes and on the EU to continue to promote the health benefits of eggs. More...
Meat & Bone Meal Ban in Feeds Remains in Place EU - Poland's request to resume the use of 'processed animal protein' (meat and bone meal, MBM) in feeds for pigs and poultry was rejected by other Member States until issues over the material's involvement in the transmission of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) have been resolved. More...
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Czechs Consume Less Meat but More Poultry CZECH REPUBLIC - Per-capita consumption of all meats has been stable over recent years but poultry meat, fish and cheese are becoming more popular.
Minister Aims to Protect Scottish Egg Producers SCOTLAND, UK - Eggs produced from chickens kept in inferior conditions should be banned to protect the Scottish industry from cheap imports, Richard Lochhead said yesterday. More...
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Proposal on GM Material in Feed Endorsed EU - The harmonisation of controls for genetically modified (GM) material in feed has been endorsed by Member States. More...
Feed, Nutrition Course to be Held by Schothorst NETHERLANDS - Schothorst Feed Research is to hold a one-week course on formulating feeds for dairy cows, pigs and poultry in early June 2011 More...
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Regional News Africa & Oceania CSIRO Joins Global Fight Against Pandemic Threats
Country Bird Rejects Government Accusations
AUSTRALIA - Australian scientists are part of an international consortium creating 'battle maps' that visualise how bird flu and other viruses constantly mutate to camouflage their antigens, or 'invading soldiers', to avoid being neutralised by the immune system's 'artillery'.
SOUTH AFRICA - Country Bird says the agriculture department is wrong to allege it contradicted regulations on the processing of chicken.
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New Product Launched for Young Chicks NIGERIA - A non-governmental organization (NGO), Animal Care Services Nigeria Limited, has launched 'Chikimune', a new product for poultry farmers at Kuje, Abuja.
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Welfare Group Withdraws Support for Industry Body SOUTH AFRICA - The National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) has withdrawn its support of the South African poultry industry's code of practice. More...
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Egg Industry Supports Action Against Fraud AUSTRALIA - The Australian Egg Corporation Limited (AECL) applauds Federal Court action against an egg wholesaler who mislabelled eggs as 'free-range'. AECL has welcomed the ruling by the Federal Court to penalise a West Australian wholesaler for misleading consumers by incorrectly labelling egg cartons as 'free-range' More...
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Poultry Industry Events Keep up to date with what is happening in the global poultry industry.
60th Western Poultry Disease Conference (WPDC) Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza, Sacramento, California, USA Monday 21st to Wednesday 23rd March
The theme for the 60th anniversary of the Western Poultry Disease Conference (WPDC) is: Progress and Projections in Infectious and Emerging Diseases. An American College of Poultry Veterinarians (ACPV) workshop is scheduled for Sunday, March 20, 2011, prior to the WPDC.
9th Avian French Research Days Tours, France Tuesday 29th to Wednesday 30th March
JournĂŠes de la Recherche Avicole (JRA) is a meeting place between researchers and professionals of poultry science, organised by ITAVI, INRA and AFSSA, with support of the French branches of the WPSA and the WVPA.
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7th International Poultry Show & S Bangabandhu International Conference Center, Bangladesh Friday 25th to Sunday 27th March
Vaccine World Summit India New Dehli, India
BIT Life Sciences 3rd Annual World Vaccine Congress 2011
Tuesday 1st to Thursday 3rd March
China National Convention Center, Beijing, PR China Wednesday 23rd March
Vaccine World Summit India is the largest and only vaccine conference in India to bring together Indian and international vaccine industry’s leading players.
Seminar
Dhaka,
This conference is to protect the world from health threats. BIT Life Sciences Annual World Congress of Vaccine has become a forum to report on the latest progress and developments in vaccines for disease prevention and treatment.
VIV Asia 2011 BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand Wednesday 9th to Friday 11th March
Ever since the start of VIV Asia in 1993, a vast group of international and Thai exhibitors have participated in each and every edition. Their ongoing commitment at ten editions has been a key driver behind the success of VIV Asia. The trade show is renowned as the most reliable and effective marketing platform for the AsiaPacific industries for animal production and processing.
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