Pre-Pullet Management

GETTING THE PBERSET-OPUTULOFLETS KEPREX™ LP

Dear Egg Producers, Commercial eggs are known as “The Next Best Food after Mother's Milk” in terms of its nutritional value and bioavailability. Whereas, it is critically important for the producers to produce eggs at a competitive price for the sustainability of this most affordable and nutritious protein source. Production cost and realization price of the egg is highly dynamic due to the volatility in raw material and fluctuation in market prices. However, it is imperative for the producers to keep all the possible options that help to maintain the production cost at an optimal level in the given conditions. One of the important aspects out of the multiple options is “Pre-Pullet Management – The Foundation”, which is more demanding and concerning phase in optimal egg production. A methodical approach towards the care and management of pre-pullet will assure better performance towards the breeds' potential. The basic set of expectations like standard bodyweight, liveability, sexual maturity at optimal age and weight, and more marketable eggs or minimal pullet eggs will improve the peak performance and in turn, increase farm profitability. Systematic understanding and execution of pre- pullet rearing, improved farm management and efficient feeding practices support the birds to deliver expected results. The current document attempted to capture the current scenario, its impact on farm economics and possible measures on nutrition & management to get the best at pre-pullet stage. Happy KEPREXing! Kemin Industries South Asia Pvt Ltd 01

Expected Outcomes from Chick & Grower... Standard body weight Sexual maturity Livability as at the right time per the breed standards Less number of pullet eggs Healthy pre-pullets (chick and grower) can provide a wealthy farm economy in the laying stage 02 KEPREX™ LP

Birds Potentials Standard Parameter BV 300 Bovans Hyline Lohmann 1220 1270 1502 1443 Body Weight 96-97 97 97-98 (18th week, g) 15 13 98 14 9 Liveability (%) Pullet Eggs 18 18 18 18 (Egg Size < 50g) source: Management guides of various layer breeds in South Asia Age of Sexual Maturity (weeks) Growth Pattern Period Development Upto 6 weeks Immunity & internal organ systems Upto 15 weeks Skeleton, internal organs and muscle mass 13 to 14 weeks Mature skeletal frame size From 15 weeks to 25 weeks Ovaries and reproductive tract From 17 weeks onwards Fat cells From 16 weeks onwards Medullary bone which acts as a calcium reservoir and reserve source: Management guides of various layer breeds in South Asia Is it really happens in our farm? 03

STANDARD Major PEAK BODY WEIGHT Challenges PERFORMANCE Average 50-100g 1 -2 % reduced less at 18th week percentage DEPLETION PULLET EGGS 2 to 3 % extra Extra 5 pullet mortality eggs SEXUAL MATURITY Delaying 1- 2 weeks Economic Impact on Deviation 1% extra mortality: 1 % production Total Impact drop during peak: 1.56 Lakh Impact of ` 67,925 Impact of ` 31,500 5 more pullet eggs: 1-week lesser Impact of peak production: ` 53,125 Impact of ` 3,150 For 10,000 bird flock , egg rate costs ` 4.5, pullet egg rate ` 3.25, medication ` 5/Bird and pullet rearing cost ` 300/Bird 04 KEPREX™ LP

HOW TO REDUCE THE GAP? Possible Solutions MANAGEMENT BROODING LIGHT WATER BIOSECURITY VACCINATION SPACE IMMUNOM- ODULATOR NUTRITION GUT HEALTH ANTI-STRESS MODULATOR FACTORS ENZYMES TOXIN BINDERS TRACE MINERALS 05

Focus Points to Attain Standard Body Weight 1. Day-old chick & its Environment 2. Brooding Management 3. Space Allocation 4. Nutrition & Gut Health 1. Day-old chick & its Environment Factors affecting early life of chicks…. ! Disinfected sheds ! Temperature of the shed ! Provision of water & feed ! Light set up in the shed ! Day-old chick quality ! Transportation stress of chick Day-old chicks' quality will determine the body weight 2. Brooding Management ! Chicks having proper thermoregulatory mechanism ! Chick act as cold-blooded animal ! Brooding facilitate temperature, ventilation & humidity ! It is the Welfare/ comfort for birds Proper brooding is the aid for standard performance 3. Space Allocation ! Provide adequate space per bird, Feeder space and Water space Scientific space allocation improves ! Availability of feed and water ! Uniformity of the flock 06 KEPREX™ LP

Insufficient Space leads to., ! Competition amongst the birds ! Compromising on comfort - Stress ! Disease - Wing rot ! Accidental mortality ! Wastage of feed & water ! Poor uniformity 4. Nutrition & Gut Health ! Balanced nutrition is vital factor ! Quality Feed Factors affecting feed quality ! Rational usage of Raw material (RM) in the formulation ! Toxicity from anti-nutritional factors and mycotoxins ! Water – pH, TDS and Hardness ! Healthy gut = Proper nutrient assimilation Major causes of depletion ! Disease outbreak - Pathogens & vaccine failure ! Stress - Environment, Debeaking, etc. ! Biosecurity breach ! Alternate RM usage & Toxicity Art of Onset in Sexual Maturity ! Sexual maturity is interlinked with body weight ! Target is to achieve the recommended weight at 5% production ! Proper uniformity of flock important ! Developed GI tract for proper nutrient absorption ! Timely transfer of birds from grower to layer house Grower phase 10 weeks care for 10 peak weeks 07

Light & Production Never decrease the intensity and hours in production Early lighting Never increase causes Poor egg the light hours weight & Prolapse for growers Provide light as Late lighting per the body will delay peak weight & reduce the number of eggs Proper body Pullet Eggs Lighting weight gives influences the Proper number, egg weight size of egg & health of bird Lighting Source, Hours Stressed birds and Intensity affects the produce more egg quality pullet eggs 08 KEPREX™ LP

Peak Performance Sustaining the peak performance is crucial for rest of the laying phase Peak performance is measured in ! Number of weeks ! Percentage of Production Young layers are in stress due to high productivity. Proper care should be taken for the wellness from the early stage for better peak performance. 09

Checklist for Healthy Pre-pullets… Weekly Early chick body weight mortality wasFteaegde Debeaking Early CHICKS Timely and nutrition effective vaccination Comfort in Water quality brooding & facility Grading GROWER Feed and culling consumption Standard Disease and Shifting w.r.t. body body weak birds time weight weight Effective vaccination Sexual maturity Spacing Feed wastage on time 10 KEPREX™ LP

RECAP Possible Solutions MANAGEMENT BROODING LIGHT WATER BIOSECURITY VACCINATION SPACE IMMUNOM- ODULATOR NUTRITION GUT HEALTH ANTI-STRESS MODULATOR FACTORS ENZYMES TOXIN BINDERS TRACE MINERALS 11

Possible Solutions MANAGEMENT BROODING LIGHT WATER BIOSECURITY VACCINATION SPACE NUTRITION KEPREX™ LP Convenience, Performance, Competitiveness and Services 12 KEPREX™ LP

Challenges in Pre-mixing at the Small-scale Feed Plant 1 Supplies: Generally, egg producers use different types of supplements and additives. Assessing and sourcing a quality and highly efficient material at small scale operation would be a challenge. Availability, efficacy and consistency of these different additives and supplements are critical. 2 Age of the Material: To gain advantage on aspects and to manage the inventory, farmers will try to stock it on higher side, which may lead to over aging of some of materials, hence, the efficacy reduces. 3 Storage of the Material: Keeping condition / warehouse cleanliness is important to maintain the efficacy of premix (such as sunlight, humidity, ventilation, stocking density, etc.). 13

4 Weighment: Precise weighment is also a constraint, as different premixes with minute quantity weighment may often leads to error. Sometimes this leads to under or overdosing, which would affect the flock performance. 5 Skilled Manpower: Different additives should be selected precisely and mixed cautiously, which is a critical requirement. Any kind of error through lack of skilled execution will affect the costing and nutrient density of the feed, and hence the performance of flock. 6 Efficiency of Mixer: Mixing of different additives and supplements in minute quantity, along with high-volume supplements is always a tricky step during the feed formulation. Mixer leakage, mash form of feed will further reduce the presence of premixes in the feed. 7 Process Loss: Loss during the weighment, mixing, bagging of premix while incorporating with ground raw materials would alter the accuracy of desired inclusion levels. It will reduce the nutrient profile of feed incurring high cost. 14 KEPREX™ LP

Improves Benefits of Reduced sourcing of KEPREX™ LP process premix Feed mill loss Goovoedrparcegominntigxroolf Precise mEfifxiciniegnt weighment sBaefttetery feed Easyfotor lhaabnodulres 15

Better Healthy gut & nutrient improved utilisation litter Attaining quality standard body ` Optimizing weight cost of Benefits of Increased production KEPREX™ LP immunity and Improved Farm reduction in egg quality Depletion Enhanced iBnettteegrritsykeletal aSterxiguhatl mtimateurity production performance KEPREX™ LP assure convenience, performance, and competitiveness in feed mill as well as the farm level added with services. For detailed specifications of suitable KEPREX™ LP solution, kindly reach Kemin service partner. 16 KEPREX™ LP

Overcoming the Common Challenges in the Pre-pullet Stage Pre-pullet stage is comprised of chick Normally, in the farms, a marked and grower stage, which is the most deviation in the performance important stage of layer life, parameters was observed when influencing the future performance compared to breeds' potential. Based of flock as well as the economy of on the general observation, the farm. Set of expectations from the possible causes would be pre-pullet stage are, inappropriate management, imbalanced nutrition, environmental 1. Standard body weight influence, etc. 2. Liveability 3. Sexual maturity at optimal age Economic Impact of Deviation from Standards and weight 4. More marketable eggs or minimal For a flock of 10,000 birds, with pullet rearing cost of approximately Rs 300/ pullet eggs bird, egg rate considered as Rs 4.50, pullet egg rate as Rs 3.25 and Rs 5.00 These expectations can be achieved as an investment through medication only by providing utmost of each bird for course correction. managemental and nutritional support to the birds right from an early age. This insight points out the common challenges and the possible way to overcome the same during pre-pullet stage. Achieving High rate 1 % production 1-week lesser standard of depletion drop during peak: peak production: body weight Impact of Impact of ` 31,500 ` 3,150 Sexual Major Pullet egg 1% extra mortality: 5 more pullet eggs: maturity at challenges in number right time Impact of Impact of pre-pullet ` 67,925 ` 53,125 stage Sustaining peak performance Asses based on observation from farms & feedback from egg producers 17

1. Standard Body Weight 1.1 Day old chick & its Environment Pre-pullet stage is the fast-growing Before the arrival of chicks, the farm stage of caged layer. Each breed has should be furnished with all different standards for the growth equipment in good working order, rate and feed intake, but almost in all thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, the breeds, 90% frame size is including the side curtains. developed by 12-16 weeks of age. So, Temperature should be maintained monitoring weekly body weight will for 24 hours prior to the placement give a comprehensive evaluation of of the chicks. the flock. Assessment of body weight to the standard and flock Chicks should be placed at the uniformity is essential, at least once a earliest in the farm to minimize month (4th, 8th, 12th and 16th weeks). A stress. Provision of water and feed random sampling of 100 birds is should be provided along with proper recommended from different lighting source. Chick qualities like locations of the flock. weight, physical appearance and alertness should be monitored Proper body weight - properly to evaluate the health of The most important criterion flock. for better performance 1.2 Brooding Management of caged layer birds Chicks cannot be able to maintain their body temperature for the first Early detection of deviation in body few weeks. To provide comfort and weight can be corrected much wellness to the birds, it is mandatory efficiently than at a later stage. to supply the required temperature at Proper body weight is an important the farm level. Along with the criterion for better uniformity of temperature, minimum ventilation is flock, thus influencing the sexual also critical for this chick stage. maturity, pullet eggs, peak Ventilation will improve the air quality performance and laying cycle. There inside the shed by facilitating oxygen, are some critical aspects to be taken removing foul gas from shed and care to achieve the standard body weight during chick and grower stage. Major points are, ! Day-old chick & its environment ! Brooding management ! Space allocation ! Nutrition and gut health of chick. 18 KEPREX™ LP

help to maintain the required relative humidity between 60-70 %. Brooding - Adequate Better Meant for comfort Space Uniformity of Flock and wellness 1.3 Space Allocation 1.4 Nutrition & Gut Health Balanced nutrition is a vital factor for It is the keystone to obtaining the better bird performance. Quality of deserved uniformity in the flock. feed varies with availability and high Increased density, even at marginal price of major raw materials (RM) and levels, would affect the micro- increased levels of alternate RM environment around the bird and usage. Though inclusion of alternate feed/watering behaviour, which RM will reduce feed cost, the flock further influences the flock health. productivity will get affected Provision of proper space for chicks drastically. High inclusion of alternate and growers, feeders and water will raw materials in feed reduces the reduce the competition among the digestibility. birds. Compromise on comfort will cause stress on the birds. Stressed Raw material selection should be birds will succumb to accidental made with utmost care, otherwise, death, high rate of disease incidence, there might be chances of etc. Wastage of feed and water is indigestion and toxicity-related another problem of insufficient space problems, which lower the allocation, which causes economic performance of birds. Substandard loss to the farm. water quality will increase the chance of bacterial load in the farm and impair the gut health of flock. 19

2. Livability light intensity (20-30 lx) and its duration. The light should be In chick and grower period, birds may provided as per the bodyweight face disease challenges like rather than the age. Chicks need 24 infectious laryngotracheitis, hours of light during the first week, newcastle disease, E.coli, chronic followed by 20 hours till 7 weeks of respiratory disease, infectious age. From 7th week to the week coryza, wing rot, etc. Because of when birds achieve 1.0 kg body these disease challenges, mortality weight, it requires 14 hours of rate might be increased. The feed lighting. The light should be intake of birds will reduce and it leads increased by 30 minutes per week, to low body weight and poor after attaining 1.0 kg body weight. uniformity. laying stage requires 16 hours of lighting. Standard Sexual Body Weight Maturity at Right Scientific Lighting Time Program The immune support programs either through feed or drinking water 4. Pullet Eggs along with the vaccination schedule should be followed to prevent and /or Pullet egg number is directly minimize the impact of pathogenic proportional to the bodyweight of challenges. Stress due to change in bird and lighting program. Early environment, biosecurity breach, lighting will cause poor egg weight usage of alternate RM, etc. will and prolapse. Delayed lighting will increase the depletion rate. delay the peak and result in a lesser number of eggs. Egg size and 3. Sexual Maturity number can be improved by proper Sexual maturity is always interlinked nutrition and lighting management. with bodyweight and lighting Stressed birds produce more pullet program. Flock uniformity and a eggs so, necessary action has to be properly developed GI tract will done to eliminate all the stress support achieving the desired body factors during the chick and grower weight and sexual maturity at the stage. right time. Chicks are sensitive to KEPREX™ LP 20

5. Sustaining Peak Performance Source Peak performance will indicate the Management guides of various layer health of flock and farm. Peak performance in weeks and breeds in South Asia. percentage need to be achieved as per the breed standard for better Note economic efficiency of the flock. Observed challenges and suggestive Standard body weight, sexual measures are based on the general maturity and depletion will directly broader observation from multiple influence the peak performance. flocks and feedbacks from layer Proper care of pre-pullet stage will farmers. bring better efficiency in laying cycle. The actual challenges and Pre-pullet stage is an important requirements might vary at individual phase of the caged layer. This period farm levels, hence, it is suggested to is called as investment period for consult a management expert and laying cycle. Maximum care during nutritionist for most appropriate brooding and growing will pay measures. maximum returns during laying, and no correction can be efficiently done CHICK GROWER once this phase is over. Comfort in brooding Space & shifting time Farm Level Check list Following could be an indicative Early nutrition Sexual maturity on time physical checklist to assess the farm and bird health. Feed wastage Feed consumption Measures to Overcome the & wastage Challenges Two important pillars to be corrected Weekly bodyweight Standard bodyweight to overcome the major challenges in the field are management aspects Early chick mortality Disease & weak birds and enhancing the nutritional and health aspects of diet. Debeaking Grading & culling Effective vaccination Effective vaccination Water quality & Water quality & facility facility MANAGEMENT NUTRITION Brooding Immunomodulators Space Anti-stress Factors Light Gut Health Modulators Vaccines Enzymes Bio security Toxin Binders Water Trace Minerals 21

KEPREX TM LP is a comprehensive feed additive and supplement solution for enhancing nutrition and health aspects of pre-pullet diets, for better body weight, uniformity, livability, body weight at sexual maturity, more saleable eggs and future flock performance while adopting suitable management practices. KEPREXTM LP Comprehensive Premix for Chick & Grower Diets KEPREXTM LP is a combination of essential supplements and additives that go into poultry layer (Chick, Grower and Layer) feed such as vitamins, organic trace minerals, digestive enzymes (NSP Enzymes, Phytase and Protease), bio- surfactants, acidifiers, immunomodulators, hepato-protectants, active microbials, multi-mycotoxin control agents and antioxidants. Composition 7. Mycotoxin Binders – Improves feed safety by patented STS and 1. Organic Trace Minerals – HNS technology to eliminate Enhanced egg quality, skeletal multiple mycotoxin and selected framework, skin integrity, pesticides. immune support and reduced oxidative stress. 8. Hepatoprotectants – Fortified with various variable organic liver 2. Digestive Enzymes – For efficient stimulants to maintain critical utilization of nutrients such as hepatic functions. calcium, phosphorous, energy and amino acids. 9. Biosurfactants – For efficient energy utilization of oil and fats, 3. Vitamins – Highly bio available as well to enhance the nutrient vitamins to support superior absorption such as fat-soluble metabolism. vitamins. 4. Gut Health Modulators – Provides 10. Antioxidant – Provides oxidative support to gut health by specific support of additives & feed action against gram-positive and nutrients to reduced oxidative gram-negative pathogens. stress. 5. Anti-stress Factors – Organic Cr, KEPREX™ LP Betaine and vitamin C to reduce stress & improve livability. 6. Immunomodulators – Algal beta glucans to improve immunity, livability and flock health. 22

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS (Equivalent to Regular Additives): Solutions Products KEPREXTM LP Organic Mineral Kemtrace® Supreme 500 PhygestTM HT (500 FTU / Kg Feed) 50 Digestive Enzymes NutrikemTM XLP Plus 500* CLOSTATTM 365 (12) 100 Gut Health & Immune AcidLACTM Supreme 1000 Support AletaTM (50%) 100 ToxfinTM 300 1000 Feed Safety EndoxTM T 150 Vitamin Premix 250 Vitamin Choline Chloride 500 Liver Stimulants Liver Tonic 500 Dose (Per MT feed) Kg 5.0 Note: *Enzyme inclusions optimized for 100 Kcal ME and 2% AA Vitamin Specifications: Per MT Feed 12.50 Nutrient 3.00 Vitamin A (MIU) 8.00 Vitamin D3 (MIU) 1.00 Vitamin E (g) 1.00 Vitamin K (g) 5.00 Vitamin B1 / Thiamine (g) 12.00 Vitamin B2 / Riboflavin (g) 8.00 Vitamin B3 / Niacin (g) 1.60 Vitamin B5 / Pantothenic Acid (g) 1.10 Vitamin B6 / Pyrodoxine (g) 0.0205 Vitamin B9 / Folic Acid (g) 0.1 Vitamin B12 / Cyanocobalamine (g) Biotin / Vitamin H (g) 23

Mineral Specifications (Organic Trace Minerals): Nutrient Per MT Feed Zinc (g) Propionate 30.00 Manganese (g) Propionate 30.00 Copper (g) Propionate 4.00 Cobalt (g) Propionate 0.20 Iron (g) Ascorbate 2.50 Iodine (g) EDDI 3.00 Selenium (g) Yeast 0.30 Chromium (g) Propionate 0.50 Nutritional Matrix: Particulars Suggested Matrix Amount of Nutrient (Need to be added Substituted in the software) (Per Kg of Feed) Crude Protein (%) 170 0.85 ME Mcal/KG 20 100 Dig Amino Acids Lysine (%) 7.9 0.040 Methionine (%) 4.4 0.022 Met + Cys (%) 6.3 0.032 Arginine (%) 8.3 0.042 Isoleucine (%) 6.3 0.032 Threonine (%) 6.2 0.031 Tryptophan (%) 1.8 0.009 Valine (%) 6.7 0.034 Histidine (%) 3.8 0.019 Leucine (%) 9.4 0.047 P. Alanine + Tyrosine (%) 9.3 0.047 Serine (%) 3.8 0.019 Available phosphorus (%) 24 0.120 Calcium (%) 22 0.110 24 KEPREX™ LP

Benefits: ! Kemtrace® Supreme - Enhanced eggshell, skeletal, skin integrity, immune support and reduced oxidative stress. ! Enzymes - NutrikemTM XLP Plus, PhygestTM HT - 100 Kcal ME, up to 1.0 % CP & 5 % AA, 0.12% Av. P and 0.11% Ca ! CLOSTATTM 365 - Provides support on gut health which enhances the nutrient absorption and shell quality. ! EndoxTM T - Provides oxidative support of additives & feed nutrients ! ToxfinTM 300 - Multi mycotoxin control solutions ! Vitamin - Comprehensive vitamin mix, liver stimulants and choline chloride ! AcidLACTM Supreme - Helps in control of gramnegative pathogens at gut level and nutrient utilization ! AletaTM - Enhances innate immune support ! Most suitable for all stages of layer diets with the benefits of feed cost optimization, gut health, organic trace minerals, multi-toxin control, innate immunity support with Choline Chloride and liver stimulants. ! Helps in pre-pullet stage for better uniformity, body weight and sexual maturity when supported with optimal management practices. Helps in layer for the support of antibiotic free egg production. Note: For more details on the deliverables of individual solutions, please do refer the product brochure of the same. 25

Healthy Pre-pullet for Wealthy Farm.. Cannot be corrected once Most important the chick and period for peak grower phase production is the chick & grower is over phase ` Maximum care Investment during brooding & period for growing will pay future profit maximum returns during laying 26 KEPREX™ LP

KEPREX™ LP Reclaim Your Peace of Mind Convenience I Performance I Competitiveness I Services Kemin Industries South Asia Pvt. Ltd. #C3, 1st Street, Ambattur Industrial Estate, Chennai 600058, Tamil Nadu, India Tel: 044 42202800 Email: [email protected] I Web: www.kemin.com Certain statements, product labeling and claims may differ by geography or as required by government requirements.