MASBATE POLYTHECNIC DEVELOPMENT COLLEGE INC.

BALENO, MASBATE

Sector: AGRI - FISHERY

Qualification Title: ANIMAL PRODUCTION (POULTRY – CHICKEN)
Unit of Competency: MAINTAIN POULTRY HOUSE
Module Title: Module 9.3 Maintaining farm area

Masbate Polytechnic and Development College, Inc.

Poblacion, Baleno, Masbate
 Information Sheet 1.1-3

Recording and Reporting Conditions of Poultry House

and Facilities

Learning Objectives:

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to:

1. Familiarize different record-keeping practices in the farm.

2. Report the condition of poultry housing and facilities to the
immediate authority in compliance with Environmental
Compliance Certificate.
3. Write reports related to poultry house conditions and facilities.

Poultry Farm Records Maintenance

✔ Record maintenance is a crucial activity in any business. It will

serve as important source for monitoring and evaluation.
✔ A business can be efficiently managed, only if proper recording of
data is carried out periodically.
✔ The records maintained are primarily a documentation of
accountability and secondarily a data system for management.
They should be reliable and relevant. This relevant information,
when recorded, should be made available at any time.
✔ Records should be simple, easy to understand, without
repetition; but must provide all the needed information.
✔ The records should be able to clearly state, where and how the
enterprise stands.
✔ The history of the record will provide the entrepreneur, a clear
picture of all mistakes made in the past and to be avoided in
future.
✔ The records are necessary to study the production performance,
and check whether it meets the prescribed standards.
✔ Records should provide information for future planning, changes
and expansions, if any.
✔ In general, farm records can be broadly classified under two
categories.

● Production/ Technical records

● Financial records

✔ The nature of the records varies, based on the type and volume
of the enterprise.
 ✔ Irrespective of the type and size of enterprises, the basic records
to be maintained are as follows:

Attendance and daily wages register

This deals with the number of persons employed daily and

wages dispersed to them; including the stamped acquaintance.

Building Registers

✔ This deals with the various farm buildings and other civil works
like well, fencing, roads etc.
✔ In this register one has to maintain the petty repairs and
expenditure incurred for their maintenance.
✔ Moreover, the annual depreciation on buildings should also be
worked out every year.
✔ After deducting the annual depreciation, the actual worth of the
buildings should be brought forward for various accounting
purposes.

Equipment Registers

✔ This includes various farm equipment machineries like feed mill,

vehicles, cages, incubators, feeders, waterers etc.
✔ The date, source, number and cost of purchase of equipment
must be recorded.
✔ The repairs carried out along with the details of repairs also must
be indicated.
✔ The annual depreciation should be calculated for equipment and
the actual post-depreciation value for equipment must be
brought forward for the next year.

Feed and feed ingredient register

✔ Feed is the major item of expenditure in poultry production.

Hence, much care should be exercised in maintaining this
register.
✔ Few pages must be allotted for each feed ingredient of the feed.
✔ For each of these items, the opening balance, receipts, issues,
storage loss, manufacturing cost and the closing balance has to
be maintained.
✔ In the remarks column, the source of purchase, invoice number
and date and cost per unit must be indicated.
✔ Since the feed ingredient prices vary frequently, the actual
ingredient cost for each batch of feed mixed must be taken into
account, for accurate calculation.

Feed additives and medicines register

 ✔ This register keeps track of the various feed additives, medicines,
vaccines, disinfectants, chemicals purchased and utilized.
✔ The opening balance, receipts, issues, closing balance and a
remarks column must be maintained for each item.
✔ In the remarks column, the invoice number, date, cost and source
of each purchase have to be indicated.

Petty items or miscellaneous purchase/ expenditure register

✔ In this register, all miscellaneous purchases like tools, stationary,

bulbs, nails etc. and other day-to-day expenditure has to be
recorded and a monthly and annual consolidated report has to
be prepared to calculate miscellaneous expenditure.
✔ In addition to the above mentioned common registers, the
following specific registers have to be maintained, depending on
the nature of the farm and type of enterprise.

Layer farm register

✔ For each batch, the production performance register has to be

maintained from day one to disposal; with the following columns.
✔ Date, age in days, opening balance of birds, mortality, feed
issued, feed/ bird/ day, eggs produced, % Hen-day egg
production, Feed/ egg and remarks.
✔ The remarks column should deal with date of vaccinations,
debeaking, medication, post-mortem report if any, sale of culled
birds and any other relevant information.
✔ A separate book has to be maintained for each batch from day
one to disposal, so that batch wise economics can be calculated.

Egg out turn register

✔ This is a consolidated record of egg turnover by all batches

maintained in the farm at a time.
✔ This will take into account the eggs produced by all the batches
of layers in the farm.
✔ This register consists of the following columns namely: Date,
opening balance of eggs, eggs produced, sold, and closing balance
of eggs and remarks.
✔ Number and sale price of the pullet eggs and broken saleable eggs
may also be maintained.
✔ Moreover, the day-to-day sale price of eggs must be recorded
daily.
✔ The monthly and annual consolidated report, indicating the
volume and value of the total eggs turnover may be furnished.

Broiler farm records

 ✔ For broiler farms, batch wise performance sheet has to be
maintained, with the following columns.
✔ Before the regular columns, the batch number, source of chicks,
number of paid and free chicks received, date of hatch, cost per
chick and strain, have to be recorded.
✔ The regular data to be recorded are date, age in days, opening
balance of birds, mortality, total feed issued and remarks.

✔ In the remarks column the medication and vaccination details,

cause of death may be indicated.
✔ These regular columns should continue up to 56 days; but
recording should be done until the date of sale.
✔ Below these regular columns the following particulars like total
live body weight of birds sold, number of birds sold, per cent
mortality, total feed consumed, feed conversion ratio, cost of feed,
sale price of broilers sold, cost of chicks and miscellaneous cost
(electricity, labor, medicine, vaccination, fuel etc) have to be
recorded.
✔ Based on the above data, the actual cost of production/ kg live
weight and the profit/ loss incurred for that batch has to be
calculated.

Breeder farm records

✔ The records will be similar to that of the layer farm. However, one
more column, namely the number of hatching eggs produced
daily has to be included in the batch wise performance and egg
out turn register.

Hatchery records

✔ The hatchery should maintain a register similar to that of egg out

turn register but with some modified columns as follows:

Date, opening balance, receipts, settings, discards and sales,

chicks produced, chicks sold, chicks discarded, free chicks and
remarks.

Batch wise hatchery sheet

✔ This may be maintained, to provide the following information.

✔ Serial setting number, number of eggs set, type of eggs, strain,
source of eggs, number of eggs discarded, number of eggs
transferred to hatcher, number of good chicks hatched, number
of weak chicks, number of pullet chicks (in case of egg-type only),
number of male chicks and mode of disposal, per cent total
hatchability and per cent fertility.
Chick out turn and disposal register

✔ This register consists of strain wise chick out turn and disposal
particulars, consisting of date, opening balance of chicks, chicks
hatched, chicks sold, chicks used for own purpose, chicks
discarded, chicks given as free margin, closing balance, price per
chick and remarks.
✔ The remarks column should have the Marek’s disease vaccination
and other particulars.

Feed mill record

✔ The feed mill registers will be similar to the general registers

discussed above but with more details about individual feed
ingredients.
✔ Instead of maintaining few pages for each ingredient and feed in
the same register, a separate register has to be maintained for
each ingredient and feed.
✔ An extra column showing the feed ingredient shortage due to
storage, grinding and mixing loss has to be indicated at the expiry
of each batch or lot received or mixed.
✔ Moreover, the remarks column must indicate the source of
purchase, bill number, unit price and mode of payment, in case
of feeding ingredient.

` In case of different feeds prepared – to whom sold, quality,

rate per unit, invoice number and mode of receipt should be
indicated

Record-Keeping

When a problem arises, be it a disease, a chemical hazard issue

or a physical safety matter, record keeping is central to any effort to
trace the source of the problem and eliminate it. The OIE Guide to Good
Farming Practices for Animal Production recommends the ability to
trace animals at least one step forward and at least one step backward
from the current holding. Hence, as far as is practicable, farmers should
keep records of:
a. Animal identification;
b. Animal source, especially import animals;
c. Feed
d. Animal Health (Treatment and Vaccination);
e. Animal movement
f. Laboratory;
g. Sanitation and Hygiene;
h. Pest control;
i. Personnel Health and Training;
j. Waste management;
k. Production; l
 . Procurement;
m. Storage;
n. Visitor;
o. Transportation;
p. Traceability (e.g. animal/lot/batch ID, customer record, etc.).

Records should be kept for a minimum of 3 years or a time

specified by Government directives.

Self- Check 1.1-3

Directions:

Write the word True if the statement is correct, otherwise write

False if it is wrong.

1. Record maintenance is a minor activity in any business.

2. Records provides information for present planning, changes and

expansions.

3. The date, source, number and cost of purchase of equipment

must be recorded.

4. Equipment is the major item of expenditure in poultry

production.

5. A separate book has to be maintained for each batch from day

one to disposal, so that batch wise economics can be calculated.
ANSWER KEY 1.1-3

1. False
2. False
3. True
4. False
5. True
 Information Sheet 1.1-4
Safety Practices

Learning Objective:
1. Identify Bio-Security procedures in the farm.
2. Apply proper waste management and environment management in
the poultry farm.

Bio-Security Measures
The farm should have a written protocol of bio-security measures.
Proper warning signage should be provided.

✔ Bio-security procedures should be well implemented to prevent

introduction of disease into the farm and/or to control its spread within
the farm.
Example:
For chickens that are in coops/poultry houses/buildings, the cages
should be netted to prevent entry of migratory birds. In the cases of
free-range chicken, control measures that include putting them in
cages while there are cases of avian influenza outbreak to prevent
them co-mingling with migratory species.
✔ The implementation of bio-security measures should be continuously
monitored to assess the effectiveness of the program.
✔ The farm should have the appropriate and functional lay-out and
infrastructure to ensure effective implementation of the bio-security
measures. This should include facilities:

✔ It is recommended that commercial poultry farms should refer to the

ASEAN Biosecurity Management Manual for Commercial Poultry Farming
for other biosecurity requirements.

▪ Laboratory testing
a. Routine testing should be carried out in qualified laboratories for
surveillance and/or monitoring of notifiable diseases.
b. In case of reportable disease outbreak, testing should be conducted
in an approved/accredited laboratory and should continue until it
can be shown that the disease has been controlled.

▪ Protocols When Disease is Suspected

a. If there is an outbreak or suspicion of epidemic disease, the
farm should follow the requirements of the laws and regulations
on chicken epidemic disease control of the country and OIE
guidelines.
b. Emergency biosecurity procedures should be followed (refer to
ASEAN biosecurity management manual for commercial
poultry farming and biosecurity protocols for poultry).
c. The farm operator should report immediately or within 24
hours to relevant authorities any incidence of abnormal
behavioral changes, health conditions and mortalities in the
farm or any characteristic of a disease outbreak (e.g. Highly
Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), New Castle’s Disease).
▪ Prevention and Treatment
a. The use of medicines and biologics should be under the supervision
 of a licensed veterinarian or competent authority. Medicines and
biologics used should be registered with the competent authority.
b. The farm should maintain updated records of medicine purchase
and administration that should be readily available for inspection.
c. Drugs, medicines, and vaccines should be stored and identified
properly; proper disposal of these items should be followed to
prevent contamination to the environment.
d. The farm operator should keep and maintain complete records of
farm operations, management routines, and animal health records
like disease monitoring and medication. These records should be
easily retrievable.
e. Records include, but are not limited to, the following:
● Vaccination program;
● Deworming;
● Disease condition;
● Diagnosis;
● Intervention or treatment done;
● Control measures;
● Post-mortem findings;
● Surveillance; and
● Disposal
f. The farm should maintain updated records of medicine purchase
and administration that should be readily available for inspection.
g. The procurement records should have:
● Date of purchase;
● Name of the product (generic compound);
● Quantity purchased;
● Batch number;
● Expiry date; and
● Name of supplier
h. Administration records should consist of the following:
● Type of drugs or medication used;
● Batch number;
● Quantity of medicine used;
● Date administered;
● Route of administration;
● Identification of chickens/group treated;
● Number of chickens treated;
● Date of completion of treatment;
● Withdrawal period; and
● Name of the person who administered the medicine.

Hygiene and Sanitation

It is recommended that commercial poultry farms should refer to
the ASEAN Biosecurity Management Manual for Commercial
Poultry Farming for other hygiene and sanitation requirements.
▪ Personal Hygiene
a. Workers should wear appropriate protective clothing, if necessary
with masks, and foot wear at all times that can be sanitized.
b. Workers’ movement in the farm should be controlled to avoid cross
contamination between different age groups of chicken. Workers
should enter clean areas first then move to dirty areas. Workers
should not move from dirty areas to clean areas.
c. Workers should ensure that no unnecessary accessories and
personal effects that may pose hazards may be brought in the
production area.
 d. Downtime/quarantine should be observed before entering the
production area for workers coming from outside the farm.
▪ General Farm Hygiene
a. The farm should have a cleaning and disinfection procedure in place. Farm
premises should be kept clean and free of potential conditions conducive
to breeding of pests, chicken parasites and disease outbreak. This is to
avoid negative effects on the landscape, environment and chicken welfare.
b. Organic materials should be regularly removed from all livestock contact
surfaces (i.e. floors, pen partitions). Where bedding is used, it should be
regularly changed and/or topped up.
c. The farm should have a proper and functional drainage system.
d. Only approved chemicals by competent authorities in the country should
be used for cleaning and sanitation.
e. The farm should have appropriate equipment and tools for effective and
functional hygiene and sanitation operation.
▪ Waste Management and Environment Management
a. The farm operator should take necessary measures to ensure that
activities related to livestock farming do not contribute to the
degradation of the environment (i.e. land, water, air) and cause
destruction to bio-diversity.

b. Litter, solid (including biohazard waste) and liquid waste should be

managed and disposed according to the country’s regulations.
c. Farm operator should maintain and display clear instructions on
procedure for disposal of farm solid wastes and farm chemical wastes
(e.g. expired pesticide/herbicide and containers, paint, etc.).
d. Dead chickens should be buried properly or disposed in a manner that
complies with country regulations, e.g. mortality pits.
e. Compost stations should be positioned away from the activities of the
farm, waterways and also be protected from rain to avoid leaching.
f. Toilet septic tanks should be maintained so that potential overflows
will be avoided.
g. Effluent ponds should be located away from farming operations and
should not overflow.
h. Waste water from farms shall be treated before discharging into public
water resources.
i. Any waste water treatment process should be properly functional.
j. Measures should be in place to keep out noise that could potentially
affect growth and productive performance of chickens, specifically
around poultry brooder house
k. The farm should regularly monitor the air quality and maintain it at
acceptable levels.
l. The farm should take appropriate measures to minimize excessive odor
coming from the farm and that which may be associated with waste
decomposition.

▪ Pest Control
a. Farm premises should be maintained in a good condition to prevent
possible vermin infestation.
b. The farm should have pest control programs to reduce or eliminate
pests including rodents and insects.
c. Only approved chemicals and baits should be used in pest control
programs.

▪ Animal Welfare
a. Care shall be taken to preserve the welfare of chickens. In case of
 injury, sickness or deformity, chickens shall be appropriately
treated to avoid suffering.
b. All chickens should have access to and are sufficiently provided with
feed, water and space (refer to OIE guidelines on Animal Welfare).
c. The farm operators and personnel should not cause cruelty to
chickens, which includes but is not limited to:
● Maltreatment of chickens under his/her care and attention.
● Neglect of chicken, such that it experiences pain, suffering or
distress.
● Failure to provide adequate resources to maintain the live
weight of the chicken within the normal physiological range
for the species type, age and sex.
● Removal of any part of the anatomy without adequate
anesthesia, whenever applicable.
● Putting to sleep (euthanasia, e.g. cervical dislocation), confine,
handle or transport any chicken in a manner causing
deliberate pain, suffering or distress.
● Keeping a chicken alive, especially that which is pronounced
physically or physiologically incapacitated, unless it is under
the direct care of a licensed and registered veterinarian.
d. The farm operator and personnel should not neglect chickens
according to the following criteria:
● Freedom from hunger and thirst and malnutrition. Feed
withdrawal of chickens should not be more than eight (8)
hours before slaughter;
● Freedom from physical discomfort and pain;
● Freedom from injury and disease;
● With due consideration to the differences in the production
system (confined and free-range), chickens should be given
enough freedom to conform to essential behavior patterns,
(i.e. specific growing stage of poultry); and
● Freedom from fear and distress.
▪ Handling and restraining of chickens
● Chickens should always be handled and restrained in such a way to
protect them from fear, stress, pain and injury. b.
● Appropriate equipment and tools should be provided and used in
handling or restraining the chickens.
● Appropriate tools should be used for the purpose of effective chicken
management and the operators should acquire the skills and
techniques to use the tools.
● Tools should be used in a manner that minimize stress and does not
injure the chickens.
● Tools should be functional for efficient application on the chickens
by the operators.
● Sick, injured or disabled chickens should be separated from healthy
chickens and should be given the necessary veterinary attention.
● Proper techniques should be applied to handle and restrain
chickens.
 Self – Check 1.1-4

True or False: Write the word true if the statement is correct, otherwise write
false.

1. Appropriate tools should be used for the purpose of effective chicken

management and the operators should acquire the skills and techniques
to use the tools.
2. Farm operator should maintain and display clear instructions on
procedure for disposal of farm solid wastes and farm chemical wastes
3. Workers should wear appropriate protective clothing, if necessary with
masks, and foot wear at all times that cannot be sanitized.
4. Tools should be used in a manner that stress and injure the chickens.
5. The use of medicines and biologics should be under the supervision of a
manager or competent authority. Medicines and biologics used should be
registered with the competent authority.
6. The implementation of bio-security measures should be continuously
monitored to assess the effectiveness of the program.
7. The farm should have the appropriate and functional lay-out and
infrastructure to ensure effective implementation of the bio-security
measures.
8. Tools should be functional for efficient application on the chickens by the
learners.
9. All chickens should have access to and are sufficiently provided with feed,
water and space.
10. The farm should maintain updated records of medicine purchase and
administration that should be readily available for inspection.

Answer Key 1.1-4

1. True
2. True
3. False
4. False
5. False
6. True
7. True
8. False
9. True
True