Poultry farms provide conducive environments for microorganisms, including various bacteria and viruses, to thrive due to organic matter, moisture, and warmth. Therefore, maintaining high hygiene standards in poultry farming is vital for flock health, production efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
The increasing focus on sustainability in animal production presents a dilemma between productivity and environmental stewardship. Addressing these needs, the Avi Prime program by CID Lines, an Ecolab Company, offers a comprehensive hygiene solution designed to enhance cleaning and disinfection practices in poultry barns and water systems.
Trial Design
In collaboration with Vetworks, a veterinary service provider in Belgium, CID Lines conducted a field trial involving eight broiler farms. This trial aimed to compare the efficacy of the Avi Prime program with the existing cleaning protocols used in commercial broiler operations.
A total of 799,250 broiler chicks were monitored across these eight farms. Each farm had a control group (the initial cycle) and an Avi Prime group (the following two production cycles), assessed during three consecutive sanitary stops.
The control group employed traditional hygiene practices, while the Avi Prime group utilized an integrated hygiene program tailored for both water and barn sanitation. Environmental samples were taken from various locations within the poultry facilities after cleaning and disinfection, specifically for the presence of Enterococcus spp. Moreover, parameters such as mortality rate, average daily gain (ADG), and final body weight were evaluated at the end of the production cycle.
Avi Prime Program Yields Enhanced Hygiene Standards
The Avi Prime program effectively eradicates microorganisms and pathogens from various surfaces, ensuring an optimal environment for poultry. In this trial, a noteworthy reduction in Enterococcus spp. levels was observed, underscoring the program’s ability to provide a cleaner space for subsequent production cycles.
Avi Prime Improves Production Results
Results demonstrated that the Avi Prime program reduced mortality rates by 0.61%, decreasing from 2.36% in the control group to 1.75% in the Avi Prime group. Additionally, average daily gain rose from 67.80 g in the control group to 69.45 g in the Avi Prime group, while end weight increased from 2,750 g to 2,771 g.
Economic and Environmental Advantages
Investing in the Avi Prime program translates into significant economic returns for poultry producers. Under typical Belgian production conditions, the program generates an impressive return on investment of €4.72 compared to prior hygiene practices.
By significantly reducing mortality rates and enhancing production efficiency, the Avi Prime program assists farmers in improving profitability while minimizing waste and resource consumption, thus contributing to a more sustainable agricultural model.
Conclusion
The Avi Prime program stands as a significant advancement in sustainable poultry farming. By focusing on effective cleaning and disinfection, it ensures healthier flocks and improved production outcomes while lessening environmental impacts.
As the agricultural sector continues to pivot toward sustainability, solutions like the Avi Prime program pave the way for achieving sustained economic benefits and improved production efficiency.
For further information on the Avi Prime program and its sustainable advantages, please contact your local CID Lines representative or visit www.ecolab.com.
