To thrive and be healthy, layers and replacement pullets must be reared according to best practices for management, temperature, and feeding.

Natur-aile broiler turkey feeds provide all the protein, energy, vitamins, and minerals that turkeys need.

They contain between 18 % and 26 % of protein to meet the requirements of turkeys from day one to slaughter.

The broiler turkey feed program consists of three feeds:

• Natur-aile dindonneau – provide as only feed to turkeys aged one day to six weeks (42 days).

Natur-aile complete feeds provide birds with all the nutrients that they need.

The Natur-aile broiler and roaster feed program consists of two feeds:

• Natur-aile début-croissance unique – granule for birds aged one to 28 days

• Natur-aile croissance-finition unique – granule or texture, for birds aged 29 days to slaughter

Natur-aile feeds provide essential nutrients to prepare pullets for egg production. They are formulated for pullets aged one day to 20 weeks.

The Natur-aile replacement pullet feed program consists of two feeds:

• Natur-aile début-croissance unique – provide as sole feed to pullets aged one day to seven weeks (49 days).

• Natur-aile croissance-finition unique from 7 to 20 weeks – provide as sole feed to pullets aged seven to 13 weeks (50 to 91 days).

The first few days of a bird’s life will determine the outcome of the following weeks. Best management practices should be followed to achieve the lowest possible mortality rate.

When birds are six weeks old, they can go outside if the temperature is between 18 and 20 °C (65 and 70 °F). The yard should always be fenced in and allow access to the henhouse so that the birds can find shelter from the cold, rain, sun, and night.

The Natur-aile Ponte feed program provides hens with all the essential nutrients for good egg production.

It is formulated to provide 17 % of crude protein and all other essential nutrients, including amino acids, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, and minerals, all in one feed.

It is the only well-balanced feed recommended for birds from 20 weeks of age until the end of the laying cycle. Natur-aile Ponte should be fed at a rate of 10 to 12 kg per day per 100 hens (22 to 25 lb. per day per 100 hens).

Even with good management, problems such as piling, disease, leg disorders, and cannibalism can occur in the barn. Here are some common problems and how to solve them.

Piling

Piling can occur if the ambient temperature of the barn is too cold or if there is a sudden, unexpected noise.

If birds are cold, they will pile up on top of each other and suffocate those on the bottom. Make sure that the barn is kept at an appropriate temperature, especially at night.

If poultry production is a farmer’s lifeblood, Julie Amyot is that farmer's wings, taking the farmer to ever higher levels of production. She may well be proud of belonging to the largest poultry network in Canada, but it is the trust she has established with farmers in her region that drives her day after day. Meet the woman who was named poultry agri-advisor of the year for 2021.