This new guide offers best practice management tools and advice for optimising broiler performance in open-sided houses.

It also provides information that assists with maintaining flock health and welfare, while achieving good flock performance both live and through processing. The guide is designed as a supplement to and should be used in conjunction with the existing Broiler Management Handbook.

Open-sided broiler houses are commonly found in areas with high daytime temperatures or where extreme variations in temperature can exist and seasonal effects such as monsoons or cooler winters can occur.

The guide follows a similar structure to the Broiler Management Handbook but focuses on certain areas of difference between managing broilers in open versus environmentally controlled housing.

In particular, differences exist in the advice on brooding and post-brooding management. Other factors, such as environment, ventilation and lighting need careful management in an open-sided environment.

It was created using valuable input from Aviagen’s Regional Technical Teams, ensuring local, hands-on experience and expertise were included throughout.

Commenting on the new guide, Mark Wright, regional technical manager for Asia, said: “There are a number of key differences when it comes to managing broilers in open-sided houses compared to environmentally controlled houses.

"This new guide pinpoints these differences and explains why they are important. Open-house broiler growing is still very common across many parts of the world, and this guide will help farm owners optimise the maximum genetic performance that this type of housing allows.”

A Guide to Managing Broilers in Open-Sided Housing can be downloaded from the Aviagen website here.