Program Introduction

Introduction to the world egg industry (Worldwide statistics, Egg markets: white, brown, organic, cage-free, pasture etc., Egg marketing/sales systems: retail, processed, dehydrated frozen, whites, yolk etc., Genetic lines: evolution of selection criteria, production potential, the 500-Egg layer, Supply management approach to egg production)

Egg production systems (Conventional cages, Furnished cages, Cage-free systems including aviaries, Free range production, Organic egg production

Egg quality and grading (External quality standards and monitoring methods, Internal quality standards and monitoring, expected egg size distribution, egg quality targets)

Positive and negative aspects of cage-free egg production systems

Biosecurity in egg production and Integrated management of nuisances

Artificial intelligence, robotics, information, etc. in poultry farms

Factors affecting the sustainability of egg production

Module 2 next steps towards certification

Layers nutrition principles for veterinarians

Calcium and phosphorus metabolism in commercial layers

Management of feed consumption to improve body weight, egg size, survival rate and egg production

Diseases of the reproductive system (False layers, Cloacal prolapse, Cloacal pecking, Cloacitis, Salpingitis & peritonitis, retained yolk)

Internal and external parasites (Cestodes, Nematodes, Blood parasites, Mites, louses, fleas, bed bugs, Coccidiosis (diagnosis, prevention and control)

Skin and mucus membrane problems (Fowl pox, Ulcerative dermatitis (focal dermatitis), Feathering problems, Eye notch, Trauma)

Musculo-skeletal problems (Septic arthritis, Plantar abcesses, Reovirus infection)

Food safety in commercial egg production

How to investigate problems in layers farms (At the farm level, With the help of laboratory tools, sample selection,…)

Preparation in face of catastrophic diseases / Crisis management

Field Visit (whole day)

Viral respiratory diseases (Newcastle disease, Infectious bronchitis, Avian metapneumovirus infection, Infectious laryngotracheitis)

Avian influenza (Disease global update, vaccination options)

Immunosuppressive and neoplastic diseases (Marek’s disease, Chicken infectious anemia, Reticuloendotheliosis, Avian leucosis and sarcoma complex, Mycotoxicosis (only the immunosuppressive effects), Infectious bursal disease (Gumboro)

Poultry vaccines, viral, bacterial, recombinant vector vaccines

Designing a pullet & layer vaccination programs adapted to the local situation and vaccination team (Examples of vaccination programs, Vaccination team and vaccination in the hatchery, Vaccination team and vaccination equipment in production, pullet house, Vaccination team and vaccination during egg production)

Bacterial and mycoplasma related diseases (Infectious coryza (Avibacterium paragallinarum), Pasteurellosis, Gallibacterium anatis, Mycoplasma gallisepticum & Mycoplasma synoviae, Campylobacter hepatica, Botulism)

Heat stress management (Review of various options available depending on type of housing system)

Liver problems in layers (Fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome, Hepatitis E virus (HEV, hepatitis-splenomegaly syndrome), Inclusion body hepatitis, post-bacterin hepatitis)

Latest development in layer breeder birds (traits selected, in Ovo sexing)

Lighting program principles (Open-sided and Dark houses for pullets and laying birds

Key points for starting and growing pullets (Preparation of the poultry house, Water quality, Water sanitation and maintenance of the drinking systems, Pullets growth (density, feeding, feeding space, feed presentation, temperature, body weight and uniformity objectives, water usage, ventilation)

Challenges in starting pullets (Pellet delivery, Non-starters, dehydration, Effects of cold or hot temperature on the pullets, Aspergillosis, Avian encephalomyelitis (AE))

Poultry welfare in egg production (Welfare in the hatchery and transportation, Beak trimming (open and dark house) and welfare during beak trimming, Welfare during starting and grow-out, Welfare during egg production, Welfare of “spent hens: during depopulation and transportation)

Basic medication principles with pullets and layers

Bacterial infections (Pullorum/typhoid infections, Paratyphoid infections, E. coli & colisepticemia, Staphylococcus infections, Pseudomonas, Omphalitis, Yolk sac infections, Enterococcus)

Enteric diseases (, Viral enteritis, Histomoniasis, Focal duodenal necrosis (FDN), Avian spirochetosis, Necrotic enteritis, Non-specific enteritis, Intestinal dilation syndrome)

Nutritional and metabolic problems (Imbalances and deficiencies: sodium, calcium and phosphorous, Vitamins related, Trace elements related, Articular and visceral gout and kidney problems)

Anatomy, evolution and physiology of the egg production organs

Behaviour problems in commercial layers (Hysteria, Floor egg problems, Broodiness, Pecking and feather licking, Cannibalism, Piling-smothering)

Neurological syndrome (transient paralysis)

Intoxication in commercial layers (Calcium intoxication, Sodium intoxication, Ionophore intoxication, Nicarbazin intoxication, CO2 and CO intoxication, Sulfur, Pesticides and rodenticides, Mycotoxicosis, Others)

Egg drop syndrome

Emerging and re-emerging problems in layers

Post-mortem Lab

Post-mortem Lab