Chicken meat has always been very popular, so broiler breeding can be regarded as one of the most profitable areas in poultry farming. An excellent option for breeding is the Cobb 500 broiler, which is in high demand both in our country and abroad.
Due to the rapid weight gain and absolute unpretentiousness in keeping, the hybrid looks very preferable against the background of other breeds and is quite often used by farmers for breeding.
Description
Cross Cobb 500 is the result of the selection work of Czech specialists. Its formation took place with the active participation of the Cornish, Kuchinsky jubilee and Pentserevsky breeds, as well as Zagorsky salmon, New Hampshire, Plymouth Rock and May Day chickens. Most of the breeds involved in the creation of the cross belong to the universal meat and egg direction., in connection with which a colossal work was carried out to isolate and consolidate the meat line with a rapid weight gain with minimal feed consumption. Egg production in this case was not taken into account, which is why the hybrid cannot be used to produce eggs.
As a result of genetic development, a bird with a massive physique, strong and muscular hips, high thick legs was obtained.
The plumage of hybrids consists of a pure white feather without foreign inclusions. Combs and earrings are scarlet in color and small in size. A distinctive feature of the cross is the yellow skin, which makes the carcass more attractive from a gastronomic point of view. The head of the bird is quite small with a massive yellow beak. By their temperament, the birds are quite phlegmatic and non-aggressive, however, under poor conditions, such as excessive lighting and a poorly balanced diet, cases of cannibalism occur.
Due to the scarce food supply and general discomfort, broilers begin to show aggression and devour weakened brethren.
Day old chicks look a little unusual and do not look like adults at all: they have a massive body, long thin legs and light yellow pubescence. Chickens have a good appetite and are quite active. A characteristic feature of young Cobb 500 is approximately the same weight and height of the entire population, while in purebred babies such uniformity is not observed and cockerels differ markedly from chickens.
Productivity
Cross Cobb 500 is a beef breed with a low fat content. By about 30 days, the weight of the chickens is 2 kg, and after a couple of weeks, a weight gain of another 600 g is noted. Upon reaching the age of 56 days, the weight of the individuals already exceeds 3 kg. After 80 days of age, weight gain is significantly reduced, in connection with which they try to slaughter between the 40th and 60th day. If the bird is not allowed into the slaughter and continues to be fed until the age of 3 months, then its carcass by this time will weigh about 5 kg. However, most farmers slaughter their stock within a month, increasing the profitability of production and supplying the market with tasty meat from young broilers. The average weight of chickens by day is given in the table.
Considering the productivity of the cross, one cannot fail to mention egg production, which is of interest to many breeders. In this matter, it is important to understand that broilers are capable of laying eggs only from 7 months, and given the fact that birds are slaughtered at a maximum of 90 days of age, it is not possible to wait for eggs from them during their life.
Theoretically, the bird will be able to give its owners several eggs per week, however, these experiments are considered impractical and it is better to use breeds specially designed for this to obtain eggs.
Features of the content
Growing at home Cobb 500 broilers is within the power of even beginner poultry farmers. Chickens do not require the creation of any special conditions and can only be content with regular and balanced feeding and the presence of a warm chicken coop. Birds can be kept both on the floor and in the cage, with the latter being the most preferred for broilers. This is due to the fact that being in a cage, chickens do not show sufficient motor activity, due to which they gain weight faster. Moreover, the cellular method of placing birds allows you to more rationally use the space of the chicken coop and keep a large number of livestock in a limited area.
So, on one square meter you can fit up to 10 heads of adults and up to 20 chicks.
Mandatory conditions for arranging a chicken coop are the presence of ventilation and the absence of drafts. In addition, strict adherence to the temperature regime is necessary. Broilers love warmth and do not tolerate hypothermia or sudden changes in temperature. Also, the appearance of mustiness, dampness and a large accumulation of dust should not be allowed. These factors negatively affect the development of chickens and adversely affect their health. In comfortable conditions, at a temperature of 27-33 degrees and a relative humidity of no higher than 75%, in a month and a half, you can grow a livestock that is quite ready for slaughter.
The lighting regime is also important. Broilers really need good lighting, which allows them not to stop eating in the dark. This is especially true for chickens from birth to two weeks of age. For older chickens, an 18-hour day is enough. The best lighting option is red lamps, which create a warm diffused light, the most favorable for bird perception.
An important point in the broiler rearing guide is keeping the chicken coop clean. So, after slaughtering a batch of chickens, it is imperative to completely clean the room from bedding, droppings and small debris. Then the chicken coop should be disinfected with any disinfectant and well ventilated. The best option would be to whitewash the walls and ceiling with lime, as well as treat the entire house with sulfur dioxide. For planned treatment of the premises in the presence of a bird, you can use products that are safe for chickens and humans, such as Brovadez-plus or Virotsid. The first can be used both for preventive purposes, treating surfaces with a 0,25% solution, and for the destruction of pathogenic flora in infectious diseases. In the latter case, it is recommended to use a 3% solution already.
“Virotsid” is designed to eliminate pathogens, viruses and mold. It is often used when cleaning cages and washing feeders and drinkers. To destroy the fungus, you can use “Biodez-R”, which is also completely safe for broilers. For preventive treatment, a 1% solution of the substance is taken, while a 4% solution is already used to destroy various infections, including tuberculosis. Preventive treatments for chicken coops are recommended to be performed at least a couple of times a month. After a complete treatment of the premises, a litter is re-formed on the floor, consisting of a mixture of sawdust, shavings and straw mixed with lime. Then the room is heated to a comfortable 27-30 degrees and a new batch of chickens is placed.
Feeding
The weight gain of Cobb 500 broilers directly depends on the diet and nutritional balance. Experienced breeders prefer not to calculate the required amount of certain nutrients, but use ready-made, well-balanced feed, consisting of fiber and a grain mixture. With its use, after a month and a half, it is possible to get a full-fledged chicken, ready for slaughter. In general, broiler feeds are markedly different from laying hen feeds and are high in animal and plant proteins, as well as proteins. Additionally, vitamins and minerals necessary for bird growth are added to them.
Professional poultry farmers for each age recommend using their own feed. So, newborn chickens up to 10 days of age should be fed with the crushed composition “Start”, which is designed for the delicate stomachs of babies, contains a huge amount of protein and is well digested. Then, until the 23rd day, the young are given “Growth”, which contains a large percentage of the proteins necessary for the development of muscle mass and a good weight gain. Moreover, the compound feed contains a sufficient amount of calcium, which is necessary for the proper formation of the skeleton. And starting from the 23rd day and until slaughter, the bird is fed with the Finish feed. The composition is quite high-calorie and includes a lot of starch, fiber and fat, while the amount of protein is somewhat reduced and meets the recommended standards.
In addition to the compound feed for growing broilers Cobb 500, you can also use conventional feed. However, in this case, you will have to strictly observe the norms of nutritional components and correctly compose the diet.
Approximate mix composition:
- 48% crushed corn or cornmeal;
- 13% wheat;
- 7% meat and bone meal;
- 1% vegetable fat;
- 18% sunflower cake;
- 8% barley grain;
- 3% herbal flour;
- 5% fodder yeast;
- 0,1% per annum.
When using such a mixture, it should be borne in mind that the high content of wheat somewhat impairs the absorption of phosphorus and calcium. Therefore, if there is no opportunity to replace it with barley, the amount of supplements with phosphorus and calcium is slightly increased. Also, the mandatory addition of protein-vitamin complexes with a volume of at least 10% of the total amount of the mixture is recommended to the prepared mash.
In order to reduce the cost of keeping broilers as much as possible and reduce the consumption of feed, kitchen waste and vegetables from the garden are included in the diet of birds. Some farmers have had good experience feeding chickens with boiled potato based feed, vegetable peels, grass meal and crushed grains. Naturally, with such feeding, the weight gain indicators fall slightly, but in case of an acute shortage of feed or other force majeure circumstances, it is still possible to feed broilers in this way.
The number of feedings of Cobb 500 depends on the age of the birds, and in the first week of life of the chickens reaches 8 times. In the second week, the chicks are fed 6 times a day, and from the third week they are transferred to 4 meals a day. In addition to food, broilers should have free access to clean drinking water.
Breeding
Reproduction of Cobb 500 broilers in the traditional way is impossible, therefore, ready-made hatching eggs or live chickens are purchased for breeding. The cost of eggs is quite low and reaches 35-40 rubles apiece., and when buying a large batch, it is about 25 rubles at all. The price of day-old chickens fluctuates around 100 rubles per head, and when buying a fairly large batch, it often drops to 50 rubles. Week-old chickens are somewhat more expensive – about 200-250 rubles. Buying live chicks is well suited for beginner breeders who do not have experience in incubation breeding and the equipment necessary for this.
When bred by incubation, the yield of chicks is quite high and, if done correctly, can reach 95%. The survival rate of born young animals is almost complete and varies from 97 to 99%. For the incubation breeding method, it is recommended to purchase incubator models with an automatic egg turning function, which allows you to increase the hatchability of chickens and significantly saves time and labor for the poultry farmer. The capacity of household models is 35-500 eggs, while industrial units can accommodate several thousand.
The incubation mode for breeding Cobb 500 broilers is not much different from the mode required for breeding chicks of other breeds, and is 37-38 degrees at an air humidity of 65-75%. If the egg auto-turn function is not available, then the first 2 weeks the eggs should be turned 6 to 8 times a day. If this is not done, then there is a possibility that the embryo will dry to the shell and die. With the manual method of turning over, it is recommended to put a marking on already turned over specimens. This will help you not to miss an unturned egg and eliminate confusion. After a 10-day stay in the incubator twice a day, the eggs are cooled to room temperature for 15 minutes. Broiler chickens are born on the 21st day.
Hatched chicks are placed in a brooder or heated box and kept at a temperature of 30-32 degrees. After a week, it is gradually lowered by 1-2 degrees per day until it reaches 23-25 degrees. From the moment of birth until 2 weeks of age, the chicks are provided with not too bright round-the-clock lighting, then it is reduced daily by an hour and brought up to 18 hours a day.
Diseases and their prevention
Cobb 500 broilers have excellent immunity and very rarely get sick. Most ailments are more related to flaws in cultivation than to a genetic predisposition to a particular disease. Below are the most common diseases, as well as the causes that led to their appearance and methods of treatment.
- Bronchopneumonia occurs when a bird is in a draft against the background of a general decrease in immunity. The first signs of the disease are high fever and inactivity of chickens. Birds begin to choke, stretch their necks and eat poorly. Bronchopneumonia is treated exclusively with antibiotics prescribed by a veterinarian.
- Avitaminosis occurs due to a lack of certain vitamins, which is due to the very rapid growth of birds. It is possible to determine which vitamin is lacking in the body by indirect signs. For example, with a lack of retinol in broilers, feathers begin to fade and fall out, and the eyes are watery and inflamed. With a lack of B vitamins, paralysis, anemia, a general weakening of the body and a noticeable stunting can occur.
The lack of tocopherol and ascorbic acid leads to a decrease in immunity and sickness of birds, and a deficiency of vitamin D leads to curvature of the paws, stunted growth and development, and disruption of the heart.
- Marek’s disease is a viral infection and can “mow down” up to 85% of the livestock in a fairly short period of time. The virus causes damage to the nervous system: chickens begin to limp, lower their tails and wings, go blind from conjunctivitis. The disease is considered incurable, so the entire livestock must be destroyed, and the chicken coop must be seriously disinfected.
- Dyspepsia is typical mainly for small chicks and is caused by improper introduction of feed. In newborn chickens, enzyme systems are not fully formed, and when they begin to receive food beyond their age, serious stomach upsets occur. Feces acquire a liquid consistency with traces of undigested food. The disease is treated by adjusting the diet and drinking plenty of water.
- Aspergillosis is a fungal disease and is very difficult to treat. The lungs are the first to fail: the birds begin to choke, and mucus begins to stand out from the nose. After a couple of days, the broiler dies. The main cause of aspergillosis is a damp room, weakened immune system and improper feeding.
- Salmonellosis is another severe incurable disease and is bacterial in nature. The first signs are considered to be an increase in body temperature, green diarrhea, dehydration, and at the last stage – the defeat of all organs and systems. Dead birds are to be disposed of and not allowed to be eaten. This is because Salmonella bacteria are easily transmitted to humans through contaminated meat and cause serious illness.
As a preventive measure against various kinds of intestinal infections, in the first days of the life of chickens, it is recommended to add a little potassium permanganate to the water, and with a population of more than 30 heads, it is imperative to vaccinate daily chicks against infectious diseases.
Reviews
The owners speak very well of the Cobb 500 broilers, they note a rapid increase in body weight, minimal costs for the purchase of feed and the ability to put chickens into slaughter as early as 1,5 months. Attention is also drawn to the high weight of the breast and thighs, the good survival rate of chickens, the absence of a difference in weight and height between hens and roosters. The excellent immunity of birds and their resistance to a number of bird diseases are highly appreciated. Among the shortcomings, there is a loss of maternal instinct in chickens and the impossibility of breeding in a natural way, the need for high-quality heating of the chicken coop and the absence of egg production up to 7 months of age.
For Cobb 500 broilers, see the following video.
