Standardization is a process by which all elements in a data field (or a set of related data fields) are forced to conform to a standard. A standardized data set enables the collection of uniform, relevant, accurate, and consistent data. With today’s growing interest in electronic communication, the use of standards for the names and contents of each data element in a data set improves information exchange in a chain organization (Donnelly et al., 2009). Moreover, when data are recorded using standard codes and definitions along the chain levels, traceability of product information can be simplified and facilitated (Donnelly et al., 2008), which in turn serves as a foundation for effective decision making at each level of the chain.
To standardize data sets in the broiler value chain, a protocol is proposed. The protocol was formulated based on information needs for management at breeder farms, hatcheries, and broiler farms at the tactical and operational levels. The protocol included 4 steps.
In step one, critical success factors (CSF) were determined. Critical success factors are performance factors or activities that are required to ensure the success of a business (Rockart, 1979; Huirne et al., 1997). To identify possible CSF, the mission and objectives of the
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59 business are examined. For example, the revenues of breeder farms, hatcheries, and broiler farms depend largely on the production of a maximal number of high quality day-old chicks, which in turn depends, among other factors, on the quality of hatching eggs (Wilson, 1991; Tona et al., 2003; Yassin et al., 2008). Thus, CSF of the breeder farms could be production of the maximal number of high-quality hatching eggs per production round of a flock.
In step two, indices were determined. Indices are management processes or mechanisms that should be fulfilled to reach the management objectives regarding the CSF. For example, within the management category “flock management,” maintaining good egg quality is an index.
In step three, indicators were determined. An indicator is a concrete management decision that has to be practiced on a continuous basis to reach the main objective (Goodger, 1984). A single index can have several associated indicators (Goodger, 1984; Scholl et al., 1992). For example, some indicators related to maintaining good egg quality are BW, daily feed intake, and fertility control (Wilson, 1991; Hocking, 1996; Robinson and Wilson, 1996; Hazary et al., 2001; Richards et al., 2010).
In step four, data set questionnaires were formulated. After listing all indices and indicators, draft data set questionnaires were prepared using Microsoft Access (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA). First, relevant question types and expected responses were determined for breeder farms, hatcheries, and broiler farms. The type of question depended on the information sought, and questions were categorized as open-ended, closed (yes/no), or multiple choice. Second, it was determined at what level of the chain or within an organization the information would be available. For this, it was important to know who would be responsible for collecting and organizing the information, and how often it should be collected. When the necessary information involved measurements, it was important to determine the sample size, how to perform measurements, when to take measurements, and with what frequency they should be taken. Third, questions were formulated and organized together with their expected responses. Effort was made to ensure the traceability of information from the egg to the chick. Accordingly, the data at each level of the chain included specific codes that related individual batches of eggs from breeder farms to each flock of chicks that arrived on the broiler farms. The protocol was pilot tested at hatcheries and breeder farms to determine the practical applicability, feasibility, accuracy and completeness of the standardized data set.
Accordingly, consideration was given to the economic value and practicality of the indices and indicators included in the standardized data set. For example, on breeder farms, egg characteristics such as eggshell structure or thickness, eggshell membrane, internal egg quality, and egg weight are indicators related to an index of incubation conditions and hatchability (Bennett, 1992; Tona et al., 2001). However, measurement of eggshell or albumen thickness is not economical and is not routinely done in practice and was therefore excluded from the standardized data set.
The final data set questionnaires included questions that were practical and economical to answer. The questionnaires for the managers of breeder flocks were categorized into flock management and egg management. At hatcheries, the questionnaires were categorized as egg management (i.e., before the egg had been set in the setter), incubation management (i.e., in the setter), hatching management (i.e., in the hatcher), and chick management. A
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questionnaire was developed for transporters because transportation management can affect egg and broiler quality. On broiler farms, management was categorized into management during the first week and management during the rest of the period. During this study, it was focused on the management of chicks during the first week because the demands on management are greater during this period, which is a transitional period from the conditioned environment at the hatchery to an independent life at the broiler farm. Additionally, the performance of a chick during its first week is closely related to the quality of the day-old broiler, as demonstrated by Goodhope (1991). The quality of the day-old chick in turn depends on the genetic line of the breeder flock, flock age, egg weight, egg storage conditions, and incubation conditions at the hatcheries (Wilson, 1991; Vieira and Moran, 1999; Decuypere et al., 2001; Tona et al., 2003).
Table 4.3 shows the selected CSF for breeder farms, hatcheries, and broiler farms and provides examples of some indices and indicators at each level of the chain. Thus, the protocol was used to develop a standardized data set for the breeder-hatchery-broiler chain. The protocol allowed the identification of priority data that are important to the broiler chain, especially data that are shared along the organizations.
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Table 4.3. Critical success factors and examples of some indices and indicators for breeder farms, hatcheries, and broiler farms
Location CSF MCI ND
Breeder farm Daily feed intake
BW of birds
Percentage of egg production Health conditions
Percentage of fertile eggs Hen-to-cockerel rati Egg collection frequency Number of floor eggs Egg storage duration Egg storage temperature RH
Transport environment Transport duration and route
Hatchery Egg storage duration
Egg storage temperature and RH Fumigation duration and temperature Date and time of incubation
Incubation temperature RH
Embryo temperature Ventilation (CO2) Candling results
Date and time of hatching Hatching results Chick temperature Transport temperature RH Transport distance Transport route
Broiler farm Daily feed intake
BW of chicks Health conditions
Percentage of first-week mortality Floor temperature
1CSF = critical success factors; MCI = management categories and indices; IND = indicators.
Incubation and hatching management to maintain the quality of embryos and chicks
Production of maximal number of marketable broilers with good slaughter yield
Chick transport management to maintain chick quality Chick management to maintain chick performance
Chain level Production of maximal number of
highquality hatching eggs per production year of a flock
Flock management to maintain egg fertility
Egg management to maintain egg quality
Maximal hatchability of total eggs set with vital day-old chicks
Egg transport management to maintain egg quality
Egg handling process to maintain egg quality
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