MANAGEMENT ROSS 308 FF

Management
Supplement

2016

Fast Feathering

An Aviagen Brand
ROSS 308 FF: Management Supplement

Introduction
The Ross® 308 FF is a fast-feathering Ross breeder that has been selected to have longer upper layer
feathers (primaries) and shorter lower layer feathers (coverts) on the outer wing (Figure 1). This distinction
means that parent stock chicks are feather sexable and their broiler progeny, although not feather
sexable, will have males and females feathering at the same rate as each other. Smaller egg size, better
hatchability, better shell quality, and potentially increased chicks per hen housed are other advantages of
the Ross 308 FF.

Figure 1: Example of a fast-feathering chick with primary feathers longer than covert feathers.

The purpose of this supplement is to highlight specific areas where management advice may differ
from that of the Ross 308, a slow-feathering breeder. It should be used in conjunction with, and as a
supplement to, the Ross Parent Stock and Broiler Management Handbooks. The recommendations in
this document cover parent stock, hatchery, and broiler management.

The information presented is based on data from internal trials, field studies, practical knowledge,
experience and expertise of Aviagen® Service Teams from around the world.

Parent Stock Management

Basic management of Ross 308 FF parent stock is the same as that of Ross 308 parent stock. Further
general information on how to manage the Ross 308 FF breeder can be found in the Ross Parent Stock
Management Handbook.

Brooding
Good brooding practices are essential to giving chicks a good start. Ross 308 FF chicks may be slightly
smaller in size than Ross 308 chicks and therefore a slightly higher temperature (+1-2oC / 2-4oF) during
the brooding period may be required. However, chick behavior should be monitored at all times and
environmental conditions adjusted accordingly in response to the behavior seen.

Body-Weight Profiles
As the birds grow, it is necessary for them to follow the correct body-weight profile so that they can grow
and develop in such a way that optimizes reproductive performance in lay.

The current advice is that the Ross 308 FF should be reared to the same body-weight profile as the Ross
308. Routine weighing should be used to closely monitor body weight throughout the life of the flock to
ensure birds remain on target and to help managers recognize and respond to deviations in body weight
promptly.

Managing Small Egg Production

The Ross 308 FF may have a slightly smaller egg size and, dependent upon the local nutrition and
environmental influences, there are different management strategies than can be adopted to manage egg
size.

In some regions, providing a small increase in body weight (no more than 75 g [0.17 lb] above target) coming
into lay has been found to be beneficial in reducing the number of small eggs at onset of production. Such a
management strategy needs to be carefully monitored to avoid birds becoming heavy at onset of lay.

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 ROSS 308 FF: Management Supplement

Because of the potential for smaller eggs, there may be some benefit in delaying light stimulation of the Ross 308 FF by 7
days to reduce the number of small eggs at the onset of production. If such a management strategy is adopted, feeding
into lay must be modified to account for this.

Lighting Programs
The basic principles for lighting of the Ross 308 FF are the same as those of the Ross 308. The recommendations for
lighting programs can be found in the Ross Parent Stock Management Handbook.

Laying Period

Feeding into Production

If delaying light stimulation to reduce smaller egg size, feeding into lay will be 7-10 days later with the Ross 308 FF
when compared to the Ross 308. Where differing management strategies are employed, feeding into lay should also be
changed appropriately.

Production and Hatchability

The Ross 308 FF has approximately a 1% advantage in hatchability over the Ross 308.

Hatchery
Ross 308 FF chicks will require the same amount of hatch time as Ross 308 chicks. However, eggs will lose less moisture
during incubation and humidity levels need to be reduced slightly to ensure a good hatch. Egg weight loss should be
monitored closely to be sure that humidity levels are correct. For more information, see Hatchery How To #1 – How To
Measure Water Loss.

As with the Ross 308, chick yield at take-off should be around 67% for the Ross 308 FF. Chicks that are left too long in
the incubator can become dehydrated and be difficult to start when placed on the farm. To calculate chick yield at take-
off, the following formula from Hatchery How To #2 – How to Measure Chick Yield can be applied:

Average Chick Weight

x 100
Average Egg Weight at Set

Broilers

Good brooding practices are essential to giving chicks a good start. Broiler chick size can be smaller in the Ross 308 FF
and therefore a slightly higher temperature during the brooding period (+1-2oC / 2-4oF) may be required for the Ross 308
FF compared to the Ross 308 broiler chick. Chick behavior should be monitored at all times and environmental conditions
adjusted accordingly. All other general management practices for the Ross 308 FF broiler are the same as for the Ross
308 and can be found in the Ross Broiler Management Handbook.

Because of the fast feathering nature of the Ross 308 FF broiler, areas that process birds at less than 30 days of age may
potentially see an advantage at the processing plant due to fewer skin lesions.

Conclusions

Although the basic management advice for the Ross 308 FF is the same as that of the Ross 308, some key considerations
include:
• Parent stock and broiler chicks may be smaller and may need a slightly higher environmental temperature at
placement (+1-2oC / 2-4oF).
• Parent stock body weights should be monitored closely throughout the life of the flock to ensure birds remain on
target body-weight profile.
• Providing a small increase in body weight (no more than 75 g [0.17 lb] above target) coming into lay or delaying light
stimulation by 7 days may be beneficial in reducing the number of small eggs.
• Humidity levels during incubation may need to be reduced slightly.

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Every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the information presented. However,
Aviagen accepts no liability for the consequences of using the information for the management of chickens.

For further information, please contact your local Aviagen representative.

Fast Feathering

Aviagen and the Aviagen logo, and Ross and the Ross logo are registered trademarks of Aviagen in the US and other
countries. All other trademarks or brands are registered by their respective owners.

© 2016 Aviagen.
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