Continuous improvement in poultry management refers to the ongoing process of enhancing and optimizing various aspects of poultry farming operations to achieve better results. These results include production efficiency, bird health, and overall farm profitability. A Process Behavior Chart, also known as a performance measurement chart or control chart, can be used as a robust tool to implement and manage continuous improvement processes effectively.
A Process Behavior Chart is a statistical method used in quality management and process improvement to monitor and assess the stability and performance of a particular process. The chart displays changes in the output of a particular process over a period of time. In the context of poultry farms, performance measurement charts provide a visual representation of key performance indicators (KPIs) related to various aspects of poultry production, such as egg production, feed consumption, growth rate, and mortality rate. It allows tracking of these metrics over time and identifies trends, patterns, and areas where improvements can be made. By establishing control limits on the charts, farm managers can quickly spot deviations from the expected performance range and take corrective actions promptly. In this regard, they can compare their farm’s performance against industry benchmarks and standards and use this information to set goals and targets for improvement. For instance, consider egg production on a poultry farm. By using a process behavior chart, farm managers can plot the number of eggs produced per day or egg weight over a period of time. The chart would include upper and lower control limits, which represent the acceptable range of egg production. If the data points consistently fall within these limits, it indicates stable and predictable production. However, if data points breach these limits, it alerts managers to potential issues that need investigation and correction, such as disease outbreaks, suboptimal feeding practices, or environmental stressors. Furthermore, process behavior charts facilitate making data-driven and informed decisions. Instead of relying solely on intuition or subjective assessments, producers can base their decisions on quantifiable data trends. This leads to more informed choices regarding adjustments to feed formulations, environmental conditions, health management protocols, and other factors that impact poultry production. Last but not least, process behavior charts serve as a reliable tool to evaluate the impact of an improvement action you intend to implement. They can also assist in addressing queries such as: Have the changes you have made produced any noticeable effects on the process? Have they resulted in improvements or setbacks?
Follow the following steps to run a continuous performance evaluation procedure using the Process Behavior Chart. Refer to the Tool of the Month article for guidance on utilizing an Excel spreadsheet to execute a Process Behavior Chart.
- Data collection and analysis
Start by collecting and maintaining detailed records of various farm parameters, such as feed consumption, performance data (e.g., growth and egg production), feed conversion ratio, and mortality rates across your flocks.
- Data preparation
Organize the collected data into a time-ordered sequence. This sequence is essential to observe any patterns or trends in the process behavior over time.
- Calculate central line (CL) and control limits
The central line represents the mean performance over time. It is calculated by finding the average of the data points. Control limits are calculated to determine the natural variation in the process. There are typically Upper Control Limits (UCL) and Lower Control Limits (LCL) derived from the data’s standard deviation.
- Plot the data
Create a graph where the x-axis represents time or consecutive data points, and the y-axis represents the measured values. Plot the CL, UCL, and LCL on the chart. These lines help you visualize the expected variation in the process.
- Interpretation
Continuously monitor the data points as they are added to the chart. Look for patterns, trends, or data points that fall outside the control limits (outliers.) Common patterns include shifts (sudden changes in the process mean) and trends (gradual changes in the process mean.) Outliers or data points beyond the control limits may indicate special causes of variation that require investigation and corrective action. Please refer to the Tool of the Month article for instructions on identifying unusual variations and signals within the data.
If you observe any unusual patterns or data points outside the control limits, it is essential to delve into the root causes and implement corrective measures to restore process stability. Regularly update and maintain the Process Behavior Chart to ensure continuous monitoring and improvement of the measured process.
The key benefits of using process behavior charts for continuous performance evaluation are:
- Early detection of process deviations or issues.
- Improved process stability and consistency.
- Data-driven decision-making for process improvements.
- Reduced variation in the process, leading to better product or service quality.
In conclusion, continuous improvement in poultry management is an essential practice for staying competitive in the poultry industry. By regularly assessing and refining various aspects of your operations, you can optimize production, enhance animal welfare, and achieve long-term success in poultry farming. The application of performance measurement charts in the continuous improvement of poultry farms empowers managers to closely monitor key performance metrics, maintain consistent production quality, and swiftly address deviations from optimal performance. This data-driven approach ultimately leads to improved efficiency, better resource allocation, and healthier poultry stocks.
References
Kriss Nelson, 2023. Implement a continuous improvement process for your farm. Iowa Soybean Association. (link)
Laura Candelotto, Klara J. Grethen, Camille M. Montalcini, Michael J. Toscano, and Yamenah Gómez. 2022. Tracking performance in poultry is affected by data cleaning method and housing system. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. Volume 249, April 2022, 105597 (link)
Luca Willington. Process Behaviour Charts – An Introduction. Deming Alliance. (link)
Mohammad was the PIP team Research Associate (2021-2024) with extensive experience in poultry nutrition. He wrote science articles for newsletters and worked on developing adaptations and recommendations to support the adoption of new managerial tools, products, services, and practices by the poultry industry.
Looking at his poultry industry perspective, Mohammad has been serving the poultry industry through his extensive experience in feed formulation as an animal nutritionist over the past ten years. He was also a university lecturer for 10 years. Mohammad was a member of the Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) at the U of A. Mohammad graduated with a Ph.D. degree in Animal Science from the University of Alberta with a Postdoctoral fellowship before moving to his Research Associate position with the PIP team. Serving the poultry industry as an animal nutritionist for more than a decade, Mohammad loves teaching and worked as a university lecturer in Iran and a teaching assistant at the U of A. Mohammad was inspired by Dr. Frank Robinson, practicing the inquiry-based learning method when working as a TA in his “Principles of Animal Agriculture” class. “I have a strong passion on poultry nutrition and have always loved to help poultry producers with optimizing the poultry systems. The challenging part of working with live animals is that you need to be on call even as a nutritionist. However, the joy of seeing healthy animals and help with their welfare overcome the challenging part.”
