IMPORTANCE OF POULTRY FARMING
- Source of manure for the farm
- Source of food
- Meat- most tender and palatable of all meat and healthy white meat.
- Eggs- palatable, easily digestible and have high nutritional value
- Source of income through sales of eggs and chicken
TIPS TO SUCCESSFUL POULTRY FARMING
The following sections will help one in planning for a successful poultry farming for an income;
INCUBATION
This is the embryonic development of a fertile egg into a chick. It takes different periods in different poultry species i.e.
Bird period (days)
Chicken 21
Turkeys 28
Geese 28
Guinea fowls 28
Pigeons 17
Quails 16
Ducks 29-35
Ostrich 42
Incubation can be achieved by natural or artificial methods:
1. Natural incubation
In this method a broody hens given 15-18 eggs depending on its size and mothering ability. The hen provides all the necessary conditions for hatching i.e. warmth, humidity and turns the eggs using its beak.
2. Artificial Incubation
This is achieved by a machine known as incubator. It is a highly specialized job. The hatcheries aim to hatch a maximum number of viable chicks from the eggs set. Under good management hatchability is about 80%.
POULTRY MANAGEMENT
1. BROODING
Brooding is rearing of chicks from day old to 4 weeks for broilers and 6-8 weeks for layers. It can either be natural or artificial;
a. Natural brooding
This follow natural incubation and a hen can brood its own chicks or these can be mixed. Natural brooding does not require any skills nor much capital. However losses can be very high (loss of chicks through predators, diseases and parasites). Eggs production is low due to long brooding period (6-8 weeks).
b. Artificial brooding
This is the most critical period in the entire management of chicken and determines the success of the enterprise. Under good management, mortality during brooding should not exceed10%.The following points are important before and during brooding of chicks:
Objectives of proper brooding include:
- A brooder involves an artificial heat, light source and chick guard ( tree ply or boxes : Made in circular shape)
- A brooder should be ready 24 hours before the chicks arrive and heat source must be turned on at least 6 hours before chicks arrive
- Chicks in the brooder should be provided with fresh clean drinking water and feed. It is advisable to add glucose, vitamins and medicated liquid paraffin to water as per instructions in the product.
- Glucose provides energy, vitamins assist in overcoming stress and liquid paraffin assist in avoidance of blockage in the digestive tract.
- It is important to maintain proper temperature during brooding period.
- Observing the chicks’ behavior is also a good guide to ambient temperature.
- The brooding area should be enlarged progressively to avoid overcrowding.
PREPARATION BEFORE ARRIVAL
- When ordering day-old chicks-always consider the reputation of the supplier.
- Specify the number and type of chicks, plus preferred date of collection
- Trim grass around the brooder house, spray wall with an acaricide to get rid of external parasites make the room rat-proof.
- Prepare the brooder-Clean and disinfect the room. Allow to dry and place in fresh litter material. E.g. wood shavings.
- Enclose brooder space. Make it corner-free using hard –boards and wooden pegs.
- Place source of heat at the center of enclosed space cover it with a hover or reflector.
- Put in the brooder enough feeders and drinkers.
- Pre-heat brooder early on the day of arrival.
MANAGEMENT ON ARRIVAL
- Collect chicks early in the day and take them straight to the farm
- Do preliminary selection and culling at the agents office and when placing them in the brooder
- Use a little liquid paraffin, glucose and chick formula in drinking water for 3-5 days. This gives chicks a good start in life.
- Feed chicks on well formulated starter rations (broiler starter or chick mash accordingly)
- Provide fresh feed and water every day