Comprehensive Guide to Rearing Poultry Birds from Day-Old Chicks to Maturity
In this detailed and well-documented guide, we will take you through the entire process of raising poultry birds from day-old chicks to maturity. We’ll cover everything from setting up a hatchery poultry farm and incubating eggs to brooding management, housing systems, feeding, and health care. Let’s dive into the first part of this comprehensive series.
Part 1: Setting Up a Hatchery Poultry Farm and Incubation of Eggs
In our previous post, we discussed the crucial stages of incubation and hatching.
Today, we’ll focus on the essential operations that follow the hatching of eggs, including sexing of chicks, drying, vaccinations, sorting, packing, and preparing the brooding house. This process collectively comprises the art of rearing poultry birds from day-old chicks to maturity.
Brooding: Caring for Chicks from Day One
Brooding is the term used to describe the meticulous care and management of chicks from the very first day of their hatching until they reach maturity. Here are the key steps to prepare for day-old chicks, covering brooding management in poultry and housing systems:
- Clean and Disinfect the Brooder House:
- Ensure the brooder house is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to provide a safe and hygienic environment for the chicks.
- Repair and Maintenance:
- Inspect and repair any broken or damaged floors, roofs, lighting facilities, and windows to maintain a secure and comfortable space.
- Bedding Material:
- Spread wood shavings on the brooder house floor to provide warmth and a comfortable bedding area for the chicks.
- Heat Source:
- Make sure you have a reliable heat source in place to maintain the appropriate temperature for the chicks.
- Adequate Chick Starter Feed:
- Stock an adequate supply of chick starter feed to ensure the chicks are well-nourished at all times.
- Clean Feeding and Drinking Equipment:
- Wash, disinfect, and maintain dry feeders and drinkers to provide a clean and safe feeding environment.
- Medications:
- Keep necessary medications on hand, such as anti-stress and antibiotics, to address health issues that may arise.
- Protection:
- Adequately secure the brooder house with netting on windows and roof to keep away flies and rodents. Consider housing the brooding area inside a larger poultry house for added protection.
- Temperature Control:
- Maintain the temperature in the brooder house between 35-39 degrees Celsius before the chicks arrive to ensure their comfort and health.
- Minimize Transportation Stress:
- Avoid long-distance transportation from the hatchery to the brooding house, as it can cause stress and harm to the chicks.
- Sanitation:
- Place a foot dip with disinfectant at the entrance of the brooder house to enhance proper sanitation.
- Ensure Proper Equipment:
- Make available feeders, drinkers, a heat source, starter chick mash feeds, and medications.
- Ventilation and Hydration:
- Provide adequate ventilation and ensure a regular supply of clean water.
- Veterinary Care:
- Collaborate with veterinarians and medical consultants for regular vaccination schedules to protect the chicks from diseases.
- Regular Cleaning:
- Clean the feeders and waterers regularly and replace feed and water to maintain hygiene.
- Rest for Older Chicks:
- Allow older chicks to rest, ensure they are well-fed, and provide anti-stress vitamins upon arrival.
- Bedding Maintenance:
- Change beddings regularly (at least once every two weeks) to prevent the buildup of disease organisms or ammonia.
- Debeaking (for Layers):
- Debeak pullets during the first four weeks if they are layers.
- Deworming (for Broilers):
- Deworm broilers at six weeks to maintain their health and well-being.
- Isolate Sick Birds:
- Isolate or cull sick and infected birds to prevent the spread of diseases.
- Post-Mortems:
- Perform post-mortems on dead chicks as soon as possible to diagnose and address any underlying issues.
Housing Systems: Key Considerations
The quality of the housing system plays a pivotal role in poultry farming:
- Protects birds against adverse weather conditions.
- Guards against diseases.
- Facilitates the management of birds in age groups.
- Enhances security against theft.
- Maximizes productivity in the poultry system.
- Improves the efficiency of feeding and feed utilization.
- Simplifies management and veterinary care.
Transitions as Birds Grow:
- Brooder House: This is the first stage where chicks receive extra heat and are brooded under a controlled environment.
- Growers: From the 7th to 20th week, the birds are considered growers and are either raised in deep litter houses or battery cages.
- Layers: At the 21st week, the layer birds are separated into their laying pens.
Feeding: Vital for Growth and Development
Feeding is a critical aspect of poultry farming, and it varies by age group:
- Chicks are fed Chick’s mash, containing approximately 18% protein to promote rapid growth. The feed is provided “ad libitum,” meaning it’s always available in feeders.
- Growers receive Growers’ mash, with around 13% protein, from the 7th to the 20th week. Their feeding is regulated to prevent excessive growth and delayed maturity.
- Layers are given Layers’ mash, which contains about 16% protein for proper growth and egg formation. It’s also enriched with bone meal or oyster shell for eggshell formation.
Health Care and Sanitation:
High standards of health and sanitation are essential for the well-being and productivity of poultry birds. This includes the administration of drugs, vaccinations, and thorough sanitation measures:
- Regularly remove sick or dead birds from the building.
- Restrict access to poultry houses to minimize the risk of disease transmission.
- Implement regular disinfection of the buildings.
- Provide chemical footbaths for visitors and workers.
- Ensure clean drinkers and remove wet litter and moldy feed.
- Control external parasites like lice and internal parasites through deworming.
Conclusion:
The successful rearing of poultry birds from day-old chicks to maturity demands careful planning and attention to detail. From setting up a hatchery poultry farm to managing brooding, housing, feeding, and health care, each step is crucial in ensuring the well-being and productivity of your poultry flock. Stay tuned for the next installment of our comprehensive guide to poultry farming.
