Thread by @YourVetDoc

How To Achieve Excellent Broiler Weight
A thread...
#Poultryfarming #farming
#SmallBusiness

Every broiler farmer wants to achieve very good weights, with low mortality and raise birds in the shortest period possible. This helps them to get a better return on investment (ROI).

1. Brooder Temp Mangment;

Chicks do not thermoregulate.
The first 5 days are very critical. You must preheat the house for 24 hrs before receiving new chicks. Temp should be 31c - 33c at chick level.

If you do not have a thermter, hold up the chicks feet to your cheeks to measure the temp. If you do this right, effects will be - high weight gain, lower FCR (Feed conversation ratio), lower cull rate, lower mortality and reduced bird growing costs.

2. Monitoring

•Check that temp is in line with the age
•Provide 23hrs of light and 1hr dark for the first 1 wk
•Check vent temp of chicks in 1 per 10 birds (normal should be 39c)

•Assess crop fill in first 48hrs to determine if chicks have found feed and water
•See table on assessment

3. Weight

Weigh the chicks at 7 days. their weight must be 4x their weight at day 1.

4. Mortality

A 0.5% mortality and less, @ 7days is desired. Anything more than that would suggest something isn't right. Reasons could be; poor quality feed, poor quality chicks, high temperatures, poor brooder preparation, poor spacing.

5. Ventilation

Cutting off the air totally may lead to suffocation and death.
Natural ventilation is highly recommended (Open-sided houses). Adjustable curtains can be used to regulate ventilation in cold & hot weather.

If fans are used, make sure to consult a vet before installation. Avoid smokily charcoal, CO can cause death!

6. Feed

You cannot compromise on feed! Feed chicks with high-quality feed. Spread the feed on paper or plastic feeders in the first 7days (50g/bird). Move to feeders in wk 2.
Pellets are highly recommended to sieved mash for higher gains.

7. Water

Simply, if you can drink that water, the birds can drink it too. Ideal temp is 10c to 14c. Chlorinated water is okay if you also can drink it. Make sure there is no fluoride in it. Water from boreholes or wells may have a high nitrate levels and high bacterial counts

8. Stocking Density

It influences bird welfare, performance, uniformity and carcass quality. It is also weight-related (kg/m2). For birds <2kg = 32kg/m2, between 2kg - 2.5kg = 37kg/m2, and >2.5kg = 42kg/m2

9. Vaccination

Factors for an effective vaccination include;
•Good quality vaccine
•Correct route
•Correct dose
•Right time (age)
•Water should be clean from antibiotics, chlorine and disinfectant.

Treat the water with a stabilizer or use skim milk to neutralize any chlorine residues.
•Withdrawl water from chickens 3-4hrs before vaccination to induce thirst.
•Open the vaccine vials while submerged in water
•Vaccinate in the morning preferably.

110. Biosecurity

Diseases control is a skill you need to have to be successful.
•Fence your farm to avoid unwanted visits
•After depletion, thoroughly clean and disinfect house. Lock it and pause 1 wk to break disease cycles

•Control mice, rats, wild birds and insects
•Use a footbath with disinfectants.
• Workers must change clothes before going onto the farm
•Dispose of or incinerate dead birds in the correct facility
•Use the 'all in/all out' method - Remove all birds before bringing new ones