Looking to start a broiler chicken farming business or you simply want to keep some broilers in your backyard for the family? This is a quick list that will guide you through some of the things that you need to consider before you start at all.
- Find out the best breed available
- Look for hatcheries with your preferred breed of broiler chicken
- Use only reliable vendors
- Prepare your brooding house; heating devices, medications and vaccination schedule
- Get your disinfectant for foot dip and general sanitation
- Block all crevices and prevent rodents, reptiles and birds from entering
- Heat up the house to about 34.5oc before chicks’ arrival
- Reduce supplementary heat every other day until no supplementary heat is needed
- Get a small thermometer to monitor brooding temperature
- Use good bedding/litter material
- Know your floor space requirement (1.3 to 2.4 Sq. ft. per bird)
- Keep daily record of your broiler feeding, growth rate, medications and vaccines used
- Monitor weight gain per week (this is your selling point – weight)
- Check your feeding – know when your birds are not eating well
- Feed your broilers ad-libitum (without restrictions)
- Monitor drinking water. Always provide cool water and prevent dehydration
- Broiler chickens need more ventilation as they grow. They will die if denied access
- Watch out for common broiler diseases like coccidiosis and CRD
- Avoid spilling water on the litter. When you do, pack the spot and replace the bedding.
- Use broiler starter for the first 3-4 weeks
- Switch to broiler finisher at week 4 or 5
- Skip grower feed if you are raising your broilers for maximum of 8 weeks
- If possible, start marketing before your birds hit 4 weeks
- Make sure your broiler chickens are free from coccidiosis before you vaccinate
- Always measure drugs and micro-ingredients with a digital scale.
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