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Poultry Farming

IMPACT OF RODENTS ON POULTRY FARMS

September 4, 2024 No Comments

Introduction
Rodents are quite common at livestock production sites. Their adaptability, high reproductive capacity and omnivorousness make them apt to become a source of disease transmission to humans and animals. Rodents can serve as mechanical vectors or active shedders of many bacteria and viruses, and their transmission can occur through direct contact, or indirectly through contaminated food and water or by the arthropods which parasitise infected rodents.

Elimination of rats and mice from livestock and poultry barns is extremely difficult. Most of the time they reproduce faster than you can eliminate them. Therefore it is preferable for producers to prevent infestations from occurring.

Rats and mice have long been a problem on farms where food and nesting sites are plentiful. These animals consume and contaminate food destined for livestock and other animals, as well as humans

Harmful effects of rodents
The adaptability and agility of rodents make getting rid of them particularly difficult and damage comes in many forms:

1. Damage to buildings: Mice and rats will damage wood and electrical wiring, which can be a fire hazard.

2. Destruction of insulation: Many facilities show serious deterioration within five years, resulting in increased energy costs, re-insulation costs and poorer feed conversions by animals.

3. Feed consumed: 100 rats will consume over one tonne of feed in one year.

4. Feed contaminated: A rat can contaminate 10 times the amount of feed it eats with its droppings, urine and hair. A rat produces 25,000 droppings per year, a mouse 17,000.

5. Biosecurity: Rodents are recognised as carriers of approximately 45 diseases, including salmonellosis, pasteurellosis, leptospirosis, swine dysentery, trichinosis, toxoplasmosis and rabies.

READ ALSO: SUDDEN DROP IN EGG PRODUCTION

Recognition of Rodents
There are many ways to recognise the presence of rodents such as droppings, tracks, gnawing marks, burrows, runways, grease marks, urine stains, rodent sightings, sounds and rodent odours.

Normally, we do not see rodents in the daytime. They are active at dusk and at night and hide during daylight hours. Daylight sightings indicate a large rodent population.

READ ALSO: SEVEN POULTRY RULES FOR YOUR FARM

How to control rodents

It is essential to eliminate rodents from farm facilities. A comprehensive rodent control programme must be applied on the farm. The following three methods should be used together at the same time to achieve good rat control:

1. Sanitation

Sanitation is very important to avoid rodent problems. Rodents come to farm facilities because they can get all of their basic needs met; including food, water and shelter.

You must create a condition to prevent them from reaching their basic needs at the farm. Rodents do not like exposed situations. Surround all buildings by a one to two metre wide concrete walk-way. Remove all rubbish and overgrown vegetation from outside the buildings and off the two metre walkway. Keep weeds and grass short and tidy around the farm. All rubbish must be placed in rodent proof containers.

Clean up spilled feed immediately and dispose of it away from the farm. Ensure all bagged feed is stacked tidily on pallets off the floor and away from the walls. An adult rat will eat 15 grams a day (and contaminate even more) – with a 1,000 rats on the farm this is nearly 5 tonnes per year.

2. Rodent-proofing
Rodent proofing is recommended to keep rodents from entering your facilities. Determine the perimeter surrounding the houses and build a fence or install a zinc-sheet or other metal sheet to prevent rats from climbing the fence and house walls.
Electrical shockers can be placed around the house building, and some companies use double electrical shockers to keep poultry houses protected from rats.
Mice can travel through a 10mm diameter hole. Keep the gap between the doors and floors smaller than this to keep rodents from getting in. A hole that is as small as pencil diameter can be passed by mice.

3. Poisoning and trapping
There are two types of poisons used for controlling rodents, i.e. anticoagulant and non-anticoagulant poisons. Anticoagulant has two generations. The first generation is Warfarin, Chlorophacinone, Diphacinone, Coumafuryl and Pindone. The second one is Brodifacoum, Bromodiolone and Difethialone. Most farmers use second generation poisons to control rodents.

A poisoning program should be maintained by placing bait stations surrounding the farm. Ideally, a bait station is placed every 20 meters around the chicken house building and in other farm facilities such as feed storage, farm office, worker shelters, etc.

Trapping is an option too, especially when the rat population is high. You can buy many kinds of commercial mousetraps, or you can make them. Browse YouTube, and you will find many people sharing ideas for trapping rodents.

Conclusion
It is time to begin or increase rodent control techniques. Don’t wait until your flocks have serious diseases or problems which will be more costly. Remember that keeping rodents out is easier than getting rid of them.

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Poultry Farming

SUDDEN DROP IN EGG PRODUCTION

September 3, 2024 No Comments

Introduction

Are you a poultry farmer experiencing a sudden slump in egg production? It’s a puzzling and frustrating situation that can significantly impact your business. But fear not! Understanding the underlying reasons behind this decline is the first step toward resolving it and getting your chickens back on track to laying those coveted eggs.

Reason 1: Feed Problems

Nutrition is the cornerstone of egg production. Unexpected alterations in your chickens’ feed or a deficiency in crucial nutrients can be a major culprit behind reduced egg output. To combat this, mastering the art of balanced nutrition and ensuring a consistent supply of appropriate feed is paramount. Did you know hens require about 16% to 18% crude protein to maintain optimal egg-laying capacity?

NOTE:- Nutrition is Key: Maintaining a consistent supply of appropriate feed with around 16% to 18% crude protein is crucial for your hens.

READ ALSO: Sexing of day-old chicks

Reason 2: Health Hazards
Diseases, parasites, and infections are silent threats that can wreak havoc on your flock, resulting in a sharp decline in egg production. Emphasizing robust biosecurity measures, regular vaccination schedules, and vigilant serology monitoring are vital in safeguarding your chickens’ health.

NOTE:- Health Matters: Vigilant biosecurity measures and monitoring for diseases and infections are essential to safeguard your flock’s health and maintain egg-laying capacity.

Reason 3: Lighting and Seasonal Changes
Chickens are highly sensitive to light variations. The reduction in daylight hours during winter months can disrupt egg production. Discover the advantages of employing artificial lighting to regulate consistent day length and encourage uninterrupted laying.

NOTE:- Lighting and Environment: Employing artificial lighting to ensure consistent day light is vital for uninterrupted egg production.

READ ALSO: Lucrative Business Ideas In Poultry Farming Industry

Reason 4: Inadequate Water Supply
A commonly overlooked aspect is ensuring a constant, clean water source, especially during hot weather when chickens tend to drink more. Learn the significance of maintaining a continuous water supply and keeping it free from harmful biofilms.

NOTE:- Water Supply: Overlooking a continuous and clean water supply can impact egg production.

Reason 5: Stress and Anxiety
Yes, chickens can experience stress too! Environmental alterations, the presence of predators, or overcrowding can induce anxiety among your flock, leading to a decrease in egg production. Discover strategies to create a tranquil and secure environment to foster optimal laying conditions.

NOTE:- Stress management: This can be achieved by maintaining a clean, calm, disease-free environment. Generally, birds dislike startling noises, extreme heat, and other unusual circumstances.

READ ALSO: Gangrenous Dermatitis in Poultry

Reason 6: Age Matters
Just like any living being, as chickens age, their egg-laying capabilities diminish naturally. Understanding the laying cycle where good layers can produce eggs consistently for about 50 to 60 weeks before taking a rest is crucial. Learn when it’s time to retire older hens and introduce new layers to maintain consistent egg production.

NOTE:- Understanding Laying Cycles: Knowing when to retire older hens and introduce new layers is key to maintaining consistent egg production.

Conclusion:
Reviving your poultry farm’s egg production requires a multifaceted approach, addressing nutritional, health, environmental, and management aspects. By unraveling these six common reasons behind declining egg production and implementing the suggested solutions, you can pave the way for a thriving and productive chicken flock, ensuring a steady supply of those precious eggs!

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Poultry Farming

Lucrative Business Ideas In Poultry Farming Industry

September 2, 2024 No Comments

Poultry farming industry in Nigeria includes numerous lucrative business opportunities for the entrepreneurs. People generally perceive poultry farming is all about rearing and farming chickens for eggs and meats. However, it is something more than that.

The survival and profitability of a small scale enterprise in poultry farming industry depend on the qualities of the person who starts the business. An individual must be an opportunity seeker through a careful scanning of the needs of the consumers and entire poultry value system. He or she must be persistent to be able to support business growth.

READ ALSO: Gangrenous Dermatitis in Poultry

Profitable Business Ideas In Poultry Farming Industry

1. Broiler Poultry Farming For Meat
Commercial broiler farming is one of the most successful business in Nigeria and other parts of the world. This business can be initiated as small medium and large scale basis according to the investment capacity.

2. Chicken Hatchery
In the modern nomenclature of the poultry farming industry, the term hatchery covers the sector which is engaged in production and supply of one-day-old chicks by artificial incubation. Day old chicks are produced keeping in view the customer’s requirements. The Bureau of Indian Standards has laid down specifications for day old chicks (layer/broiler) under the ISI Specification

READ ALSO: Feeding Methods In Fish Farming

3. Egg Processing
Egg processing opportunity includes egg grading, processing, pasteurization, spray drying and eggshell processing. A fully export-oriented plant setup definitely cash intensive business.

4. Frozen Chicken Meat Processing
The demand for frozen chicken meat is increasing rapidly. The product is very popular in retail outlets. Some of the very popular frozen and chilled forms are whole chicken (with or without giblets), boneless breast, boneless legs, drumstick with skin, drumstick skinless, a whole leg with skin, whole leg skinless, wings, lollipop.

5. Layer Poultry Farming For Eggs
Layer poultry farming means raising egg-laying poultry birds for the purpose of commercial egg production. For poultry farming schemes with very large outlays, detailed project reports will have to be prepared. Banks provide financial assistance for construction of brooder/grower and layer sheds, feed store, quarters etc., purchase of poultry equipment such as feeders, waterers, brooders etc., creating infrastructure items for the supply of electricity, feed, water etc.

6. Organic Manure Production
A very good quality organic manure production is possible from chicken wastes. An organic chicken manure fertilizer production technology process includes the selection of raw material (chicken manure etc), drying and sterilization, burden mixing, granulation, cooling, and screening, measuring and cutting and product storage.

READ ALSO: Sexing of day-old chicks

7. Poultry Farming Equipment Shop
This is one of the most profitable trading opportunities in poultry farming industry. You can start the business by two ways. You can source the material from manufacturers and sell from your own shop. Otherwise, you can start with a distributor or dealership agreement of a reputed company.

Some of the most popular equipment are Poultry Cage, Layer Cage, Breeder Cage, Poultry Ventilation System, Poultry Environment Control System, Poultry Cooling Fan Pad, Poultry Heaters, Nipple Drinking System, Poultry Controller Systems etc.

8. Poultry Feed Manufacturing
Good quality poultry feed is always in high demand. The success of livestock farming is largely dependent on the continuous supply of good quality nutritious feeds at the competitive price. The business is very profitable according to the gross profit generation.

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Poultry Farming

INTESTINAL WORMS IN POULTRY (2)

August 30, 2024 No Comments

Worms are usually transmitted from bird to bird through the faecal oral route. This is where worm eggs are excreted in droppings and then ingested by birds that scratch and peck at the soil, litter or droppings. Ingestion of infected earthworms, bugs and other secondary hosts can also spread parasitic worms.

Eggs excreted into the environment require warm and moist conditions to become infective. Rainy season is often the time when worm problems are most prevalent due to the climatic conditions that favour their growth. Wet areas encourage worm growth.

Below are the basic signs
1. Reduction in the amount of feed intake. Normally it’s expected that the more your birds grow the higher the feed consumption they need for proper growth.

2. When you notice Drastic Reduction in birds weight or little delayed or no egg production in laying birds.

3. Sleeping excessively. When your birds are standing and sleeping or when their sleep becomes too obvious.

4. When you notice their poo hole is filled or stained with poops.

5.Vomiting water, saliva or any other thing from their mouth

6. Paleness of the egg yolk and reduction in egg size.

7.Also when you notice their Comb to be pale or Wattle to have change in brightness.

8. Birds infested with worms will often stretch out their necks in irregular manners for no reasons, this is another indication that the poultry birds are infested.

Best Practices to prevent worm infestation in your farm
1. Poultry birds often pick up worms from dirty litters, so ensure to have clean and dry litters always.

2. Deworm your birds by having and following a good medication schedule.

3. Never allow your birds to walk out of their cages or pen to prevent them from eating dirt that can cause worm infestation.

4.Use Kepromec, Piperazine or any other deworming drug to deworm your birds

READ ALSO: INTESTINAL WORMS IN POULTRY (1)

Control
1. Treat with anti-parasitic drugs, usually added to the water. Check veterinary advice and follow manufacturer’s directions, including any withholding periods where eggs and meat should not be consumed.

2. Regularly clean poultry housing, including their feeders and drinkers and remove any build-up of faecal material.

3. Using a combination of these methods will help to achieve the best results.

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Poultry Farming

INTESTINAL WORMS IN POULTRY (1)

August 29, 2024 No Comments

Roundworms are the most common type of intestinal worm; they look like spaghetti and live in the intestine of the bird. They can affect chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese.

Roundworms, also called ascarids, are the most common intestinal parasite found in poultry. The greatest impacts in a worm infestation are reduced feed efficiency and egg quality. In severe infestations, death may occur. Occasionally worms are found inside the chicken egg.

READ ALSO: ANATOMY OF CHICKENS (1)

Deworming is one of the major practices in poultry management. It is an act of eradicating worms that slows the Ultimum growth and liveliness in poultry birds. It’s the process of administering anthelmintic medication to kill parasitic worms or inhibit their ability to grow and reproduce. The medication prevents worms from infesting the digestive tract or other parts of the body.

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Poultry Farming

MARKETING STRATEGIES TO ACCELERATE YOUR POULTRY BUSINESS

August 26, 2024 No Comments

Every poultry farmer needs to be proactive. “If you’re not proactive you cannot be productive”. Don’t wait until your birds are mature before you start marketing.

At the same time; You need to market your products in a right way. If you market your products in a wrong way, it will affect your sales.

However, the following ways will help you to sell your farm products within short time.

1. Start promoting your products early, even before you have the chickens. This helps build interest in your market.

2. Use Facebook and WhatsApp groups to show off your products. Don’t be shy about asking friends to share your posts, and use good pictures.

3. Social media is powerful. Many people make money selling things on Facebook, even if they never meet their customers.

READ ALSO: How to Identify Good Laying Birds

4. If you sell in person, try to find a bigger market than you have chickens for. That way, even if only a few people buy, it makes a difference.

5. Think about selling in bulk. You might get less money per chicken, but you can sell them all faster.
this is what most farmers practice.However, one thing you should know about bulk sales is that birds go at a lesser per/unit price.

6. If you work in an office, school, or government office, show your products to your colleagues. Many people prefer live chickens. there is no way you wont see those who aren’t interested to buy Live Birds infact 70% of people prefer to buy live birds instead.

READ ALSO: Best ways to manage odours in your poultry farm

7. Let your cooperative groups and associations know you’re into poultry farming. They might buy or tell others who will.

8. Tell your church members about your products and share samples.

9. Work with carpenters to set up displays by the road near your home. SO THAT PASSERS-BY who are interested in buying too can buy from you.

10. If you can, turn your broilers into frozen foods. This can give you more profit, but make sure people know about them.

These tips can help you sell your poultry products successfully, irrespective of the season. You can start with a small number of chickens and grow your business over time. With dedication and the right approach, you will succeed.

Connect with other farmers and get yourself updated by clicking Here to join our WhatsApp group

Poultry Farming

MARKETING STRATEGIES TO ACCELERATE YOUR POULTRY BUSINESS

August 26, 2024 No Comments

Every poultry farmer needs to be proactive. “If you’re not proactive you cannot be productive”. Don’t wait until your birds are mature before you start marketing.

At the same time; You need to market your products in a right way. If you market your products in a wrong way, it will affect your sales.

However, the following ways will help you to sell your farm products within short time.

1. Start promoting your products early, even before you have the chickens. This helps build interest in your market.

2. Use Facebook and WhatsApp groups to show off your products. Don’t be shy about asking friends to share your posts, and use good pictures.

3. Social media is powerful. Many people make money selling things on Facebook, even if they never meet their customers.

READ ALSO: How to Identify Good Laying Birds

4. If you sell in person, try to find a bigger market than you have chickens for. That way, even if only a few people buy, it makes a difference.

5. Think about selling in bulk. You might get less money per chicken, but you can sell them all faster.
this is what most farmers practice.However, one thing you should know about bulk sales is that birds go at a lesser per/unit price.

6. If you work in an office, school, or government office, show your products to your colleagues. Many people prefer live chickens. there is no way you wont see those who aren’t interested to buy Live Birds infact 70% of people prefer to buy live birds instead.

READ ALSO: Best ways to manage odours in your poultry farm

7. Let your cooperative groups and associations know you’re into poultry farming. They might buy or tell others who will.

8. Tell your church members about your products and share samples.

9. Work with carpenters to set up displays by the road near your home. SO THAT PASSERS-BY who are interested in buying too can buy from you.

10. If you can, turn your broilers into frozen foods. This can give you more profit, but make sure people know about them.

These tips can help you sell your poultry products successfully, irrespective of the season. You can start with a small number of chickens and grow your business over time. With dedication and the right approach, you will succeed.

Connect with other farmers and get yourself updated by clicking Here to join our WhatsApp group

Poultry Farming

ANATOMY OF CHICKENS (1)

August 25, 2024 No Comments

THE MAJOR PARTS OF A CHICKEN

Farmers should know the various parts of a chicken and their functions.

1. Beak – The chicken’s beak serves three functions. First, it is the chicken’s mouth. Second, it is used for fighting and protection. And third, it functions as the teeth of the chicken, enabling the bird to break foods into pieces small enough to swallow.

2. Comb– The soft, tall red points on top of a chicken’s head is called the comb. The comb helps the chicken to regulate their body temperature in the heat. As the comb sticks up, away from their head blood flows into the comb and cools. A Comb that changes colour can indicate illness.

3. Wattles– Found under the beak, the wattles are the fleshy red lobes of skin. Just like the comb, they aid in regulating body temperature. Colour changes, shrunken wattles, or changes in the wattle appearance can indicate health issues.

READ ALSO: SEVEN POULTRY RULES FOR YOUR FARM

4. Hackles– The group of feathers around your chicken’s neck. These are often highly decorative

5. Ear lobes – The lobes are a fleshy skin located under the ear hole and the side of the head.The ear lobes of chickens serve hearing and other ear functions.

6. Eyes – The eyeball of a chicken is stationary; thus, a chicken must move its head to vary the range of vision.

READ ALSO: WAYS TO AVOID OUTBREAK OF DISEASES

7. Feathers – Feathers provide insulation and buffer extremes of heat and cold.

8. Wings –Three different types of feathers cover a chickens wing. Large feathers are called the primaries, the long middle feathers are the primaries, and the small feathers are the coverts. They can flap their wings sufficiently to raise themselves about three meters off the ground.

9. Toe – The majority of chickens have three toes with a claw projecting backwards. Scaled skin covers the feet

10. Cloaca/Vent – The Cloaca is an orifice used for urinating, defecating and also for mating. Not only is the Cloaca the end of the digestive tract, but it also shifts and folds back to release eggs without allowing the eggs to become contaminated by faecal matter.

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Poultry Farming

SEVEN POULTRY RULES FOR YOUR FARM

August 24, 2024 No Comments

Do you have passion for poultry and really wish to stay long in the business? Then, obey these rules!

Rule (1)

…”Only order for birds you can conveniently take care of”.
This is the most important rule of all.

Instead of stocking 500 birds and then struggle to feed them or give them medication, buy 200, feed and give them good medication.

Trust me, you’ll make more profit than keeping 500 and struggling to feed and give the medication. If this happens, you’ll battle with stunted growth, recurrent morbidity or disease outbreaks and high mortality.

Rule (2)

…”Never borrow money to start poultry business unless you are an expert”.

Of course, there is no expert in poultry business. In fact, we learn everyday. Every stock you take in will always teach you something different. However, Haven learnt from all the different characteristics displayed by each stock, you get to know more and won’t be excited when challenges come. You’ll know how to handle them without much damage.

READ ALSO: Danger of Early Iron Injection in Piglet

Rule (3)

…”Be vigilant”.
The little things you don’t take as anything matters.

If you want to succeed in poultry, you must take it as a real business. Do you know what a business man does every morning when he gets to his store? He pray, then open the store and go round to check if everything is in its place. He take stocks of what he met there and relate with his records yesterday before closing the store.

Don’t just open your Pen and start rushing to give your birds feed and water and rush out again. Check around. Watch how they behave when you came in. Check what fell and what is no longer in its place.

Rule (4)

…”Never ignore warning signals”.

Yes, I call them warning signals.

1.Bad smell
2.Withdrawal from feed
3.Moodiness
4.Withdrawal from water

There are numerous warning signals i can’t mention here. In fact, they are so many

A farmer must know how his birds behaves when they see him enter the in the morning. How they behave when he serve them feed. He should know the very active terrors and gentle lambs

If you keep these signals, you’ll easily spot when something is not right.

Rule (5)

…”Never change feed indiscriminately!”

I know you do this. Yes, you.

When farmers talk about changing feed from this to this and that then this all in the name getting better result, I’m always scared for them.

Whether you are changing from a bad feed to a good one, you must be very careful.

Do you know every change in feed affect your bird negatively first before gradually bringing in the results you don’t desire? Most of the times, you may suffer withdrawal, coccidiosis, feed wastage, stress and more.

Imagine changing from mash to Pellet indiscriminately. Do you know what that means? Have you studied the difference between mash and Pelleted feed and the process of digestion?

They may contain the same ingredients but the formulation process varies so is the digestion process.

Note: I don’t mean changing from starter to grower or finisher but changing from one commercial feed to another.

Even whenever you need to change from starter to grower follow the rules 75% starter and 25% grower, then 50% grower and 50% starter and finally 75% grower and 25% starter. At the end you change 100% to grower feed. You can follow the same rule whenever you need to change from one phase feed to other. This one works for feed of the same brand too.

Each company use their own unique ingredients to make their feeds although they may give the same nutritional content. Before using any feed for your birds, find out first about the feed and make sure you stick with it.

READ ALSO: 11 Foods That Are Dangerous to Rabbit (must read for all rabbit owners)

Rule (6)

…”Never let your birds run dry of water”.

Have you heard of heat stress? If it has happened to your birds then you’ll understand what I’m saying.
Heat stress can wipe your entire flock. And it may leave your birds vulnerable to all kinds of infection as their immune system get weakened and may take days to fully recover. t’s better to run out of feed than to run out of water.

Rule (7)

…”If you can’t drink that water, don’t give it to your birds”.

Some farmers takes chickens as they are just animals and nothing matters. Maybe they’ve forgotten they are dealing with delicate live animals.

Waterborne diseases are some of the deadliest disease and most difficult to control. Imagine a tiny drop of harmful substance inside the drinking water; it’ll contaminate the whole water.

Please, if you can’t drink that water, don’t give it to your birds. I’m not talking about medicated water.

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Poultry Farming

WAYS TO AVOID OUTBREAK OF DISEASES

August 23, 2024 No Comments

Outbreak of diseases can be avoided by strictly adhering to the following:

1. Do not skip any vaccination, never miss vaccinating your birds with lasota vaccine monthly and also don’t forget to vaccinate your birds against diseases twice.

2. Don’t wait for chronic signs and symptoms of diseases before treating your birds.

3. Avoid giving contaminated water to your birds.

4. Observe bio-security and cleanliness

5. Patronize good hatcheries that produce quality chicks

6. Avoid excess heat and cold temperature.

7. Ensure you cover everywhere to avoid the escape of heat during brooding.

8. Avoid any source of smoke either from charcoal or other sources.

9. Avoid the presence of particles in your poultry such as sawdust, dusty air.

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