Baby chicks need a feed of the highest quality. That is one that is especially high in good quality protein (e.g. soybean meal, fishmeal) to match the protein found in meat and eggs Chicks also need a source of feed energy (wheat bran, cassava, cereal grains) to make them grow well Chicks also need other nutrients (minerals and vitamins) but only in small amounts A specialist person formulates (puts together) diets suitable for chickens. That person should also give you good advice on what to and how to feed your poultry If some feedstuffs are available locally, farmers who receive the right advice may want to mix their own ingredients First there is a need to get in a stock of the raw materials (ingredients). You will need to weigh out the ingredients or have containers which will hold known weights of different feedstuffs 21 The feedstuffs must be thoroughly mixed with a shovel or in a home-made mixer. It can be made from a drum. Also a cement mixer can be used. Do not store your feed for too long Weevils will quickly destroy your feed Ingredients and the mixed feed must be stored in a dry place and safe from birds and rats 6.1 Choice feeding Sometimes it is better to let the birds select their own feed and balance their diet themselves. This is called choice feeding or self-selection. Feed ingredients are not mixed together but are placed in separate feeders (about 3) and the chickens in this way make a choice. There are only certain situations where this can be done, usually when the birds are on the ground or the floor. Sometimes a grain balancer ration is available from the feed mill. This special feed (high in protein) will allow local ingredients to be used and the balancer meets those 22 nutrients that are still deficient in the locally - available ingredients. This allows the birds to select a complete diet. EXERCISE 7. HEALTH AND DISEASE PREVENTION Chickens are fragile and can get sick very easily especially when young There are two major sources of disease. Diet if not correctly formulated can result in the bird getting a metabolic disease due to a nutrient deficiency (vitamins or minerals) in the diet Other diseases are caused by minute organisms called bacteria and viruses. It is often necessary to treat the chicks as soon as they hatch with a vaccine which allows them to resist the disease if it occurs. This is normally done at the hatchery. Newcastle disease is present in many countries and chickens need to be vaccinated more than once (see section 7.1) 24 Remember that “prevention is better than cure!” Many diseases can be prevented by keeping your poultry house very clean Overcrowding of birds can cause disease Do not allow other poultry on to your farm (e.g. neighbour’s scavenging chickens) Do not allow other poultry farmers to enter your shed Place a foot bath with a disinfectant in it or limestone outside the door of your poultry house Have a special pair of boots/shoes that you will use only when you are working in your poultry house Leave sufficient time between batches of birds to clean the house and get rid of diseases that need to have a bird (host) to survive Remove old litter, dirty bags and contaminated rubbish and dump them far away but in a responsible place that will not contaminate the environment Discard damp, old feed. It can grow mould which can produce toxins. They can kill or make your chickens sick All in-all out systems in which all birds are the same age help to reduce disease out breaks 25 External parasites such as mites, lice and fleas can make your poultry feel uncomfortable. This will affect their growth rate and egg production Insecticides are used to treat the infected birds. A dust bath will also help to reduce these external parasites Internal parasites such as different worms and minute protozoa causing coccidiosis can be prevented by medication This is done routinely by adding a coccidiostat to the mixed feed for broilers Remove immediately sick birds and bury dead birds. Never eat or sell sick birds; they will make your family and others ill 7.1 Newcastle disease There are two diseases that are particularly dangerous in many low-income countries. Newcastle disease (ND) is endemic (always there) in many countries and becomes active particularly at the start of the wet season. It can wipe out entire village flocks although a few individual birds often do survive. There are now ND vaccines that will withstand the heat for a short period (thermostable) of time. Vaccination is most effective by eye drop and birds should be vaccinated a month before expected outbreaks by a trained person. There is also a need to treat the birds at intervals through out their life. This is a specialised area and the poultry keeper will need help from experts but it is well worth the effort and the vaccine is not expensive. 26 7.2 Avian influenza The H5N1 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird ’flu) is particularly dangerous not only because it can infect different poultry species and wild birds but it can also kill humans. Village poultry are especially at risk because they are outside and may be in contact with wild birds and other poultry species (ducks, geese). The disease spreads rapidly through the poultry flock. The virus can be spread by eating infected birds and can kill the consumer particularly if she/he is young. Household poultry keepers should keep themselves informed about the situation in relation to bird ‘flu as it often appears at particular times in the year. EXERCISE What will you do to stop your chickens from getting sick? Make a short statement. 27 UNIT IV 8. COMMERCIAL BROILER MEAT PRODUCTION Chicken meat is very popular throughout the world. It is seen as a healthy meat low in fat and rich in protein (lean meat). It is a meal for a family so you don’t need a refrigerator To prepare for the chicks’ arrival it is best that you have a time plan or schedule the house will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected shavings or litter on the floor the brooder surrounds in place the brooder heater checked and adjusted (if there is one) feeders and drinkers in place. Chicks usually look for water first. a supply of a small amount of starter feed is
