POULTRY

MANAGING THE MODERN POULTRY

POULTRY PRODUCTION :.

Poultry  refers to all types of domesticated birds. These include  chickens ,guinea fowl, turkeys ducks , geese , ostriches ,pigeons , pheasants and other game birds.
Chickens are the most  commonly reared poultry in Nigeria .Poultry production may be on small scale or large scale. Before going into a poultry business there are certain   important factors which have to be considered. These factors are:
·        Land requirement
·        The size of the enterprise
·        Housing and equipment
·        Source of your birds
·        Finance
·        Nutrition
·        Management
·        Record keeping


BROILERS TERMS:

         Broiler: young birds grown for 51/2- 61/2 weeks.
         Roaster: young birds grown similar to broiler, but to a heavier weight.
         Capon: castrated chicken male.
    unique type of poultry meat: tender, juicier, and flavorful.
QUALITIES OF A GOOD BROILER:
·        High body weight
·        Low food consumption
·        Shorter growing period

WHY BROILERS:
                    Need for affordable wholesome animal protein.
                    Economic importance & advantage of the enterprise.
                    Use of unproductive land/property for economic purpose.
                    Understanding your own reason for farming broilers.

BROILER GROWING PROGRAM:

All-in all-out system
         Breaks any cycle of an infectious disease.
         Comfortable for the farmer.
Multiple Age Brooding
         Growing without break.

FARM LOCATION:
                    Well drained, dry, non-flooding well ventilated.
                    >500m from housing & industrial areas.
                    Access to water, electricity and transportation.
                    Safeguard against entry of unauthorized people.


DESIGN OF BUILDING:
Facing east-west direction.  Closed housed system.  Cement-rendered floors.
Roofing material. Materials used can be easily cleaned and durable.                    
Designed to reduce heat stress. Proper ventilation.       
Distance between flocks. Rodent and bird proof.

SPACE REQUIREMENT:
0.75 to 1 square foot per bird.
Allow extra 1.5-4 inch per bird if using trough feeders or drinkers.
Allow extra 1-2.75 inches per bird if using circular feeders or drinkers.
REDUCING FLOOR SPACE WILL:
         Decrease feed consumption & feed efficiency   
         Increase the house ventilation requirement.       
         Increase the incidence of breast blisters.           
         Increase the percentage of birds with poor feathering.
         Decrease growth rate.
         Increase cannibalism.   
         Increase mortality.
TYPE OF POULTRY HOUSE:
Open-sided house
         Usually there are curtains (or shutter) that can be rolled up and down on the sides of the building.
         No light control.
Environmentally controlled house
         Light-proof  (artificial light is used)
         Ventilation is by exhaust fans  



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EQUIPMENTS REQUIRED:
Brooding equipment or brooders, feeders , drinkers  other small items include   hoe ,bucket ,brooms ,feed scoop  
QUALITIES OF A GOOD LITTER:
         Have a medium particle size.
         Be highly absorbent.
         Dry rapidly.
         Show low thermal conductivity.
         Be light in weight, be soft and compressible.
         Be inexpensive.
         Be compatible when sold as fertilizer.





HUSBANDRY PRACTICE:
High standard of  bird care.
Breed - Receiving Day Old Chick- Heating &  lighting program            .
Ventilation,       Feed, Water, Processing, Storage, marketing, Personnel, Health, Diseases & Bio-security.

BREEDS:
Not really breeds but hybrids of many different breeds.
Producers select the characteristic that is most suitable.
Faster & larger growth- Large breast meat.     
Efficient feed conversion -Disease resistance.

WHERE YOU BUY CHICKS (DOC):
         Well managed farm/hatchery (Salmonella free)- DOC from same parent flock.
         Which strain of broilers will be most profitable?- What is the breed/flock of origin.
         What is the breeder or hatchery disease- control program?
         What quality of chicks will be delivered? -What is the chick size/weight?
         Are the chicks uniform in size/weight? Are the chicks to be sexed?
QUESTIONS TO ASK:
·        Which strain of broilers will be most profitable?
·        What Vaccination program have the breeders undergone?. What is the breeder or hatchery disease-control program?
·        What quality of chicks will be delivered?
·        What is the chick size?
·        Is there need for vaccinating at the hatchery?
·        Are the chicks to be sexed?


PREPARING FOR THE CHICKS:
         Remove all old litter. Clean and scrub the house. Clean/disinfect equipment .
         Fumigate the house and equipment (formaldehyde). Treat dirt floors.
         Clean the ground (burn feathers; mow the grass, road repair).
         New litter.
THINGS TO FOCUS ON :
Water,  temperature,  lighting,  feeding,  ventilation

BROODING:
  Brooding areas must be  cleaned & disinfected.
 Temperature maintained 4-6 hrs before chicks arrive at 35 degrees.
  Provide 1 square feet per chick.
  Cover floor with about 4-6inch dry litter.
  Place feed & water around brooder.

WHEN THE CHICKS ARRIVE:
Early care is essential, There is nothing like a good start.
Drop the chicks near the brooder heat and the water points.


OPEN DRINKING SYSTEMS:
  • Up to seven days, the top lip of the drinker should be set at the height of the average birds back.
         After 7 days of age, the drinkers should be raised to a level where the bottom of the drinker is even with the average bird's back.
         This will help to minimize water spillage and maintain litter quality.

FEEDS:
         Cover 30% of the floor area with paper
Distribute feed evenly on the paper, allowing 50g –70g per bird (3 days supply)
         Tip the chicks onto the feed on the paper, rather than leaving them to find the feed themselves.
         Make sure the feed form is suitable (not big particles)

LIGHT MANAGEMENT FOR BROILER:

INTENSITY:
The amount of light for a growing broiler is only that amount necessary to enable the birds to move around and to see feeders and drinkers.
Higher intensity might induce cannibalism.
The first day the chicks need 24hrs of light & reduced gradually until 18hrs min.
Best to follow recommendations of broiler breed supplier with adjustments for weight (both too high or too low) and for weather conditions.
Important to provide at least one hour of darkness.

FEED AND WATER:
 Poor feed quality will result in an unbalanced diet and affect uniformity, growth, health.
A good feed is only as good as each of its ingredients.
Correct size and mix are important.
Good nutrition for health.
Purchase from approved suppliers.
Regular feeding is essential.
Provide clean water ad libitum.

PREVENT FEED WASTAGE:
From 114g to 227g of feed per birds can be wasted during 7 weeks. (3-6% of the total feed).
Keep the feed level low in all feeders
           If the feeders are 2/3 full  = 10% wasted.
           If the feeders are1/2 full  = 3% wasted.
           When less than 1/3 full = about 1% wasted.

UNIFORMITY:
Measure of variability of  bird size in a flock.
Percentage of birds that fall 10% of flock average weight.
Acceptable uniformity is where 75% birds are within 10% average weight.




LACK OF UNIFORMITY:
Males grow faster & convert feed to meat more efficiently than females.
Weekly increase in weight is not uniform.
Weekly feed consumption increases as weight increases.
Early dehydration.
Improper brooding temperatures - Overcrowding
Lack of ventilation - Insufficient feed & water space-Feed & water quality.
Diseases- Poor sanitation, disinfection, ,biosecurity- Improper vaccination.

PERSONNEL:
Knowledgeable & well trained- Wear protective clothing           .
Activities consistent & schedule- Minimize movement of equipment.        
Provide sanitary facilities.

HEALTH & DISEASES:

HEALTH PROGRAM

1. Prevent disease outbreak                  2. Flocks observed twice daily
                                   
3. Sick treated & dead removed                       4.  Minimize wild birds, rodent, reptile  

5. Abnormal mortality to be diagnosed 6.  Consult vets for disease control program      
7. Use approved vaccines, drugs.

“N E V E R     S E L F     M E D I C A T E”

    GOOD HEALTH PROGRAM:

1. Biosecurity                                       2. Vaccination              3. Medication

DISEASE ROUTE
Droppings (Urine)                     Discharges        Semen (vaginal juices)
  Egg                                        Blood
Mouth (ingested)                      Nose (inhaled)  Mating or AI
  Via egg (day old)                    Wound or skin break

BIOSECURITY:
Prevent disease getting into farm, & its spread between units
Control access, fence, pets,
All-in all-out system.
Clean & Disinfect vehicles, crates, equipments.
Location of feed mill, shared labor , soiled crates, equipment etc
Traffic control 

FARM WASTE MANAGEMENT:
Practice good waste management program to ensure no perceptible odour and fly problems such as litter, droppings, dead birds
Hygienic disposal of dead birds

PROCESSING & MARKETING:
With sound management you should harvest you flock from 6 weeks.
Withdraw feed for 4-6hrs before harvest.
Birds can be sold live or processed further.
Birds are stored as ‘dressed frozen’.
Marketing is mainly done at festive periods.
You can generate market in fast foods, restaurants and hotels.
You can organize your market to supply at regular intervals.


RECORD SYSTEMS: – Success to Production
RECORD & ANALYZE DATA -
Feed consumption, growth, egg production, egg quality, egg size, mortality, health, feed, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, sales, hen-day, hen house performance.

PROCESSING & MARKETING:

Egg production involves the use of good layer birds for the purpose of table egg production. The eggs are sold off fresh to the public while the layers, which are no longer laying well (spent layers) are culled off from the farm. Broiler production involves the keeping of the chickens of heavy meat breeds for the purpose of getting good quality meat products usually sold live or processed at 6 - 10 weeks of age.
Poultry are good converter of feed to egg and meat within a short period of time. In the nutritive value, poultry egg rank second to cow milk. Agriculturists and nutritionists have generally agreed that developing the poultry industry in Nigeria is the fastest means of bridging the protein deficiency gap presently prevailing in the country. It is also a promising source of additional income and quick returns from investment.
         With sound management you should harvest your flock from 6 weeks.
         Withdraw feed for 4-6hrs before harvest.
         Birds can be sold live or processed further.
         Birds are stored as dressed frozen’.
         Live bird marketing is mainly done at festive periods.
         You can generate market in fast foods, restaurants and hotels.
         You can organize your market to supply at regular intervals.

COSTING:

Poultry production has developed and occupies a place of pride among the livestock enterprises due to its rapid monetary turnover. This single reason, among others has made the enterprises attractive and popular among small, medium, as well as large scale enterprises. The poultry industry has become a diverse industry with a variety of business interests such as egg production, broiler production, hatchery, and poultry equipment.
Poultry can be established with a minimum cost and as a side project in addition to other businesses.
For industrial poultry birds to express their full genetic potential, certain basic requirements must be provided. These include environment, good management, balanced ration and adequate housing. These facilities can be provided through adequate capital base, which is most of the time lacking in Nigeria. High cost of feeds, poor quality of day old chick (DOC), inadequate extension and training facilities has been the bane to commercial poultry production in Nigeria. These problems associated with commercial poultry production make poultry farming in Nigeria popular and highly profitable for investors that overcome the hindrances outlined above.
Families maintain bulk of poultry in Nigeria under low input, extensive system.
For family poultry production to grow in a sustainable manner, the present level of technical efficiency and productivity must be improved upon.
Technical efficiency implies ability to produce maximum output from a given set of input, given the available technology.
The project outlined below has the level of technical efficiency that will render it highly profitable.
This study relates to a proposed production of the following poultry products:
         (a)        Commercial table egg
         (b)        Spent layers
         (c)      Broilers
         (d)        Poultry manure
     
BENEFITS:
Provisions of employment for some Nigerians
Increase in the income of the promoter
Improvement in supply of raw material and food for companies and man respectively, in the state and the country in general.

COST ESTIMATE FOR RAISING 200 Nos BROILERS FROM DAY-OLD-CHICK TO TABLE SIZE BIRDSEVERY 8 WEEKS.
1.         Purchase of 200 DOC @ N200.00 each                      =          N40,000.00
2.         Purchase of 1.5kg broiler starter/bird @ N65/kg           =          N19,500.00
3.         Purchase of 2.5kg broiler Finisher/bird @N60/kg          =          N30,000.00
4.         Brooding cost @ N20/bird                                           =          N4,000.00
5.         Labor cost @ N20/bird/month x 2 months                  =            N8,000.00
Medication/Vaccination
-           Antibiotics                                                                              =            N400.00
-           Infectious Bursal Disease Vaccine                                 =          N600.00
-           New Castle Disease Vaccine                                      =            N300.00
-           Dewormer                                                                              =            N300.00
-           Contingency (Disinfectants)                                         =            N400.00
Sub-total                                                                             =        N103,500.00
Assuming 5% mortality over 2 month period =190 nos of table size broilers will be harvested. Therefore cost of production per broiler = N544.00 each (i.e
N3,103,500.00 divided by 190 broiler).


ESTIMATED INCOME OF KEEPING 200 Nos BROILERS FOR 2 MONTHS.
1. Sales of 190 dressed broilers weighing an average of 1.5kg
per dressed broiler @ N500.00 per kg                                   =        N142,500.00
2. Sales of 32 used feed sacks @ N5.00 each                        =        N160.00
3. Sales Poultry manure @ N200.00/month      x 2 months        =        N400.00
4. Sales of chicken legs and heads at N10.00 per unit x 190 units =   N1,900.00
5. Sales of gizzards @ N10.00/unit  x 190 units            =   N1,900.00
                                    SUB – TOTAL                                               =   N146,860.00 

ESTIMATED PROFIT FOR KEEPING 200 Nos BROILERS FOR 2 MONTHS.
1. Total sales of dressed broiler meat, gizzards, heads, legs and manure=                                                                                                                                                                                                     N146,860.00
2. Less cost of raising 200 Nos DOC broiler from DOC to table size =                                                                                                                                     N103,500.00
            Estimated profit                                                                        N43,360.00.

NOTE:
Assuming a 4-cycle production every 12 months, the above profit should be multiplied by 4.
HOUSING cost is N40,000.00 amortized over a four year period including feeders and drinkers.


MANAGING LAYERS:

The Replacement Pullet   See introductory notes on BROILERS

FLOOR SPACE PER POULTRY:
         What is the least amount of floor space necessary per bird to produce the greatest return on investment?
          Poultry need more floor space in hot weather than in cold.
          The more you crowd birds. The poorer the results.
          As density of birds is increased until some limit, you maximize potential from the house.    

SPACE REQUIREMENT:
           1.5 to 2 square feet per light breed.
           2.5 to 3 square feet per heavy breed.
           Allow extra 1.5-4 inch per bird, if using trough feeders or drinkers .
           Allow extra 1-2.75 inches per bird, if using circular feeders or drinkers .

Floor Rearing
            Floor space                  12 birds/meter²
            Feeder space                8cm/bird
                                                          1pan/20birds
            Water space
                        Trough             2.5 cm/bird
                        cup or nipple   1per 8 birds
                        Fountain          1per 50 birds

  REDUCING THE FLOOR SPACE/BIRD WILL:
         Decrease feed consumption & feed efficiency.
         Increase the house ventilation requirement.
         Increase the incidence of egg breakages.
         Increase the percentage of birds with poor feathering.
         Decrease growth rate, Increase cannibalism,      Increase mortality.

   QUALITIES OF A GOOD LITTER:
         Have a medium particle size. Be highly absorbent. Dry rapidly.
         Show low thermal conductivity  .Be light in weight .Be soft and compressible
         Be inexpensive, Be compatible when sold as fertilizer.


HUSBANDRY PRACTICE:
High standard of bird care
Breed, Receiving Day Old Chick, Heating &  lighting program.
Ventilation,       Feed & Water, Personnel.
Health & Diseases- Biosecurity.

BREEDS:
Genetically developed to satisfy the best attributes intended, particularly selected for high egg productivity.
There are white shelled egg & brown shelled egg producers.
Farmer select the characteristic that is most suitable for his purpose.
Examples:                    Egg laying stock
                                    Meat type stock
                                    Dual purpose stock
WHEN YOU BUY CHICKS?
         Well managed farm/hatchery (Salmonella free).
         DOC from same parent flock.
         Which strain of pullets will be most profitable?
         What is the breed/flock of origin.
         What is the breeder or hatchery disease-control program?
         What quality of chicks will be delivered?
         What is the chick size/weight?
         Are the chicks uniform in size/weight?
         Are the chicks sexed?
                        Preparing for the chicks        =Same as above=

BROODING:
§           Brooding areas cleaned & disinfected.
§           Temperature maintained 4-6 hrs before chicks arrive at 35 degrees.
§           Provide 1 square feet per chick.
§           Cover floor with about 4-6inch dry litter.
§           Place feed & water around brooder.

WHEN THE CHICKS ARRIVE:
§         Early care is essential, There is nothing like a good start.
§         Drop the chicks near the brooder heat and the water founts.

                        Open Drinking Systems                    =same=






LIGHT MANAGEMENT:
§         The aim of light management is to control the light absorbance of the pullet in order to fulfill her laying production potential  as a mature hen.
§         Light (natural or artificial) not only makes it easier for the birds to see, eat, and drink, but it also affects the pituitary gland and this stimulation causes mature pullets to begin the production of eggs.
PHOTOPERIOD & INTENSITY:
§         At the first week give 20-22 hours of light.
§         Then set the hours of light to 12 hours, or according to the length of light at the growing period.
§         Minimum light intensity required for proper sight and eating is 2.5 lux.
§         Recommended light intensity for rearing pullets is 10 lux.
§         Minimum light intensity range required for proper maturation is 5-10 lux.

RECOMMENDED BULB TYPE:
§         Fluorescent type recommended in open houses:
       “Day Light”
       “Warm White”
§         Recommended light color in closed houses: Green

FEED AND WATER:
  • Poor feed quality will result in an unbalanced diet and affect uniformity, growth, health & production.
  • A good feed is only as good as each of its ingredient.
  • Feed constitute about 70% cost of raising poultry.
  • Correct size and mix are important .
  • Good nutrition for health.
  • Purchase from approved suppliers.
  • Regular feeding is essential.
  • 0-10 weeks, birds are fed chick mash ‘ad lib’.
  • 10-Point of lay (POL), rationing of grower mash.
  • At POL, grower + layer mash until 5% reached.
  • Continue with rationing of layer mash.
  • Water ad libitum .
  • It should be cool, clean & fresh at all times.

                Prevent feed wastage        =same=

UNIFORMITY:
§         Measure of variability of bird size in a flock
§         Percentage of birds that fall 10% of flock average weight
§         Acceptable uniformity is where 75% birds are within 10% average weight

            LACK OF UNIFORMITY:
§         Small pullets depressed by bigger (dominant) birds hence poor performance.
§         Difficult to give the proper feed, Cannibalism, Lack of ventilation.
§         Insufficient feed & water space, Feed, water quality and diseases.
§         Poor sanitation, disinfection, bio-security and improper vaccination.

PREPARING FOR THE PULLETS:
         Remove all old litter.
         Clean and scrub the house and the equipment.
         Clean the water system (drinkers and tanks).
         Check the automatic systems, light system, and water.

STOCK DENSITY OF REPLACEMENT PULLETS:
§         12 pullets per m². .
§         Cage Rearing:
                                    Feeder space            5cm/bird
                                    Water space        
                                             Trough           2.5 cm/bird
                   Cup or nipple    1 per 8 birds
§         Live weight (about 1.8kg) in cages
                                          350 cm² - Minimum
                                                450 cm² - OK
                                                >550 cm² - Good welfare
HIGH DENSITY OF LAYERS IN CAGES:
Overcrowding:
§         Shortage of feeder and/or drinker space.
§         Improper climate control.
§         Improper light location.
§         Sudden panic; solution:  partitions, rounding off house corners
§         Increases mortality.
§         Decreases hen-housed egg production.
§         Decreases hen-day egg production.
§         Reduces eggshell quality.
§         Reduces net profit per bird.
§         May reduce total farm income.

LIGHTING MANAGEMENT:
         Laying hen should be grown with:
                        Increasing light.
                        Constant light .
          Never on decreasing light!!
a.       When pullets are at point of lay day length should never decreases artificially.
b.      The threshold is 12 hr.
c.       Increase ½ hr each week till 16 hr.
d.      Stay at 16 hours during laying period.
TYPE OF LIGHT:
Incandescent
           Cheapest to install.
           Low light efficiency.
           Necessitates reflectors.
           Short bulb life:  750 to1000 hours.

Fluorescent
           3 to 4 times the efficiency of incandescent        light.
           Much higher light level for power used.
           Fluorescent installation is more expensive.  
           than incandescent .
           10 x longer life than incandescent bulbs.
Intensity
Laying hens need at least 10 lux = 1 foot candle.
Light Spectrum
         Red light stimulates egg production.
         Day light.
         Warm white.
         Cool white.

PERSONNEL:
Knowledgeable & trained                                
Wear uniform clothing. 
Activities consistent & schedule.
Minimize movement of equipment.                   
Provide sanitary facilities.

HEALTH & DISEASES :
Health program
            Prevent disease outbreak.           
            Flocks observed twice daily.       
            Sick treated & dead removed.
            Minimize wild birds, rodent, reptile.                                             
            Abnormal mortality to be diagnosed.
            Consult vets for disease control program.                        
            Use approved vaccines, drugs.

“NEVER SELF MEDICATE”
           
Diseases
         Bacterial:                Fowl typhoid                            Fowl cholera
                                    Enteritis/colibacillosis                Infectious coryza

         Viral:                      Newcastle                    Avian influenza              Egg drop syndrome
                                    Fowlpox                       Infectious bronchitis                  Gumboro
                                    Mareks                                    Infectious laryngotracheitis

         Fungal:                   Thrush                          Chronic respiratory disease

         Nutritional: Vitamin deficiencies
                                    Protein             ,,
                                    Energy ,,

         Parasitic:                 Endoparasite               
                                                                                    -Coccidiosis
                                                                                    -Histomoniasis

                                                Ectoparasite                 -Lice   
                                                                                    -Mite
                                                                                    -Ticks





Good health program
Biosecurity                                           Vaccination                                          Medication

Disease Route
         live bird:   feces (Urine), Discharges- Semen (vaginal juices)
Eggs,    Blood
      Mouth (digested) Nose (inhaled) Mating or AI Via egg (day old)           Wound or skin break

BIOSECURITY:
            Prevent disease getting into farm, & its spread between units
            Control access, fence, pets,
            All-in all-out system.
            Clean & Disinfect vehicles, crates, equipments.
            Location of feed mill, shared labor, soiled crates, equipment etc
            Traffic control .

FARM WASTE MANAGEMENT:
  1. Practice good waste management program to ensure no perceptible odour and fly problem e.g. litter, droppings, dead birds.
  2. Hygienic disposal of dead birds.

RECORD SYSTEMS – Success to Production
RECORD & ANALYZE DATA -
            Feed consumption,       growth,             egg production,                         egg quality,                               egg size,                                     mortality,          health record,               feed,
weight gain,                  feed conversion ratio,                            sale,                                         hen-day                                    hen house performance
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