13 Practical Steps In Raising Broiler Poultry Birds Properly

1. Disinfect and clean the house thoroughly before the introduction of the chicks.

2. Use clean and dry absorbent litter, do not use very smooth litter, if you do, the chicks may be feeding on it, thereby causing health challenge to them.

3. Heat the house between 24 - 48 hours to keep it warm before introducing the chicks. Day old chicks have no feather, exposing them to cold, can lead to mortality.

4. Once the chicks are brought in, give them vitamin to help cushion the effects of long distance stress, glucose may also be given to help the weak ones regain strength promptly.

5. Observe the birds always to make sure the environment is not too cold or too hot for them, both extreme cases can lead to their mortality. If the chicks are crowded at the source of heat, know that the environment is cold for them and if they are far from the source of heat, know that the environment is hot for them but if they are evenly spread, that means the environment is okay for them.

6. The house should be well ventilated for exchange of gases, that is carbon-dioxide going out and oxygen coming in, excess carbon-dioxide and ammonia can lead to respiratory health change.

7. Use broiler starter from day one up to 5 weeks. Please do not make the mistake of given chick mash.

8. Ensure that the necessary vaccination is carried out at the right time.

9. Observe strict sanitation in the broiler house, avoid wet litter, muddy surroundings or allowing dead birds to remain around the broiler house.

10. Feed ad libitum, that is, feed the chicks as much as they can eat, do not starve the birds, any weight loss is also loss of money, do not allow the birds to waste their feed, any feed wastage is also loss of money. Any excess feed in the trough should be mixed with fresh feed the next morning.

11. Observe strict restriction of visitors into broiler premises, apart from attracting disease into the area, visitors may excite the birds and this may cause stampeding, lowered feed consumption and decrease body weight gain.

12. Have a particular foot wear for your broiler house, don't wear it outside the broiler house, strictly inside the broiler house, this would help to reduce the incidence of disease.

13. Make sure you use the right floor space. If the birds are crowded, it may lead to competition for feed and water and also can cause cannibalism, that is birds pecking themselves.

These may not be exhaustive but let it serve as a guild.Wish you the best in your broiler business. Haver a nice day.