Things To Do Daily On Your Poultry Farm To Ensure Profit

Running a successful poultry farm requires attention to detail, efficient management, and a commitment to daily routines. 

To ensure profitability, incorporate these essential tasks into your daily schedule:

*Morning Routine (6:00 am – 8:00 am)*

1. Bird Health Check: Monitor flock health, inspect for signs of disease or stress.

2. Feed and Water Management: Ensure adequate feed and water supply, check for contamination.

3. Egg Collection: Gather eggs from layers, clean and store properly.

4. Manure Management: Remove soiled litter, maintain clean and dry surroundings.

*Mid-Day Routine (12:00 pm – 2:00 pm)*

1. Temperature and Ventilation Check: Monitor temperature, ensure proper ventilation.

2. Humidity Control: Maintain optimal humidity levels to prevent disease.

3. Pest Control: Inspect for rodents, insects, and other pests.

4. Record Keeping: Update records on feed consumption, egg production, and mortality.

*Afternoon Routine (4:00 pm – 6:00 pm)*

1. Cleaning and Disinfection: Clean and disinfect equipment, feeding and watering systems.

2. Flock Observation: Monitor bird behavior, identify potential issues.

3. Feed and Water Quality Check: Ensure feed and water quality meets standards.

4. Biosecurity Measures: Enforce biosecurity protocols to prevent disease spread.

*Additional Daily Tasks*

1. Monitor Weather Conditions: Adjust ventilation, shading, and temperature accordingly.

2. Check Electrical and Water Systems: Ensure proper functioning of essential systems.

3. Maintain Farm Cleanliness: Keep surroundings clean, free of debris.

4. Employee Supervision: Oversee staff, ensure tasks are completed efficiently.

1. Vaccination and Health Programs: Implement vaccination schedules, monitor health status.

2. Flock Rotation: Rotate birds to maintain optimal stocking density.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to Track

1. Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)

2. Egg Production Rate

3. Mortality Rate

4. Gross Margin

 

*Benefits of Daily Routines*

1. Improved Bird Health

2. Increased Egg Production

3. Reduced Mortality

4. Enhanced Biosecurity

5. Increased Profitability

*Conclusion*

A well-managed poultry farm requires attention to detail and a commitment to daily routines. By incorporating these essential tasks into your schedule, you’ll be better equipped to:

1. Maintain optimal bird health

2. Increase egg production

3. Reduce mortality

4. Enhance biosecurity

5. Ensure profitability

Credit:WorldFarmersCentre

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY POULTRY FARMERS

1) *What causes cough and catarrh in chickens?*

a) Sometimes it could be from the parents’ stock, meaning the hatchery. This is called vertical transmission, where the infection passes from the parents to the chick.

b) *Overcrowding:* When chickens are crowded together, they are more likely to spread diseases to each other.

c) *Wet or dirty living conditions:* Wet or dirty living conditions can irritate the chickens’ respiratory systems, leading to cough and catarrh.

d) *Cold weather:* Chickens are more likely to get sick during cold weather, especially if they are exposed to drafts or sudden changes in temperature.

e) *Dirty litter:* If the chickens’ litter is not changed regularly, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause respiratory infections.

f) Dusty bedding can also contribute to respiratory infections

2) *How can I treat my lame chicken?*

To treat a lame chicken, you first need to determine the cause of the lameness. Once you know the cause, you can begin treatment. If the lameness is caused by a nutritional deficiency, you can add calcium or bone meal to the chicken’s feed. If the lameness is caused by a disease or infection, you may need to take the chicken to a veterinarian for treatment.

3) *Which feed brand is the best to use in raising broilers from day old chicks to maturity?*

There are many different brands of feed available for raising broilers. The best brand for you will depend on your budget, preferences and your target market.

Some brands are suitable for raising and selling of birds within six weeks, while some are suitable for 8- 10 weeks production

4) *Why is my 9 days chick poo watery?*

There are a number of reasons why a 9-day-old chic might have watery poo. It could be due to heat stress, poor water quality, or a bacterial infection. If you notice that your chicken’s poo is watery, it is important to consult with a veterinarian to determine the cause and get appropriate treatment.

5) *What’s the medicine for bloody poo?*

Bloody poo in chickens is called coccidiosis. The most important thing is not just to give drugs, but to correct the management problems that are causing the disease. When there is blood in the stool, it is a sign that there is something wrong with the way the chickens are being kept. You need to find out the cause of the bloody poo, which is most likely due to:

a) *Wet pen:* If water is entering the pen or water from the drinkers is spilling on the ground, this can cause bloody poo, especially if the farmer is not observant or proactive. 

b) *Choked-up pen:* If the pen is stuffy or has no air circulation, this can also cause bloody poo. It is important to correct these problems before administering any drugs. Make sure you consult with a veterinarian to diagnose your chickens when you notice any abnormal change and prescribe treatment for them to get better.

Impact Of Ammonia And Humidity On Poultry

Introduction 

In poultry farming, The presence of ammonia gas released by uric acid decomposition in bird droppings is referred to as the litter ammonia level. Relative humidity, on the other hand, refers to the amount of moisture in the air.

Maintaining adequate humidity levels is critical for preventing pathogen growth and infection. Ammonia levels and humidity in poultry houses are interconnected. High relative humidity can exacerbate the adverse effects of high blood ammonia levels in poultry. In humid environments, more ammonia may be dissolved in the air droplets and inhaled into the blood during respiration by birds, consequently increasing the blood ammonia content.

When ammonia gas is exposed to moisture, it reacts and forms a corrosive solution called ammonium which causes harm to birds. Additionally, high humidity can hinder the evaporation of moisture from the litter, causing it to retain more ammonia.

*Harmful Effects on Poultry*

1. Respiratory Issues

2. Foot Lesions

3. Eye Lesions

4. Reduced performance

5. Increase in Mortality 

*Prevention*

Harmful effects of ammonia can be prevented with farm management like dietary management, stocking density, proper ventilation, house temperature and litter management.

In conclusion, the combined impact of ammonia and humidity in the world of poultry farming underscores the critical importance of maintaining a balanced and controlled environment for the well-being and productivity of the birds. High ammonia levels in poultry houses can lead to a range of deleterious effects.