Broiler chickens are chickens that are raised exclusively for meat production. Under good management, broilers mature in 4-6 weeks. Good care begins before the arrival of the chicks.
How to prepare for broiler farming
Disinfect the broiler coop at least twice two weeks before introducing chicks. Spray the disinfectant on all walls and the floor. The common disinfectants used in Kenya are Norocleanse and diluted Jik.
Install a 24-hour lighting and heating system with an enhanced drinking system. Ensure you have a ready brooder that can accommodate the chicks.
What to do First day with chicks
Introduce chicks in a brooder with water solution having chicks start. Click Start is an instant energy and antistress formulation containing glucose, amino acids, vitamins, and essential minerals that provide energy nutrients and help combat dehydration in day-old chicks.
In the first 3 days, pour a few drops of liquid paraffin into the water to enhance digestion. One can also add vitamins to the solution. Repeat daily for 3 weeks. Depending on the type of chicks, one can also add an antibiotic such as Aliseryl WS.
The coop should always remain dry to avoid any infection that can cause diarrhoea.
Read: The best broiler chicken feeds in Kenya for faster growth
The vaccination schedule for broilers.
Most day-old chicks come vaccinated with Marek and some against Newcastle. But to be on the safer side, administer Newcastle Vaccine and Gumboro Vaccine on the 7th day and 14th day, respectively.
How to boost broilers growth.
The best way to boost growth and weight gain is to feed quality feeds, beginning with starter crumbs and finisher crumbs. You can also feed broiler mash during the third and fourth weeks and end with finisher crumbs.
Broilers should feed for 24 hours. Underfeeding results in a slow growth rate and higher costs. Most broilers will have a 1.5-2kgs live weight if well fed by the fourth week.
The farmer should curl all broilers by the sixth week. Past that, farmers start making losses. Remember, you cannot stop feeding them simply because they are six weeks old. If you stop feeding, the weight starts dropping.
To enhance growth, supplement feeds with Broiler boosters. What is a broiler booster?
Broiler booster is a water-soluble powder formulated by veterinary nutritionists. It contains a balanced blend of vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, amino acids, and probiotics.
Farmers can also use Poultry microbes to enhance feed conversion.
Observe a high level of hygiene.
Restrict entry at all costs to maintain the highest level of biosafety. Hygiene is the secret to zero mortalities. Diseases such as coccidiosis and water berry are the greatest killers of broilers in Kenya.
Before buying chicks, research if the batch has a history of diseases from other broiler farmers.
Though broiler farming has profit, having 100% mortality is possible. The profit margins are small, less than 30%.
Broilers prices in Kenya.
Broiler prices in Kenya range from Ksh 300 to Ksh 400. Like any other agricultural industry, brokers and scammers are prevalent. Farmers can choose to sell broilers per piece or whole. Before getting into broiler farming, identify the market and quality feeds.
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