BROODING AND REARING OF CHICKS

BROODING AND REARING OF CHICKS

Brooding is the care of the chick from one day old to six weeks of age; it consists primarily of the provision of heat, air, water and feed.

Brooding Equipments

Equipment used for brooding such as heaters and drinkers should be tested to ensure they are functioning properly. The brooding facilities are set up in the following order:

(i)          Brooder guards

(ii)       Litter material

(iii)     Hovers or brooder boxes

(iv)     Feeders and drinkers

(v)       Heaters

Preparation for receiving day old chicks

The brooding room is washed and disinfected at least a week before the chicks arrival (preferably two weeks). The equipments are also washed and disinfected. The brooding facilities are set up, windows and vents are closed to conserve heat within the room. The heaters are switched on a few hours before the chicks arrival during cold weather. Feed and water are provided.

Chick Reception

It is important to settle chicks as soon as they arrive, delay in bringing them out especially during hot afternoon easily results in mortality because of heat stress. Count number of chicks and record, handle them gently during counting.

Management Practices

(a)              Daily observation of the birds

(i)                The comfort of the chicks: If birds are comfortable they will spread evenly within the brooder guard

(ii)             Colour and consistency of the dropping; normal is grayish with white cap

(iii)           Condition of litter; prevent wet litter, remove and replace with dry litter

(iv)           Activity of the chicks: If they are healthy and comfortable they will actively move around, eating and drinking, treat if otherwise

(b)          Isolate sick birds and provide adequate treatment, remove dead birds

(c)           Provide feed and clean water once or twice daily except where the systems are automated.

(d)          Sanitation practices: Keep inside and surroundings clean, do not allow visitors into your brooder house

(e)           Keep adequate record

(f)            Remove  brooder guard anytime after two weeks

(g)           Remove heaters between 2 and 6 weeks depending on the weather condition.

(h)          Change tray feeders to hanging or trough chicks’ feeder after a few days. Change drinkers and feeders to grower’s after six weeks

(i)             Deworm birds between 6 – 8 weeks

(j)             Give necessary medication e.g antistress and coccidiostat

(k)          Give necessary vaccination

(l)             Don’t  use  sawdust but use wood shaving to prevent respiratory infection

(m)        Sawdust are too fine (small size)

Management of Growers

Rearing is the care from about 8weeks of age to point of lay of the domestic fowl or the care of growers; they are fed with growers mash. Growers require larger feeders and drinkers than chicks. Routine management is as discussed under brooding, birds should not be provided with light from 7 – 18weeks of age.

Feeding and drinking space, feeding space of 7.5 – 10cm/bird if trough feeders are used. A hanging feeder 25kg in capacity is used for 30 – 40growers. Adrinker of 8 – 10 litre capacity should be provided for 30 – 40 growers depending on strain.

Necessary medication and vaccination should be given at the appropriate time; debeaking is done preferably when birds are 10 – 12weeks old.

All-in, all-out System

This is the most practiced program, birds are brought in at the same time and disposed at the same time.

Physiology of egg formation

·                 Ovulation is the shedding of ovum from the ovary

·                 Oviposition is the laying of egg

The egg is formed partly in the ovary and partly in the oviduct, then hen has only one functional ovary which is located on the left side of the body cavity near the backbone.

Part of the Reproductive tract	Part of egg formed	Time spent
Ovary Magnum Isthmus Uterus (shell gland)	Yolk Albumen Membrances Albumen shell	Several days 3 hours 1hr 15min 19 – 20hours
Hormones involved in egg production
Endocrine Glands Anterior lobe of pituitary	Hormone secreted (i)          Follicle stimulating (ii)       Luteinising (iii)     Prolacin	Principal functions of hormones Stimulates growth of ovarian follicles Causes ovulation induces broodiness
Posterior lobe of pituitary	(i)       Oxytocin (ii)    Vasopressin	Regulates Oviposition Constricts blood vessels
Ovary	(i) Oestrogen	Regulates development of oviducts secondary sexual characteristics and feather pigmentation
	(i) Progesterone	Cooperates with oestrogen in regulating oviduct

Effect of light on sexual maturity and egg production

Light acts on the retina of the eye and stimulates either vision or the pituitary gland after passing through the brain. The hypothalamus pituitary complex initiates a chain of actions of reproductive hormones.

Management of Layers

Daily routines

(i)                Observation of the welfare of the birds

(ii)             Washing of drinkers and supply of fresh water

(iii)           Supplying feed in feeders

(iv)           Collection of eggs

(v)             Daily record

Egg Collection

Eggs should be collected at least 2 times a day, if eggs are left uncollected the following can result:

(a)           Birds can break some of them in the process of laying

(b)          Birds can crack and eat some of the and therefore develop egg eating habit

(c)           Birds can defaecate on some of them and thereby soiling them

(d)          Layers can develop broodiness

Occasional Practices

(i)                Debeaking

(ii)             Vaccination

(iii)           Deworming

(iv)           Culling

(v)             Monthly summaries of records

(vi)           Purchase of feed, drugs and other necessary inputs

(vii)        Treatment of sick birds (and preventive treatment)

Factors that affect the performance of layers

(i)                Broodiness

(ii)             Moulting

(iii)           Poor nutrition

(iv)           Equipment

(v)             Age

(vi)           Stress

(a)              Lack of feed and water

(b)             Heat

(c)              Cold

(d)             Debaking, pecking, transportation and vaccination

(e)              Diseases and parasites

(vii)        Breed of layer (genetics)

(viii)      Management problems

(ix)           Inadequate floor space, ventilation, feeders and drinkers

(x)             Too much or too little lighting

(xi)           Poor sanitation

CULLING

Culling is the removal of unproductive birds from the flock, this may be due to illness, deformities, poor growth rate, vice habits, poor production or poor egg qualities. However layers are culled primarily on the basis of their capacity to lay eggs.

Advantages of Culling

(i)                It prevents disease spread

(ii)             It prevents the spread of vices

(iii)           It improves feed efficiency

Characteristics of Interest in egg production

(i)                High egg production

(ii)             High fertility and hatchability (breeders)

(iii)           Large egg size

(iv)           Low mortality

(v)             High feed efficiency

MANAGEMENT OF BREEDING STOCK

Breeders are managed by using the same techniques that are applicable to layers. The correct number of males to females depends on the type and size of the birds involved and is defined on the basis of the number of cockerels/100pullets, it ranges from 8 – 11/100.

Males and females are managed separately till maturity; the males are introduced to the female flock at about 6 weeks after point of lay of the pullets.

Management of broilers; breed characteristics

(i)                Fast growth

(ii)             Early feathering

(iii)           High efficiency of feed conversion

(iv)           Desirable flesh colour

FEEDING

Broiler starter is fed for the first 4 to 5 weeks; broiler finisher is fed from then to market. Marketing is usually when birds are eight weeks old. It is not economical to keep them more than 12 weeks of age. Give light throughout the night so that they can eat continuously and get to market weight earlier, the light should not be too bright to avoid pecking.

Feeding Broilers and Layers

Broiler feed is higher in energy and protein because they are growing actively. Layer feed is higher in calcium and phosphorus because these are needed for the shell. Layers grow at a slow rate when they first come into lay. Later they stop growing so their feeding is mainly for maintenance and egg production.

MANAGEMENT OF TURKEYS

Breeds/Varieties

·                    The bronze or broad breasted bronze

·                    The white Holland

·                    The Beltsville small white

·                    The Bourbon Red

·                    The Narragansett

·                    The Black

·                    The Slate

Brooding

Can be natural or artificial, artificial can be done on the floor or in battery brooders. All preparation for brooding and brooding procedures are the same for chicks. Poults are more fragile than chicks, they are susceptible to cold, and then vision is very poor during the first few days of life. They should therefore be brooder in small units (not exceeding 250 per poult guard). Brooding house should be well lit day and night during the first two weeks of brooding, brooding last for 7 – 8 weeks. Other practices during brooding.

(i)                Detoeing and debeaking

(ii)             Feather or wing clipping

(iii)           Vaccination

Rearing

Turkey can be reared on range or in confinement, they reach market weight from 12 weeks to 30 weeks of age depending on the strain, they should be fed throughout, changes in the type of feed should not be made until the birds are settled in the new environment.

MANAGEMENT OF GUINEA FOWL

Origin

Guinea fowl originated in West Africa, hence they spread during the historical period to nearly everywhere in the world.

Breeds

The most common breeds are

(i)                The common or red-wattled guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

(ii)             Blue-wattled guinea fowl (Nuymida ptilorhyncha)

Varieties of guinea fowls found in Nigeria

(a)  Pearl

(b) Lavender

(c)  Black

(d) White

(e)  Grey breasted

Brooding

Day-old guineas can be brooded artificially under kerosene, gas or electrically heated stoves, use brooder guard as in the case of chicks. Keets requires more heat during the first 3 weeks of life.

1-3weeks (35 – 40⁰C)

4 – 6 weeks (30 – 35⁰C)

The keets should be ready to leave the brooder house after about 7 weeks. The brooder guard may be removed after 7 days, keets also need shallower feeders and waterers than those used for chicks. Keet should be raised on rough brown paper and fed in shallow trays for the first 4 to 5 days before they get used to the regular feeder.

Rearing

After brooding, they can be reared under intensive or semi-intensive system of management. Under the semi-intensive system it is advisable to use rotational grazing. Fencing is required under semi-intensive system; the birds can be prevented from flying over the fence by wing clipping or wing notching or feather clipping.

Management of Duck and Geese

Economic importance

(i)                When raise for meat, they grow very rapidly reaching heavy weight in a short period of time

(ii)             They are water – fowls which are often use for exhibition in parks and zoological gardens

(iii)           Their feathers are used for decoration

(iv)           Geese can be specially fed to grow large livers

Purpose of keeping ducks and geese

Ducks and geese are usually kept for meat or for breeding

Breeds

Ducks breeds can be grouped to the egg type and the table type

Egg type: Indianss runner, Khaki, Campbell

Meat type: Pekin, Muscovy duck, Rouen, Aylesbury

Breeds of Geese: Embden, Toulouse, White Chinese, Pilgrim, Buffs, Africans.

Brooding and Rearing

The same practices are adapted in brooding the ducklings and goslings as chicks. The only differences are in the floor space requirement, the form of feed and heat requirement. Also for these water fowls, papers are not spread on the litter for the first few days of brooding to prevent slipping and lameness, the litter should be free of mould.

A brooder use for 500 chicks will be adequate for about 250 ducklings or goslings; supplementary heating of the ducklings is for only 2 – 4 weeks depending on the weather condition.  The form of feed given to ducks and geese are pellets or crumbles instead of mash. The advantages are to reduce feed wastage and improve feed efficiency.

Ducks can be raised from day-old to market age (8 – 10weeks) indoors economically because they are not as good foragers as geese. However supplementing ducks feed with geese or exposing them to range will reduce feed cost. Goslings can be moved to range after 2 – 4 weeks brooding, generally geese grow faster and bigger than the ducks. Feather pulling is an indication of overcrowding, if this happens, more floor space should be provided or they should be debilled. Feed should be made available in troughs so designed that they can easily shovel in the food.

Contrary to common belief, it is not essential to have a pond, but they should be able to submerge their heads in water and have cool ad-lib drinking water

A SUGGESTED VACCINATION PROGRAMME FOR POULTRY IN NIGERIA

AGE	VACCINATION REQUIRED
1 day old	1.     1st dose of NEW CASTLE disease vaccine 2.     A dose of MAREK’S disease vaccine
0 – 2 weeks	3.     1st does of GUMBORO Disease vaccine
3 – 5 weeks	4.     2nd dose of GUMBORO disease vaccine (usually given 3 weeks after the 1st dose)
6 - 8 weeks	5.     A dose of FOWL pox vaccine and fowl typhoid, fowl cholera 6.     2nd dose of NEW CASTLE disease vaccine
16 – 18 weeks	7.     3rd dose of NEW CASTLE disease vaccine
18 weeks	8.     3rd dose of GUMBORO disease vaccine (for breeding flocks only)

This is a suggested programme based on experiences at Kaduna variations may occur from place to place. The recommendation of the nearest veterinary officer is more valid.

OTHER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

A.               Phasing out the brooding period

The period during which supplementary heat must be provided may vary from 3 – 6 weeks depending on weather conditions. As the birds grow older and put on feathers, the need for such heat decreases. The brooding period should therefore be phased out gradually

1.                 Remove some of the lamps during the day after the first 3 weeks but put them back in the evenings if the nights and mornings are still cold. When lamps are removed observe to see whether the birds are still comfortable continue to decrease the number of lamps until the chicks can stay comfortably without any supplementary heat. The brooder boxes should be removed as soon as supplementary heating stops.

As a guide the room temperature, taken about 2 inches above the letter during the brooding period should read as follows:

1^st week                     -        95⁰f

2^nd week                    -        90⁰f

3^rd week                     -        85⁰f

4^th week                     -        80⁰f

By the end of the 5^th week the chicks should not require any supplementary heating.

2.                 If an open-sided poultry house is being used, remove the plastic, cardboard paper or empty feed bag covering in stage. The comfort of the birds should be the guiding principle in determining how much to remove at anytime. However, by eight weeks the chicks can do without the covering.

B.               Feed and Feeding

Poultry feeds are prepared to meet the needs of specific classes of birds. It is very important to feed the right type of feed to each class of birds if their maximum growth and production potential are to be obtained. The different types of feeds and the ages at which they should be fed are summarized below.

Feed is the most important single factor in the production of poultry meat and eggs. It is therefore important to know the feed consumption of your birds so that the right quantity can be purchased in advance at any given time. Tables 4 and 5 give the estimated feed consumption for broilers and pullets. It is recommended that feed should be purchased preferably every two weeks but could be once every four weeks, if the feed supplier is too far away. Feeds should not be stored for over four weeks as they tend to become mouldy, stable or rancid if stored for too long. Furthermore they attract rats and other psts.

The use of properly designed feeder is necessary to minimize feed wastage. Hanging feeders should be hung is such a way that their height above the floor is level with the back of the standing chicken.

Common poultry feeds and feeding programme for chicks

Name of feed	Types of birds	Age to feed
1.     Broiler starter 2.     Broiler finishers	Broiler chicks Broiler chicken	0-5 weeks 5 – 10 weeks
3.     Chick mash	Pullet (layer chicks pullets)	0-    8 weeks
4.     Grower mash	Pullets	8 – 20 weeks
5.     Layers mash	Laying chickens	20 – end of lay
6.     Breeder mash	Breeder chicken	20 – end of lay

C.               Health Care of Birds

1.                 Good sanitation and hygienic practices should be observed within and outside the poultry house

2.                 Rats and wild birds are agents of disease and should be kept  out of the poultry house

3.                 Restrict or prevent visitors, visitors from entering the house, staff and visitors must be made to step into a plastic containing a solution of disinfectant before entering  the house

4.                 Dispose old litter material and dead birds far away from the poultry house.

5.                 Dispose dead birds properly either by incineration, burial or by the use of a well constructed disposal pit

6.                 Use drugs only under proper advice

7.                 Do not mix birds of different ages or from different farms

8.                 Are the earliest signs of disease isolate any sick birds and contact your nearest veterinary officer immediately for help.

D.               Record Keeping

Records are essential as profit and loss indicators; they also help to identify disease problems at a very early stage when it can be more readily be controlled. There are three kinds of records of records that must be kept by all poultry keepers.

·                    Inventory

·                    Production records shows the date, age of birds, number of birds, mortality rate, feed consumption, culls and in the case of layers, daily eggs collection.

·                    Sales records should show the revenue from sale of birds or eggs and any other product sold from the farm.