OUR FOCUS To uncover channels of critical

loss and how to minimize them.

To promote efficient management practices that enhances better returns per bird.

To see better ways of handling our marketing systems in a more dynamic manner that allows for higher revenue.

To share knowledge on how best to grow our stock population organically

To orientate farmers on control and preventive measures during critical challenges in poultry business.

Background for Solid Foundation

Appropriate Sitting. Housing Quality. Breed/ DOC Selection. Best Cultural practices. Bio-security measures. Quality work force. Record keeping. Supervision.

STRONG FOUNDATION

1. Appropriate Sitting - closeness to market -closeness to the main road - closeness to town - availability of good water source

2. House Quality - a) Adequate protection and

comfort of the birds b) Cost implication Designs must be made after

considering the climatic conditions of your area, weather elements such as wind, rainfall, temperature and relative humidity. Your final choice must be such that it would afford maximum protection of the birds from any adverse effect.

Pen house roof must not be enclosed in the tropics, it could either be One side-open or 2 ends –open.

Wind direction

Drainage and Waste disposal system must be taken into account at the design level.

Future Expansion Programme must be well thought out.

Security and Biosecurity issues must be considered.

Health hazards and stress factors must also be considered.

Stock population to be accommodated must be taken into account when constructing.

Challenges Associated with poor housing structures:

1. Respiratory issues – these

could either be caused or aggravated by poor ventilation.

2. Heat stress: this can predisposed the birds to many other disease or health conditions.

3. Poor feed intake.

4. High mortality.

5.Poor production.

6. Fatal Accidents – trips, falls etc.

7. Risk of predations

BREED/DOC SELECTION.

Quality DOC is the foundation for a successful poultry business.

A good tree produces good fruits, while a bad tree produces bad fruits

A poor chick can consume the best of feed, and yet have a poor performance.

Quality Day Old Chicks? How? Get your DOC from reputable

hatchery/agents known for quality.

At point of collection, check for : too small chicks, chicks with omphalitis, ruffle feathers, deformities and other congenital problems.

Confirm the vaccination programme of the chicks especially MAREK’S disease.

please REPEAT MAREK’S vaccination

Ask for the breed of the birds

Ask for the history of the parents

Where available, ask for the management guide.

Where possible, carry out a sero-monitoring of the chicks maternal immunity to determine vaccination/medication programme.

Don’t trust the carton, trust the person.

N U T R I T I O N Nutrition is one of the major factors in Poultry production. Feed and Feeding accounts for at least 70% of total running cost of a business focused poultry.

Focus for a business minded farmer in feeding:Source of feed.Reputation of the feed miller.Feed production process, facilities

and practices.Quality control services.Quality of raw materials.Texture and weight content of the

feed.

CRITICAL FACTORS IN FEED AND FEEDING.

Never compromise the nutrients requirement of your birds by underfeeding or feeding poor quality feed.

Feed at appropriate and rewarding time.

Feed bright colour feed produced by reputable feed miller. Note that birds pick bright colour substances of the feed first.

Avoid Stale Feed.

Ensure attendants run their fingers through the feeders often to ensure birds eat all the essential nutrients.

Avoid feed wastage by attendants through mishandling and leaking or damaged feeders.

Observe carefully the feed consumption pattern of your birds in order to detect the on set of disease, stress factors or weather change.

Ensure proper storage of your feed in a cool dry store so as to avoid mould growth and toxins production.

As much as possible, avoid invasion of rats and wild birds in your feed storage area as they are source of contamination.

WATER PROVISION # WATER IS A KEY ELEMENT IN

NUTRITION, NOTE THAT WATER FORMS A MAJOR PART OF EGG MASS. AS A RESULT, WATER SHOULD BE PROVIDED AD-LIBITUM.

# Want to sink a water borehole or deep well on your farm – ask questions.

Clean, cool and fresh water must be provided ad libitum.

Drinker nipples should always be checked for blockage.

In administering vitamins and other drugs, ensure thorough mixing or solubility in the over head tank so as to avoid drug residue or other materials blocking the water outlet.

Water test and treatment should be carried out periodically. Note that well water especially could be a source of e. coli and other microbes.

DISEASE & HEALTH MANAGEMENET Most times, poultry farms record highest form of loss through poor health and disease management. In order to avoid loss due to mortality, morbidity and poor production, attention must be paid to the followings:

VACCINATION – The best vaccination programme for your birds is the one that is laboratory test derived with the input of your Vet., because it takes into account the maternal immunity level in your chicks.

Ensure all expected vaccination is given to your birds – MAREK, NCD, Gumboro, Fowl pox, EDS, Fowl thyphoid, salmonellosis etc

Do not rush to vaccinate when birds are already down with a disease.

Get your vaccines from reputable sources and maintain the cold chain.

Administer vaccines exactly as directed by the manufacturer.

Medications.Do not overload your birds with antibiotics,

allow time for recovery before using the next drug.

Read through the drug indications on the leaflet before use, if in doubt; ask questions.

Be hesitant in using any antibiotics when young layers are reaching their peak production, this may give them a set back, from which they may never recover.

Study carefully the dosage of the drugs, withdrawal period and side effect before use.

Avoid unnecessary waste of money in buying many drugs, this usually happens when correct diagnosis is not made or when you listen to too many consultants.

Beware of marketers that are only interested in selling drugs to you, otherwise; they will make your farm a business centre.

Lastly, Keep few used drugs sachet in your office for record or reference purposes.

MARKETINGFocus beyond local market.Minimize impact of middle men by

expanding your market reach.Do not allow middle men dictate price of

market/pricing.Talk to Livestock feeds reps who will

always have information about markets and prices

Explore collaboration with urban shops, supermarkets and hotels.

Programme sales of spent layers towards festive periods.

INDICES OF PROFITABILITYLow chick mortality.Programmed MaturityLong egg production peak for

layers.Low layer mortality.Low disease incidence.Low medication cost.80 – 85% Liveability.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

‘OJU MEWA KO JO OJU ENI’

OTHERS TEN EYES ARE NEVER LIKE YOUR OWN EYES.

DON’T BE AN ABSENTEE FARMER; YOU ARE A MANUFACTURER.