FACTORS TO CONSIDER BEFORE DECIDING TO RAISE

POULTRY

Poultry production is an old industry in the country. Many Filipino farmers and businessmen depend upon this industry as a major source of income.

POULTRY HOUSING

Housing the flock isone of the expensive itemsnext to feed. It is also themost important phase ofpoultry raising. Poultryhouses are built to providea comfortable place for thebirds to live in.

Regardless of theclimate, style and size ofthe poultry house, thereare several features whichmust be taken intoaccount. These are thetypes of poultry houses.

The Following Are Common Types of Poultry Houses:

1. Range type. This type of poultry house is located at the middle of the pasture. It requires a big area of land.

1. Semi–confinement type. This type of housing is provided a sun porch. The runway provides additional space for the birds. It may be made up of litter or slat floor type.

3. Complete confinement type. This type of house is a collective term for the different housing which is now used by poultry raisers. They may vary in the type of roof, floor, size of construction and size of pen.

The choice of a good laying house is crucial to the success of an egg production project. Hens thrive well and lay more eggs if they are housed comfortably.

Physical Characteristics of a Good Quality Chick

1. Eyes. Good quality chicks must have large, prominent eyes, indicating health and vigor.

2. Legs. Good quality chicks have strong well filled legs of good bright color, and creamy white down.

3. Weight and color. Good quality chicks should have uniform size and color, and must weigh about 2lbs.per 25 chicks.

SYSTEM OF BROODING

Brooding consists mainly the process of providing chicks with natural or artificial heat to help maintain their body temperature. The mother hen supplies natural heat to its young while chicks hatched in an incubator get heat from a brooder.

Brooding is done immediately after newborn chicks are taken out from the incubator. The length of the brooding period may last from two to five weeks depending upon some factors like the rate of feathering of the chicks and the time of year brooding is done.

Chicks inside a brooder during brooding period

Types of Brooding

1. Natural brooding. This is the brooding of chicks with the mother hen or trained capon. Natural brooding is still the most common practiced in the rural areas. The hen after hatching the eggs rears her brood on a natural process.

2. Artificial Brooding. It is the process of providing the chicks with the required temperature to make them warm and comfortable.

LET US REMEMBER

Proper brooding practices are vital for proper growth and development of chicks particularly in the early stages of their growth.

Layers are mature, egg–producing species of poultry, especially chicken.

Broilers are young chicken—male or female—intended for meatproduction

EXPOUND THE PURPOSES OF

FEEDING BROILERS

Understanding the fundamentals of poultry feeding is essential in order that the birds may be fed economically yet profitably.

The biggest percentage of expenses incurred in broiler raising goes to feeds. Hence the poultry raiser should pay careful attention to this very important item in poultry production, otherwise there will be an unnecessary amount offeed waste and, consequently, lower profits.

Common ingredients used in

Formulating Broiler Feeds

Sources of Carbohydrate and Fat

1. Yellow corn. Best grains forfattening chickens. It consists of8 to 9 percent crude protein,high in energy and low in fiber.It contains vitamin A and yellowpigmenting compounds.

2. Rice bran. There are two typesof this by- product in themarket. The “cono” rice branand the “kiskisan” rice bran.The cono rice bran containsabout 11 percent protein. Thekiskisan rice bran containsabout 6 percent protein. It isusually high in fiber butcontains adequate amount offat.

3. Copra meal. Copra meal is theby-product of the coconut meatafter the oil has been removed.It contains about 20 percentprotein. It is the most commonand cheapest source of plantprotein.

4. Corn gluten feed. Acombination of corn gluten andcorn bran mixed in such aproportion as to contain 25percent protein. It is a goodsource of carbohydrates.

5. Molasses. Molasses is thecheapest source ofcarbohydrates. It is a by-productin the manufacture of sugar.

Essential Nutrients Needed by Broilers

Vitamin A. is essential for normal working of the mucous

membranes of the body, builds up the resistance to infections, needed in egg production.

Sources:Natural sources are fresh green forage either in the form of

pasture or soilage(green grasses cut into small pieces and given to the birds)

fish oil as cod liver oil; ipil-ipil leaves and yellow corn.

Vitamin D. Sunshine, and cod liver oil. are the natural sources

of vitamin D. Exposing them under the direct sunlight for 15 to 30 minutes everyday will enable the fowl to manufacture Vitamin D that it needs.

Carbohydrates. It is a kind of nutrient that constitutes a

large portion of layer feeds They furnish heat and energy. Feedstuffs that are rich in sugar, starch and fat are good sources of carbohydrates and energy for feeding chicken.

The following feeds contain carbohydrates:Cereals - corn, rice, sorghumRoot crops –cassava, camote, gabi

Protein. It is composed of many different kinds of amino acids.

Proteinin cereal grains is often of poor quality, not enough to meet the needs of the laying hen. Protein in legume plants are good quality but hens cannot eat large amounts of this feed.

Sources of Plant Proteins:Soy bean mealMongo beansPeanut mealCopra mealSun-flower mealIpil-ipil leaf meal

Minerals

Calcium. Sources:oyster shell, sea shells, limestone and coralImportance:It is needed for egg shell formation and for the bones of the chicks that will hatch from the eggs.

Phosphorus. Sources: fish meal, meat scraps, bone mealImportance:It is needed for the building of the bones and it is essential for normal functions of the body of the hen and the chicks.

Salt (common table salt).Importance:It contains sodium chloride and trace minerals essential for normal health of hens

Water.Source:artesian or deep well, natural spring and city or town water systemImportance: Water is essential to carry on all the functions of the body. A fresh egg contains about 85% water and yolk about 15 percent.

Antibiotics.Importance:Increase egg productionImprove feed utilizationIncrease egg size

Grit.Sources: bits of gravel and coarse sandImportance: All chickens need grit to help grind the feed in their gizzard.

POULTRY PARASITES AND

DISEASES: THEIR PREVENTION AND

CONTROL

Poultry diseases are one of the major setbacks in poultry production. A disease is an impairment that interrupts or modifies the performance of the vital functions of poultry. It is usually characterized by inherent weakness. Poultry raisers suffer considerable losses when their birds are attacked by diseases. The infestation of diseases poses a grave threat to the poultry industry. Some poultry raisers are never able to recover from losses due to diseases.

However, diseases should not be considered as the ultimatedeterrent to raising poultry because diseases can be controlled andprevented.

Disease outbreak can be prevented by instituting the following vaccination program.

Age ofBirds

Type ofVaccine

Route ofAdministration

Remarks

8-10 days NCD orAvian PestVaccine

Intranasal Chicks from unvaccinated parentsmaybe vaccinated as early as 3 days of age

21-24 days Fowl PoxVaccine

Wing web May not be given to areas when the disease is not common

26-28 days NCD Intranasal orIntramuscular

Chick protection 10-14 after vaccination. Revaccinate ifprotection is low

CHRONIC RESPIRATORY DISEASE (CRD)

Cause Mycoplasma Gallisepticum

Transmission • CRD organism is egg-borne; contacted exposure with infected flock

• Airborne• Contaminated feed, water and farm equipment. Direct contact

with the nasal and mouth discharges of infected birds

Signs • Tracheal rales, sneezing, coughing, watery or sticky discharge from the nostrils, swelling of the face.

• Foamy exudates in the eyes• Feed consumption is reduced and birds lose weight• Rapid spread, decreased egg production and hatchability

Anticipation • Broad spectrum antibiotics, either by injection or mixed with the feeds or drinking water

• Rigid sanitation

INFECTIOUS CORYZA ( Colds or Sipon)

Cause Haemophilus gallinarum

Transmission • Through the air, direct contactor through contamination of the feed , water equipment

• Sudden change in temperature• Unsanitary housing conditions

Signs • Swelling of the face and wattles and discharge from the nostrils, which at first is watery,. But becomes sticky and with foul odor as the disease progresses

• Decrease in feed intake• In laying flock, egg production decreases

Prevention • Strict sanitation of the farm. Isolate sick birds immediately• Avoid stress conditions

Treatment • Broad spectrum antibiotics applied in feed and water and sulfa preparation are recommended