Poultry
Poultry
Poultry
INTRODUCTION
Poultry is one of the most important and profitable section of the field station. The type of chick being
reared is ordinary chick (kienyeji) through the use of cage and free range at times.
Routine management
Early in the morning the poultry house is cleaned, dust is removed and the droppings which
are kept to be used as manure in the farm. The feeders are also cleaned and the drinkers
Feeding
There are various types of feed given to the chicks depending on theirage.
stage.
The feed given contains all the nutrients that are required for the chick growth.
Feeding of the chicks after the cleaning is done properly and ensures the entrance is disinfected
Feeding start with the younger ones that’s one day old as you proceed to the older ones, this
will ensure that incase there was an infection or outbreak then it does not spread up to the
younger ones. Put enough feeds in the feeder and also provide clean fresh water to the
chicks.
Vaccination
Growers which are 2 month old are vaccinated with antibodies (aloe vera) to improve the
nutritional immunity.
Raising of a one day old chick
Put the chicks in the brooder away from the older ones. Provide the source of heat
electric bulb containing (infra-red light) that provides warm and alternatively you can use
a jiko for the small scale farmers. Provide water mixed with vitamins and put liquid
paraffin which helps indigestion. Provide them with feed of the correct amount in each
the feeders and observe their behavior when a visitor comes in or when there is noise
and also how they crowd near the source of heat. Balance them in the brooder to avoid
overcrowding and everyday check the dead ones and dispose them properly.
Eggs are picked in the morning every day since chicks have different laying time. Then have
the collected eggs are transported to the hatchery, sorting is done to ensure only the
recommend ones are put in the incubator for hatching. The big and the small sizes are sorted
out since they are not suitable and abnormalities also are checked. About 1800 eggs were
arranged in the incubator for hatching which will take a period of 21 days to hatch. The
This is a modern technique of producing feed for animals which has a high nutrient content. It
is made from Barley plant or can also be made from Sorghum for the small scale farmers.
It is feed on chicks when it is 6 days, pigs when it is 7 days and cows when it is 8 days old.
The barley seeds are cleaned with water till they are very clean. Measure 20L of water in a
clean basin, measure 40ml of hydroponic solution B and 20ml of solution A and mixed
them. The ratio should always be (2:1) B: A. Remember to start with solution B then
Place Barley seeds in the mixture (Nutrient culture) and sock for 24 hrs in an enclosed place
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) can be used to sock the seeds if you are not sure of the
germination.
nutritional value yield, cost effective for all livestock and also helps in fast growth of
Spread 2kgs of socked Barley seeds on each tray and ensure that they are evenly spread to
promote uniform germination. Place the trays containing hydroponic fodder on track in an
enclosed place , cover with net all round to prevent insects from getting inside.
Prepare another rnutrient culture in 20L of water which will be used to spray the
hydroponic fodder. Spray after every 3hours and cover after spray.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to acknowledge Mr. Raila for dedicating his time to teach me about poultry