Many small farmers especially those going into the business for the first time are scared of starting with day old chickens for the fear of high mortality due to inexperience and ignorance.
To be adequately prepared for successful brooding and rearing, among many other details, the following should be noted by a starter:
Buy the day old chickens from a reliable source with good track record and one of them is Animal Care Konsult in Nigeria.
Ensure the chickens have been vaccinated against new castle disease, chicken bronchitis and brooder pneumonia.
Ensure the chicken pen is ready before their arrival by disinfecting it about 3 times in the two weeks preceding their arrival, and spread wood shavings on the floor.
Ensure the doors and windows are closed and heated for at least 3 hours before their arrival. The temperature requirement for the first week is 35 centigrade.
Ensure the brooders house is spacious enough to accommodate the chickens
Any weak, sick or deformed chickens should be separated from the main flock for appropriate treatment and closely monitored in the first week and fed with balanced feeds.
Watch the birds closely. When they are huddled together, it indicates they are feeling cold and when they are warm, they disperse. Regulate the temperature according to their heat requirements in the initial 4-6 weeks.
Transporting the chickens to the farm must be done in the early morning hours or late evening to avoid suffocation from exposure to heat.
On arrival, give the chickens vitamins in their water to clear stress
For starters: Resource Page: https://wp.me/p11ziB-ZDTestimonials: http://wp.me/p11ziB-TS
John Ayodele
www.johnayodele.wordpress.com
Lagos, Nigeria.