1. Buying chicks
Day old chicks should be purchased from a reliable hatchery in order to obtain quality chicks, which are very healthy and have the genetic production potential. Place your order well in advance (about six months) and remember to indicate the sex, strain and quantity required. Seek the advice of your nearest poultry/livestock extension officer on the choice of breed and the hatchery.
Some poultry keepers might prefer to buy only starter pullets so that they do not have to brood the birds themselves.
Starter pullets at point of lay chicken are not being produced commercially in this country but it is one form of poultry business that can be very profitable if there is good co-operation between the pullet rearer and the egg producer.
Before buying starter pullets, be very such that the producer had done a good job of rearing by going through the records and by physical examination and weighing a sample of the birds to see whether they have attained recommended weights for the breed or variety at that age.
It is very important to be fully prepared before you collect day old chicks. This will ensure that they are properly transported and received at the farm. This increases their survival rate during the brooding period.
2. Brooder House
Get the brooder house ready about three weeks before the chicks arrive. Work to be done include:
1. Making necessary repairs to mend leaking roofs, repairing doors and plastering cracks in the walls.
2. Removal of old litter from the house already in use sweeping, thoroughly washing and disinfections of the house using a suitable disinfectant such as Izal, Dettol, Sanities or Milton.
Read Also: Production Practices for Poultry Operations
3. Feeding troughs and drinkers already in use should also be thoroughly washed and disinfected.
4. Making sure that all the necessary equipment have been purchased and are in good working condition.
3. Two Days to Arrival
1. Sweep the house and clean the equipment
2. Put litter on the floor. If the floor is not cemented, put a layer of dry clean sand before putting the litter. Put the litter to a depth of about 7.5cm (three inches)
3. Cover the litter material with rough brown paper or old newspapers. This is to prevent the chicks from eating fibrous materials while learning to eat. The paper may be removed after four days.
4. Assemble all equipment with the brooder box in the middle and the feeders radiating from the source of heat should be distributed evenly under the brooder box. The water fountain may be set between the feeders but near the edge of the hover.
The whole arrangement is then enclosed by a chick guard of cardboard per about 45cm (30 inches) high and about 1.5m (5ft) away from the brooder box.
Blocks or any other suitable material can also be used. The purpose of the chick guard is to prevent the chicks from drifting too far away from the source of heat. The guard may be removed back a little every day and then completely removed after 10 days.
5. Test all equipment to make sure that they are in properworking condition.
6. If a half-open sided house is to be used, cover the open sides with plastic sheets, thick cardboard paper, native mats, empty feed bags or any other suitable material.
Read Also: Facilities Required for Brooding and Rearing of Poultry Chickens
