Category: Animal Production/Husbandry

Quails are used to describe any of roughly 130 species of small short-tailed game birds classified in the families Phasianidae and Odontophoridae (order Galliformes), resembling partridges but generally smaller and less robust. The common quail (Coturnix coturnix), or European quail, is a small ground-nesting game bird in the pheasant family Phasianidae. It is mainly migratory, breeding in the western Palearctic and wintering in Africa and southern India. With its characteristic call of “wet my lips”, this species of quail is more often heard than seen. The  term ‘quail farming’ means,…

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Noiler chicken breed (also called Kuroiler) is a hybrid chicken produced after successfully crossing a male broiler with an exotic pullet. This particular breed of chicken is considered to be dual-purpose (egg and meat chicken breed). Noilers are now becoming popular in Africa, as farmers in African countries such as Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria have started to raise them to produce eggs and meat. According to findings, it was discovered that Kegg Farms in India was the first to introduce this breed into the market and Uganda was the first…

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Are you an existing or intending poultry farmer who wishes to purchase his / her egg laying chickens at point of lay instead of raising them from day old chicks? if so then below are the measures to ensure the selection of the best quality layers at point of lay to enhance maximum production and profitability. In order to steer clear of problems, it is advisable to procure the point of lay birds from reputable and trusted producers whose quality control is beyond question. I however am cognisant of our…

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For most poultry farmers, Harmattan period is that time of the year when they refuse to stock Day Old Chicks (D.O.C) for brooding due to the fear that cold will kill all of their chicks. Some even cover their entire poultry pens to avoid excessive cold but while doing all these they also affect the birds they tend to protect because there is no more cross ventilation for them. On our previous topic, we talked about the ideal construction for a poultry pen which covered the ideal length, height, width…

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What is Hatchery? Hatchery is a place for hatching fertile eggs to produce “day old chicks” (D.O.C), which you will buy to start poultry farm on your own. Hatchery may be on large or small scale depending on the size of the Incubator. Incubator is a box like apparatus for hatching fertile eggs by artificial warmth in the hatchery room. There are two types of incubators and they are: Setter Incubator and Hatcher Incubator. Procedures in Chicks Production Production of “Day Old Chicks” (D.O.C) start with the brood eggs laid…

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Brooder guards are very useful during the first few weeks of chicks in the brooder house because they help to confine the chicks to the source of heat, food and water. With this in place, every chick in the house can have access to the food and water without strain and chicks would not over-crowd themselves. If you ask any poultry farmer. He will tell you one of the most critical stages in poultry farming is those few weeks during brooding. From day-old e.g 1-14 days, because that is the…

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The use of Thermometer is very essential for the regulation of heat for the chicks. The temperature required is measured at the edge of brooder box while bulbs are placed lower at the level of chicks back. However, the temperature should not exceed 35ºc during the first and second weeks respectively. It is save to continue heating until the sixth week and heating should be put off when the day is hot. Chickens are homeotherm, which means that within limits, they can regulate their own body temperature, much as mammals…

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The main objective in brooding chicks is to efficiently and economically provide a comfortable, healthy environment for growing birds. Temperature, air quality, humidity and light are critical factors to consider. Failure to provide the adequate environment during the brooding period will reduce profitability, resulting in reduced growth and development, poorer feed conversion, and increased disease, condemnation and mortality. 2- to 3-week-old baby chicks grow quickly and change each day. To continue giving them a strong start, keep the brooder clean and warm, offer complete starter-grower feed and fresh water. Listen…

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On arrival of “Day Old Chicks” (D.O.C) to your farms, they should be unloaded as quickly as possible, examine each and everyone of them carefully. Deformed chicks should be rejected and the hatchery / agent sellers are encouraged to bring along extra chicks to enable them change the rejected chicks for the customer. Chicks suspected to be sick should be culled immediately and the report of this should be made known to the hatchery/sales agent. One should also make sure that chicks are spread evenly in the brooder guards, chicks…

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