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Organic Treatment of CRD in Broilers

October 31, 2020

There are several diseases that can be symptomatic in poultry farming as we have human. In fact, a sign may indicate different poultry diseases. Not everytime green poops will interpret Gumboro, it could be as a result feed the birds consumed. What we call cough in poultry is actually Chronic Respiratory Disease (CRD). CRD is a form of poultry disease that interferes the respiratory tract of the birds, it may cause labour breathing, chirping and slight cough. It is a common disease affecting broilers follows by Coccidiosis . We have talked about Causes, Symptoms and Inorganic Treatment of CRD in one of our previous articles. In this article, we focus on organic treatment of cough in broilers. The required recipes are ginger, cayenne pepper, scent leaf and garlic which can be prepared as follows: 1.) 750gram each of ginger, garlic and cayenne pepper. 2.) 50gram of scent leaf. 3.) Blend all in 1 litre of water. You may also like to read more about: • The Use...

The Natural Broilers' Growth Boosters

September 23, 2020

In the course of raising broilers, the first thing that cross farmer's mind is how to make the birds have highest weight in the shortest possible time. This is easily achievable provided that the farmer can understand all it takes. There are different factors that contribute to the bird's weight gain. Broiler strain, health status, air, feed and water quality are some of the factors to be considered. The use of antibiotic growth booster by some farmers has been banned by NAFDAC because it causes antibiotic resistance in animals which make them unsafe for consumption. There are organic or natural recipes that can be used as growth boosters either being added to feed, water or consumed directly. They are not only cheaper and safer but also enhance general health of broilers. Some of the organic boosters are: 1. Bitter Kola Bitter Kola is not only full of antimicrobial effects but also an important natural growth booster for broilers to gain unexpected weight within short peri...

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

June 20, 2020

Bird flu (Avian influenza) top the list of most deadly viral diseases challenging the poultry industry. It has the incubation period of 2 to 7 days and capable of wiping the entire flock before you can even contact a veterinary doctor, if care is not taken. Bird flu is caused by Type A viruses which are commonly found in wild birds like waterfowl. A wild bird can be a carrier of bird flu without being sick but once it is spread to domestic birds and Psittacines like parrot, the impact is often fatal. Another danger of it is that it can be transmitted from infected birds to human being. Causes Of Bird Flu The disease is caused by viruses that belong to the family Orthomyxoviridae . The viruses have two surface proteins; haemagglutinin and neuraminidase which determine their subtype and the animal species they infect. There are 16 haemagglutinin and 9 neuraminidase types. When viruses of the two haemagglutinin types (H5 and H7) infect domestic poultry, they often mutate and virulen...

The Use of Molasses In Poultry Farming

May 09, 2020

Molasses is the thick dark brown syrup of a texture inbetween the real maple syrup and golden syrup. Molasses is a byproduct originated from crushed sugar cane, sugar beets or refined sugar making process. It is the left over after boiling down the cane juice. People majorly use it as a sweetener in baking and cooking processes. Aside being a sweeter, molasses has been an important part of livestock feeds for long period of time. It can be used as binder for feed components and to increase palatability. Since molasses is sweet, it is added to water during cold weather to encourage drinking. Beyond taste and binding abilities, it also offers health benefits to the heart and enables the muscle building. Blackstrap molasses Blackstrap molasses happens to be the proper choice for chickens as it is high in iron, magnesium, potassium and calcium which are important to chicken's health. Though it can be replaced with other related types of molasses. Besides, molasses based feed...

Why do Poultry Farming Business Fail?

January 28, 2020

Poultry farming business is a capital intensive business that mainly survive on huge monetary input or reliable partnership but that does not mean you cannot start from scratch. One can start as a backyard farmer and develop it to large scale over time. The most important tools you need is technical know-how. It is more fulfilling to start your own business and finally become your own boss with ease. With increase in population and demand for poultry products as source of protein, poultry farming is one of the most lucrative business in the world. Many people start from the scratch and succeed in the business while others start in commercial quantity but quit in their first or second year of operation. Before starting your own business, there are things you have to avoid for you to succeed. Below are some of the reasons why some poultry farmers fail in their business endeavours: 1. Training You may not need a university degree to be a successful poultry farmer but it is manda...

Poultry Ascites: Prevention And Treatment

October 02, 2019

Ascites (water belly) is a disease that enhances accumulation of fluids in a bird's abdominal cavity. The fluid may contain yellow protein clots to produce yellowish tinge. This condition is extremely common in high altitude and more particularly during winter (cooler) season of the year. Ascites is associated with inadequate supply of oxygen, poor ventilation and respiratory diseases. The disease mostly attack meat producing birds like Turkey , Broiler and Duck. The cause of this disease is common attributed to pulmonary hypertension resulting in the failure of the right ventricle. Causes Apart from the fact that anything that limits oxygen uptake can cause the heart to work harder, diseases of the lungs and liver caused by aflatoxin from plants/feed contents. Poor ventilation may be involved and some of the causes of Oxygen deficiency ( hypoxia ) are: 1) Presence of ammonia in the poultry house reduces the oxygen level. 2) Chilling is a common cause in small flocks i...

The Use Of Bitter Leaf As Anticoccidiosis

July 24, 2019

Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) is a shrub or small tree that grows throughout tropical Africa. It is a very important protective food and useful for the maintenance of health and treatment of various human and poultry infections. Coccidiosis spread faster in intensive system of rearing, it rarely affect extensive rearing system because of the birds' access to some herbs which bitter leaf is one of them. Adding bitter leaf extract to chicken's drinking water prevent and cure coccidiosis. How To Prepare Bitter Leaf Extract Just like any other leaves, there are two major ways of extracting bitter leaf juice depending on the quantity required. Bitter leaf can be extracted by hand squeezing or by the use of kitchen blender. The juice is expected to be as thick as wine. To use manual method, gather some bitter leaves. Remove the leaves from the stem and rinse them in a bowl. Rinse properly but do not squeeze too hard. The quantity depends on the volume of juice require...

Commercial (Domestic) Turkey

May 22, 2019

The domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is a large fowl, one of the two species in the genus Meleagris and the same as the wild turkey. Although turkey domestication was thought to have occurred in central Mesoamerica at least 2,000 years ago, recent research suggests a possible second domestication event in the Southwestern United States between 200 B.C and 500 A.D. However, all of the main domestic turkey varieties today descend from the turkey raised in central Mexico that was subsequently imported into Europe by the Spanish in the 16th century. Turkey can be reared in commercial quantity mainly for meat production and turkey breeding (hatchery). The major breeds of turkey are Large White, Broad Breasted Bronze and Small White. Large White and Broad Breasted Bronze are large birds which can reach 11 kg in 24 weeks. Small White can only reach 6.5 kg in 16 weeks. Large White Turkey The details of breeds of turkey are as follow: 1.) The Broad Breasted White: This is th...

Medication And Vaccination Schedule For Turkey

May 16, 2019

Health management cannot be neglected in any breed of commercial bird, turkey is not an exemption. It appears that turkeys are susceptible to diseases like Blackhead (Histomoniasis), newcastle disease, fowl cholera, fowl pox and Haemorrhagic enteritis. This make them to require higher level of management skill than any other other domestic fowls. High priority must be on Biosecurity to control infectious disease and minimize introduction of pathogens into flocks. The four primary causes of disease are genetics, nutrition, environment and infection. Biosecurity is the use of measures which can stop or slow down the spread of infection between components of production systems like managing people, equipment, pests and their potential for carrying diseases into a flock. Below is the guide to medication and vaccination schedule for turkey. Be reminded that Marek's subcutaneous injection is usually given to turkey at hatchery. Day 1 - Glucose or multivitamins to reduce trans...

The General Way Of Brooding Chicks

April 28, 2019

Chicks are newly hatched chickens. Chicks must be kept in a warm and safe environment. A child’s wading pool is a good choice for brooding Turkeys , Broilers , Layers , Cockerels , Noilers and even Ducks as such a place can be easily cleaned and have no corner that can cause chicks pile up and stampede of one another. Brooding is a crucial point in the bird's growth and development, it also helps in boosting bird's immunity against diseases. Failed brooding promotes stunted growth and spread of poultry infections. Before the chicks arrival, you need to need to determine the space requirement. The feed and space requirements is based on the type of the bird, be it Broiler , Noiler , Layer , Cockerel or Turkey . The next step is to clean and disinfect the space, other facilities like drinkers, feeders, buckets thoroughly with detergent and disinfectant. You need to evenly fill the brooder with few inches of wood shavings or cob litter but never use saw dust, it cont...

Feed And Space Requirement For Turkey

April 26, 2019

Just like Broilers , turkeys are meant for commercial meat production but they are bigger than broiler; they therefore demand more space and feed requirement. Added advantage is that turkeys cannot only lay eggs but also hatch the eggs on their own. Farmer just need to move away the Poults from the turkey for Proper Brooding Of The Poults . Good feeding program helps rapid growth while accurate spacing prevents overcrowding which can cause pecking and cannibalism. In the presence of other factors like good Biosecurity, quality air flow and perfect turkey breed, proper feeding and spacing program enhance commercial turkey farming. Feed Requirement The types of feed required by turkey are just classified based on their protein content. The quantity of feed required depends on the breed and age. Small White do not consume much feed like Large White or Large Breasted Bronze. Based on feed protein content, a poult of day old to 8 weeks feed on turkey starter feed with 28% protein. 22...

How To Brood Poults

April 25, 2019

Turkey chicks (younger turkeys) are referred to as POULTS, from day old till the first four to six weeks of their life depending on the turkey breed. The THREE major breeds of turkey are Large White, Broad Breasted Bronze and Small White. Large White and Broad Breasted Bronze are large birds, they can reach 11 kg in 24 weeks. Small White can only reach 6.5 kg in 16 weeks. In brooding the Poults, the procedures can be divided into two categories i.e Before The Poults Arrival and After The Poults Arrival. Below are the steps to be taken in both categories: Fig 1: A poult (Day Old turkey) A.) Before Arrival Of The Poults 1. You need to decide early on the breed of turkey you want; large or small breed, foreign or local breed? 2. Clean and disinfect housing facilities using detergent and disinfectant. The walls, ceiling, floor and all equipment should be thoroughly washed and dried. Equipment like feeders, feeding tray, waterers, bowls and buckets may be soaked in a solution of ap...

Organic Poultry Farming - The Use Of Spices

April 18, 2019

Spices are useful in our day to day activities especially for cooking of food. Only few people know that these spices can also be used to cure certain ailments in the poultry flock. It simply means that you cannot only cook your chicken with spices but also use the same spices to treat certain poultry infections. Ginger, pepper, salt, garlic, aloe vera, turmeric and sour milk are just among the food and spices that are medicinal in nature. They are therefore essentially required by farmers practising organic farming. Below are some medicinal spices and their ethno-veterinary importance: 1.) Garlic Garlic is a family of onions. It boosts birds' immunity, fights respiratory diseases and also produces sulphur in the body. It can therefore kill external parasites because the sulphur in the chicken's blood will overpower the parasites. Just add 3 cloves of garlic to 5 litres of water or a pinch or two of powdered garlic in dry feeds everyday. 2.) Ginger Ginger has antiviral...

Noiler - The Hybrid Of Broiler and Cockerel

April 01, 2019

Noilers are basically raised for meat production although they can also lay eggs. In short, The Noiler birds are dual purpose breed of chicken developed in Nigeria by a famous hatchery; Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery. They are similar to the chicken breed known as “Kuroiler” said to have been developed in India and already introduced to Ugandan poultry farmers. Their meat is tougher than that of broiler but not up to that of local chicken. They are multi coloured birds unlike broilers which are mainly white. Noilers are perfect for rural communities and urban. They are specially suitable for rural communities; small backyard farmers and can address the challenges of animal food insecurity. The economic importance is in their ability to solve financial problems because they are profitable when the farmers involve in commercial noiler farming. Below are the additional features of noiler birds: 1. Appearance : They are birds of various colours; black, white, yellow with black stripe...

Cockerel (Rooster)

March 28, 2019

Cockerels are the young roosters, the male counterparts of the layers (meant for egg production) which reach maturity within 5 to 6 months of age. Before the discovery of modern broiler, cockerels were the meat producers while the hen lays eggs for chicks or table purpose. Most farmers do not regularly rear cockerel in commercial quantity due to their slow growth rate, low feed conversion rate and non tender meat at maturity. Some of the beneficial property of cockerel are low price of chicks, ability to withstand stress and possession of sweet meat. Besides, a matured cockerel can weigh up to 2.5 kg under proper care (Health and feeding management). Cockerels feed on Starter Feed for their first 4 weeks, grower from 4 week of age to about 16 week old and they can then be exposed to locally formulated feed from wheat offal, corn bran, palm kernel cake, cheap grains and groundnut cake. They can also set free to free range from 4 week of age, this really saves feeding cost. ...

Layer (Pullet)

March 28, 2019

Layers are the egg laying hens; the female counterpart of cockerels. They are otherwise refer to as PULLETS . They possess low body weight and fat. Layers are in different forms based on their laying ability and body weight. They start laying around 16 to 21 week old and body weight of about 1.5 kg around to laying age. The classes of egg laying hens are White and Brown egg laying hens. They are capable of laying up to 325 eggs annually. The egg and yolk colour vary from one form of layer to the other. They feed starter feed till 8 week old, grower feed from 8th week till about 5% of them start laying and layers feed throughout the laying period. 1.) White Egg Laying Hens This type of hens is comparatively smaller in size. They eat less food and the color of the egg shell is white. Some of the popular breeds of white egg laying hens are Isa White, Lehman White, Nikchik, Bab Cock BV-300, Harvard White, Hi Sex White, Sever White, Hy line White and Bovanch White. They might not ...

Medication And Vaccination Schedule For Cockerel

March 25, 2019

Health management cannot be neglected in the story of successful poultry business. It cuts across medication and vaccination schedule as well as General Disease Prevention . In our previous articles, we discussed medication and vaccination schedules for Broiler , Noiler and Layers . Also, the article - Commercial Cockerel Farming , it explained feed, space requirement for cockerel and handling of roosters. This article will mainly focus on the medication and vaccination schedule for cockerels. Antibiotics, Anticoccidiosis, antiviral (tyloxine based drug) and multivitamin are the required drugs to be considered while cockerels depend mainly on Gumboro and LaSota vaccines. Below is the vaccination and medication programs for cockerel birds. Be aware that there are certain abrupt conditions which might call for sudden treatment or vaccination of your flock. It is therefore advisable that you always consult an experienced farmer or veterinary doctor during infection outbreak. ...

Commercial Cockerel Farming

March 22, 2019

Cockerels are the young roosters, the male counterparts of the layers (meant for egg production) which reach maturity within 5 to 6 months of age. Before the discovery of modern broiler, cockerels were the meat producers while the hen lays eggs for chicks or table purpose. Since hatcheries produced separate hybrids for meat and egg productions, the pullets (layers) are kept for egg production while the cockerels given out at a very cheap price. Thinking of commercial meat production, most farmers do not consider cockerel for some reasons. Some of the reasons for rejecting the cockerels on commercial quantity are: 1. Slow growth rate. 2. Low feed conversion rate. 3. Non tender meat at maturity. Even with the above reasons, there are still advantageous features of the Cockerels over Broilers. Good features of cockerels are as follow: 1. Cost of chicks is very low which enhances more profit. 2. Cockerels are strong and therefore easier to raise. 3. Meat from cockerels possess b...