poultry farming for the purpose of providing food and income. Products from poultry farming include eggs, meat, manure and feathers for various uses.
The poultry farming systems used in this country are free range, semi-free range and intensive. Poultry farming will be sustainable and productive by following the following principles of good husbandry:-
• Raising chickens in a better coop
• Choosing the best chickens to raise
• Caring for and feeding chickens according to different growth stages
• Controlling and treating poultry diseases
• Keeping records
CHICKEN HOUSE
Chickens need a good coop so that they are not affected by various hazards. A good chicken coop should have the following characteristics:-
• Strong, capable of protecting them from health and also from dangerous weather conditions such as hot sun, wind, cold and rain as well as dangerous animals,
• With sufficient light, air and space that allows for easy cleaning,
• It should be built on a high ground that is free of standing water, free from strong winds, and located a short distance from residential areas.
• Have areas for chickens to rest and sleep.
• Have a place to store food, water, nest, brood, and a place to raise chicks
• Have enough space according to the number of chickens and place food and water containers
• In hot climates, the shed should have short walls and a large open area with a net extending to the roof.
• In cold climates, the pavilion should have a long wall that approaches the roof and only a small area should be open with a mesh to allow air and light to pass through.
Materials used for building a pavilion
Materials for building a pavilion should take into account cost and availability in the area. Some of these materials are as follows:-
• Floors : Concrete, clay, wood, bamboo or sticks
• Walls : poles, planks, wood, bamboo poles, clay, bricks, stones, tin and netting
• Roofs : Grass, thatch, banana leaves, corrugated iron and tiles.
• Scope Bricks, wood, poles, planks, bamboo, reeds, netting and galvanized iron
Size of the pavilion
The size of the coop will depend on the number of chickens and the type of chicken flock. Chickens need different space depending on their age, breed, and rearing method. An area of one square meter is sufficient for 16 chicks aged 1 – 4 weeks. Thus, a coop of 16 square meters can raise 320 chicks up to 4 weeks. After 4 weeks this area should be increased depending on the type of chicken and the rearing method used as shown in Table No. 1
Table 1: Area Required for Raising Chickens on the Broiler Floor Depending on the Age and Breed of Chickens
| Chicken age | Number of chickens per 1 square meter | |
| Egg laying hen | Chicken | |
| 1 day to 4 weeks | 18 | 18 |
| Week 5 to 8 | 9 | 9 |
| Weeks 9 to 20 | 6 | – |
| Week 21 and up | 3 – 4 | – |
Note:
In semi-free range houses, one hen requires an open area of 10 square meters. For example, 100 hens require an area of 1000 square meters.
Essential Equipment and Tools
The farmer is advised to use special equipment and utensils to simplify and improve the care of various groups of chickens. The equipment and utensils needed for feeding and watering, laying eggs and resting are available at livestock input stores. In addition, the farmer can make his own using raw materials available in his environment.
CHOOSING THE BEST CHICKEN TO RAISE
Native Chicken
Native chicken breeds found in the country include Kuchi (Kuza), Poni (Kishingo), Njachama, Kinyavu, Mbuni and Tongwe (Mozambique). A farmer can increase production by selecting chickens with the following characteristics:-
• Ability to lay many eggs (between 15-20) in one laying cycle (Table 2),
• Ability to incubate and hatch many chicks,
• Ability to resist diseases,
• Those who come from disease-free areas; and
• Large size and fast growth.
Table 2: Issues to Consider When Choosing a Local Breeding Chicken
| Body parts | Features |
| Eyes | Bright, reddish in the distance and large, they are packed into the eye sockets. |
| Mouth | Yellow in the distance |
| Sword/sword | Red, soft, slightly lying on its side and shiny |
| Neck | Standing |
| The distance between the chest and the hips | The width of 3-4 fingers of the surveyor |
| Hip width | The width of the surveyor’s 3 fingers |
Modern Chicken
The best modern chicken for eggs or meat has the following characteristics:-
• Ability to start laying at a young age (5 – 6 months) depending on the breed,
• Large and fast-growing (1.5-2.0 kg in 8-12 weeks) depending on the breed for broilers,
• A person who lays a large number of eggs (250 or more) per laying hen per year; and
• Be able to lay eggs at the age of 6 – 8 months.
Choosing the Best Seed Cock
A seed cock should have the following characteristics:
• Be selected from flocks with the characteristic of laying a lot of eggs,
• Tall, large build, strong and powerful legs,
• Be agile, persuasive to advocates and have a passion for growth; and
• Ability to climb at 7 – 10 months of age.
Eggs for Hatching
Egg Selection
Eggs for hatching should have the following characteristics:-
• Enriched with cockroaches,
• Should not have cracks,
• They should not have loose skins,
• They should not have a broken core,
• Be of average size; and
• They should not have been stored for more than 2 weeks after being laid.
Egg Care
Local eggs for hatching should be stored upright with the pointed end facing down for the first 3 days and then turned over so that the blunt end faces down. The eggs should be stored in a cool, dark place.
GROUP POULTRY CARE
Chick Care
Good chick care is important in poultry farming because chicks are not able to survive on their own once they are hatched. Lack of good care causes chicks to become weak, die in large numbers, and thus reduce the number of future chickens. Chick care can be done using foster chickens or using special equipment.
Raising Chicks Using a Foster Hen
Chicks can be raised by their mother or a foster hen. If many hens have laid chicks at the same time, the foster hen who is capable of raising the most chicks should be chosen from among those who have laid chicks to continue raising them and the others who have laid chicks should be released to return to the laying cycle. One hen can raise 20 to 25 chicks. The poultry farmer, among other rules, should consider the following:-
• A hen raising chicks should be given a special room, provided with sufficient water and food containing essential nutrients,
• Chicks should not be allowed outside until they are 6 weeks old,
• Chicks should be separated from their mother/caregiver after 4 weeks to allow the mother to continue her nesting cycle; and
• In cold climates, chicks should be delayed from being separated from their mother/nursery until they are 6 weeks old or until they appear to have developed sufficient feathers.
Raising Chicks Using Brood
A brooder is a specially designed unit/area for providing warmth to chicks instead of the mother/caretaker. A farmer can raise many chicks using a brooder which is a circle that can be made using wood, hard paper or by blocking the corners of a room. In addition, this method reduces chick mortality caused by birds or dangerous animals, allows hens to lay earlier and have more laying cycles (for laying hens). It also facilitates disease control.
The farmer should follow the following procedures when raising chicks using brooders:-
• Install heating equipment such as an electric lamp, a heater or a charcoal stove. Consider the required temperature in the brooder. The first week is 35 o C, the second week is 33 o C, the third week is 31 o C and the fourth week is 29 o C,
• Observe the distribution of chicks in the brooder to assess the temperature. If they gather around a heat source, it indicates that the temperature has become too cold and the temperature should be increased. If they are far away from the heat source, it means that the temperature has become too hot and the temperature should be reduced.
• The barn should have a floor with bedding made from wooden slats or rice husks. The bedding should be replaced if it appears to be worn out,
• The brooder should be provided with water and food supplies. Water and food should be provided before laying the chicks,
• Heating devices should be placed in the brooder 6 hours before the chicks enter,
• Chicks should be fed a diet ranging from 12 – 15 grams for the first week and 15 – 21 grams for the second week. In the third week, they should be given 21 – 35 grams per chick and this diet should be available at all times,
• Chicks should be given vitamins, minerals and antibiotics; and
• Chicks should be vaccinated according to the instructions of a veterinary specialist. Vaccinations against important diseases for example, Marek’s (once they are hatched), Mdondo (on day 3 – 4 and repeated after day 21 and every 3 months) and Gumboro (on day 7 and repeated again on day 21). They should be given worming medicine (week 8) and Coccidiosis (week 3 – 4)
Caring for Growing Chickens (8 – 18 weeks)
The maintenance of this group depends on the system used.
Free Range Chickens
Chickens raised in this system should be provided with the best care, including the following;
• Give them extra food in the morning before they go out and when they return to the hut. This food can be divided 2 times a day,
• Be provided with clean and sufficient water at all times; and
• They should be vaccinated and medicated according to the advice of a veterinary expert.
Chickens Raised in Intensive Farming Systems
• Roosters should be separated from hens at 7 to 10 weeks to prevent inbreeding,
• They should be given 55-60 grams of growth food from week 8 to 15 and from week 16 65-80 grams for free-range chickens and 120-125 grams per day for caged chickens,
• Broilers should be fed broiler feed at all times,
• Be provided with clean drinking water at all times in clean containers,
• Chickens should be examined for any signs of illness so that they can receive proper treatment from a veterinary specialist,
• Chickens 9 – 20 weeks old need 0.15 square meters per chicken and 21 weeks or older 0.2 square meters per chicken,
• There should be enough special containers for food and water
• The barn should be cleaned regularly to prevent diseases caused by dirt; and
• Their lips should be cut to prevent biting.
Laying Chickens
The needs of laying hens are different from those of other groups. Factors to consider for laying hens include:-
• The coop should have nests for laying eggs (1 nest for 3 – 5 hens). Nests should be placed in the coop once the hens reach 18 weeks of age so that they can start using them,
• They should be provided with clean food and water at all times using special containers that are clean,
• Non-laying hens should be removed from the flock. These hens appear clean and the egg-laying area is small and dry, their comb is small and red,
• Give them deworming medicine every 3 months,
• Provide them with poles or a thin board as a resting and exercise area to prevent them from bumping into each other,
• Eggs should be collected 4 or more times a day so that they are not dropped by the hens,
• There should be dry bedding and it should be changed as soon as it gets dirty,
• Utensils should be cleaned daily to prevent disease; and
• They should be fed fresh leaves such as spinach, papaya, alfalfa, and legumes to improve nutrition.
CONTROL AND TREATMENT AGAINST POULTRY DISEASES
Chickens that are well-fed, well-maintained, and vaccinated against common diseases are healthier. It is better to prevent disease than to treat it to reduce mortality and costs. If disease occurs, sick chickens should be separated from healthy chickens and treated. The important rules to follow to prevent disease are:-
• The shed should be clean at all times,
• Before placing chickens, the coop should be sprayed with insecticide to kill various diseases,
• Chickens should be inspected daily to identify sick or problematic birds, isolate them and report to a veterinary specialist,
• Chickens should be vaccinated against various diseases,
• Unauthorized persons should not enter the poultry farming area without proper procedures,
• Birds and other animals should not approach the chicken breeding area,
• The chicken coop should be separated from other livestock coops,
• The entrance to the chicken coop should be equipped with a foot spray for those entering to prevent the introduction of disease-causing insects; and
• Food and water supplies should be clean at all times.
Symptoms of a Sick Chicken
The general symptoms seen in sick chickens are as follows:-
• Constipation,
• Loss of appetite,
• Isolation from peers in the group; and
• Reduce or stop laying.
When a farmer sees any of these symptoms, he should see a veterinarian.
OTHER SPECIES OF BIRD FARMING
Other types of birds raised in the country include mallards, geese, turkeys, quails and pigeons. These birds are raised in smaller quantities compared to chickens as their market is small. Their care is not much different from chickens;
• A living shed should be built, the size of which will depend on the number of birds being kept,
• Be provided with nutritious food and sufficient drinking water,
• Be provided with protection and treatment against diseases,
• Water ducks and geese should be provided with a pond with sufficient space for swimming; and
• Pigeons should build nests high up, such as on the roofs of houses.
RECORD PRESERVATION
Record keeping is very important in poultry and other poultry farming to help the farmer know the progress of his farming. A record-keeping process as soon as an event occurs is necessary to avoid forgetting. The farmer should ensure that he keeps records that are accurate and understandable.
Types of Memory
Records that should be kept include:-
• The type and number of chickens present in each flock (e.g. chicks, growing, laying, roosters),
• Egg production for the existing chicken flock,
• Hatching of chicks,
• Prevention and treatment,
• Income and expenditure,
• Breeding and care of each chicken (for native chickens); and
• Death records
