Botswana
Making profit from poultry: Part 7 I
n this concluding article we summarise the whole poultry series published in the previous issues of ProAgri BNZ.
Broiler and egg production are becoming increasingly popular among small-scale farmers. It is relatively easy to raise broilers and you do not need a lot of space. Chicken meat is also extremely popular throughout the world. It is seen as a healthy meat that is low in fat and rich in protein (lean meat). Chicken housing Chicks are extremely sensitive to cold and can die easily. The housing needs to be well ventilated. Ammonia is produced in the excrement of the chickens, and if there is not sufficient ventilation to ensure clean, fresh air, it may cause 32
the chicks to die. Furthermore, the housing should not have any leaks that may expose the chickens to rain. A chicken house needs to have a proper roof to keep the chickens cool in summer, warm in winter, and dry throughout the year. There should be good drainage around the house so that the floor does not flood during heavy rain. It should be easy to clean, and all entrances such as doors and windows should be properly secured to prevent theft. Poultry equipment Basic equipment can be bought or made from available material. There are two basic necessities when it comes to broiler production. They need to have adequate feeders and drinking apparatus. Ensuring that the chickens have enough clean water is essential
for their survival. The quality and availability of feed has a significant impact on the growth rate, which translates to more money in your pocket in the long run. Feeders need to be closed at the top to prevent foreign objects from polluting the feed. Brooding Brooding means taking good care of small, vulnerable chicks. Chick deaths are common during their first ten days of life. During this time, you need to keep chicks warm and comfortable. When your baby chicks arrive, they will need special care. This is the time when you can expect a few chicks to die. In tropical countries it may not be necessary to provide extra heat during the day, but only at night, and then only for the first 10 days. Dead chicks
ProAgri BNZ 17
