Millionaires project..

FARMERS HAND BOOK

HOW TO REAR POULTRY

PRODUCE 1045 BIRDS FROM 1 BIRD IN ONE YEAR

UGAGRIC EXTENSION SERVICES LIMITED

INTRODUCTION
More and more farmers turn to commercial broiler/layer farming for numerous reasons.
These include earning an income, the relatively low cost of setting up a broiler poultry
farm, the small area you require for keeping poultry and also for a food source for their
families.
FORWARD
The information we share in this hand book is the result of interviews with owner of
commercial farmers and small scale producers in Uganda. The farmers we interact with
had similar challenges we found amongst other factors that brooding and rearing
management disease control was also found to be areas of concern. This hand book
must be used as a reference guide. This hand book does not contain a guarantee of
performance in anyway and must be seen as guidelines to produce quality
broilers/layers.
We were inspired by the way commercial farmers handled problems on their farming
method, their determination for success and the will to team more about poultry farming
and modern technology in the industry.
We hope this booklet will help our farmers get better results in the future and also to
help make poultry farming a more profitable business.
Knowledge of rearing broilers and layers, housing condition, equipment and
management techniques are important. This booklet will give some guideline for their
successful production of quality broilers, rearing of layers and good egg production.

HOUSING
Before constructing poultry shed, you must take many factors into consideration.
1. How much money you have to spend on housing and what material you will be
using.
2. The size of the flock you intend to rear.
3. The frequency of purchasing chicks and rotation of sheds,(placement program
me)
4. The market you want to serve, (broilers/layer).
5. If you want to expand your sheds, plan accordingly.
The ideal house should provide the birds with a comfortable environment that
protects them from rain. Wind, direct sun light and predators.

TO CONSTRUCT A HOUSE, YOU NEED TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING

REQUIREMENTS INTO CONSIDERATION.
1
The floor must be smooth (cement floor). This will ensure proper cleaning
and disinfecting.
2
The floor must have a slight slope to one side (not much) , for water to run
away to an area that you would not mind being muddy after washing. he
water could be led off to a garden or vegetable patch.
3
The floor must be at least 5cm think and there must be no cracks in the floor
for bacteria and viruses tog row.
4
Earth floors can also be used, but deep penetrating, disinfecting is of the
utmost importance (water mixed with a good disinfectant must be sprayed
over the earth floor and penetration must be at least 5cm deep.
5
The must be enough ventilation throughout the house.
6
The house must be constructed in such a manner that other birds and
rodents / predators cannot enter.
7
Walls must be smooth for easy washing and disinfecting.
8
The roof must have ventilation openings to help heat escape, but covered
with wire mesh.
9
If possible ,build your poultry shed as far as possible away from other poultry
sheds.(20-30meters
10 Build your poultry shed from east to west to west to avoid directsunlight.
CONVETION HOUSE

EQUIPMENT FOR REARING BROILERS

Chick fount (4-5) liters} per 100 broiler chicks up to 2 weeks of age.
Chick fount (4-5) liters} per 30-50broilers from 15 days up to 7weeks of age,
Round drinker (46cm)for 100 broilers chicks up to 2 weeks .
Nondrinker (64cm0) for 70 broilers from day 15 to slaughter.
Linear drinkers (2meters long trough) for 80 broilers chick from day old to 2
weeks, make sure sides do not exceeded 5cm in height chicks may find jt difficult
to reach water.
Linear drinkers (2meter long trough) for 40 broilers from day 15 old to7weeks.
Round shallow feeder tray (40cm) for 100 chicks from day old to 2weeks.
Round tube feeder (40cm )for 100chicks from day old to 2weeks and 50broilers
to slaughter, make sure sides do not exceed 5cm in height chicks may find it
difficult to reach the feed .

Linea feeder 1.5cm per chick day old to 2weeks, and 4cm per broiler after15day to
slaughter.
1clay pot for 400-200 chicks. Depending on heat retention capabilities of the
brooder, add more post if chicks get cold. Remember to maintain air movement.
NOTE:
Any type of feeder can be used as long as 80%of bird s can feed at same time.
Do not use basins or any uncovered containers for drinkers, it becomes dirty very
quickly and is a breeding ground for disease.
BROODING OF BROILERS CHICKS.
When choosing to buy day- old broilers/layers chicks, make sure to buy chicks from a
reputable company or hatchery.
Before arrival of chicks on your farm:
Be sure
1 All your equipment is clean and disinfected.
2 .Your houses are heated before you place the chicks.
3. There are enough drinkers and feeders for all chicks.
4. That feed and water is distributed before placing the chicks.
5. Your space is sufficient for brooding the chick.
6. To add vitamins to your water to boost the chicks.
7. All drinkers and feeders are 1.5 meters from one another.
8. Your lights are working and that there is enough light side your house/ brooder.
If you do not have power, use a kerosene lamp but be sure that it is light enough so that
the chicks can see the feed and water.

PLACEMENT OF CHICKS
On arrival of chicks on your farm:

Place the chick boxes inside the brooding area.

Remove the chicks from the boxes and place close to the drinkers and
feeders.
The birds will get to the posts if they are cold.
Check again if there enough feeders and drikers.
Check if the lights are in good working order.
Check if the charcoal pots give enough heat to the birds. Remove some pots if
you think the heat is too hot.
Check the general behavior of the chicks for example
If the birds are crowding close to one another, the bloodier is too cold.
If the birds move away from the charcoal pots, and lay prostrates, it is too
hot inside your brooder.
If the birds all move to one side of the brooder, their could be a loud noise
or draft from the opposite side of the shed.
If your birds are evenly spread throughout your brooder the chicks are
happy.
If the brooding are is too small: the chicks can not move away from the
source of heat if necessary.
Check the behavior of the chicks for the first couple of hours to make sure they
are calm. If you see that the chicks are not fine look for the problem and rectify
immediately. If you have a thermometer check the temperature to make sure it is
not to hot or cold .The thermometer must be suspended from the roof at chick
level. Huddling together under and around the heat source is sign that chicks are
child.
If the chicks are overheated they will lay prostate with heads and neck stretched
out, will pant and will move way from the heat source and consume more water.
The chick s will make more noise and you will see watery droppings and pasted
vents.
Pasted vents are a sure sign of overheating and vent paste must be removed to
ensure that the cloacae are open.
SUGGESTION BROODING TEMPERATURES
Day 1to 2 days
Day 3 to 4days
Day 5 to 7days
Week 2
Week3-7

= 34c
= 32c
= 30c
= 28c
= 28c (normal room temperature)

Always reduce temperature gradually and never make sudden changes to the
temperature. If you can not get a thermometer you can regulate the room
temperature by observing the chick behavior as indicated in the diagrams below.

THE TYPICAL SIGNS OF BIRDS IN BROODING.

THE SIX BASIC NEEDS OF POULRY BROILERS FARMERS

Poultry have basic needs to help them with their growth and health. If these
needs are absent, growth is impaired .Think of a table for example, if you remove
one leg, the table can still stand, but it is not firm. Remove one more and the
table will fall. This is the same with the six basic needs for poultry. If any of the
needs are absent, problems can occur.
The basic needs for poultry are; F.L.A. W. S. S.
F.
L.
A.
W.
S.
FEED LIGHT .AIR WATER SPACE

S.
SANITATION.

1. FEED
Chicks should have easy access to fresh clean feed at all times. When
distributing feed, make sure that no feed is wasted on the floor. Not only is jt
waste, but you teaching your birds to eat off the floor. Feed levels in pan feeders
can be about 2cm deep. Use tube feeders if available. Whatever feed system is
used, the feed should be distributed as evenly as possible. Feed the right time
during the growing period. For feeding broilers, the following are to be used:
Age in days
feed (gram) per bird
Body weight target
1to +18 days
800g of starter feed
450 grams
19 to -+28days 1200g of grower feed 900grams
29 to -+49 days 1600g of grower or finisher feed 1800 grams.
NB; 1. If broiler grower feed is not available feed them on a finisher ratio.
2. If you experience poor growth, keep the birds on starter feed for a week.
Make sure that the feed you give to your birds come torn a reliable source. If you
mix your own feed, make sure to buy the raw materials from a reputable source.
Also make sure to get a good feed formulation and that you know how to mix the
feed. This will ensure good performance thought the growing period. A good
premix will ensure that enough nutrients are available. This requires one to have
a very well balanced diet.
For the rest of growing cycle good feed conversion rate of 1.85kg of feed to 1kg
of live body weight can be obtained.
IF YOU FEED YOUR ANIMALS SUB.STANDARD FEED, YOU WILL PRODUCE
SUB- STANDARD CHICKENS AND SLAUGHTER PERIOD WILL BE
PROLONGED

2 .LIGHT;
The birds are subjected to alight program in the blooding period. This is to help
the birds see the feed and water and also too give long feeding time to the
boilers. Bulbs must be dusted at least once per week. If electricity is not
available, try to use a kerosene lamp with high out put. A suggested tight
programme for boilers is as follows;
Age in a week
hours of light
Week one
23 hours (24 hours also okay)
Week two
23 hours
Week to culling 12-23 hours or 12-18 is okay
Below are typical lighting programme for boilers
Boilers lighting schedule at 23 hours
Date

Age in Age in Time setting morning

week
Days
off
-

21

on
Natural/Artificia
l
Natural/Artificia
l
Natural

28

Natural

35

Natural

42

Natural

49

Natural

14

Evening

off
19.00p
m
19.00p
m
19.00p
m
10.00p
m
19.00p
m
19.00p
m
19.00p
m

Total
Days
length
on
20.00p
m
20.00p
m
20.00p
m
20.00p
m
20.00p
m
20.00p
m
20.00p
m

23hrs
23hrs
23hrs
23hrs
23hrs
23hrs
23hrs

Broiler lighting schedule at 18 hrs day length

Date

Age in Age in Time setting morning

weeks Days

on
Natural

off
-

Evening

off
19.00p

Total
Days
length
on
20.00p

23hrs

14

21

artificial
Natural/artificia
l
Natural

28

Natural

35

Natural

42

Natural

49

Natural

m
19.00p
m
19.00p
m
19.00p
m
19.00p
m
19.00p
m
19.00p
m

m
20.00p
m
1.00pm

23hrs
18hrs

1.00pm

18hrs

1.00pm

18hrs

1.00pm

18hrs

1.00pm

18hrs

Always make sure the water levels in drinkers are not excessively high to m
avoid spillage of water. If water spillage does occur, the wet patches must be
removed immediately. Water spillage in poultry house result in wet litter. This
increases the incidence of hock bums and the production of ammonia in the
building.
Always make sure that drinkers are placed level with the wing of the chicken. At 7
days of age the fount drinkers are changed to lager drinkers, but if these are not
available, the you can continue with the founts, but be sure to fill up this font
more regularly. Water is an essential part of the daily requirements of birds.
Water consumption is very important to broiler flocks. Do not restrict the intake of
water.
All reservoirs on farm should be kept dosed and the entire water system should
be Shielded from direct sunlight. Water from earth dams or rivers should be
filtered and chlorinated. Recording water consumption on daily basis can provide
early morning signs of potential problems.
DO NOT VACCINATE BIRDS WITH CHLORINATED WATER ;
5 SPACES
Stocking density has a significant effect on final product quality and
production performance of the birds. Increased densities (over stocking of birds)
place increased pressure on environmental requirement and management, which
in turn could reduce profitability. The importance of space cannot be emphasized
enough. There is a perception by farmers that if they put more chicken in a
house. They will make more money. This perception is WRONG; overstocking of
poultry is one of the biggest causes of diseases, poor growth, bad litter condition
and stress. Calculate space before placing chicks. Place 301m2 at week 1 25
chicks in second week.20chicks in third week 10-15 chicks from week four to
slaughter. Broiler sheds, with good ventilation, can accommodate 20 birds per
square meter (m2) from week 3 to culling stage.

To calculate the size of your poultry house, use the following formula.
Length of the house in meters x width of house fn meters =m2 of floor space.
(floor space is the area where the birds can move freely and does not include
drinkers and feeders)m2 x15 birds =total of broilers which you can place in your
poultry shed at 6 weeks.
e.g.
Length of the house =14m, widthof the house =5m.
10mx 5m =50m2 standard number of birds per m2 =15.
50mx 15 birds = 750 boilers in this shed this is the maximum quantity
to be housed for broilers.
The stocking density will play a big role in feed consumption and growth rate. DO
NOT EXCEED 15 BIRDS PER METER SQUARE AFTER FIVE WEEKS OF AGE.
The general rule is that too little space impairs growth, if there is too much space,
birds will eat the feed and run around burning up the energy needed to grow
.Enlarge your area according to the requirements of your birds.
The effects of overstocking will be.
1. the growth rate will be impaired, especially towards the end of the growing
period.(poor uniformity)
2. Mortality will increase and cull percentage will be high.
3. Poor litter conditions. (Ammonia-gas)
4. Poor feathering and dirty feathers.
CALCULATE SPACE
DO NOT EXCEED 15 BROILER/M2 AFTER 36 DAYS.
DAY

1-7

8-14

15-21

22-28

29-35

36-42

BROILERS/M2

30

25

20

15

15

10-15

If you overstock, you will not get results you hope for;
1.

flock uniformity will be bad.

2.

Stressthrogh lower air circulation and increased competition for feed and water leading to poor weight gains.

3.

Overstocking will lead to disease out break

6. VACCINATION
BROILEERS

AGE
Day 1(hatchery)Day 1-3
Day 4-6
Day 7(week 1)

VACCINATION
METHO OF APPLICATION
Vitamin + electrolytes OTC 2 tea spoons in 20 liters of
plus
water
Chick formula OTC oxy 2 tea spoon in 20 liters of
vitamin
water
IB/NB LASTA/clone
Drinking water 1 eye drop

Day 14(week2)
Day 21(week 3)
Day 28 (week 4)

Gumboro
Gumboro
Tad ND lasota

Drinking water 1 eye drop

Drinking water 1 eye drop
Drinking water 1 eye drop

If chicks have moved for a long distance, do not feed them immediately; first give
water containing glucose for about thirty minutes then feed. Be sure to vaccinate
broilers against mareks if you want to keep the for longer than three month and
IB/ND once a moth.
LAYERS
PERFORMANCE DATA
Egg production

Age of 50% production 140-150 days

peak production
93-94%
Eggs per hen Housed
In 12 months of lay
315-320 eggs /hens
In14 months of lay
355-360 eggs /hens
Egg mass per hen housed
In 12months of lay
19.5-20.5kg
In 14 months of lay
22.0-23.0kg
Average Egg weight
In 12 months of lay
42.0-63.0g
In 14 months of lay
62.5-63.5g
Egg charatertatlcs
Shell colour
Attractive brown>5 Newton
Shell breaking strength
Feed consumption
1st 20th weeks
74-78kg
Production
115-130g
Feed conversion
2021kg/kg Egg mass
Body weight
At 20 weeks
1.55-1.45kg
At end of production
1.90-2.10kg
Live ability
Rearing
97-98%
Laying period
94-96%
THE SIX BASIC NEEDS OF POULTRY LAYER FARMERS
The basic needs for poultry are F.L.A.W.S.S
F
FEED
1. FEED

L
LIGHT

A
AIR

W
WATER

S
SPACE

S
SANITATION

Chicks should have easy access to fresh clean feed at all times. When distributing feed,
make sure that no feed is wasted on the floor. Not only is it waste, but you teach your
birds to eat off the floor. Feed levels in pan feeders can about 2cm deep. Use tube
feeders if available. Whatever feed system is used, the feed should be distributed as
evenly as possible. Feed the right type of feed at the right time during the growing
period.
For feeding layers, the following guidelines are to be used.
Age in day 1 week
0 to 6 weeks

starter feed

21%proteins and 2900 kcal

If the flock weight is low by six weeks continue with starker feed for a couple of weeks.
7 weeks to 10 weeks

Grower feed

18.5%protein and 2750-2800 kcal

11weeks to 16 weeks

developer

13-14.5%protein and 22750-2800 kcal

16 to 18 weeks

pre-lay feed

16-17% protein and 2750-2800 kcal

19 weeks on wards

layers mash

17-18%protein 2800 kcal

If developer and pre-lay ratio are unavailable keep the birds on grower up to 9 weeks
and then feed on layers mash.
If birds are under weight continue with starter
If birds loose weight go back to starter in growing phase. If your feed is of poor quality,
you will not get good weight. The key to good layer performance is getting the standard
weight set by the parent bleeder company.

The basis for switching between diet types is the hens body weight development.
The correct time for changing the diet is determined by weight not by age. Chicks and
pullets should therefore be weighed at regular interval.

Chick starter should be fed if the standard body weight is not reached during the time
grower is fed .Alternate between the feeds and weigh the birds. Continue with grower if
standard weight is reached.

WEIGHT MUST BE: 350-380@ 5WEEKS:10 WEEKS WEIGHT 800-880G.

THE WEIGHT GAIN TABLE

BODY WEGHT FEED CONSUPTION

Age
in
Wee
k

Body weight (g)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16

Averag
e
75
125
190
270
360
465
570
670
765
855
940
1020
1098
1171
1236
1301

Rang
e
72
121
183
261
347
449
550
647
738
825
907
984
1060
1130
1193
1255

17
18

1369
1443

1321
1392

19
20

1521
1604

1468
1548

KJ**
Bird/Da
y

78
129
197
279
373
481
590
693
792
885
973
105
6
113
6
121
2
127
9
134
7
141
7
149
4
157
4
166

Feed consumption

Feed*

132
204
264
336
399
456
524
570
616
650
673
718
730
764
787
798

g/Birds/Da
y
11
17
22
28
35
40
46
50
54
57
59
63
64
67
69
70

cumulativ
e
77
196
350
546
791
1071
1393
1743
2121
2520
2933
3374
3822
4291
4774
5264

809
844

71
74

5761
6279

Pre lay

912
1067

80
92

6839
7483

Start lay
layers
mash

Starter chick and

duck mash.
Pullet
starter
mash.

Grower
mash

Develope
r

Growe
r mash
is ok

0
If developer and pre lay are not available and body weight is correct use layer mash
from 16 weeks of age. Make sure that the feed you give to your birds come from a
reliable source. This will ensure good body weights gain throughout the growing period.
A pre-lay feed at 16 to 18 weeks will ensure that the bird is ready for lay if they have
reached the correct body weight.
IF YOU FEED YOUR ANIMALS SUB-STANARD FEED, YOU WILL PRODUCE SUB
STANDARD CHICKEN.
2.The birds are subjected to a light program in the brooding period.Thisis to help the
birds see the feed and water and also to give longer feeding time to layers.
A suggested light program for layers is as follow;
Age in weeks

hours of light

Week 1

23hours (24hours also okay)

Week 2

18 hours week 3 to end of week 1712 hours

Week18 onwards
chicks.

follow the light program supplied at date of purchasing

BUKOMO SUGGESTED LIGHT PROGRAMME FOR COMMERCIAL LAYERS

ENTER HATCH DATE AS
BATCH

REARING; OPEN HOUSE

LAYING; OPEN HOUSE

DATE

AGE
DAYS

AGE
WEEKS

7
14
21

1
2
3

TOTAL
HOURS
LIGHT
23:00
20:00
18:00

28
35
42

4
5
6

16:00
14:00
12:00

YY/MM/DD..
LAYING OPEN HOUSE

MORNING
SETTING
ON
21:00
6:00
6:00

TIME EVENING
OFF
0:00
7:30
7:30

ON
0:00
18;30PM
18:30PM

6:00
7:30
6:00
7:30
NATURAL

18:30PM
18:30PM

OFF
20:00PM
02:00AM
00:00MID
NIGHT
22:00PM
20:00PM
NATURAL

49
56
63
70
77
84
91
98
105
112
119
126
133
140
147
154
161
168
175
182
189
196
293
210
217

7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

12:00
12:00
12:00
12:00
12:00
12:00
12:00
12:00
12:00
12:00
12:00
13:00
13:00
14:00
14:00
15:00
15:00
16:00
16:00
16:00
16:00
16:00
16:00
16:00
16:00

NATURAL
NATURAL
NATURAL
NATURAL
NATURAL
NATURAL
NATURAL
NATURAL
NATURAL
NATURAL
NATURAL
6:00
5:00
5:00
5:00
5:00
5:00
5:00
5:00
5:00
5:00
5:00
5:00
5:00
5;00

7:30
7:30
7;30
7:30
7:30
7:30
7:30
7:30
7:30
7:30
7;30
7:30
7:30
7:30

NATURAL
NATURAL
NATURAL
18:30PM
18:30PM
18:30PM
18:30PM
18:30PM
18:30PM
18:30PM
18:30PM
18:30PM
18:30PM
18:30PM

NATURAL
NATURAL
NATURAL
NATURAL
NATURAL
NATURAL
NATURAL
NATURAL
NATURAL
NATURAL
NATURAL
NATURAL
NATURAL
NATURAL
19:30PM
20:00PM
20:30PM
21:00PM
21:00PM
21:00PM
21:00PM
21:00PM
21:00PM
21:00PM
21:00PM

3. AIR
Read broilers air needs
Because layers grow slower than broilers do not assume that they require less air,
always give sufficient fresh air at all times.
4. WATER
Read broilers space needs
Rear the birds the same as broilers up to 3weeks.
After 3 weeks ensure that the birds are not congested. Give ample space, but
not to much.
By 10 weeks birds must be 15/cm2.
By 18 weeks birds must be no more than 7-8/m2 more than this number has
negative influence on layer performance.
Layer sheds with good ventilation, can accommodate 7-8 birds per squire
meter (m2).
If ventilation is poor stock less.

To calculate the size of your poultry house use the following formula;
Length of the house x width of the house in meters m2 of floor space,(floor
space is the area where the birds can move freely and does not include
drinkers, feeders and nests)m2x7 birds=total of layers you can place in your
poultry shed.
E.g.
length of the house =10m, width of the house =5m.
10mx5m=50m2
50m2x7birds =350layersin this shed.
This is the maximum quantity to be housed.
DO NOT EXCEED 7 BIRDS PER METER SQUARE IN THE LAYING
PERIOD Enlarge your area according to the requirements of your birds.
The effects of overstocking will be;
Poor growth and sustained under weight in lay.
Mortality will increase and cull percentage will be high.
poor litter condition
flock uniformity will be bad
Inconsistency in lay.
cannibalism
Stress through lower air circulation and increased competing for fed and
water if your overstock you are not going to get the results you hope for.
6. SANITATION
Read Broilers sanitation
EQUPMENT FOR LAYER PRODUCTION
Rearing the chicks
Chick founts
1 week
1 fount (4.5L) for 100 chicks
Round drinkers
to 20 weeks 1 drinker (046cm) for 125 birds
Linear drinker
to 20 weeks 1runing meter for 100 birds
Chicks feeding trays 1-2 weeks
1tray for 60 chicks
Cutoff chicks cartons 1-2 weeks
carton for 100 chicks
Round feeder
3-10weeks
2feeders (046cm) for 100 birds
Round feeds
1-20weeks
3 feeder (046 cm) for 100 birds
In lay
Round drinkers
1 drinker (046cm) for 125 birds
Linear drinkers
1 running meter for 80-100birds
Round feeders
4 feeder (046cm) for 100 birds
NEST BOXES
Nests are very important when farming with commercial layers. The nests
provide a place were birds con lay their eggs undisturbed Nests are well
maintained, the benefit is that you can collect clean sellable eggs with the
minimum loss to breakages Each nest must have some kind of bedding. It
can be coffee husks or wood shavings. Do not uses wet or damp nesting
materials. This could contain bacteria which cause egg to become rotten. The

nest materials should be changed regularly and droppings removed every

day. When constructing a nest ensure that it is sturdy and that the floor is
solid. The floor must not have holes as the nest materials will fall through.
NESTS WITH LITTLE OR NO NEST MATERIAL WILL ALWAYS HAVE MORE
BROKEN OR CRAKED EGGS. The general rule is to provide 1nest for
4layers.Hens make turns to lay eggs in specific nests and you will find that
they do not lay in some nests. This is normal and unused nests at floor level
and gradually lifts them. Floor eggs must be collected immediately as this
encourages birds to lay on the floor and not in the nests provided.
PERFORMANCE GOALS
Age
week

19
20
21
21
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45

in Egg
NO.PER
H.H.
Cumulativ
e
0.7
3.9
8.4
14.0
20.2
26.6
33.0
39.6
46.1
52.7
59.2
65.8
72.4
79.0
85.5
92.1
98.6
105.2
111.7
118.2
124.6
131.1
137.5
143.9
150.3
156.6
162.9

Rate of lay Egg

in%
weight(g)
H.D.
10.0
45.0
65.1
80.1
88.2
91.7
92.8
93.4
43.8
94.1
94.3
94.6
94.7
94.7
94.7
94.7
94.6
94.5
94.3
94.1
93.9
93.6
93.3
93.0
92.7
92.4
92.1

In
week
44.4
46.5
48.9
51.3
53.5
55.3
56.6
57.6
58.4
59.1
59.7
50.0
60.3
60.6
60.9
61.2
61.5
61.8
62.0
62.2
62.4
62.6
62.8
63.0
63.2
63.4
63.6

Egg mass
kg/H.H.

g/H.D

the cumulative
4.4
20.9
31.8
41.1
47.2
50.7
52.5
53.8
54.8
55.6
56.3
86.8
57.1
57.1
57.4
57.7
58.0
58.2
58.4
58.5
58.5
58.6
58.6
58.6
58.6
58.6
58.5

0.03
0.18
0.40
0.69
1.02
1.37
1.74
2.11
2.49
2.88
3.27
3.67
4.07
4.46
4.86
5.27
5.67
6.07
b.48
6.88
7.28
7.69
8.09
8.49
8.90
9.30
9.70

46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80

169.2
175.5
181.7
187.9
194,0
200.1
206.2
212.3
218.3
224.2
230.1
236.0
241.8
247.6
253.4
259.0
264.7
270.2
275.8
281.3
28b.7
292.1
297.4
302.6
307.8
313.0
318.1
323.1
328.1
333.0
337.8
342.6
347.3
352.0
356.6

91.8
91.5
91.0
90.4
80.2
89.9
89.5
89.1
88.6
88.1
87.7
87.2
85.6
86.0
85.4
84.8
84.2
83.6
83.0
82.4
81.7
81.0
80.2
79.5
78.8
78.1
77.4
76.5
75.7
74.8
74.0
73.2
72.3
71.5
70.b

63.8
64.0
64.2
64.4
64.4
64.5
64.6
64.7
64.8
64.9
65.0
65.1
65.2
65.3
65.4
65.5
65.6
65.7
65.8
65.9
66.0
66.1
66.2
66.3
66.4
66.5
66.6
66.7
66.8
66.9
67.0
67.1
67.2
67.3
67.4

58.5
58.5
58.4
58.3
58.2
58.0
57.8
57.7
57.5
57.2
57.0
56.8
56.5
56.2
55.9
55.6
55.3
54.9
54.6
54.3
53.9
53.5
53.1
52.7
52.3
51.9
51.5
51.0
50.6
50.1
49.6
49.1
48.6
48.1
47.6

10.10
10.50
10.90
11.30
11.69
12.09
12.48
12.87
13.26
13.65
14.03
14.42
14.80
15.17
15.55
15.92
16.29
16.66
17.02
17.38
17.74
18.10
18.45
18.80
19.14
19.49
19.82
20.16
20.49
20.82
21.14
21.46
21.78
22.09
22.40

BEAK TRIMMING
Under optimal conditions beak trimming should not be necessary. In practice,
it is widely used as an efficient pre caution to cannibalism and feather peaking
.such behavior may develop at any age as a result of excessive light intensity,
unbalanced feed, poor ventilation, overstocking or boredom.
In closed houses with cage management, it should be possible to control
cannibalism and feather peaking with appropriate lighting programmes.For

floor management and/or open houses with uncontrollable light intensity; we

recommend beak treatment subject to local animals welfare regulation.
OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS;
Treat only healthy, flock unstressed birds, at the age of 7-10days
Allow only experienced personnel to do the work.
Use only equipment and blades in perfect working order; adjust the blade
temperature so that cauterization is guaranteed and the beak is not damaged.
Work slowly and carefully.
Do not feed for 12 hours before treating.
Offer free feeding immediately after treating.
Increase the level of feed in the troughs.
Increase the temperature in the house for a few days after treating.
a. For 3-5 days after beak treating provide an extra hour of light
and supply feed in the late evening or at night.
Giving vitamin via the drinking water can also help to alleviate stress.
VACCINATION
Vaccination is an important way of preventing. Different regional epidemic
situations require situations require suitably adapted vaccination
programmers Please be guided, therefore by the advice of your local
veterinarian and poultry heath service.
VACCINATION METHOD
Individual vaccination injection, eye drop are very effective and generally
well tolerated but also very lab our intensive.
1.Drinking water vaccination are not lob our intensive but must be effective,
The water used for preparing the vaccine solution must not contain any
disinfectants. During the growing period the birds should De without water for
approximately 2 hours prior to vaccination. During hot weather reduce this
time accordingly .The amount of vaccine solution should be calculated to be
completely consumed within 2-4hours.
2. spray vaccination are not lab our intensive and are highly effective, but
may occasionally have side effects .for chicks up to the age of 3weeks apply
only coarse spray. use distilled water for vaccination.
GENERAL RECOMMADATIONS
Only healthy flocks should be vaccinated. Check the expiry date. The vaccine
must not be used after this date. Keep records of all vaccinations and vaccine
serial numbers.
SUGGESTED VACCINATION PROGRAMME
DAY
Day 1(hatchery)

DISEASE/ VACCINE
Mareksdisease (response)

METHOD
Inject
0.2
neck(hatchery)

cc

in

Day1

Day 2-4
Day 10 beak time
Day 7(week oldest)
D 14 (2weeks oldest)
Day 21(3weeksoldest
Day 28(4weeks oldest)
Day 35(5weeeks oldest
Day 42(6weeks oldest)
Day 49(7weeks oldest)
Day63 (9 week oldest)
Day 70 (10weeks oldest)
Day 84(12weeks oldest
Day 112(16week oldest)
Day 119(17 week oldest)
Day 126 (18 week oldest)
Week 24
Week 30
Week 36
Week 39
Week42
Week45
Week48
Week51

GLUCOVIT(Glucose)

2table spoon full per liter

of water (100gs /20liters of
glucose)
Vitamin with electrolytes
1table
spoonful
per
20liters of water
An antio- biotic (3days before 10gms /20 liters (1 table
and 3days after)
spoon or 2 tea spoonful
TAD IB/ND Lasota clone
Drinking water or eye
drop, spray
IBD Gumboro(CH-80)
Eye drop or mouth
IBD gumboro (CH 80)
Eye drop or mouth
ND Lasota
Drinking water or eye
drop, spray
Tad pox
Wing web
Check pox take
2 balls visible in the wing
web
TAD IB/ND Lasota clone
Drinking water or eye drop
DEWORM Ascarex (45gms Drinking water-one day
20liters)
Fowl typhoid (salmonella)- IM
Inject0.5ccin
right
live
breast
TAD ND Lasota
Drinking water or eye drop
Fowl typhoid (salmonella)- I m inject 0.5cc in right
live
breast
DEWORM-Ascrex
Dinking water or eye drop
(45gms/20ltrs)
TAD ND Lasota
Drinking water or eye
drop, spray
TAD IB/ND Lasota
Drinking water or eye
drop, spray
TAD ND Lasota
Drinking water or eye
drop, spray
TAD IB/ND Lasota
Drinking water or eye
drop, spray
TAD ND CLONE(hipra-viar- Drinking water or eye
clone)
drop, spray
TAD IBH 120(Bronipra-1)
Drinking water or eye
drop, spray
TAD IB/ND Lasota
Drinking water or eye
drop, spray
TAD ND Lasota
Drinking water or eye
TADIBH120(Bronipra-1)
Drinking water or eye
drop, spray

Week 54
Week 60
Week 70

TAD ND CLONE(hipra-viar- Drinking water

clone)
drop, spray
TAD IBH 120(Bronipra-1)
Drinking water
drop, spray
TAD IB/ND Lasota
Drinking water
drop, spray

RECMMENDED VITAMINS AT DAY 2-4 or as advised by the technical

department VITALYTE, VMD, VMD SUPPER VITAMIN, oxytetracycline 25%
1. The mareks vaccination for layers is done at hatchery
2. Do not vaccinate with chlorinated water
3. Donor use vaccines which had been premixed by a vet
4. Open mortality and check for worms
5. Do not under dose..
6. Do not over dose
7. If break trimming is not done at 10 days, beak trim at 10 weeks
REDUCED BROODER TEMPERATURETO A ROOM TEMPERATURES
DURING VACCINATION
TROUBLE SHOOTING
Use gumboro gm 97 or intervet 228e incase the farm is challenged with
normal strains.
For killed (Inactive) Fowl typhoid (saimonella) vaccination at 10 weeks and
16 weeks use (0.3 mls intramascular-im) right breast
Vaccinate at placement with IBND-HITCHNER (IBMM) on a multi stage
farm with serious IB AND ND out break (spray cabins or 0.2 MLS drop in
one eye, mouth or nose)
AND FOLLOW THE NORMAL VACCINATION SCHEDULE.
Give glucose/sugar for theft thirty minutes followed by OTC,
NB; -Beak trimming at days requires a special machine without it do trim
at 10 weeks.
The marek vaccination for layers is done at the hatchery
Be sure that you know how to do the drinking water vaccination.
.Do not vaccinate with chlorinated water.
Do not under dose.
Calculate the quantity of water to be used for vaccination.
Do not de-worm if clinical signs are not visible revise your program
with area veterinary.
Open mortalities and check for worms.
De-worm layers at 35 weeks and 50 weeks.
BIO-SECURITY
The pillars on which a sound bio-security program is developed are.
Flock separation
Control of traffic.

or

eye

or

eye

or

eye

 Insect and rodent control

Sanitation.
.Immune status
FLOCK SEPARATION
Poultry sheds should be operated on the basis of single age groups per
shed, allowing for an all-out replacement cycle per shed.
Do not place broilers and layers together.
Broilers compete for more feed and this can impair the growth of the
layers.
. The poultry premises should be well separated from other poultry farm
shed. At least 30-40 meters.
. The premises should be fenced off.
. The poultry building should be bird proof and other birds or water fowl
should be kept on the premises. Strict security and bio-security measures
should be in place to ensure that the bird wilt remain disease free and
have the ability to express their full genetic potential.

CONTROL OF TRAFFIC
Control your movement and that of staff.
The movement of animals, people and vehicles must be restricted to areas away
from your poultry shed.
Showering into farms is not often practiced, but it is a good measure to at least
remove private clothes and wear site clothing (overall) when entering the farm.
Feed delivery vehicles must not come in contact with the poultry premises.
Buyers of broilers must not enter the site.
Visitors to the premises should be strictly controlled and should wear farm
clothing when entering the premises
If you know your visitors have chickens of their own, do no allow them to enter
your poultry sheds.
It is very important that the environment and premises do not increase the risk to
carry over any pathogenic micro-organism which cold affect the health and
welfare of the flock,(Do not grow your chickens in the same shed as where you
keep your pigs and goats)

SANITATION
A good cleaning consists of the following

Removal of liter to on area away from your poultry shed.

Washing with water that contains detergent, or a combination of disinfectant and
detergent
Cleaning the water and feed system and, disinfecting the premises.

Protective clothings.(uniform and boots)

After this has been done fresh and clean wood shavings or coffee husks are put
on the floor 5-6 cm deep. This litter should be disinfected again before removing
the p placement, before putting litter onto the floor, make sure the floor and
surrounding areas are dry.
Removal of litter
Remove dust from sheds before removing the litter. The aim is carry out proper
cleaning of building before removing the litter. When you remove the litters do not
let it fall around the shed. Litter should not stay or be stored on the site. If you do
not have a vehicle to remove the litter, bag it put it in an area away from your
poultry shed.
Washing
Remove feeders and drinkers and all loose equipment from the shed. Before
washing the building, make sure all electrical equipment is closed and water
proof. The washing consists of spraying the building, equipment and surrounding
areas with high pressure water. Use water with a detergent/ disinfectant in it. If
you do not have a high pressure washer, use bucket and hard scrubbing brush.
Start at the top (roof area) and continue down to the floor. All areas must be
cleaned and free of waste materials. Water must be channeld away from the
shed. All waste materials must be collected and removed.
Feeders and drinkers
Drinkers should be cleaned properly and washed with water containing a
detergent. All water tanks should be well drained and cleaned with a disinfectant.
When you are satisfied that you have done a proper job, disinfect the equipment.
Premises
Once all equipments has been prepared and put in the shed to receive the next
flock. The building should be disinfected one final time. This is done by
fumigation or by spraying with disinfectant. It is best to get professional adivie
about the products you should use.
Outside areas should also be kept clean. The area between buildings should be
free of bushes and well drained. The chicken house should be kept e empty at
least 2 weeks before you put new chickens again.
INSECT AND RODENT CONTROL
All poultry sheds should be sprayed with insecticides immediately after all the
chicken are sold. This will kill insect or larvae. The litter can be removed and will
be free of insects for a while. S pray the walls, roofs, and equipment.
Rodents, such as mice and rats can cause financial losses. They eat feeds and
chicks.

Place rat poison in area chickens con not accesses it. Both insects and rodents
can spread salmonella, which not good for your health.
IMMUNE STATUS
Vaccination
Follow a strict vaccination program on your farm. Vaccination programs are
specific and should be followed in accordance with veterinary advice. Keep a
record of the vaccines you used. Purchase vaccines and drugs from reputable
company or dealers and always check and record the batch number and expiry
date. Make sure you know how to handle the different types of vaccines and to
give it to the flocks. The supplier of the vaccines and drugs will give you all this
information
The transportation of vaccines is very important. Use the right equipment and be
sure that YOU DO NOT USE CHLORINATED WATER TO VACCINATE YOUR
BIRDS.
Vaccination is expensive, but your investment must be protected.
WITHOUT BIOSECURITY YOU ARE FACING THE RISK OF DISEASE.
DO THE BEST YOU CAN WHEN CLEANING YOUR SHEDS.
AND
KEEP AWAY ANYTHING THAT CAN CAUSE FINACIAL LOSS
The information motioned in this guide is based on local producers and deep
litter management.
Different management system or poor environmental, feeding systems conditions
and feed quality could lead to considerable deviation on performance.

PUBLISHED BY;
UGAGRIC EXTENSION SERVICES
LIMITED