Broiler production: breeding and management

Broiler meat is an important source of high quality proteins, minerals and vitamins to balance the human diet.

Specially developed breeds of chicken meat (broiler) are now available with the ability of quick growth and high feed conversion efficiency.

Depending on the farm size, broiler farming can be a main source of family income or can provide subsidiary income and gainful employment to farmers throughout the year. Poultry manure has high fertilizer value and can be used for increasing yield of all crops.

Work in and around the broiler house can be divided into four operations:

a) House preparation. House preparation includes cleaning and disinfecting the building and equipment.

b) Starting chicks. Starting chicks covers the placement and care of baby chicks for the first 10 days.

c) Growing. Growing covers the everyday chores for raising the chicks from 10 days to marketing.

d) Miscellaneous chores. Miscellaneous chores include medicating, vaccinating, repairing equipment, mowing grass, removing caked litter, and picking up mortality.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

Advantages

1. Reduced management responsibilities.

2. Less risk for production and less risk for loss of income.
3. Less operating capital necessary.
4. Opportunity to participate in poultry production.
5. Opportunity to obtain additional income from the farm.

6. Improving household income

7. Leverages other products generated from the production (feathers, guts, feces and blood) as fertilizer or food supplement

8. Less costs of production (food, building and management)

9. Broiler meat is cheaper that other meats

10. Its fast growing and the sale is immediate

Disadvantages

1. Possibility of limited opportunity for growth. New building and expansion are dictated by integrators' plans.

2. High fixed investment. Broiler houses with modern equipment

3. Possible lack bargaining power.

COMPARISONS

1. The initial investment is a little lower than other activities (management cows, pigs, goats and sheeps).

2. Rearing period is only six to seven weeks to difference other species such as cows or pigs (one year or more).

3. Broilers have high feed conversion efficiency than the sheeps or the cows ( i.e. least amount of feed is required for unit body weight gain in comparison to other livestock).

4. Faster return from the investment than in another species.

5. The broiler meat is more demanded than others meats for its price and quality than other meats

6. The broilers require less space (in the same shed) than the cows and sheeps.

7. The cycle of broilers is short than in others species

What does need a poultry farm?

• Poultry housing
• Poultry equipment
• Feeding
• Water
• Chicks