RAISING DAY OLD CHICKS TO GROWERS ■Day 1-day 7 - The chicks need to be in a brooder. What is a Brooder? - a brooder is a simple construction that is used to raise chicks until a point they are not so vulnerable. - brooders maybe small rooms, wood construction, brooder boxes etc. - chicks should stay in a brooder for at least 3 weeks - 4 weeks ●How to make a good brooder! - make sure the brooder is not cold. ( provide source of heat ie. 100,watts Bulb, hot water bottles, brooder pots, etc) - consider constructing brooders that's not too big and not too small. -clean and disinfect the brooder before receiving chicks - provide enough drinkers and enough feeders - make sure the brooder is free from insects, rodents and mature chicken. - provide dry dusting materials (saw dust or rice husks). ■Feeding chicks between day 1-day 7 - the best feed at this age is starter (crumbs or mash). - starter crumbs - fugo starter mash - pembe starter mash - at this age avoid mixing of the feed with jenga, omena, pellets etc. You can mix starter crumbs and starter mash at a proportional ration. - Avoid feeding broiler starter crumbs for chicks that are not broilers. ●Drugs . - chick formula (egocin,veta chick start, poltricin, vitamet chick etc, dosage (one teaspoon for 5lts, ½teaspoon for 2 litres and ¼teaspoon for one litre) - aliseryl (this is a blend of various vitamins that will help your chicks grow fast with strength and energy. Also helps chicks boost the appetite and also helps in preventing numerous diseases). Dosage same as chick formula - liquid paraffin- this is not the normal paraffin we use at homes. This is a medicated paraffin that helps relieve constipation, helps in digestion, prevents injuries to alimentary canal and helps chicks to pass soft droppings. - so week one give a combinations of chick formula, aliseryl and liquid paraffin ■Give Newcastle at day 7_ Day 8- day 14 ■Feeds -Same as previous week - ●Drugs -continue with chick formula - use coccidiostat (biosol, coccid, vetatrim, biotrim etc) in place of aliseryl. This will help to prevent coccidiocis. - drop liquid paraffin so, second week you give a combination of coccid+chick formula -give gumboro vaccine at day 14 ■Day 15- day 21 - feed as previous week ●Drugs - combination of vitamin and antibiotics ( aliseryl, neoxy vitamin, miramed, agranyl etc) - repeat Newcastle vaccine ■Day 22- day 28 ●Feed . Start introducing chick mash. (Mixing chick mash with starter ) - incase you started with crumbs, continue giving crumbs until they are 7 weeks old. ●Drugs - give coccidiostat - repeat gumboro at day 28. ■Week 5. Here the chicks are old enough and can survive out of the brooder. ●Feeds - chick mash/ chick crumbs( or mixture of mash and crumbs) ●Drugs - vitamins. ■Week 6 Feeds- as in week 5 Drugs, coccidiostat and strexia ●Vaccinate fowl pox._ ■Week 7 ●Feeds - gradually introduce growers( mix chick mash and growers) - drugs - feed suppliments ie molar plus, vigosine or tonophos. ■Week 8 Feeds, growers mash( you can mix with pellets, omena, jenga etc) 10 kgs of growers (mixed rations) .- 6kgs growers mash - 1kg jenga - 1kg omena -1 kg pellets - 1/2 kg ngano -¼kg sunflower -¼kg cotton ●Drugs -vitamins and antibiotics -vaccinate fowl typhoid. Follow up Abdulrafeeh Abdulkareem #broiler #feed #feeding #chicken #farming #farmlife #farmer #farm #farmersmarket #Agriculture #Agricultural #agriculturelife #agri #pullet

Whenever thinking of poultry farming, Seven things you must need to know: 1. Market research It is very important to critically look at the demand that needs to be met. Is there high demand for table eggs, out grower chicken or broiler meat? Most start-up farmers go by what a friend or relative or neighbouring farmer is doing and hope to reap the benefits. It is important that you take your time to talk to clients or potential customers and listen to them. Do a survey on restaurants, hotels, open air or takeaway eateries, supermarkets and delis and collect as much data as possible. Ask questions about seasonal trends of products that you intend to bring into the market. Sometimes your assumptions may not match your survey results or outcome, so be ready to change your original plans and make new decisions. 2. Farm location A poultry farm can be located on any dry land anywhere in the country as it is not dependent on any weather patterns. However, the ideal location would be outskirts of urban or peri-urban cities where there is ready market for both meat and eggs. Construct your farm where there is access to all weather road, away from riparian land that experience occasional flooding and landslide. 3. Housing system The most common housing system in this country is deep litter, where the entire floor is covered by wood shaving and the other equipment like nest boxes, feeders and drinkers are centrally located. It is best suited for all types of birds and conforms to animal welfare requirement. The free-range type is common for Sasso chicken with a bit of housing at night and scavenging in an open enclosure. In organic farming, the chickens are most of the time on free range scavenging and are on restricted commercial feed with no use of antibiotics and any additive. 4. Demand for building The most ideal house in this region must be open sided rectangular shaped structure, with roof made of iron sheet or locally available waterproof material. The long side of the house must be on an East-west orientation to reduce direct sunlight on the chicks. Side walls should be 2-3 feet high made of bricks, iron sheet or block and the rest covered by wire mesh and chicken netting at 6-7 feet high. The floor could be concreted or compacted with red soil. 5. Choice of breed and supplier If you want to keep commercial layers, choose type of breed which is hardy with low mortality rate, fast growth rates, high peak production, long peak period and good persistence (like Bovans brown). If it is for both meat and egg production, look for a breed of high feed conversion efficiency, and of good tasty and tender quality meat (like dual purpose Sasso). 6. Optimal health protection Threats to your flock will include but not limited to protozoal and parasitic diseases, bacteria, yeast and mold and viral infections. You will need good rearing conditions that include proper brooding, temperature control, ventilation and humidity as well as quality water and adequate feed supply all the time. Biosecurity is pivotal to your success; the premises must be highly sanitised within and around the site with limited flock visits to only authorised personnel. Vaccination schedule must be followed to the letter and must be chosen based on efficacy and administered professionally. 7. Record keeping Anything that cannot be counted cannot be measured. Most farmers ignore the value of good record keeping. Feed being the highest production cost in poultry production, means that it must be weighed to the level of grammes fed/bird/day, and weight sampling must be done on weekly basis to establish production efficiency. Sharing for you people to among the benefit .credit to the rightful owner. For more Keep following Nicholas Pleysier #agriculture #farming #poultryfarming #southafrica #Zimbabwe #Zambia #Malawi #

Seven (7) poultry rules for your farm: Do you have passion for poultry and really wish to stay long in the business? Then, obey these rules! A.Rule (1) ..."Only order for birds you can conveniently take care of". This is the most important rule of all. Instead of stocking 500 birds and then struggle to feed them or give them medication, buy 200 ,feed and give them good medication. Trust me, you'll make more profit than keeping 500 and struggling to feed and give the medication. If this happens, you'll battle with stunted growth, recurrent morbidity or disease outbreaks and high mortality. B.Rule (2) ..."Never borrow money to start poultry business unless you are an expert". Of course, there is no expert in poultry business. In fact, we learn everyday. Every stock you take in will always teach you something different. However, Haven learnt from all the different characteristics displayed by each stock, you get to know more and won't be excited when challenges come. You'll know how to handle them without much damage. C.Rule (3) ..."Be vigilant". The little things you don't take as anything matters. If you want to succeed in poultry, you must take it as a real business. Do you know what a business man does every morning when he gets to his store? He pray, then open the store and go round to check if everything is in its place. He take stocks of what he met there and relate with his records yesterday before closing the store. Don't just open your Pen and start rushing to give your birds feed and water and rush out again. Check around. Watch how they behave when you came in. Check what fell and what is no longer in its place. D.Rule (4) ..."Never ignore warning signals". Yes, I call them warning signals. 1.Bad smell 2.Withdrawal from feed 3.Moodiness 4.Withdrawal from water There are numerous warning signals i can't mention here. In fact, they are so many A farmer must know how his birds behaves !! For more Keep following Nicholas Pleysier #agriculture #poultryfarming #southafrica #Zambia #chickenfarming #Malawi #Zimbabwe #farming

Chickens, including Rhode Island Reds, Leghorns, and Plymouth Rocks, have varied diets, but it's important to provide them with a balanced and nutritious feed. Here are some guidelines on what they can eat and what to avoid: Suitable Foods 1. **Commercial Poultry Feed**: - **Layer Feed**: Specifically formulated for laying hens, providing essential nutrients. - **Starter and Grower Feed**: For chicks and young birds. 2. **Grains**: - Corn, wheat, barley, and oats can be given in moderation. 3. **Vegetables**: - Leafy greens (e.g., kale, spinach), carrots, and cucumbers are great additions. - Avoid starchy vegetables in excess, like potatoes. 4. **Fruits**: - Apples (without seeds), berries, and melons are enjoyed by chickens. 5. **Protein Sources**: - Mealworms, insects, and small amounts of cooked eggs or meat can provide extra protein. 6. **Grasses and Weeds**: - Chickens enjoy foraging for various grasses and edible weeds. Foods to Avoid 1. **Toxic Plants**: - Certain plants, like nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants), can be harmful. 2. **Processed Foods**: - Foods high in salt, sugar, or fat should be avoided. 3. **Onions and Garlic**: - These can cause health issues if consumed in large quantities. 4. **Chocolate and Caffeine**: - Both are toxic to chickens and should never be fed. 5. **Raw Beans**: - Raw kidney beans contain toxins that can be harmful to chickens. Summary While chickens can eat a variety of foods, a balanced diet primarily consisting of high-quality poultry feed, along with fruits, vegetables, and occasional treats, is best for their health and egg production. Always ensure that any new foods are introduced gradually and in moderation! Follow up Abdulrafeeh Abdulkareem

Passion alone is not enough in agriculture please also pay attention to the following if you want to run a profitable agricultural venture! They're the reasons a lot of people fail in this venture 1. Ignoring the value of diversification in buyers – Relying on a single buyer can be risky; aim for a diverse customer base. 2. Underestimating startup costs – Ensure you have sufficient capital for equipment, breeding stock, seeds, land, and labour. 3. Overplanting/ overstocking without a market – Don’t grow more than you can sell or store. 4. Lack of irrigation planning – Proper water management is crucial for crop success. 5. Not tracking finances – Keep detailed records of income, expenses, and profitability. 6. Relying too much on one crop/ animals – Diversify crops and animals to spread risks and ensure steady income. 7. Neglecting marketing efforts – Growing crops is only half the battle; marketing them effectively is crucial. 8. Mismanaging equipment – Maintain equipment regularly to avoid costly breakdowns. 9. Rushing into large-scale farming – Start small to manage risks and gradually scale up as you gain experience. 10. Failing to secure contracts – Without agreements in place, you risk not having buyers for your produce. 11. Over-fertilizing – Too much fertilizer can damage crops and pollute the environment. 12. Underestimating the importance of record-keeping – Tracking weather, harvest times, and crop performance helps improve future yields. 13. Not networking with other farmers – Joining farming communities, cooperatives and events can offer valuable support and opportunities. 14. Mismanaging cash flow – Plan for periods of low income between planting and harvest. 15. Neglecting a business plan – Farming is a business and needs a solid plan for success. 16. Production of your own feeds - If you keep livestock irrespective of the type; goat, cattle, sheeps, poultry etc you must produce your feeds if not profitability will be hard!

Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death.

Going out now looking for what to eat, May i not encounter what will feed on me in Jesus name. You too can say it.

The Nile crocodile is native to Africa and currently exists in about twenty-six countries. It resides in different parts of the aquatic environment, such as swamps, rivers, and lakes. Nile crocodiles have the strongest bite. They crush their prey before swallowing but they feed mostly on fish.

Every time you stop a school, you will have to build a jail. What you gain at one end you lose at the other. It's like feeding a dog on his own tail. It won't fatten the dog.

BBNaija star, Tjay, sends fans into a frenzy as he shares a glimpse of his twins reaction to breastfeeding.