POULTRY BROILER FARM MANAGEMENT

PREPARATION
ONE WEEK BEFORE ARRIVAL OF CHICKS
1.
Plan the next batch at least 15 days after liquation depending on the size of
the farm. Clear gap of minimum 7 days should be available after cleaning and before
arrival chicks. Plan to house the total farm with one batch. Calculate the number of
chicks required for the whole farm.
2.
Remove all litter scrape the floor off the caked litter.
3.
Clear cobwebs at the roof, broom all the dust.
4.
Wash the roof with a pressure hose, if the roof is washable.
5.
Clean the floor with water.
6.
Sprinkle caustic soda flakes on floor and apply with broom.
7.
Wash with water after a gap of one hour.
8.
Spread bleaching powder on the wet surface and apply with broom.
9.
White Wash the side walls and floor. Leave the shed vacant for one week.
10.
For mud floor- Scrap off some mud along with litter-Replace at least 3 inches
of fresh mud. Stamps well apply dry lime powder +bleaching powder on the wet
surface and allow it to dry.
11.
Take out the equipment and clean with water.
12.
If the side curtains are HDP or plastic, dip them in water and leave to dry.
13.
Clean the surroundings of the poultry house off the grass and Vegetation.
14.
Drain out the water tank and pipe lines. Put Acetic acid of Chlorine liquid 3
times the normal quantity and leave for a day.
ONE DAY BEFORE ARRIVAL OF CHICKS
1.
Put back the curtains.
2.
Disinfect equipment like brooders, waterers and feeders by dipping them in
disinfect solution or spraying the surface with disinfectant. Formalin, Asiphor,
Disinfect-S can be used for this purpose.
3.
Spread husk on the ground
4.
Check water and electrical connections.
5.
Depending on the number of chicks to arrive, complete the brooding
arrangements. Make a round shaped guard and hang the brooder in the center. If
electric bulb brooding is used, make a round of 5ft diameter for 250 to 300 chicks. If
gas brooders are used, up to 2500 chicks can be brooded in one group. Follow the
manufacturers specification. Arrange to hang the brooders, so that, they can be
raised during the daytime.
6.
Spray 2% Formalin (200ml in 10ltrs of water.) all over the interiors of the
shed, over the equipment and the surroundings.
7.
If the house is small, consider fumigation. Measure width / breadth /average
height in feet to arrive at the total cubic feet. Use 40 ml Formalin for 100cft. Place it
in a bigger container(the quantity should be half full) Take Potassium Permanganate
50% of the quantity of Formalin. See that all persons are out. Pour Potassium
Permanganate crystals in to the Farmalin liquid and come out quickly as the fumes
raise.(The fumes burn the eyes)25/40/10 ft=1000 cft for this 4000ml Formalin and
2000gms Potassium Permanganate is required. Keep all curtains closed.
8.
Open the curtains on the sides on the sides one hour before the arrival of
chicks to allow some fresh air.

Broiler Farm Management

9.
Spread news paper on the litter carefully after making the litter leveled.
10.
Add medicines in water tank as required. We use one antibiotic like Amoxyl,
Tetracycline or Furasol @ one gm per liter of water. B-complex liquid @ 30 ml/100
chicks and AD3EC @ 5ml/100 chicks.
11.
Keep small drinkers inside the guards. One for 80 chicks. Keep them at least
2 inches above ground level on a stand to prevent chicks gettingin .
12.
Sprinkle maize powder or feed on the paper slightly.
WHEN THE CHICKS ARRIVEL
1.
If the weather is too cool, request the hatchery to deliver the chicks in the
day time. The chicks will have time to settle down. Find out the time of hatch. If the
chicks are delivered on the same night and if the weather is bad, the chicks can live
without feed or water for 48 hours. Keeping them in the boxes is better than leaving
them in chilled weather. Delay leads to dehydration. The chicks should reach the
house in minimum possible time.
2.
Open the boxes and ensure that all chicks are alive and active. The chicks
should try to jump out of the boxes, when the lids are taken out. Check the number
against the delivery note. Take out the dead and dull chicks.
3.
Take medicated water in a plate. Dip the beak of each chick in the medicated
water before releasing. Count while releasing. If you find some chicks too small or
weak while handling, destroy them or place them in a separate brooder. Few chicks
should be shown to nipples. Others copy them.
4.
Put the heating system on before the chicks are released. When gas brooders
are used, use an extra bulb for light above the brooder so that all the chicks can see
the surroundings clearly. If the temperature is high, the chicks move away from the
heat source, If the temperature is low, they crowed in the center. Adjust the height
of the brooder or the source of heat accordingly.
DAY TO DAY MANAGEMENT
1.
Watch the chicks for an hour at least. If the water spills over, take out the wet
paper and replace with dry one. If the height of the drinker is too low, increase the
height. If the chicks are drinking with difficulty. Chicks are drinking with difficulty
check and reduce the height if necessary.
2.
Sprinkle feed on the paper when the chicks arrive. Introduce the feeders after
6 hours. One small feeder for 50 chicks. If the chicks are supplied in paper boxes,
the same boxes can be used as feeders for 2 days after cutting the height of the
sides. Small round plastic feeders or GI feeders also can be used. Start feeding in the
feeders. Frequent feeding with small quantities attract the chicks and they grow
better. Try and feed once in every two hours in small quantities. Do not spill feed.
Feed saved is the ultimate profit.
3.
Fill in the waterers only half to start with. Wash the waterers and refill at least
twice in a day. Adjust the water quantity in such a way that the waterers get empty
twice. Medicated water should not be thrown out.
4.
Continue the practice of watering and feeding. The brooders should be raised
in the day time. If the day is too hot, put off the brooders and raise them so that
there will be more aeration. If the paper is wet, replace the paper.
5.
Take out the paper on 3rd day. Increase the diameter of the guard by another
two feet. Increase the height of waterers and feeders so that litter does not fall on
the water or feed. The chicks and the surroundings should be dry.
6.
Day 6th: - EYE DROP VACCINATION. Vaccinate the chicks with Lasota vaccine
to protect the birds from Raniket disease. Procure vaccine as fresh as possible, check

Broiler Farm Management

for expiry date, carry it in ice to the shed, Plan to finish the vaccination with in 30 to
45 minutes after mixing. If the vaccine packing is large, like 2500doses, organize
two people to vaccinate, Keep the balance vaccine in ice, and Follow the instructions
of the manufacturer. Mostly this vaccine is given in the eye. Keep the label of one vial
pasted to the daily chart. This helps to refer back if the problem arises. Vaccinate on
a cool part of the day. Increase the place for the chicks. Put 30 ml of water in the
dropper and count weather it is delivering 1000 drops. If not adjust the quantity or
change the dropper. Improper droppers leave some chicks unvaccinated in the end or
some vaccine is left over. Both are undesirable.
7.
Some times killed vaccine is recommended between 6th days to 8th day. The
ND killed vaccine should be injected in to the neck with an automatic vaccinator.
8.
Day 7th:- Increase the number of feeders. Replace chick feeders with adult
feeders. Raise the height of the drinkers and feeders to avoid the spillage. Place the
feeder and drinkers alternatively. The chick should not move more than 10 ft to
found feed or water. Reduce the temperature by taking out the bulb out of 4, when
used.
9.
Day 8th, 15th, 23rd, 29th, 36th, 43rd:- Weigh some chicks. Take some chicks
to a corner with the help of guard and weigh all of them. 20 to 50 chicks are enough
in each room. Take the weight of the empty bucket. Put some chicks and record the
Weight. Calculate the average. After 4th week weigh males and females separately
and average again.
10.
Record the balance feed in the morning before weighing the chicks. Calculate
total feed consume to date by deducting the amount left over from the amount
delivered. Calculate the feed per bird by dividing the feed by the balance number of
birds. Calculate the Feed Conversion by dividing the average feed per bird with
average weight of the bird. Compare with the following chart. Total the dead chicks
to date and divide by the number received to get mortality percentage. Compare
with the following chart.
11.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
DAY WEIGHT FEED FCR MORTALITY
8th
140-180
105/120
0.85 0.5
15th 400
360
0.9 0.8
22nd 750
800
1.1 1.0
29th 1050
1360
1.23 1.2
36th 1600
2200
1.47 1.5
42nd 2000
3500
1.75 1.8/2
These Calculations will tell you where you are. If the performance is not up the
mark you can take help from the feed and chicks suppliers.
12.
Check on feed, water and space daily. See that the feeders have some feed
always. Avoid wastage. If the mortality is more, get the dead chicks examined and
give medicines. If feed medicines are suggested, mix correctly. Take the medicine
and equal quantity. Once you make 10 kg, put the medicine premix and feed layer on
the ground. Mix from one side. Mix twice to ensure thorough mixing. The routine is
same up to 12th day.
13.
Day 12th to 14th :- This is the day for vaccination against Gumboro disease.
Take the advice of the chick supplier or the local veterinary doctor regarding which
vaccine to be used. There are mild strains for relatively new areas. In crowded and
infected areas, they recommended intermediate or intermediate strains. Follow the
guide lines as given for lasota. Vaccinate as recommended, in the eye. Destroy the
used bottles after use by burning. Check the droppers before use weather they
deliver 1000 doses. The vaccine is costly. If, 100 chicks are left in the end, you have

Broiler Farm Management

to break another vial. Keep track of quantity used and number of chicks vaccinated
frequently. Do not leave some chicks unvaccinated.
14.
Day 15 to 21st:- Follow the routine. See that the chicks are full fed without
wastage of feed. Enough fresh quality of water should be made available. Keep
record of daily mortality and feed consumption.
15.
22nd to 28th day:- WATER VACCINATION-Another dose of lasota vaccine in
the drinking water is recommended during this period in some places especially if the
killed vaccine is not given. If the drinking water vaccine is recommended, prepare
well for the day. Procure vaccine in advance and store it properly. Plan to vaccinate in
the early hours during summer and by 10 a.m in winter. Count the number of
drinkers available. Take a measure and measure the same number of drinkers. Add
Ice to the water to cool it little below normal water temperature. Add skim milk
powder the vaccine vial and add the diluent. Mix the vaccine to the cool water with
the milk powder. Set the drinkers back. When automatic drinkers are available,
vaccine can be mixed in the water tank. See that the tank is filled only up to one
fourth levels, cooled and milk powder added to the water before the vaccine is
mixed. The vaccine water should be finished in one hour time. After the waterers are
put back, move the birds sitting at the corner to the drinkers. All the birds should dip
their beaks at least once in the vaccinated water. Disinfectants in water kill the
vaccine. Stop using disinfectants 3 days before vaccination. Use water direct from
the bore well for vaccination.
16.
22nd to 28 days period is very vulnerable for diseases like Gumboro, Ecoli or
Respiratory problems. Gumboro can affect if the vaccine fails. Get all the dead birds
examined and take proper steps. Give supportive treatment like Vitamins, jaggery
water and antibiotics like Amoxyl in water. If the problem is E.Coli or CRD, sronger
antibiotics like Enrofloxin should be given. Give the water medication in the morning
water. Take out all the drinkers and wash them properly and dry for half an hour.
When automatic drinkers are used cut off the water and cleans the drinkers dry.
Calculate the required quantity of medicine. Some medicines are given per bird
basis and it is easy to calculate the amount. Some medicines are given on per liter
basis. Mix thoroughly and put all drinkers back with medicated water. When
medication is done, no fresh water should be available. Medicines can be added
directly in the smaller tank in the shed.
17.
Vitamins and antibiotics can be used in water as a precautionary measure for
two days after vaccination even when there is no disease. This prevents diseases or
reduces the impact of the disease.
18.
SUMMER MANAGEMENT:- Feed the birds early in the morning and do not feed
during the day time. It is better to estimate the quantity of feed required for the day
and put only that amount in the feeders early morning and late in the evening. If the
feed is remaining, it is better to lift the feeders during the hot part of the day. If the
birds are too hungry, they may peck at each other. Again feed after them after the
hot part is over towards the evening.
Electrolytes in water help to over come hot weather. Put the required quantity
in the water at noon.
Spray water directly on the birds during the mid day. Thatch the roof during the
summer. Have a shady extension on the sides for narrow houses to avoid radiation
heat. Pedestal fans help in humid climates. One fan in 40ft length is sufficient.
Liver tonics and Anti toxins are recommended if toxicity is detected.

Broiler Farm Management

SEASONAL VARIATION IN BROILER PRODUCTION

The feed consumption drops if out side temperature is high and goes up if the
outside temperature is low. The birds reduce the body temperature by panting. The
excess heat is dissipated in to the environment. The carbon dioxide also is emitted
along with heat. The ventilation system can be adjusted to conserve the heat but
reduce the carbon dioxide. The controlled conditions can be provided in a totally
sealed house.
The climate has a tremendous effect on the Broiler bird. The summer temperatures
go up to 440C where as the winter temperatures touch 00C. The months before the
onset of winter and before onset of summer are still worse. The daytime
temperatures go to 36-370C but the night temperatures go down to 10-130c. The
disease .The disease out break results in mortality and reduced growth which means
reduced over all performance.
The open sided houses have less protection from the weather changes. We provide
curtains on the sides which make a difference of 4 to 50C between outside and inside
temperatures.
The Environment controlled houses(popularly called EC house) have strong cement
floor to avoid vermin. The roof is insulated to avoid convection. The side curtains are
also double with insulation. The air movement in the house is controlled by the
exhaust fans provided at the end of the house. The house is perfectly sealed to
prevent except at the provided inlets. The cooling pads are provided at the end of
the house opposite side of the fans.
Extra heat is provided by the gas heaters. The close houses need continuous
electricity for fans to work. The over all cost of construction per square foot in much
higher. The bigger houses are more economical to build. This can be off set by
building bigger houses and by housing more number of birds in the house. Almost
twice the number. This is increases the risk of failure of systems and disease risk.
When the number of birds are huge in one house, where there is almost no place to
move, there should be systems to provide, feed, water and air movement with in
minimum time, without wastage and uniformly all over. This means automatic
systems. The automatic feeding system which takes over once the feed is delivered
in to bulk bin, the nipple drinking system which does not require manual cleaning
and an electronic supervisor to operate the fans considering the temperature and the
air movement in the house.
LOCATION OF FARM
1.
The broiler farm should be closer to cities or dressing plants to reduce the
transport time and costs. Long distance travel results are shrinkage. The traders pay
more for farms in close vicinity.
2.
The farm sits should be away from other poultry farms, at least one km from
the nearest farm. The site very near to road should be avoided due to bio security
reasons. Plan the site to be little away at least 30ft from the main road.
3.
The site should be longer East West.
4.
Plan living quarters for workers, offices and stores nearer to gate so that the
incoming service vehicles need not go inside the farm every time. The casual visitors
can be avoided.

Broiler Farm Management

5.
Plan the poultry houses with maximum possible distance between the houses.
The minimum distance of 30ft is recommended.
6.
Keep the future expansions also in mind while planning the constructions.
7.
Fence the area in such a way that no stray animals and outsiders get in.
Chain link fencing is the best.
8.
Have a proper secured gate with wheel wash for the vehicles. Plan a
decontamination entry for vehicles like mechanical spraying of the whole vehicle.
9.
In large farms, provide decontamination for the staff, Facilities are provided
for taking bath and changing clothes.
10.
If feed delivery is not through silos, have a feed store at the gate and an
internal service vehicle from store to farm.
11.
If possible, prefer the site where poultry was not reared earlier. This will help
a to maintain strict biosecurity.
12.
It is advisable to buy more land for the furthur expansion of the farm.
13.
Tress passing of persons and animal in the farm site can result into the spread
of Disease. Make sure that the farm area is properly fenced.
MARKETING
1.
Plan to market the batch after the weight of 1.7 kg. Keep watch on the
market price. Ultimately the market price decides the profit. If the market is going to
change, waiting for a day or disposing a day earlier does not affect the economics.
2.
Calculate the following parameters at the end of each batch.
a. Mortality % = (Chicks received chicks sold)*100/chicks received
b. Average weight= Total weight/Total birds sold
c. Feed per bird= (Total feed received-Feed balance)/number of birds sold
d. Feed Conversion Ratio(F.C.R)=Feed per bird/average weight
e. Profit= total price realized-Total expenses incurred.
f. European Economic Factor
(EEF)=Livability (100-mortality)*average weight/age in days*FCR
Cost of Production=Total of all input cost/ Total Kg of Chicken sold.
PROCURING QUALITY INPUTS
CHICKS
Choose quality chicks. They can be purchase from a reputed hatchery booked well in
advance to ensure correct quantity in minimum number of batches. In case of
Integrators, plan your placement on a farm correctly and stick to schedule. The
vaccination schedule depends on the maternal antibody level of the parent flocks and
the vaccines given at the hatchery. The IBK(Gumboro) vaccination can be planned
basing on the maternal. Antibody levels. The vaccine is delayed in chicks coming
from young flocks with high maternal antibody levels. While getting large flocks
vaccines like ND killed can be administrated at the hatchery to avoid handling in the
brooder house. Some varieties of live IB and ND vaccine can be sprayed in the
hatchery it self. Injecting antibiotic reduce non specific chick morality. Marek vaccine
also, is given to reduce the number of condemnations at disposal.
FEED
Broiler business runs around conversion of feed in to broiler chicken because the
feed is the major cost of input. The duration of broiler farming is becoming shorter
and shorter. Hence the cost of feed spent per kg chicken produced is calculated. Feed

Broiler Farm Management

can be made on the same premises or delivered from a feed mill. If feed is being
brought from out side, the feed requirements can be calculated and ordered well in
advance with dates of deliveru. There should be no delays in feeding. It should be
decided whether we are going to feed starter and finisher combination or pre starter,
starter and finisher combination. The exact quantities of each feed and delivery
dates to be worked out with the feed mill before hand. Depending on the market the
feed formula and the density of feed may also be changed. Go far crumbled feed
made at a good factory at least for the 1st 20 days.
Crumbled feed gets disinfected during processing. The chick gets uniform feed with
every pick.
Size of the grains is very important. Start with fine crumbles, and increase the size
gradually.
Pelleted feed is used for finisher ration. When mash is used, see that the grain size is
not too big for birds to eat.
Do not carry empty gummy bags from chicken house back to feed mill. This can
carry disease to nee flocks. Use of new plastic bags every time is better.
Do not keep feed more than 7 days in a poultry house.
RECORD KEEPING
A Simple records sheet of one page, per one house is recommended.
Ensure that the details are filled daily.
Mortality should be recorded twice daily. Details of feed received and vaccine used
should also be recorded.
Balance feed should be recorded at the and of every week.
Work out mortality percentage, feed consumed, average weight.FCR should also be
recorded at the end of the week.
====================================++++++++++++++++
FOR POULTRY FARM PROJECT REPORT AND TRAINING PLEASE CONTACT MR.
RAGHU
EMAIL: support@poulvet.com
====================================++++++++++++++++
SOME PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS IN BROILER FARMING
HIGH FIRST 3 DAY CHICK MORTALITY (MORE THAN 0.5 %)
1.The problem is due to hatchery faults like too high humidity leadings to Imphalitis
and
unabsorbed yolk.
2.Too small chicks coming from young flocks.
3.Too much fumigation leading to irritation of mucous membrance of eyes and
throat.

Broiler Farm Management

4.Chilling due to insufficient heat in brooding.

Solution: Inform the hatchery and correct the faults. Do not delay the placements if
chicks are small. Old flock chicks can be delayed by few hours.
HIGH 5-10TH DAY MORTALITY
1.
Vertically transmitted problems like Salmonella or Coli septicemia showing
severe septicemia and heavy mortality.
2.
Serve lameness due to Avian Encephalomyelitis.
3.
Feed toxicity.
4.
Poor growth due to faulty brooding and bad feed.
5.
Aspergillosis infection in badly ventilated and crowded brooder houses.
Solution: Antibiotics will help in case of Bacterial infections. Prevention of the above
problems is the best solution.
GOUT
Seen between 6th 12 days of age. Visceral or Articular Gout.
Visceral more common.
1.
2.
3.
4.

More common in certain breeders.

Very early placement.
High calcium in feed can cause gout. Keep calcium not more than 1%
Insufficient kidney development and high protein prestarter.

Solution : Feed with Maize for 8 hours. Jaggery and kidney function enhancers are
used in water feed. Some times IB infections are blamed. In endemic areas, try mild
IB strains spray at hatchery.
EARLY RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS
1.Vertical transmission of Mycoplasma.
2.Over heating in brooding and contaminated water with heavy E coli count.
3.Feed with bad quality fish meal.
SOLUTION: Regular decontamination of water with chlorine dioxide. Spraying of
disinfectants. Proper resting of houses between batches. Use feed with good quality
ingredients. Use fresh HDP feed bags.
GUMBORO DISEASE.
Typically seen after 22nd day due to vaccine faults or mismatch of vaccine type.
Prevent by correct vaccination and rectify in the next batches.
ND AND V.V.ND
Generally prevalent in summer months. Insufficient immunity and lack of bio
security. Use good vaccination programmer. Prevention of movement of people,
equipment and vehicles.

CRD

Broiler Farm Management

Vertical transmission of Mycoplasma complicated by E coli infection.Varying day and

night temperature initiate the disease. Use of Tylon in feeds Antibiotics in water.
SUDDEN DEATH SYNDROME.
More common in certain breeds with fast early growth. Insufficient development of
lung and heart. Reduce feed on 21st and 22nd day.
HEAT STROKE
Too high house temperatures. Cool the house. Provide fans in humid areas to
circulate the air. Avoid day time feeding.
VARIATION IN GROWTH
1.Insufficient brooding temperature resulting in late intake of feed.
2.Toxins in feed.
3.Reovirus infections like Malabsorption syndrome. Use high density feed for certain
breeds who has less appetite.
Solution: Do not use stocked feed and check for toxins. Be well prepared with
brooding arrangements. Separate small birds while vaccination
POOR FCR
1.Breed.
2.Bad quality of feed resulting in poor growth.
3.Imbalanced feed.
4.Too much wastage.
5.Excess consumption of feed. Irregular feedings like under feeding on some days.
Collect data at the end of each week and compare with standard. Check the weight
and feed consumption. If weights are low check for the quality of feed. If weights are
alright and feed consumption is high, check for wastage and energy content of the
feed. Avoid wastage. Regulate feeding. Delayed culling results in poor FCRs.
THE FARM ALL IN ALL OUT
1.The first step toward achieving the goal is All in All out farming. The whole farm
should be filled at one time and sold at one time. The housing may be done in two or
three hatches if the farm is big, with a minimum gap of not more than one week
between the batches.
2.Each house capacity up to 10,000 ft is recommended.
3.In a big plot of land one may plan maximum 3 houses of similar size ie. Capacity of
30000 broilers. It is better not to exceed this size if manual feeding is planned. If this
is exceeded, the number of people on the farm will be too many to control the
movement. The time required for liquidation of flock and cleaning will be too long.
There should be no birds in the whole farm before the chicks arrive and the farm
should have been properly cleaned, disinfected and rested.
4.The farm size can be up to 1,00,000 birds if the birds are fed with mechanical
feeder, nipple drinkers are provided, and if the houses have controlled environment.
Controlled house can house more birds per given area and hence the total area to be
cleaned will be less. Each poultry house should be compact enough to enable quick
cleaning.

Broiler Farm Management

5.It is not advisable to have one house more than 300ft in length. The width of the
broiler house can be a maximum of 30ft when managed manually. Small houses in
hot and humid climates should have 20-25 ft width only.
6.The side height of the broiler house should not be more than 8 ft. to enable
comfortable brooding year round. It is better to have lower roof in cold climates to
enable efficient brooding with less energy costs. A side height of 7 ft and centre
height of 12 ft is more suitable. Where the day temperatures go up beyond 35C, a
side height of 10 ft and centre height of 15 ft may be considered.
7.1 to 1.25 sft. Place per birds is provided depending on season when manually fed.
When the houses are mechanized, 0.3 to 0.6 sft per bird is provided. This also
depends on the size of the birds at marketing. Provide upper side of the
recommendation when larger birds are sold.
8.Thatched or tiled roofs are accepted for small sized farms with less width, where
the cleaning is done manually. Cement sheet roofs can be mechanically washed with
a pressure pump after every batch. Cement concrete roofs are generally built when
the houses are built one above the other areas with high land prices. When multi
storied houses are built, consider the whole building as one house and replace the
whole house at a time.
9.The flooring should be washable plain cement concrete or tiled. Mud floor is used
for small houses. It takes longer time to prepare the house with mud floor. Leave
long gaps between crops when mud floors are used.
10.Check the water source for availability of sufficient quantity. Test the quality of
water for hardness and contamination. Water for chicks should be as safe as required
for human beings. Install equipment to reduce hardness and to decontaminate. Build
a over head tank with cover at comfortable height(30 ft). Have a smaller tank 5001000 liters in each poultry house well connected to over head tank.

POULTRY BROILER FARM-GUIDE LINES FOR BROILER FARMING

The duration of broiler rearing is getting shorter by one day every year. As of now,
the broiler growing cycle is 40 to 42 days. Such a short cycle requires faultless start,
alert running and smart finish. Broiler farming can be started any time any where.
Broiler farming is catching up very fast in India. The broiler production costs are
coming down in spite of raising feed and management costs. But, the price of grown
up broilers is not going up and is hovering close to the production cost. The
consumer is looking at the quality of the reared broiler. They are looking at the
health of the bird and other attributes like dressing percentage and muscle growth.
Under the circumstances, the farming has to be done meticulously and scientifically,
else the whole batch can be a failure resulting in heavy losses.
Broiler farming started as multi age farming at the same site by the same farmer.
Soon, it got in to all in all out housing at one site. The cost of chicks is 25 to 30%
in broiler farming. Either the farmers setup their own hatchery or the hatcheries
started rearing their own chicks. Linkage between hatchery and farmer either in the
form of hire or contract farming resulted in huge integrated companies. These
companies going down the line for their own chicken processing and marketing by
brand name changed the shape of broiler industry. As far as a broiler farm uit is
concern, the practices and the variables are the same. Let us look at one unit of
broiler rearing farm.

Broiler Farm Management

10

The steps towards successful broiler farming are

1.Selection of site and building.
2.Planning all in all out rearing.
3.Equipment
4.Procuring quality inputs.
5.Preparation of house before every batch.
6.Day to Day Management
7.Timely marketing.

EQUIPMENT
1.Equipment of broiler house is very crucial to achieve optimum results. The sides of
the house should be covered with good curtains easily adjustable as per day
temperature. HDP cloth totally covering the sides is recommended. Mechanical
winching is recommended for longer houses with manual or motorized pullies. The
following equipments are most common in a broiler farm: Drinkers, Feeders,
Brooders, Flame Guns, Vaccinators, Sprinklers, Foggers, Chick Guards, Incinerators,
Water pump with motors, Crates, Weighing scales, Cleaning equipments,
Transportation trolleys etc.
2.The provision of water can be made in manual plastic drinkers in flock sizes of up
to 3000 chicks per house. Bell shaped spring loaded automatic drinkers connected to
small tank inside the house are recommended for flock sizes of up to 10,000.
One round plastic drinker is recommended for 50to 100 birds depending on the
circumference of the drinker and the day temperatures in the area. Small drinkers
with 2 liter jars with two height stands are used in the first week. Auto filling drinkers
one for 50 birds are provided after 5 days. When flock sizes are bigger like 30, 000,
above nipple drinkers are advised. The chicks can drink in nipple drinkers from the
day one, no labor is required to fill, and the water is always clean. No cleaning is
needed. Nipple drinkers are provided at a low height (9 inches above drinker line
level) to avoid leaking of nipples with pressure while the birds drink. Provision of
pressure regulators help keep the litter dry.
3.The feeders are round plastic with adjustable height. The small feeders with 1
to
2 kg feed are used initially and are replaced by 8 to 10 kg feeders hung by
rope. One such feeder is provided for 50 to 70 birds. Automatic augur driven feeders
with pan feeders provided at 2 ft interval are used in long houses up to 300 ft. The
feeder is provided with a small bin, filled every time from a bulk storage silo. Huge
bag hoppers also can be used to hold larger quantities of feed. The last feeder is
generally provided with a micro switch, which stops the motor when filled to a
particular level. The whole feeder line is suspended and the height of each feeder line
can be adjusted by rotating a gear. Most of the feeders have anti spill devices to
avoid feed wastage.
4.Brooding arrangements to maintain the temperature at 95c for the first 5 days is
very essential. The source of heat ranges from electrical bulbs fitted to a sheet metal
or coal heaters or gas brooders run on liquid petroleum. The brooders are also hung
to adjust the height. Gas brooders provide correct heat with less accident and few
men made errors.
5.Mechanical air circulators should be provided in side the house with high density.
The air can be handled by exhaust fans fitted at one end of the totally closed house.
6.The roof should be insulated to reduce the radiation heat. This is done by thatching

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or reflector white paint or false roofing in summer.

7.Cooling when the house temperatures go beyond 35C is done partially,by
increasing the air circulation. Cooling pads provided at the other end of the house
are kept wet to keep the incoming air cool while the exhaust fans work. Alternatively,
foggers inside the large houses are provided, to spray water in the form of fine mist
during hot part of the day. Sprinklers on roof assist in cooling.
8.An Incenerator located at a corner in the farm to dispose the dead birds by burning
is essential. A deep disposal pit with a roof and manhole also serves the purpose.
9.Transport crates and catching devices in large farms form a part of equipment.
10.Small weighing machine should be made available to weigh the birds weekly.
VARIOUS PLASTIC POULTRY EQUIPMENT USED FOR BROILER FARMING
CHICK DRINKER
Chick Drinkers are available in capacities of 3.0 and 4.5 Liters. These are designed
in a way that, the chicks can drinks easily from day one. Being non-metallic and
flexible, the stand can neither be distorted nor corroded. Being translucent, plastic
drinkers always show the water level. The chick Drinkers can be easily washed and
are self-stacking, thus allowing it to use minimum storage space.
Baby Drinker having capacity of 300 ml. is suitable for the chicks kept brooding
cages. One baby drinker is sufficient for 10-12 chicks.
ChickDrinkers

3.0Lt

4.5Lt

No. of chicks
per drinker

100

100

Water

3.0Lt

Capacity

GROWER DRINKERS (MANUAL)

Grower Drinkers are available in different sizes. The unique locking system design
does not allow the filling cone to tilt, so that there is no chance of water spillage.
These manual grower drinkers can be used as medicator drinkers and because of
its perfect bottom plate design water freely flows up to the last drop, hence saving
on medicines/vaccines. The grower drinkers are provided with a two way plastic
stand without sharp edges and are non-rusting & unbreakable. Being translucent the
water level can be observed. These are easily washable & self stacking thus
minimizing the storage space.
GROWER Drinker
No. of birds Per Drinker
Water Capacity

5.0 Lit
100
5.0Lit

10.0 Lit
100
10.0Lit

REGULAR & LARGE AUTOMATIC DRINKERS

The Regular Automatic drinker can be used from day old chicks up to 1.5 kg body
weight of the bird. The perfect water distribution from the down spout allows the bird
to consume water easily. The level of water can be adjusted using height adjustor
provided in the cord assembly.

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The unique valve such drinkers prevent the water from overflowing. The ballast
provided along with the automatic drinker reduces the pendulum movement and
must be filled with water only. The design of large Automatic Drinker with more
trough space makes it best suited for both breeders and commercial broilers.
Regular &Large Automatic Drinker

Regular Drinker

Bell Diameter

Large Drinker

340mm

340 mm

Trough Height

35 mm

50 mm

No. of Birds

125 chicks

80 Broilers

100 Broilers

50 Breeders

CHICK FEEDER
Perfect design of plastic chick feeder enables the chick from day one to consume the
feed easily and reduces feed wastage thus giving better feed conversion ratio. Chick
Feeder provided with mini chick inside the feeder thus controlling the feed wastage.
An unbreakable two way plastic stand helps in maintaining the height of the chick
feeder. Chick feeder extension is also for easy pouring of feed.
Nos. of chicks per feeder
Feed Capacity

50 chicks
2 kg approx.

FEEDER
Feed wastage is virtually eliminated and a good feed conversion ratio is achieved if
the feeder innovative designs are used. It has a capacity to hold approximately 7.5
kg of feed which helps in reducing labour and saves on time. Three slots provided in
the feeder cone
Are for feed levels. In chicks stage the feed level should be maximum and minimum
in growing stage.
The height of the feeder can be adjusted with the help of height adjustor
provided in the cord assembly. Feeder Extension is also available which is to befitted
on the X of the feeder cone, this helps in pouring the feed easily and stops feed
wastage while filling the feeder cone.
No. of Birds per Feeder
Feed capacity

40-50
7.5kg Approx

PRACTICES
1. Select well raised land for poultry sheds. Land with hard rock or murram is more
suitable. Avoid water logging and flooding near the sheds.
2. Ensure adequate facility for water, electricity, approach road, supply of chicks,
feed, veterinary aid and nearness to market for sale of live birds and dressed
chicken.

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3. Obtain training/ experience in broiler farming before starting a farm. You should
be prepared to stay on the farm and have constant supervision.
4. Provide adequate floor space, feeding space and watering space per bird. BIS
specifications for construction of poultry sheds are available.
5. Construct sheds in such a way that the end walls face East-West direction and the
side walls face North-South direction, so that rain water will not enter the sheds.
6. Provide strong roof and hard flooring. Raise plinth of the shed at least one feet
above the outside ground level
7. Provide 3 to 4 feet overhang of the roof to avoid entry of rain water inside the
shed.
8. Provide at least 50feet distance between two sheds.
9. Provide adequate light and ventilation and comfortable housing conditions during
all seasons(cool in summer and warm in winter)
Construct sheds in such a way that predators (cats/dogs/snakes) will not
enter the shed. Avoid entry of rats by constructing rat proof civil structures.
10. Keep the shed clean and free from files/mosquitoes etc.
11. After disposal of every batch of birds the dirty litter material and manure should
be removed, walls and floors should be cleaned, white washed with lime and
disinfected with 0.5% malathion or DDT insecticide spray.
12. If deep litter system is followed, always use dry and clean litter material. Spread
4 layer of litter on the floor, keep clean/disinfect brooding, feeding and watering
equipment and then introduce chicks in the house.
13. The litter material should always be kept loose and dry. Stir the litter twice a
week. Any wet litter/droppings etc. should be removed and replaced with fresh/clean
dry litter.
14. Use scientifically designed cages and equipment for brooding, feeding and
watering purposes. BIS specifications for equipment are available. A good design can
be shown and manufactured locally, so that cost can be reduced.
15. Purchase of improved strain of one day old healthy broiler type chicks from a
reputed hatchery. Usually 2-5% extra chicks are supplied.
16. Clean, wash and disinfect all equipments with 0.5% Malathion spray after every
batch of birds is disposed off.
17. Use high quality balanced feeds. With proper knowledge/experience, the
feed
can be prepared at the farm.
18. Store the feed in clean, dry, well ventilated room. A wet feed may bring
fungus infection.
19. Use properly designed feeders and control the rats to avoid feed wastage.
20. Keep proper records on feed consumption per bird for each batch. Compare with
the standard feed consumption pattern. Too low feed consumption may be due to
disease condition, low quality/unpalatability of feed, high temperature in poultry
shed.
21. Always give fresh and clean drinking water. Water should be always available at
birds.
22. Use properly designed watering equipment. Provide adequate watering space per
bird
23. Always keep water-pots clean. Avoid birds entering inside pots.
24. Provide cool water during summer. Store the water in tanks that are not exposed
to hot sun in summer.
25. Clean sanitary conditions of poultry sheds and equipment, balanced feed, fresh
clean water, healthy chicks are essential to prevent diseases.
26. Avoid entry of visitors to farm, especially inside the sheds. If visitors come , ask
them to dip their feet in a disinfectant solution, wash and clean hands and to wear
apron/boots provided by the farm

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27. Use proper vaccination schedule

28. Use high quality vaccines purchased from reputed manufacturers, Keep vaccines
in cool, dry conditions away from sunlight.
29. Any left-over vaccine should be properly disposed off . Vaccines should not be
used after their expiry date is over.
30. Any dead bird should be immediately removed from the shed and sent to
laboratory for post-mortem of buried/burnt suitably away from the poultry sheds.
31. The waste of farm should be suitably disposed off.
32. Any bird showing advanced signs of a disease should be removed from the shed
and culled. It can be sent to laboratory for diagnosis.
33. Birds showing advanced signs of a disease should be shown to a qualified
veterinarian and suitable medication/treatment be given as per his/drug
manufacturers recommendations.
34. Poultry manure, if infected, can spread disease, from one batch to another. Keep
the litter dry, remove it after flock is sold and dispose the manure properly and
quickly.
35. Keep proper records on mortality and its causes and the treatment given to
birds. Dates of vaccination for each flock should be properly recorded.
36. Rats are important carriers of poultry disease. Avoid rats. Use suitable rat
poisons/rat traps.
37. Many poultry medicines can be given in drinking water. When medication is to be
given, remove the waterers in poultry sheds on the previous evening. Next morning
give medicine in measured quantity of water, so that entire medicine will be quickly
consumed and there will be no wastage of medicines
38. Mild infection of disease may not cause mortality but it will reduce growth. Keep
sample record of body weight and mortality rate. Study the possible causes, if weight
is low take steps to improve the management of the subsequent batches, A constant
vigil and analysis of records/results is necessary to keep up the efficiency in
farming.
39. Ensure that the constant and steady demand for broiler meat is available and the
market is nearer to the farm.
40. Study the market demand for particular live weight of the birds.
41. birds should not kept on the farm beyond 6-7 weeks of age, as their feed
efficiency will go down considerably.
42. If birds are sold after dressing use clean dressing hall and processing equipment.
Dresses birds should be chilled in the ice cold water for 3-4 hours and excess water
removed. Birds should then be packed in clean plastic bags and the mouth of bag
sealed,
43. Processed birds should be marketed as early as possible. If they have to be
preserve, deep freezing equipment is used. Refrigerated vans may be required for
long distance transportation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FOR POULTRY FARM PROJECT REPORT AND TRAINING PLEASE CONTACT MR.
RAGHU
EMAIL:support@poulvet.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Any decesion taken for treatment, prevention or any other activity should be
consulted with Veterinarian. We are not responsible for any treatment failure or side
effects.
=====================================+++++++++++++++

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