Chicks will double their weight four to five times in the first six weeks of life. This tremendous growth demands proper nutrition. A commercially prepared chick starter "mash or crumble" - is the best way to provide a complete nutritional package at all times. In the first six weeks, feed consumption will be approximately 1 - 1.3 kg for each egg-producing chick and 4 kg for each meat-producing chick. The starter should contain a coccidiostat to stop intestinal damage caused by one of the common types of chicken parasites.
The most common cause of problems in small flocks is failure to provide a commercially prepared starter feed. The second most common problem is failure to use a fortified supplement in the correct proportions when grain is added to the diet on the farm. Without a nutritionally balanced ration, birds will suffer from poor feathering, slow growth, increased fatness and leg problems. It is not possible to produce a properly fortified diet by using just grains. To make a good feed from "scratch", you must use ingredients such as soybean meal, GNC and probably fishmeal, salt, and concentrated vitamins/minerals.
If you keep birds for egg production, a source of calcium such as limestone or oyster shell must be included in the diet or in a hanging feeder. Failure to provide calcium can result in thin shelled eggs, lost egg production, cannibalism and egg eating. Feeding egg shells as a calcium source is not satisfactory because of the poor digestibility of the shells. in our course of practise over a long period of time, we have seen farmers do that but its wrong. Laying hens need about 4% calcium in their diet and you would need to feed a hen two to three egg shells everyday to meet this requirement so why not ho for oyster shell and bone meal grinded in the mash
Providing grit also does not significantly improve the digestibility of these roughages. Feeding birds with grasses will darken egg yolks.
Some suggested feeding programs for small chicken flocks include:
1. Broilers (1.8 kg body weight at 6 weeks of age):
1. Commercially prepared broiler starter and finisher. Use a coccidiostat like avatec or other feed grade coccidiostats in the starter and finisher. Follow your experienced feed supplier's, animal productionist, nutritionist or veterinarian's recommendation for coccidiostat in the finisher.
Note
A broiler chicken will eat about 1 kg of starter in 3wks, and about 3 kg of both starter and finisher to reach this market weight of 1.8-2kg in 6wks
If u are taking them for a longer period for like 10 - 12 wks to attain a weight of 4 - 4.5kg, then note u can still give them grower mash from like week 6 - 8 containing about 15-16% protein and u move to finisher afterwards ( though optional). Some go ahead to feed finisher from WK 5-6 till sold at week 12 but I suggest that if u must make more profit considering cost u can place them on grower. The truth is they will still give u your desired weight if other variables and factors for bird performance like good biosecurity, adequate ventilation, proper vaccinations and disease prevention are met
2. Roasters (3.5 to 4kg body weight at 10 to 12 weeks of age):
You will need commercially or personally prepared feed of 18% protein and from week 4 - 12, they about 6.5 - 7.5kg of feed to attain the desired marketable body weight of 3.5 - 4kg tablesize
Coccidiostat or other certain drugs may or must be stopped at least 21days to sale
Although there are some coccidiostat that can be used even till meat is consumed
3. Laying Hens
0 to 6 - 8 Weeks:
1. Commercially prepared 18 to 21% protein chicken starter with coccidiostat
8 to 18 Weeks:
1. Commercially prepared 14 to 16% protein grower ration
OR….
2. Grain mixed with a 35 to 40% protein supplement. Typically, 150 kg of supplement is mixed with 850 kg of grain. Consult your feed supplier for complete directions. Use quality grains, (wheat, barley etc can also be used if well prepared.),
3. If birds are to be housed on the floor when in egg production , do not use a coccidiostat in the complete feed or supplement at this time. You want the birds to develop resistance to coccidiosis during this period if they are to be kept on the floor while in lay.
If the birds are to be housed in cages,a medicated or unmedicated ration can be used as coccidiosis is not normally a problem once birds are caged.
18+ Weeks:
1. Commercially prepared 16 to 19% protein laying hen ration
OR….
2. Grain mixed with a 35% to 40% protein supplement. Typically, mix 260 kg of protein supplement, 40kg of bone, 80 kg of limestone or oyster shell plus 600 kg of grain. If using other grain asides maize, then u can increase grain quantity to help dietary energy intake
Further Notes on Coccidiostats:
Some medications can be fed to meat-type chickens up to the time that they are marketed. Consult your feed supplier or veterinarian to find out whether you must remove the coccidiostat at the end of the flock. Coccidiostats are not allowed in laying hen rations. If you feed unmedicated diets for more than a week, you are relying on the chickens developing resistance to coccidiosis prior to removing the coccidiostat. Some coccidiostats for chickens can kill other animals such as turkeys and horses. Consult your experienced Animal scientist or veterinarian for directions
The most common cause of problems in small flocks is failure to provide a commercially prepared starter feed. The second most common problem is failure to use a fortified supplement in the correct proportions when grain is added to the diet on the farm. Without a nutritionally balanced ration, birds will suffer from poor feathering, slow growth, increased fatness and leg problems. It is not possible to produce a properly fortified diet by using just grains. To make a good feed from "scratch", you must use ingredients such as soybean meal, GNC and probably fishmeal, salt, and concentrated vitamins/minerals.
If you keep birds for egg production, a source of calcium such as limestone or oyster shell must be included in the diet or in a hanging feeder. Failure to provide calcium can result in thin shelled eggs, lost egg production, cannibalism and egg eating. Feeding egg shells as a calcium source is not satisfactory because of the poor digestibility of the shells. in our course of practise over a long period of time, we have seen farmers do that but its wrong. Laying hens need about 4% calcium in their diet and you would need to feed a hen two to three egg shells everyday to meet this requirement so why not ho for oyster shell and bone meal grinded in the mash
Providing grit also does not significantly improve the digestibility of these roughages. Feeding birds with grasses will darken egg yolks.
Some suggested feeding programs for small chicken flocks include:
1. Broilers (1.8 kg body weight at 6 weeks of age):
1. Commercially prepared broiler starter and finisher. Use a coccidiostat like avatec or other feed grade coccidiostats in the starter and finisher. Follow your experienced feed supplier's, animal productionist, nutritionist or veterinarian's recommendation for coccidiostat in the finisher.
Note
A broiler chicken will eat about 1 kg of starter in 3wks, and about 3 kg of both starter and finisher to reach this market weight of 1.8-2kg in 6wks
If u are taking them for a longer period for like 10 - 12 wks to attain a weight of 4 - 4.5kg, then note u can still give them grower mash from like week 6 - 8 containing about 15-16% protein and u move to finisher afterwards ( though optional). Some go ahead to feed finisher from WK 5-6 till sold at week 12 but I suggest that if u must make more profit considering cost u can place them on grower. The truth is they will still give u your desired weight if other variables and factors for bird performance like good biosecurity, adequate ventilation, proper vaccinations and disease prevention are met
2. Roasters (3.5 to 4kg body weight at 10 to 12 weeks of age):
You will need commercially or personally prepared feed of 18% protein and from week 4 - 12, they about 6.5 - 7.5kg of feed to attain the desired marketable body weight of 3.5 - 4kg tablesize
Coccidiostat or other certain drugs may or must be stopped at least 21days to sale
Although there are some coccidiostat that can be used even till meat is consumed
3. Laying Hens
0 to 6 - 8 Weeks:
1. Commercially prepared 18 to 21% protein chicken starter with coccidiostat
8 to 18 Weeks:
1. Commercially prepared 14 to 16% protein grower ration
OR….
2. Grain mixed with a 35 to 40% protein supplement. Typically, 150 kg of supplement is mixed with 850 kg of grain. Consult your feed supplier for complete directions. Use quality grains, (wheat, barley etc can also be used if well prepared.),
3. If birds are to be housed on the floor when in egg production , do not use a coccidiostat in the complete feed or supplement at this time. You want the birds to develop resistance to coccidiosis during this period if they are to be kept on the floor while in lay.
If the birds are to be housed in cages,a medicated or unmedicated ration can be used as coccidiosis is not normally a problem once birds are caged.
18+ Weeks:
1. Commercially prepared 16 to 19% protein laying hen ration
OR….
2. Grain mixed with a 35% to 40% protein supplement. Typically, mix 260 kg of protein supplement, 40kg of bone, 80 kg of limestone or oyster shell plus 600 kg of grain. If using other grain asides maize, then u can increase grain quantity to help dietary energy intake
Further Notes on Coccidiostats:
Some medications can be fed to meat-type chickens up to the time that they are marketed. Consult your feed supplier or veterinarian to find out whether you must remove the coccidiostat at the end of the flock. Coccidiostats are not allowed in laying hen rations. If you feed unmedicated diets for more than a week, you are relying on the chickens developing resistance to coccidiosis prior to removing the coccidiostat. Some coccidiostats for chickens can kill other animals such as turkeys and horses. Consult your experienced Animal scientist or veterinarian for directions
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