|
|
 |
|
On receiving your day old broilers, it is critical that they be placed on clean, dry animal bedding such as wood shavings, diced paper or bagasse (crushed sugar cane pith) at least 2 inches deep. New bagasse should be 'seasoned' outdoors for several months to ensure that all residual sugar has been washed out or consumed by microbes, otherwise it might be contaminated with Aspergillosis fungi which can be fatal to baby chicks.
Water and feed are placed according to chick volume, with 1 one-gallon water bottle and 1 feeder tray per 100 birds. These are both optimally designed for small chicks to find the feed and water readily. Use clean water (mains supply is suitable, as is clean rainwater) and 'Broiler Starter' feed. For optimal results, chicks can be started on a vitamin and antibiotic regime for the first 5 days of brooding.
Heat Bulbs (1 per 600 birds, suspended 18 inches above the litter) are also critical - these are special high wattage bulbs that provide heat to the chicks at night or during cooler weather. Baby chicks need additional sources of warmth for up to 3 weeks into their life, and are dependent of the Farmer for providing it either with heat bulbs or gas brooders or some combination of the two. Please also note that regular household bulbs are inadequate for providing heat. To assist in saving energy costs, curtains are a good complement to heat sources as they prevent wind draughts from creating chills, and help to retain the heat in the pen.
|
|
|
Brooding Suggestions
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 Anflox - Antibiotic administered at 2 ml per gallon of drinking water for the 1st 3 days of brooding. Can be substituted with Neochlor for smaller volume of chicks.
 Vitalyte Plus - Vitamin mix, add 1 package to 100 gallons of water or ¼ teaspoon to a one gallon bottle. Vitalyte Plus can be mixed with Anflox, i.e. applied in the same drinking water. Use for the 1st 5 days of brooding, then again prior to any change of feed type.
 Vitamin E - Not always necessary, however if Vitamin E deficiency has been noticed in other chicks prior to placement of day old broilers, apply 3 oz (100 ml) of vitamin E liquid to 128 gallons of drinking water. (1 teaspoon to 5 gallons).
Recommended Feeding for Broilers
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
| 0-21 days old |
Broiler Starter |
| 22-35 days old |
Broiler Grower 19% |
| 36 days old to slaughter |
Broiler Finisher 17% |
|
