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These are some of the questions and problems that many Farmers experience. Please submit any additional questions to faq@GalesHatcheries.com.bb if they are not answered here.
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I have a pen that is 10 feet square - how many broilers should I be growing in it before they become too crowded?
The accepted guideline for space requirements of broilers is 1 square foot per bird. Your pen is 10' x 10' or 100 square feet, so you can safely raise 100 broilers.
Why do I need a 'heat bulb'?
One very important condition for baby chicks is warmth… they have little ability to control their own body temperature (like humans do when they shiver or sweat) during their early growth stages. During this time, special high intensity 'heat' bulbs are used to offer the chicks additional warmth. They will move towards, or away from, the heat bulb depending on their need for more or less heat. Regular household bulbs, including fluorescent bulbs, provide little to no useful heat energy for the chicks.
Can I use old feed bags on the floor to put feed for my baby chicks?
This is not ideal at all. Old feed bags may, to begin with, have fungal growth on the old leftover feed particles. Chicks will ingest this fungus and may become infected. Feed bags are also not very good at retaining feed - baby chicks habitually scratch at the feed and tend to scatter it outside the boundaries of the container it is placed in. Paper offers no resistance to scattering, while shallow pans or feeder trays have a lip that deflects scattered feed and retains it. Scattered feed is then picked up out of the litter by the chicks, often after it has been there for a while collecting more fungal growth… mold and fungal infections are common where feed scattering into the litter is a problem.
How often should I change the litter in the pen, and what litter is best?
Two types of animal bedding are available commercially here in Barbados, one being shredded paper and the other being wood shavings. A third type, 'bagasse' is a by-product of sugar cane after the juice has been ground out of it. Each type has its advantages and drawbacks; diced or shredded paper can be reliable sourced, but has poor absorption properties compared to the other two. Wood shavings are much better, but often harder to source unless being commercially produced as animal bedding. Shavings made from treated wood are not to be used, as the additional chemicals may kill the baby chicks. Bagasse used to be readily available at sugar factories around the island, however the decline in the sugar industry has forced farmers to find alternative litter. It should never be used 'fresh', i.e straight out of the factory as the left over sugar promotes the growth of Aspergillosis fungi which will further infect chicks. Bagasse should be cured by leaving it exposed to rain and weather for a few moths to ensure it is washed clean of any residual sugar.
In terms of changing the litter, it depends totally its condition. If placed too thinly initially, then there will be little chance that much more droppings can be absorbed after one batch. If laid at 2 or more inches thick, the litter can last for several batches once it remains dry.
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 Pond & Fish Treatment
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Nishikoi® products bring health, growth and colour to fishkeepers around the world.
 Antibiotics & Vitamins
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Various products to aid in the prevention and treatment of disease for your chicks, poults, and other livestock.
 Supplies
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Egg cartons, feeder trays, water bottles as well as other useful products to help keep your business running smoothly!
Equipment
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Here you'll find equipment and accessories for all of your poultry rearing needs.
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