ESTABLISHING A POULTRY FARM
There are two alternatives for flock establishment. The farmer can either rear day-old chickens or buy started pullets.
Rearing Day-Old Chicks
The farmer can buy day-old chicks to rear, or breed his or her own chickens. If he or she buys, the chicks must be vaccinated against Mareks disease.
Criteria of Selecting Quality Day Old Chicks
� Bright round eyes, strong legs, dry and soft feathers.
� Uniformity in size. The chicks should not be too small.
� The chicks should be free from blemishes
� Purchase day-old chicks from accredited suppliers.
Management of chicks in a brooder Raising brooder chickens is the first step in poultry production. The period from hatching until the chickens no longer require supplementary heat is called the " brooding period ". Day old chicks are purchased from a supplier and are supplied in a delivery box. These chicks are then raised in a brooder for approximately three to four weeks, where after they are further raised either for egg production as layers, or for meat production as broilers.
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