The following article will guide you about how to manage young chickens and laying hocks in poultry.
Management of Young Chickens in Poultry:
The brooding and rearing of young chick is a difficult task and should be done with great care.
Generally two methods are employed to develop the chick:
1. Natural Method:
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The fertilized eggs are laid by the female and in natural course the broody hen sits over these eggs and provides them the required warmth for their development. Generally the eggs hatch after 21 days and during this period the hen sits on the eggs with precaution and care.
No extra vigilance is required by the farmer and a hen easily manages a set of 10-15 eggs at a time. The only problem is the protection of the bird and the egg, her feeding and looks after. But this cannot be applied for a commercial programming.
2. Artificial Rearing Method:
In such a process the development of the egg is done inside the specially made brooders. There is a complete arrangement of humidity, temperature, warmth and light in the brooder, these brooders are safe and well protected from outer infections and injury. They contain the standard requirements regarding the space, food, feeding and water; they are kept warm with the help of kerosene oil lamps, bulbs, heaters or some other artificial methods.
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Some of the common brooders are:
(i) Colony Brooder:
This is a special type of brooder used for rearing a large number of chicks in a small space. These are supposed to be a costly system as kerosene oil, gas or electric is used in heating the chamber.
These are of two types measuring 4 × 3 m:
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(a) Folding Type:
These are wooden structures fixed on wheels and are well ventilated from the front side which is made up of sliding windows fitted with wire mesh. They can be moved to another place and are kept at places where ventilation, light, water and sanitation can be arranged in easier way. The floor is covered with litter about 4.5 cm in thickness.
Hover is also used in such brooders and the chickens are arranged in such a way that they should not go much close other Hover. A measured and recommended distance should always be maintained. The chickens are let free to move after some days.
(b) Fixed Type:
These are made up of cement and concrete and cannot be shifted to another place. The method of construction and other management is almost the same as in folding type.
(ii) Continuous Brooding Method:
These brooders are 6-15 M in area and are used for better and improved type of rearing in comparatively less amount of money. These are kept warm by running hot water.
This is of two types:
(a) Hover Method.
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(b) Radiant Heat Brooder:
The hover method is the cheapest method which contains a hot water supply to keep the compartment warm and is fitted with sheet paper or tar paper to check the radiation of the Hover.
(c) Electric Brooder:
This is made up of large number of small compartments and is kept warm by the electric heaters. The chickens are provided the warmth in a small space and the mortality rate is much lower than any other methods. This is used in big poultries.
Indian Brooders:
Such a brooder is an indigenous attempt to keep the chicken warm and alive. They are made according to the need of the farmer and his expenditure. The size, shape and quality differs in almost all the cases. They may be a basket type-where a big basket is used. The bottom of the basket is cut open and is placed up-side down.
The chicken are covered by such a basket and the rim of the basket touching the ground is either painted with earthen soil and cow dung or the pores are blocked by using tar sheets or gunny bags to prevent the entry of cold winds, and liter is used which varies in thickness from 4-7 cm. A centrally placed kerosene oil tantern is enough to keep the chicken warm and active.
Wooden Box Type Brooder:
It is a wooden box about 90 x 60 cm and 70 cm in height. The top is fitted with a metal sheet having a hole for smoke and the base is made up of wire mesh which keeps the base clean as there is no fecal matter in the brooder. It fells down on the ground. These brooders are provided with a short leg and centrally heated with kerosene oil lantern.
200-250 chicken can be kept in such a brooder. Sometimes it is improved by fitting wire mesh on the ground and top of the brooder and these are well ventilated and airy. These are provided with feed and water apparatuses. The heat is provided by a 60 W bulb placed in the centre.
Beside this electric brooders, cold brooders are also used depending upon the environmental condition of the area.
Management of Laying Hocks in Poultry:
The gap between the cost of egg production and price of egg has a narrow gap and a minor mistake by the farmer may cause great damage. There are certain basic principles to maintain the profit.
Some of them are:
1. By increasing production,
2. By decreasing the production cost,
3. By using better means and marketing, and
4. Reduction of mortality rate.
The combination of all these factors may help a breeder in increasing profit and maintaining the form. The laying house should have proper space and ventilation. There should be a bed of paddy bran and the thickness should be 7½ to 15 cm. It should have ½ kg dried lime to avoid dampness and provide warmth the flock. It should be stirred regularly to stop matting.
A thick litter is always good as it has no dampness and produces heat during composting. There should be no space from outside from where any disturbing element could enter. Proper light and fresh air is a must for a good poultry.
Proper feeding and water drinking arrangement should be assured to the hen. A hen generally requires at least 13 cm space on a feeder and it should be placed at such a height as it should be comfortable for hens to eat as well as there should be no wastage of the feed.
Light plays an important role in the egg laying a hen requires at least 14-16 hr. light per 24 hrs. So there should be big and protected windows on the eastern and western sides as well as there should be proper electrification for providing extra light.
The poultry feed should be of standard quality and must include required amount of Calcium to cover loss of Calcium in the bird. She is fed with shell of unio, pila, and ground stones. Heavy pertinacious diet is given to the hen.
This diet is of mix type one is made up of animal protein which is made up of cut and chopped dried pieced of meat, fish, prawns and other animal proteins whereas the second diet is the rich green leaves like varseem, vegetables and other green fodder. To avoid the loss vitamins and minerals are added in required amount in the feed.