Tag Archives: day-old chicks

Local Poultry Management Guide

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As part of our path to improve local knowledge for raising and managing indeginous local birds, we have started working on a guide based on our experiences that can be used as a starting point for new and existing farmers

This guide will be evolved with feedback and inputs from farmers so please do share all the experiences that you have to help make it more solid

Send feedback to kungufarm@gmail.com

https://guide.kungu.farm/

Brooder - Day old chicks

Day Old Chicks – Flock 4 Now In Brooder

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We are excited to be starting a new chapter at the farm, where we have a new batch of chicks that have come in today, Isa Brown, with the learnings from the last 2.5 years of business.

The changes that we have put in place:

  1. Increased bio-security with a dry lime bath on entry into the brooder
  2. Testing a new “sigiri” in addition to the pots
  3. Using newspapers as a bio-layer over the coffee husks, that will disintegrate and mix with the litter
  4. Contracting with an experienced poultry brooding services company to provide a dedicated person to raise the birds from day-old to about 6 weeks, depending on the progress and learnings that we have had.

Photos below

Brooder - Day old chicks

Brooder – Day old chicks – View 1

Brooder - Day old chicks

Brooder – Day old chicks – View 2

Brooder - Day old chicks

Brooder – Day old chicks – View 3

Q and A: Newcastle Vaccines – Thermal Stable or Cold Version

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Question: I have been using the “cold” Newcastle vaccine for my birds, however I am thinking of moving to the thermal stable version. Being paranoid knowing that it is important to stay consistent for a flock – does it make sense for me to move at this time to the thermal stable version

Answer by Dr. David Omoding of Quality Chemicals (U) Ltd

Your fears and apprehension are understandable. However, be assured that moving to the thermal stable version would be the right move for the reasons below:

  1. Vaccine failure is a major issue for any “cold” (thermolabile) vaccine from point of manufacture, thru transit, to storage at the pharmacy premises, transportation to your premises etc. Wipe that uncertainty away by using a thermostable vaccine.
  2. The Thermostable strain is called I2 and it offers quicker, stronger, longer lasting immunity to poultry as compared to the cold La Sota, Clone, R2 strains. It might be bit more expensive but surely worth every penny. More can be found from http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/ac802e/ac802e04.htm.

In extensive systems (free range), one application is sufficient for the life of the bird including local birds while In intensive systems we advise one application every 3 months.

Day-old Chicks Arrive – Jan 3, 2013

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The big day is finally here, so at 6:30am we set off to pickup the day old chicks from the supplies shop. After making all the payments we verify that there are 1,020 chicks including a 2% bonus for the purchase. 

Into the back of the car they go and off we are to the site and the brooder, here is what it looks like 

Day-old chicks in brooder

You may notice that they are eating out of the boxes, and that is because we have given them Oasis nutrition for day old chicks (the green pellets) which we placed on top of chick mash (finely ground feed due to their gentle disposition) which they feed on for the first 2 days. In the water we added 10g of Glucovit (a combination of glucose and vitamins) to give them additional strength

A wide view of the brooder 

Seasons Greetings and Updates

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Well at this time Christmas has come and gone, and so my seasons greetings are belated. 

Yes the day draws closer, January 3, 2013 when the official journey begins with the arrival of 1000 day old chicks at the site. So what are my plans over the next few days:

On Dec 27, 2012 we completed shopping for accessories which included:

  • Clay pots with holes near the top to hold the charcoal to keep the brooder warm 
  • Feeding troughs – after a lot of deliberation we decided on a few small troughs and more larger troughs which will last longer
  • Drinkers – again like the troughs we went for smaller containers (5 liters capacity) plus larger ones to ensure that the frequency of refills is much less
  • Medication – vitamin supplements, antibiotics (especially for flu, diarrhea, and fast moving infections) which will be mixed in the water as and when is needed
  • Brown paper for the first week to ensure warmth
  • Clear plastic sheeting for the windows and doors to keep the heat in
  • Jerrycans and basins for collecting water and cleaning the drinkers – which will happen 3-4 times a day 
  • Paraffin Lanterns – since we have not had the chance to connect electric power to the site, but this will come later 

So we are all set and January 2, we are spending the day preparing the site, finalizing construction, warming the brooder (since its a new site, its wet and cold)

Well we wish you a Happy New Year, and please come back to read more of our journey