Broiler Breeding

How to raise broiler chickens

Some individuals accept raising broiler chickens at home to fatten and sell them, but before planning a chicken breeding project , the basic conditions necessary for the success of this project must be met, the most important of which are the following:

Purchase and provision of necessary tools

Raising chickens at home needs to provide some basic tools, most notably the following:

Living

Chickens need a clean, dry place, protected from drafts, with sufficient space of at least 45 square centimeters per chicken.

heat source

Chicken requires a constant heat source, such as heat lamps.

watering tools

Chickens need to provide sufficient amounts of water, and the water provided to chickens must be clean and fresh, to maintain the growth and health of the chicks .

feeding tools

Simple feeding tools can be used when the chicks are small, but larger feeding tools must be used as the birds grow, and it is worth noting that the chicks double in size in just two days, and continue their rapid growth within the first six weeks.

Materials for brushes

The chicks need materials to be spread on the floor of the house, so a mattress of 7-10 cm thick should be placed to keep the house dry, but rice sawdust or any sawdust with a pungent smell should not be used, because the strong smell negatively affects the health of the chicks.

Buy chicks

Chicks that are in good health must be chosen. Although the chicks all look very similar at first sight, there are some signs that indicate good health for them, the most prominent of which are the following:

Eyes wide open, and don’t pick the chick that looks like he’s sleepy.
Straight, not twisted beak.
Feathers are soft, dry and fluffy.
Straight strong legs, symmetrical legs, and the ability of the chick to stand and move easily.

Aggressive behavior in a chick is not a reason not to choose it, many chicks do the same, and care must be taken when choosing young birds from a very dirty place, but if the chicks look healthy, this is not a reason not to choose them.

Place the chicks in a warm house

Small chicks need to keep their home warm, because they are very fragile and sensitive beings, so in the first week the house temperature should be about 35°C, and 32°C in the second week, while in the third week the temperature should be about 30°C.

A heat lamp can be used to warm up the chick house. One of the easiest ways to tell if the chicks are feeling warm is to make them warm. Noticing whether they are gathered in a corner, as this remains on their feeling of cold, but if the chicks roam freely, this indicates their feeling of warmth.

Feed the chicks and offer water

Chicks need to be fed and drink water constantly, as one chicken eats 7 kg of food from birth until it reaches the age of 12 weeks, and this will help estimate the amount of feed that one chicken needs when planning to raise broilers at home.

Most individuals start with food that contains about 22% protein (soybeans are the most appropriate food at this stage), then they give the chicks farm feed that contains about 20% protein, and in the last stage they give feed that contains about 18% protein. .

Prepare the appropriate lining for large chickens

Large chickens need a lining to be spread on the floor of the house, to prevent the birds from slipping, to facilitate their movement, and to prevent injury. Pine sawdust is one of the best linings that can be spread on the floor of the chicken house.

Regardless of the type of lining present, it should be stirred and changed constantly, based on its moisture content, in order to maintain the dryness of the dwelling, and the cleanliness and health of the birds, because the wet place constitutes a suitable environment for the growth of bacteria.

How to feed big chickens

The number of feeding tools must be increased after the chicks become adult chickens, based on the number and size of the chickens, in order for all birds to get food equally, and the feed must be kept off the ground, while being careful not to exceed the quantities, as bacteria grow in the food due to the droppings that It is left behind by chickens if they sit in feed bowls close to the ground.

It should be ensured that all birds can reach the food place, as well as the place of water, and chicken food should be avoided near the lining of the floors, because it will become very dirty if placed near it, and it is necessary to keep the feed containers constantly cleaned.

Chicken and coop care

Chickens and coops need additional care, in addition to providing food and water for chickens, and among the most important steps to do so are the following:

Protect birds from access by predators, such as dogs and cats, by ensuring that the coop is closed well from all directions.
Protect chickens from weather conditions, including cold, frost, and high temperature.
Warm the birds in winter, and keep the coop dry in rainy weather.
Clean the coop regularly, and protect it from the accumulation of moisture and chicken droppings, which can cause health problems.
Learn about common chicken diseases and how to treat them.
Keep food and water tools clean constantly, so that they are not susceptible to mold and dirt accumulation, and it is worth noting that chickens do not drink unclean water, which will lead to dehydration, and possibly death.

When will the chicken be ready for sale?

There is no set time for a chicken to be ready for sale; It depends on the type of chicken that was raised , but if the correct feeding system is followed, the chicken will be mature and ready for sale in about 8-9 weeks.

You should not wait long after the chicken is ready to be sold. As this leads to his meat becoming tough and undesirable, so you must know the time frame in which the chicken becomes ready for sale according to its type.