Hey!
How is the business at your end there?
“birds don’t just die”
These words reminds me of one of those that guided me some years back when I started
the poultry business. My mentor in the business believes the birds don’t just die but they die because
some things were not properly done or because something was neglected and not done at all. Over the years I have tested the validity of this assertion and come to agree that mortality of the birds on the farm when closely analyzed can be traced either to poor system in a particular aspect of the poultry operations or total neglect of a very important requirement by the birds
One aspect of poultry farming sometime taken for granted is the poultry house. Some farmers limit providing housing to he birds to having a space to dump the birds. Beyond havig a space the following are very essential requirement for a poultry house –
Ventilation – Proper ventilation in a poultry house involves the controlled movement of fresh air in and stale air out. It helps to regulate temperature, remove harmful gases like ammonia, reduce moisture, and supply fresh oxygen to the birds.
BENEFITS OF A WELL VENTILATED POULTRY HOUSE
- Proper ventilation of the poultry house helps to manage the flow of air in and out to provide the birds with fresh air for their breathing, thereby, curbing respiratory ailments in the birds .
- Proper ventilation in the poultry house is also fundamental as it helps to regulate the heat condition of the house (particularly during hot weather) – The effective control of heat in the poultry house helps to reduce the possibility of heat stress on the birds
- Proper ventilation in the poultry house keeps the atmosphere in the room fresh thereby reducing the risk of airbone disease among the birds,
Chicken have very sensitive respiratory system which could quickly become irritated and lead to respiratory illness for the birds immediately the air around the poultry house becomes “contaminated” for the birds, thus, ensuring the poultry house is dry and clean is important and necessary.
Temperature and light – The temperature of the poultry house at every given time must be monitored and controlled such that it keeps the house warm not hot or freezing cold for the birds.
WHY TEMPERATURE IN THE POULTRY HOUSE MUST BE CONTROLLLED
- Controlled house temperature helps to maintain the right level of temperature in the house – For instance , temperature in the house must not be hot to avoid heat stress on the birds.
- The intensity of light in the poultry house has a direct impact on the pattern of feed and water intake by the birds which consequently affect their feed conversion rate, growth and egg production
- Maintaining the right temperature needed by the birds in the house impacts directly on the health and bevaioural responses of the birds – where the temperature of the house makes the birds uncomfortable and stressed, then the birds become unlively and weak
Secure – I usually say to colleagues – it is not a house if it cannot give security. The poultry house must be such that can protect the birds and keep them safe in every area necessary.
AREAS OF YOUR POULTRY HOUSE SECURITY REQUIREMENT
- The ideal poultry house must keep the birds safe and secure against attack from predators such as mice, snakes, etc.
- The ideal poultry house must be strong and secure to keep the birds safe against weather hazards such as storm, heavy rainfall, etc
- The ideal poultry house must secure the birds from unwanted human interference – example break-in activities of thieves
Share with us your feedback and opinions in the comment session.
Read more on effective housing system for the poultry
https://poultrygist.com.ng/2020/12/22/effective-housing-system-for-your-poultry-birds/
