Broiler and lair managment

1. Broiler:- “A type of chicken raised specifically for meat production”
Broiler Management: Many managemental practices like preparation of the
farm, house insulation, introduction of new flock, litter management etc. are
common in both broiler and layer farming. Layers are reared for a whole year but
broilers are grown fully within 5 to 6 weeks.
Managemental Practices Common in
lairs and broiler
Managemental Practices
different in lairs and broiler
Housing Stocking density
Heating system Bird health
Brooding Lightening
Drinker system Nutrition
Feeding system Health management
Insulation Vaccination
Curtain installation Chick placement
Litter Marketing
Egg collection
Nest Installation
The managemental practices common for lairs and broiler will available in lair management notes.
Key stages of Life Cycle of Broiler
Hatchery to farm
Brooding
Initial feeding
Vaccination
Rearing
Finishing
Marketing
Basic Of management
House design: It should be cost effective, durable and provide a comfortable
environment.
Points to be considered for broiler House:
 Select a site that is on well drained land.
 Has a plenty of natural air movement.
 House should be in the direction of east-west (to reduce the amount of
direct sunlight).
 Controlled temperature in broiler house enhances growth rate.
Rearing of New Broiler Flock
Prior to entry of broiler flock, house, equipments, utensils and all installation are
cleaned, sterilized and disinfected so that no germ left in the house. As explained
in layer management notes it is referred as “all in all out system”.
First two weeks in the life of broiler are very critical and need intensive attention.
Litter is already laid on the floor of house before the arrival of day old chicks.

2. Chick Placement in the house
 Similar age chicks should be placed in single house.
 Sexing (separation of male and female birds) of broiler chicken increase
their growth rate and they may attain adult weight one week earlier.
 Chicks carefully distributed near feeders and drinkers.
 Brooding area with intensive light.
 Proper adjustment during 1-2 h of acclimation period.
 Monitor chicks’ distribution during first few days.
 Provide less light intensity to reduce stress.
 Delayed chick placement leads to Dehydration, High mortality rate,
Reduced growth.
Brooding Management
The provision of right temperature to chicks during rearing period when they are
sensitive to cold, need some artificial heat source to maintain their normal
temperature.
Every chick requires 0.5 sq.ft brooding area. Brooder runs by gas, electricity and
diesel. Check chicks after 2 hours of placement; ensure their comfort. If chicks
are too cold they huddle together. If too hot, they spread out. In just right
temperature chick are evenly distributed.
Arrival of chick
Arrive early in morning for maximum observation and care.
Place chick guard edge.
Increase area weekly to reduce feed utilization.
Use ground maize for 2-3 days.
New born chicks need food and water twice a day.

3. Drinker system:
Cool and clean water should be available at all times to ensure the adequate
growth of broiler.
The watering system may be :
Open system (bell or cup drinkers):
Cost effective but may be some problems
with litter quality and water hygiene.
Daily cleaning is necessary because birds
usually contaminate it while drinking
water.
2 Closed systems (nipple systems): Two
types of nipple drinkers commonly used:
The chicks drink water directly
from nipple and there is little or no
wastage of water.
High low nipple drinkers:
Operate at 80-90 ml/minute.
Low flow rate nipple drinkers:
Operate at flow rate of 50-60
ml/min
Feeding System
Regardless of which type of feeding system is used, feeding space is very critical.
Types of feeding system :
Automatic Feeder Pans
Automated Chain Feeders
Feed Storage Bins
Feed Storage Bins
Holding capacity should equal to 5 days of feed consumption.
Light program
Good performance of broiler Program based on average
weight gain. Amount and intensity of light effect the
activity of birds. Light is shut to withdrawal chicks from feed
to empty the digestive track during evisceration process
and make them ready to eat again
Stocking density:
The number of birds per unit area of land is called
stocking density. It depends upon the climate, housing type
and processing weight.
Incorrect stocking density can lead to:
Leg problems, Scratching, Bruising and Mortality.

4. To maintain the optimum bird density thinning a portion of flock is done. High
number of birds are placed in house and reared to two different weight: At lower
weight target, 20-50% birds are removed to sale in market. Remaining have more
space and can be reared to more weight.
Growing Phase
Broiler producers must emphasis on feed.
Growth management programs are most likely to produce a broiler which
optimize the:
 Uniform feed conversion
 Average daily gain
 Livability
Bird Health
Prevention is the best way to disease control
Prevention achieved by: Effective Bio-security Program, vaccination
Bird health is effected by Water & Feed consumption patterns, litter conditions
Disease Causing Factors
 A higher number of birds placed in a house
 Already presence of any other disease in the house
 Poor condition of cleanliness
 Poisonous diet
Prevention from diseases
 Broiler house should be free from all types of germs
 Using new litter for each flock
 Formaldehyde gas can be used for fumigation
 Place the diseased chicks separately
 Place the chicks from similar age and flock source in a single house
Vaccination
Parent stock vaccinated to pass antibodies to off springs.
Antibodies protect the chicks during early portion of grow-out period (not entire
period).
Timing of vaccination based upon:
 Level of maternal antibodies
 Disease in question
 Current field challenges
 Stock is vaccinated through Water & Spray
Broiler Vaccination Schedule
Age Vaccine Method
7 Days New castle diseases Eye drops
11 Days IBD( Infectious bursal disease) Eye drops
16-18 Days Hydropericardium syndrome Intramuscular
22 Days IBD( Infectious bursal disease) Drinking water
25 Days New castle diseases Intramuscular
Marketing
Key points when finding or expanding markets of Broiler:
 Who supply to markets. Prevailing price.
 Sales person. Lifestyle |& Behavior.
 Formidable competitors. Suppliers Vs Broiler size