Growing Management

3.2 Light and Temperature

Light Guidelines

1. Light must be evenly distributed throughout the entire shed. No dark areas.

2. There should be no direct sunlight inside the chicken shed.

Temperature Guidelines

1. Assess chicken behaviour for signs of heat stress.

2. In hot conditions ensure there is plenty of cool water easily accessible for the chickens.

3.3 Water and Drinking

Water is an essential component of a chicken’s life and should always be easily accessible for birds at all stages of the growing period.

Bell Drinker Management:

1. Lower water level after brooding to avoid spillage.

2. Minimum 6mm water level above base.

3. Adjust bell drinker height so water is in line with a chicken’s back.

4. Clean daily to reduce bacterial growth.

5. Drain and replace water constantly to refresh. 6. Ratio of 50 chickens per bell drinker.

Nipple Drinker Management

1. Increase water pressure after brooding to avoid spillage.

2. Minimum flow rate of 60ml/min.

3. Adjust nipple line height so a chicken stretches up to drink.

4. Clean lines between flocks to reduce bacterial growth.

5. Ratio of 10 chickens per nipple drinker.

3.4 Feed and Feeding

For optimal flock performance always buy chicken feed from a reputable feed manufacturing company. Chickens should always have access to feed. Below is what we recommend feeding a flock:

3.5 Litter Management

Correct litter management is fundamental to achieve optimal flock performance, good flock health with low sickness/disease risk, and attributes to providing high quality meat.

Key Litter Functions:

1. Dry, good moisture absorption ability.

2. Provides insulation barrier.

3. Low levels of dust (SAWDUST IS NOT GOOD!).

4. Soft and comfortable for the chicken’s feet.

5. Recommended material: Wood shavings, coffee or shredded coconut husk, rice hulls, shredded paper.

Litter Management

1. Spread evenly throughout the shed at 10 - 20cm depth.

2. Avoid water spillage from drinkers as it “cakes” litter.

3. Constant ranking to air-out litter and remove “caked litter”.

4. Litter can be re-used between flocks, however should be piled together and composted for 14 days before re-using. The composting effect will kill most bacteria in litter.

5. If there is disease challenge DO NOT RE-USE LITTER between flocks.

3.6 Stress Management

Stress can affect broiler performance and sometimes even kill chickens. Farm managers need to continuously assess potential causes of stress and implement measures to mitigate stress risk. Factors associated with triggering stress in broilers include:

1. Noise - Outside lawn mower, people yelling, barking dogs etc.

2. Predation - Cats and dogs trying to eat chickens.

3. Temperature - Shed environment conditions too hot.

4. Disease - Poor biosecurity management.

3.7 Biosecurity Management

Biosecurity refers to management protocols to prevent the introduction and spread of disease/sickness onto a farm or flock. It is an integral management component of any poultry farm. Strong biosecurity management includes:

1. Minimising the number of people visiting a shed/farm.

2. Ensuring workers have clean uniforms, wear appropriate footwear and they shower before entry.

3. When entering sheds, workers/visitors should wash and sanitise hands and boots.

4. Control entry of rodents, insects and wild animals.

5. Continuously cleaning and drying all equipment.

6. Ensuring at least 14 days downtime, full shed clean-outs and shed sanitisation between flocks.