9 Tips for keeping healthy chickens

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No doubt about this topic, every one that keep chicken for one reason or the other want to keep the healthy one, this is good idea because it will bring out the expected result.

No one wants to keep poultry birds and want to run it without good result. Keeping healthy chickens will not just come like that but requires some minor effort to be put into practices on daily basis or weekly routines.

A few basic principles of good chicken management have a reliable impact on their healthy and longevity.  Here are number of small steps that can be taken to promote healthy chickens.

1. Provide correct and balanced feed leads to healthy chickens

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As this may sound to you haring, chicken must be feed properly and correctly to perform optimally and to be healthy. 

Well fed chickens lay more eggs, grow faster, produce better meat, and have better immune systems to fight against disease. Chickens are like kids, though you have to supervise their diets.

Even if they have a large area of land to forage on, they need at least part of their diet to come from commercial feed so they get all the nutrients they need.

Not only will they eat almost anything, whether it is nutritious or not, but a chunk of land just doesn’t provide the nutrition that chickens need. 

Unlike domestic chickens, wild chickens that get all their nutrition from Mother, nature have plenty of space to roam and hunt to meet their needs.

2. Healthy chickens need clean water always

Having clean water available at all times is one of the best ways to keep your chickens healthy and productive. Chickens need water available to lay well, grow quickly, and perform all of life’s functions. 

Making sure water is available, even in winter, is essential to their health. Chickens can be a bit fussy about water. They do not like water that is too warm or flavored strongly. 

If they don’t drink freely, they don’t eat as much, and that starts affecting their production and health. Make sure chickens have clean, fresh water at all time.

3. Clean coops regularly result to healthy chickens

A clean coop is a healthier one, chickens have sensitive respiratory system or track that are easily irritated by mold and ammonia from accumulated dropping. 

Therefore clean coops are less likely to house external parasites such as mites and poultry lice.

4. Cleaning and dusting areas contribute to healthy chickens

Coop cleanliness is a sure fire way to promote good health in your backyard flock. Spending a little time each day scooping up droppings and discarding loose feathers is a great way to prevent illness and promote healthy chickens. 

Soiled and wet bedding is a breeding ground for harmful disease causing organisms. Some simple tools I like to have handy are a hand shovel for scooping, a scraper for stubborn stuck on waste, a metal rake and shovel for when the bedding needs to be completely mucked out and replaced which I usually do about every month. 

My hens simply go crazy at the sight of fresh straw in their house. The Backyard Chicken Coops designs have removable metal cleaning trays, which make this process even easier; in fact it becomes a breeze to clean! 

Now, enter the mighty Apple Cider Vinegar! ACV is a wonderful natural cleaner for the entire chicken coop, feeders and drinkers. 

Just mix a few teaspoons of ACV with water in a spray bottle and then wipe off with a sponge or rag. Routine use will help to disinfect and inhibit dust, mildew, mold, and odors from forming in your coop.

5. Inspect birds or chickens regularly improve healthy chickens

Physically and behaviorally, are signs and symptoms to look for that would suggest a hen is feeling a bit under the weather.  I always do a general observation of my flock as a whole each day watching how they interact with one another and move about. 

Healthy chickens will be lively and busily pecking the ground, eating and drinking, catching up on the latest gossip, very dustily bathing, preening, and chasing flying insects that took a wrong turn, and even pecking at their flock mates just to keep the pecking order in order. 

Also, I like to do an up close and personal health check about once a week or so by picking up each hen and examining her. With some ladies this is easier said than done, I know. 

Anyway, combs and wattles should be a nice bright waxy red color and not too pale. Eyes should be clear and alert, although in this precarious position, some will appear wild eyed and crazy, but relax, I assure you, this is normal! 

Feet should be free of cuts or scrapes which could lead to infection. Lastly, gently part their feathers and downy fluff underneath and check their skin for parasites and lice.

6.  Provide suitable housing system to enhance healthy chickens

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Chicken housing needs to protect your birds from both the elements and predators. It should keep them dry and out of drafts. Housing usually consists of indoor and outdoor space. 

Make sure each large‐size chicken has at least 3 square feet of indoor space and 3 to 5 square feet of outdoor space for optimum health. Having the right housing is not only better for the chickens it is also of good benefits for you, so be sure to plan your chicken housing and get it set up before you buy the birds in other to raise healthy chickens. 

Plan the size of the housing, how you will access it to care for the birds and collect eggs, how it will fit into your yard, and how you will light it.

7. Provide supplements light when needed to keep healthy chickens

A chicken’s life cycle revolves around the amount of daylight or artificial light it receives. Chickens are prompted to lay eggs and mate when the days are long, and they molt when the days start getting shorter. 

Molting is the process by which a chicken replaces all its feathers, and it is energy intensive. When chickens molt, they usually stop laying.

8. Diseases and pests control contribute to healthy chickens

Hens that are ill or have parasites such as worms, mites or lice, do not perform optimally. Taken in conjunction with flock history and any other symptoms, a drop in egg production can indicate that hens are sick or suffering from a parasite infestation. 

In addition, parasites not only make birds uncomfortable, but carry disease and lower a chicken’s immune system response to disease. Birds carrying a heavy load of internal or external parasites produce fewer eggs, grow more slowly, and eat more feed. 

Keeping your birds well fed and free off both stress and disease helps their bodies repel parasites and makes them better able to tolerate any they may still contract. 

For example: if a drop in egg production follows the addition of new chickens to the flock and no other physical symptoms are noted, a communicable disease or parasite should be suspected and investigated further.

9. Vaccination

Vaccines can be given at various life stages of chickens. Many vaccines suggest an optimum age, but if the chicken does not get the vaccine then, it can sometimes be administered later. 

This situation depends on the disease you are trying to prevent. Vaccines can be given by mouth, in the eyes, in the nose, or by injection, depending on the disease they are meant to prevent. Some vaccines prevent disease in one dose; others require several doses. 

Preventing problems is always better than trying to fix them. When you purchase baby chicks, you are often offered the opportunity to have them vaccinated for a small additional fee.

How to prepare for baby chickens before they finally arrived at home

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It is good to bring home your new baby chickens, but before you do that, there is need to know what to do and how to do them.

You cannot just bring them home without preparations, not just preparation but proper preparation. Consider they are very young and tender at this stage of their lives, so they need proper attention.

Put your mind at rest, things will be fine if you carefully read and follow what is in this write up. Here is the beginning of their lives after incubation, what you will achieved at the end depend greatly on how you prepare from this stage.

This is where some of the farmers make a lot of mistakes, so to avoid shortage in raising your baby chickens from this stage, observe the following.

1.  Remember, baby baby chickens are animals not toys

As this topic indicated that they are animals not toys, they need proper care. They need feed and water at appointed time, they are not to be stressed.

Gift chicks for Easter morning squeals are a really fun idea, but only when one has actually planned on raising baby chickens, has prepared a brooder, and has purchased feed, drinker and a heat source.

For baby chicks that have to forgo proper food, water, shelter and heat to take up residence in ornament baskets of chocolate bunnies and jellybeans, Easter is no fun at all not even if they will be taking a trip to a friend’s farm later.

If you are considering buying chicks for Easter morning, understand that chicks can be contaminated with Salmonella without exhibiting symptoms of illness.

2. Do your research about baby chickens

The first thing to do is research work, this is very important as this will guide you on what to do and how to do them. 

I will even recommend that you even know the history of hatchery to get your chickens from. Ask people that are engaged in the same business you are about to do.

By so doing, you will know that the chickens are from reliable sources. Though some hatcheries are not well and properly equipped, so what they will produce will have problem.

Proper research are the answer to this question, please do some research. You and your chickens will benefit from extensive research before they arrive at your home, and they will thrive under your continued research.

Because chickens grow very fast, so does the demand for your chicken age-appropriate knowledge. Become knowledgeable long before you have to learn by doing, and you are sure to do fewer wrongs in the long run.

3. Provide warmth for baby chickens

This must not be underrated because of the important of heat. Yes, from day old they are feathers are not well formed, therefore they cannot provide for themselves the amount of heat required.

So it is important to make available a reliable source of heat for the period of eighteen days or more.

4.  Provide fresh water daily for your baby chickens

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Baby chickens need water on daily basis, not ordinary water but fresh water. Make available for these little chicken fresh water every day.

The water source should remain fresh for the chicks’ health and shallow to prevent drowning. Baby chicks have no manners and walk through everything, including their groping and their water.

Expect to clean the drinker several times per day. And to help prevent accidental drowning, which takes very little water, put marbles in the dish to prevent a chick from dipping its beak into the water further than it should go.

5. Provide quality feed for baby chickens

Do not just give them any how feed, preferably you give them high quality feed that will make them grow. The type of feed you give them has a lot to do with their lives, so prepare for this.

Baby chickens rapid growth surprises everyone raising chickens for first time. They seem to double in size every day.

The right feed for growing babies is very high in protein to support that rapid growth and the immediate feathering, which continues for several months.

6. Provide feeders for baby chickens

Feeders are of different types and come in different shapes. So you cannot use grower feeder for small baby chickens.

So you make use of the right feeders for the right birds, their feeder should be like tray, though they are available in the market. Just get them and make use of them, no problem.

7. Provide a reasonable shelter for baby chickens

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Shelter in the form of a brooder is important for protection from predators. A brooder can be any enclosure that provides safety and security, such as an old aquarium, a converted plastic storage or a cardboard brooder system designed specifically to hold rapidly growing baby chicks.

Note: Cardboard brooders are fire hazards when paired with a heat lamp. Later, when chicks outgrow the brooder, they will need to move outside to a coop.

The big move happens sooner than you would expect, so get a coop built or delivered sooner than you think you will need it to be on the safe side.

8 Signs of unhealthy chickens

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Though I am a veterinarian, but for the past few years I have be playing with chickens on daily basis. I have study them more than any other animals, they are playful and enjoyable when you know what to do and how to do them.

On a good condition, when they are not sick, you will be happy of been with them. Mind you, they cannot speak, explain to you if they are not in good order.

As they are very difficult to diagnose in case of any issue, yet you can know they are not well ok. That is the main reason you should treat them like a young baby that knows nothing.

Despite all these, millions of people around the world are still keeping chickens for one purpose or the other.

The easiest way to identify if something is wrong is to observe your chickens closely each day and make a point of checking your chickens often so you know what a healthy chickens looks and feels like.

That way you will know when something is wrong, long before your chicken tries to tell you. These simple tips will guide you and know what to do on time, there:

1. Change in color of the comb ti identify unhealthy chickens .

This is a noticeable sign that everyone must understand, why? This part of our chicken are seen, so when anything happen to the chicken, the comb color changes.

Normally, comb color are bright and reddish in color, so when what you  are seen is different from this, definitely your chickens are sick, meaning you are having unhealthy chickens.

Comb color may change to any of these, pale bluish color, pale comb, limb without shine and many more color. So, when you see something like this, inform your vet. doctor.

2. Unhealthy chickens will not eat properly

The next thing in this category is the reaction of your chicken to feed, on a good condition, chicken should rush toward feed when you feed them.

So if you notice that some are not rushing toward feed when you make feed available for them, then something is wrong somewhere.

This behavior is highly noticed in a healthy flock. Therefore checkouts for this as a means of identify unhealthy chickens in the flock.

3. Unhealthy chickens drinking more water than expected.

You may be noticed this, and think is a normal thing for the chickens. It is good for them to drink water as this enhance the digestion process, but when you discover that they drink more water than necessary that call for your attention.

Then something is wrong, the best answer to this situation is to inform your veterinary doctor.

4.Unhealthy chickens show ruffled feathers.

Your chicken’s feathers should look strong, glossy and sleek. Unless they are molting, in which case patchy feathers is perfectly normal, and will pave the way for a shiny new coat!

When you notice ruffled feather in the flock, critically check for lice or mites in the feathers. This is a great sign that the chickens are not in right condition, keep eye on them at all time.

5. Chicken eyes.

The eyes should be alert and shiny. Unhealthy chickens eyes will usually pale and have a glazed look. Some you might see fluid come out of the eye, or mucus around the eye area.

You may also notice that they eye are dull, then this call for your attention. These showcase that they are not in good condition, please check out for any of this.

6. Sign of any injury.

Injury is another sign you need to look out for in the flock, so many thing may cause this in the flock. Injury may occur as a result fight in the flock or there is predator in the house. You must properly check out for any causes of the injury.

7. Weight lost is a sign of unhealthy chickens

To identify this issue might be a bit difficult, how will you identify this? The best answer is to carry them one after the other, how long will it take you for a very big farm.

So that is why you need not to joke with the sign listed above and the remaining in this article. Loss in weight is a good sign of illness in the flock

8. Lack of interest in the surrounding.

The last but not the least sign of unhealthy chickens is the isolation of any chicken from the flock. Chicken will isolate themselves from the flock when they lack interest in the surrounding environment.

Though on like lost of weight, you can easily identify any one that are not associate with rest of the flock. When this are noticed in the flock, something is wrong somewhere and need your attention on time before it too late.

Many of the above symptoms can be a sign of Bacterial or Viral infections.  Bacteria multiply very quickly and can spread like wild fire. 

So it is always recommended to keep your chickens in a clean environment, with clean water and feeding facilities to help prevent bacterial infestation.

Heavy infestation of internal or external parasites can cause some of the above symptoms.  This can be managed with appropriate treatments. However depending on the age of your chicken, it may just plain be getting old.

Egg machines like Isla Browns don’t seem to live as long as other breeds. This is possibly due to the nature of the breed to continually lay. 

Although life expectancy varies from breed to breed, Isla browns will go down quickly, and can sometimes almost seem paralysed before they pass. 

In addition other factors like exercise, diet, coop cleanliness can contribute to the lifespan of your hens.

All the above are just general indications of bad health, some are obviously more visual and if you suspect anything Our friendly team are here to help with any questions you may have. 

If you are uncertain as to the health of your hens, then please seek Veterinarian advice.

Top 10 best breeds of poultry birds that lay more eggs

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It is good to rear chickens for any purpose, what so ever purpose you have in mind before rearing them must be accomplished. 

This is where so many people are making mistake, what they do most is that I want to rear chickens and they went ahead and do so. 

But many a times, they do fail just because they don’t know the type of breed that sweet the purposes of rearing these wonderful animals. 

Basically this write up will focus on layer and show cases  best laying hens, breed of laying bird that are very good and suitable for the purpose of laying. 

So, if you are planning of having a poultry farm for layers then you are the right place at the right time for the best laying hens. 

More over if you have one and you want to increase your flock you are also at the right place because you are not going to make the mistake you had made earlier in the business of poultry farming.

Mainly, majority of poultry farmers are into the business for the production of eggs for the populace. This will now not function well, or will not work according to the plan when the selected breeds are not performing to the expectation. 

This is among reasons why farmer should be careful when selecting which breed to rear. Some bird can lay up to 300 eggs in a year while some will only lay less than 200 eggs, hope you can now see the difference. 

Now that you have see what the difference are, you can now decide on which breed to select for laying purpose. This write up will write on the top best breed for eggs purpose, here are the list.

1. Black Australorp  one of best laying hens

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This is the first one on the list, preferably the best. This is a fantastic breed of chicken for any setting, I mean anything. 

The Black Australorp was developed in Australia using Orpington stock. It is black plumage shimmers with green in the sun. It is an excellent layer, especially during the winter months. 

A Black Australorp holds the record for highest number of eggs laid in one year, 365. This hen is great as a pet and will engage you in conversation while sitting in your lap. The Black Australorp is comfortable as a dominant hen, without being overly aggressive. 

They lay a somewhat elongated, medium sized, light brown egg. Black Australorp can be noisy, but not enough to tarnish this fine choice.

2. Hybrid is also another best laying hens

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There are many different hybrid breeds and one of the most common is the Golden Comet. Hybrids have been bred to lay huge amounts of eggs whilst only consuming small amounts of food. 

This makes them cheaper to feed than other breeds. Typical hybrid hen her expected to lay around 280 to 300 eggs per year. These eggs will be medium sized and brown colored.  

Hybrids are normally a golden, brown color with soft white tail feathers. They tend to be a very tough and resilient chicken and rarely ever turn broody. 

If you are looking for an all year round egg layer who is easy to look after, Hybrid chicken is definitely the pick for you.

3. White Leghorns among best laying hens

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Originated from Italy, the layer breed is considered by many as the best egg laying hen around. There’s a commercial strain often used in industrial scale egg production, as well as a heritage type. 

The heritage breed lays 220 to 300 large or jumbo white eggs per year, the commercial breed lays more than 300. The heritage White Leghorn likes to forage in free range situations, but their white color makes them attractive to predators. 

The commercial type has been developed for indoor egg production. Being from the Mediterranean, Leghorns are heat-tolerant, but their large combs make them prone to frostbite in frigid climates.

4.  Amerauccana

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These maybe the most fun birds to have when laying eggs. Popularly known as the "Easter Egg Chicken," these birds lay multicolored eggs that are as delicious as they are colorful. 

They tolerate all climates and do well either penned or in coups. One thing to note among this breed is the "crossed beak" genetic disorder that will affect about 1 in 100 chicks, they also named among best laying hens . 

Amerauccana lay about 250 eggs in a year, as well they start laying at a very good age. They produce the first egg ever in the age between 25 to 30 weeks which is typically good for them.

5. Rhode Island Red

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Rhode Island Red’s originated from America and are known as a dual purpose’ chickens. This means they can be raised for either eggs or meat. 

They are one of the most popular backyard chicken breeds because they are tough and lay lots of eggs. Rhode Island Red lay up to 250 eggs a year. 

These eggs are brown and medium sized. Contrary to their name, Rhode Island Reds actually have brown and black feathers giving them a dark appearance. 

They are more than capable of looking after themselves, and are well known for being tough. Rhode Islands are very friendly and are commonly picked by first time chicken keepers and they are one of best laying hens.

6. New Hampshire Red

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Are you thinking about getting a Rhode Island Red? How about trying a New Hampshire Red instead? This is a very handsome red bird. 

They look similar to a Rhode Island Red, but a little larger with a smaller comb-developed for cold New Hampshire winters. These are nice, calm, red hens that will sit in your lap. 

They are non aggressive and good layers of light brown eggs. This American heavy is winter hardy and a great triple-purpose bird.

7. Sussex Chicken Breed

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Like the Rhode Island Red and New Hampshire Red, the Sussex is a dual purpose hen which means they can be raised for either eggs as well as meat. 

Sussex is easily capable of laying 250 eggs a year. The color of the eggs will vary from brown through to creamy white. Sussex breed has eight different colors, the most common one being a pure white body with black neck and tail feathers. 

They are a very calm breed who would happily free range in a garden without destroying it. If you want a tame breed which would eat from your hand the Sussex is for you.

8.  Golden Laced Wyandottes is another best laying hens

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These big birds are very good egg layers, but the large size will also be good for the pot, if need be meaning are for dual purpose also like the ones mention above. 

They are gentle, calm and are terrific foragers, which means they are some of the best chickens for free range. The extremely beautifully colorful chickens are a sight that few can resist, and they tend to be broody, so if you allow a clutch of eggs to hatch for a sustainable flock, the hen will do a good job with the chicks. 

The annual egg production of this breed is about 200, which is not too bad. The amazing thing about this breed also in the ability to start laying early than many other breeds, they start laying between 18 to 20 weeks of age, that is great. You can go for this breed.

9. Hamburg best laying hens

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The Hamburg also spelt Hamburgh is a chicken native from Germany and is one of the most attractive chicken breeds around. They lay around 200 eggs per year. 

These will be small to medium sized eggs and will have a white glossy shell. Hamburg feathers resemble the coat of a Dalmatian and are white with black feathers. 

Hamburgs also have another color variation which is black with golden tipped feathers. Hamburgs need lots of space to roam around in and do not do well inside a chicken pen. 

They are known to be aggressive in small spaces and are much better as a free range chicken.

10. Buff Orpington

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This is a really sweet breed of chicken. The hens are super friendly and decent layers of medium sized brown eggs also found among best laying hens. 

Even the roosters are friendly. They have a calm disposition and are more comfortable just being one of the flock, not the leader. I put this breed in 10th because of their predicable broodiness.

Count on Buff Orpingtons to go broody several times a year. This is hard on the hens and frustrating to the owners, and reduces egg production. 

If you want to hatch eggs, or expand your flock naturally, these are your girls. They lay about 200 eggs per annum.

Finally, this are list of top 10 laying breeds of birds that you can go for whenever you want stock your farm. Do not mind to drop you comment about this write up.

Step by step guides on how to make money (50,000 Naira) from five turkeys after 4 months

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This is not surprising, it was just like a dream when I invested just about N 35,000 on five turkeys for just four months and gained N 50,000 when I sold them.

You might be thinking how I perform this, it is real not a magic. Keep reading I will explain in details on how I come about this wonderful idea.

The Idea came to me few days when my bank account was credited with less than N 500 over N 50,000 for some months. Then a friend just called me while are you wasting your time in keeping money in bank, I replied how? 

We are not on that, but he opened my inner mind on how to make money in just few months. Now, the details are as follow:

 Get a place to keep them (Turkeys) is a way to make money

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You don’t need to worry about this, this in a minor issue. If you don’t get a big place, don’t worry, though big place is not needed here.

Just get a small place that can accommodate cage of 4 X 4 feet and about 4 feet long also. This will cost you about N 5, 000 only, then you are a step closer to the deal.

If you have access to a big place no problem, you can still do it. You as a tenant you can as well do the same just a little space at the back of your window is well enough for you to make money, about N 50, 000 at the end of four months.

If you are a student, you are not left out of this wonderful business, because it is not a full time business. So anybody can do it, as I do it you can do more than that.

Buy 6 weeks old turkey is the way to make money

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This is another point and to my understanding, is the pillar of the business. There are many breeds of turkey outside that are available for sale, so don’t go for the local one.

If you do, you will not get anything in returns. As well don’t just go out to buy from wrong place, this is not so go also but I will advice if not instructing you to get them from veterinary doctors.

You might be wonder why? The answer is so simple, just for them to be well vaccinated which is the key to the success of make money.  The cost varies from one place to the other, moreover the number of vaccine determine the price.

If you are getting the price lesser than N 3, 000 per turkey you may likely to fall a victim of getting bad turkey.

By now you know the clue of getting your turkey from reliable source, good  you are also are step closer to your money.

Feeding is another way to make money from five Turkeys

Feeding is another thing we should not underrated, now there are many feeds available in the market today. There as well purpose for each feed you procure from the sellers.

The only type of feed that should be given to them at this age is the finisher. Not just feed, I mean you must feed them to satisfaction. Make sure that they have access to feed at all time, because this is meant for short time.

The amount of feed available will determine the growth rate at the end, mind you, you are targeting special marketing value so feed extra ordinarily.  So that they will attain a very big size at the short time available for them.

Aside this, you don’t just feed you feed them with the best feed available, make sure water is available all the time. Do change their water on daily basis and make  available fresh one at all time.

Medication is success way to make money from five Turkeys

There is no way you will not spent little on medications. If they are properly cared for you will spend less if not you spend more, this will increase your expenses.

But you can reduce this by practicing what is termed hygienic, that make sure their cage are clean always. You might be thinking of how do I be cleaning cage always, you must to avoid spending on procuring drugs.

In addition, you us give them antibiotic two time a month carefully followed the instruction on the type of drugs used. 

You also need dewormer to de-worm them once in two months and multivitamins as well, that all about this aspect, you are good to go.

Locate a marketable place as a way to make money from  five Turkeys

This is very good important point that we need to pay more attention. In your environment you where to the big men are leaving, you will be wonder why I mention big men?

They are the set of people that can buy them from you, let me use this word, they are the targeted people so locate their route. If you are able to get one, that is good job.

Now that they are big enough, it is time to sell them, how? You this in your closet, no one knows about what your plan is. So take them to the identify place or location, my dear reader you are almost done, in fact you are their already.

Selling of fully grown turkey is the final way to make money

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This is the final stage of getting our money from selling 5 turkeys and gain N 50,000. Now that your turkey are full grown to matured size and marketable size, you need to value them base on their sizes.

How are you going to this? Add up your expenditure to know the total amount spent on raising them to these valuable sizes, N 35, 000 in total.

You now decide the amount you want to sell your turkey, bet it with me, if you have a very big turkey you will sell one not less than N 20,000. If God is by your side you can sell one for N 25,000 to N 30, 000.

By the time you the subtraction and addition you will get nothing less than N 50,000 from selling just five turkeys

Finally, these are just the steps I took in getting N 50, 000 from the sales of just five turkey. You can do just that, is a simple steps just followed them that is all. Feel free to drop your comment, thanks for reading.

8 Possible problems of poultry farming system

Even with superb qualitative and quantities achievements in different areas of poultry farming sectors, the farming setting are facing with problems ranging from one area to the other, what seem as a problem to Mr. A might not be to Mr. B, the problems varies from location to location.

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The modern poultry industry aims at high production and better quality at a low cost. This, in addition to an increase in the demand for poultry meat, necessitates constant, efficient and goal oriented healthcare to prevent the development of diseases.

If you want to join this lucrative business or you into it before, you don’t need to be panic since every problem has its solution. No problem you might come across in poultry farming that is new, in one way or the order such problem was over come.

By the time you are true with this article, that problem you are facing will be tackled and if not you are free to let us know. The common problem facing poultry farming include any of the following:

1. Financial problem poultry farming system

This is the most important problem which I believe affect more than 80% of farmers globally. In one area or the other, capital contributes to the success of your farm.

Mind you, amount of capital determine the level of your farm and determine how your farm will be equipped. Access to capital will make your farm to grow faster than those that do not have access to any financial assistance.

Though, starting a poultry farm business requires little money, but that is when you can access this at right time. Some farmer want to get loan from micro finance bank, the interest charge on the little they can afford is much, so they had to withdraw from such program.

Possible solution: the only possible solution to this problem ie poultry farming, is getting assistance from government, government should set up a committee on how to help those that have interest on farming activities.

By so doing they empower them, they will be the boss of their company and they will not be looking for white collar job because they are engaged already.

2. Lack of information is a poultry farming system

This problem is as bad as the first point. If you want to succeed in life in any business or in anything at all, you need the right information about that thing.

Some people just rush into poultry farming system without the proper information, while some got information from the wrong source.

Getting the right information will help you in all area of your farm and you will get the reward on time.  Just look into this story of two friends, say A and B. Mr. B is poultry farmer while Mr. A is business man, but Mr. A is wealthier than Mr. B, but for this reason Mr. A just invest on poultry farming without proper information from Mr. B.

Don’t be surprise that Mr. B regret of his action of not getting information from reliable source.

Solution: The only solution to this type of problem is getting information from the reliable source. Dear reader not just information, but right information from the right sources.

In the case of poultry farming system, I will strongly advice you get your information from ministry of agriculture or from qualified veterinary doctor, hope you are following, that is good.

3. Diseases and parasites is a great poultry farming system problem

Diseases and parasites can cause losses in egg production. Some breeds of birds are resistance to certain diseases which make them superior to those that are easily infected by many diseases.

More over if you want your laying birds for maximum production, do all you could to prevent them against any kind of diseases. In case of any outbreak of diseases treat them immediately so that their production will not be tampered with.

In addition, you would never want to breed an ill chicken they could pass the illnesses down to future generations and you would have a constant battle in your hands.

Always raised the healthiest chickens together the more generations and that have healthy chickens the more resistance they build up to diseases.

Solution: Here you need to be observant, you might not be able to identify any symptoms in your poultry farming.

Not every disease gives any symptom, but in case you see strange sign in your farm inform your veterinary doctor at once. By so doing, the right drugs will be prescribed.

4. Access to right birds reduces poultry farming problem

Many poultry farmers are victim of this problem, not every company that sell day old birds are the right place to get our birds.

Once you are victim, no way out, you are going to spend a lot on drugs and many a time you lose many of your birds. So many companies are facing one problem or the other, meanwhile proper investigation allows you to get best company that sell quality birds.

Therefore one need to be careful of where they get their birds from as this determines what might be result at the end.

Possible solution: From my research and understanding, I will recommend you consult your veterinary doctor before you get your birds, either a day old or at any point at all, so this prevent your poultry farming from problem of such.

5. Feed related problem poultry farming system

Feeding related problem is another problem we need to consider as this determines the growth of rate of our birds.

Feeding is more than just given the birds feeds, they need balanced diets if you want them to do well. Some producers mix complete feeds with cheaper scratch grains, but doing so dilutes the levels of nutrients the chickens are receiving, and nutrient deficiencies can occur.

Nutrient deficiencies can adversely affect the growth of pullets and the level of production of hens. The level of feed a bird will eats depend on it sizes, ages and rate of egg production, energy level of the feed and temperature of the house i.e laying house.

Amount of feed consumed also depend on the breed of birds. Take for example, A Leghorn chicken eats about 1/4 pound of feed per day. Brown-egg layers are slightly larger and require more food, therefore need more feeds.

Quality of eggs is affected by the feed they eat, the quality of egg shell is determined by the level (amount) and the presence of vitamin D, Calcium and other minerals in the feed. Pigment in the feed determine the yolk color of the eggs, to achieve the maximum egg size in production, the level of protein in the feed come in place and fatty acid.

Since more is known about the nutritional requirements of the chicken than of any other domestic animals, it is not surprising that rations are scientifically balanced to assure layer health along with optimum quality eggs at least cost. In short words, feed quality is required in profitable laying birds.

6. Water related Problem in poultry farming system

This problem should not be underrated, the quality of water available is very important, the acidity of the water must be checked and balanced before we give to the birds. Acidic water will imply negative effect to the life of the birds as this will affect them in many ways.

Solution: water condition must be checked before included in feeding fowls.

7. Drugs related problem poultry farming system

This is a big threat to poultry farmers, not all drugs requires are available in the market, some time those available are not effective, meaning  they are fake.

When some are prolong in used, they build resistance to its effect ie they will not be effective when they are administered.

The available drugs are not effective like the former one, so this cause a lot of problem for us farmers. Aside this, we should consult veterinary doctors for proper prescription of drugs we must administered

Possible solution:  We should consult veterinary for the right drugs for the right problem.

8. Management related problem in poultry farming system

This refers to the general hygiene of the entire farming system, if you apply the above listed solution and you are not properly taken care of the birds.

You will end up spending big money that will not materialize. Maintain 100% hygiene for best performer of your birds, clean their house, wash their drinkers and feeders. Remove grasses from sounding to prevent predators that might want to affect them.

Thanks for taken your time to read this article, kindly drop your opinion about this.

14 Reasons your layers are no more laying eggs

The amazing thing in layers is the ability to lay eggs as planned, this make farmers feel happy and comfortable. Why? Their birds are doing excellently well and then they will be in disturbed mind when they are no more doing well. 

They will be moving from one vet to another for solution to tackle this problem, though consulting your vet doctor is not bad, in fact it is very good idea.  There are a lot of reasons why this might happen and all cannot be outlined here. 

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However, some causes are more common than others and the flock owner should consider these in seeking the solution to the problem. Today we are going to look at the most common reasons your chickens have stopped laying.

1. New additions to the flock is one of the reason your  layers are no more laying eggs

So you have definitely not got a broody hen, but still do not see any eggs. Have you recently moved your chickens or introduced new chickens into the flock? 

Chickens love routine and the slightest disruption to their routine usually results in them going off lay. The most common routine disruption they experience is when they are moved. 

This can either be when they are transported to your home after you have bought them, or if you have decided to move their coop. Chances are you bought your chickens as pullets so they were not laying when they arrived at the new location. 

But if you have moved their coop they will not be happy with you! Give them a few days to come around and they should start laying again. In addition, if you have just introduced new chickens into the flock this can also disrupt their routine and egg laying. 

When new chickens are introduced there tends to be some shoving and jostling for the first few days as they establish the new pecking orders, this may cause your layers laying eggs for few days. 

During this time they will not lay eggs but again, after a few days they should start laying again, this is clear enough.

2. Breeds of hens may result to layers for no more laying eggs

This point is very important and in many a times are ignore by the farmers. The laying ability depend largely on the breeds, some breeds lay more eggs, they may lay more than 200 eggs a year while some lay less than 100 eggs a year. 

You can see the different, so before getting your pullet make sure they are the more producing type. Take for instance, breeds such as Rhode Island Reds or Buff Orpingtons can lay more than 200 eggs per year. 

Whereas other breeds such as Ameraucanas or Silkies are known to lay less than 100 eggs a year.

3. Feeding may be the reason your  layers are no more laying eggs

The average laying hen's skeleton contains 20g calcium and one egg represents 10% of that. Hens do have calcium reserves stored up in their bodies, but if they do not get enough calcium from their food for their egg shells the stores will get depleted very quickly and they will stop laying. 

It is important that laying hens get feed either a proper, balanced layer feed mash or pellets or a good quality all flock feed with a calcium supplement like oyster shell offered free choice. It is best to offer layer food free choice i.e. have the feeders full at all times, to ensure hens get enough food. 

Keep in mind that the average hen needs 5 ounces of food and 10 ounces of water to produce 1 egg. Feeding too much treats, table scraps and scratch means the hens will eat less of the food they need, so only feed limited amounts of those. 

Overfeeding scraps and scratch can also cause the hens to get too fat. Overweight hens don't lay eggs, therefore avoid this in other not to prevent your layers from no more laying eggs . Hope you are following?

4.  Layers are no more laying eggs as a result of old age

Age is another factor we need to consider why talking about hen laying eggs, are they too young or too old. Young birds do not have ability to lay more eggs like wise old age hen do not have power to lay more eggs also. 

The production rate increase with increases in age at a certain age and begin to decrease with increase in age. Just study this simple illustration, as your hens get older, they will lay less frequently. 

Usually, they lay best during their first and second year, then as they approach three years old, their laying will decrease. 

By the time they are about five years old, they will only be laying about half as frequently as they did at their peak. 

Raising a new flock every few years is the best way to have an ongoing supply of home grown eggs.

5.  Layers are no more laying eggs as a result of Illness/ diseases

If not all poultry diseases, many of them have negative effect on the laying ability of birds in the farm. Often the birds will show symptoms of illness, but sometimes they will not. 

If a disease is suspected, it is important to consult a poultry veterinarian without delay. A timely diagnosis may allow effective treatment for some diseases. 

In the case of certain virulent diseases such as highly pathogenic Avian Influenza, a speedy diagnosis may prevent losses of whole flocks in entire regions, and minimize the risk of zootomic transmission of deadly disease from chickens to humans, e.g., bird flu. Internal parasites to look out for are round worms and tape worms. 

Deworm the flock every 1 month as a precaution. The withdrawal period for most dewormers are 14 days and the eggs laid during that period should be discarded and should not be incubated. 

The residue in the eggs causes severely handicapped chicks and most die shortly after hatching. Diseases that influence egg production are fowl pox, coccidiosis, infectious bronchitis, Newcastle disease, Avian influenza, chronic respiratory infection, fowl cholera and infectious coryza. 

Most of these diseases can be controlled by vaccinating the flock and maintaining good hygiene practices.

6.   Layers are no more laying eggs due to Broodiness

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Brooding is the ability of birds to sit on the eggs for the purpose of hatching the them, which are not allowed in the farm setting. Some breeds of hens are prone to become broody. 

When this happens, they stop laying eggs. They are more likely to become broody if they are allowed to accumulate more eggs in a nest. 

The problem is most prevalent during spring under natural daylight as the hens come into production due to the stimulating effects of increasing day length. To avoid this problem, it is best to pick up eggs at least two time a day to prevent the hen from building a clutch. 

Daily egg gathering is also an important practice to preserve the safety and quality of eggs for human consumption. If the housing facilities permit, hens can be moved to different living quarters periodically to disrupt their attachment to specific nesting sites.

7.  Layers are no more laying eggs due to the length of day light

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Nature cannot be change but in some case can be modify to suite our purpose. Animals are not left out of this situation, specifically here, layers are animals that react to the changes in the length of day in which eggs production are require. 

For proper production of eggs, they need up to 16 hours a day to be able to produce eggs on regular basis. This is the reason behind high production of eggs in longer day than shorter days. 

Now that Spring is approaching, and the days are getting longer, the hens in my home flock have started laying again.  During the early part of the winter, they were laying fewer eggs because there were fewer daylight hours. 

Commercial egg producers avoid this problem and maintain egg production year round by using artificial lighting to give hens a long day length no matter what the season.

8. Feed component may be the reason your layers are no more laying eggs

Layer mash is more than just feed, I mean they are to be feed with balanced diet if you need to get the best from them. 

This is why we need to know the component of feed we give to our birds, you don’t understand, not the quantity that matter now but the quality of what you over them. Layers need a balanced and adequate diet to maintain egg production. 

Each egg contains significant amounts of protein and energy, which must first be consumed by the bird as part of its daily food intake. Too little dietary energy or an imbalance of amino acids can cause depressed egg production. 

Many backyard flock owners do not realize how much calcium a bird needs. The shell of each egg contains roughly 2 grams of calcium. 

Good quality layer feeds have the correct balance of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, calcium and other minerals. If you feed table scraps or scratch grains to your hens, you should use moderation so as not to upset the balance.

9.  Layers are no more laying eggs as a result of molting

Molting is a natural phenomenon in laying birds, is a process that allow birds to replace old, worn feather by shedding them and growing new ones. 

It is usually triggered by day length, but it can happen any time of the year. A stressful event can trigger it too. Regrowing feathers takes us much of the body's resources as egg laying does, so during a molt most hens will not lay. 

A molt usually takes between 2 and 6 months to complete and unfortunately this process cannot be rushed. Some extra protein in their feed will help the hens a lot during this time.

10.  Layers are no more laying eggs due to stress

Stressed birds either lay very strange eggs or no eggs at all. A fright, running out of food and water, disruptions of the pecking order, for instance adding a rooster to the flock and getting moved to a new coop will all causes stress. 

When you buy birds and bring them home to a new coop it could take up to 6 weeks before they start laying again.

11. Temperature may be the reason your layers are no more laying eggs

Layers lay best when it is not too cold or too hot.  If possible, keep the temperature in their house above 55° F in the winter. During the summer, provide plenty of shade and cool water. If you want to get maximum eggs production, make sure the temperature are within the range require for production of eggs.

12. Some  layers are no more laying eggs as a result of egg eating

If you are not getting any eggs, and you are sure your birds are laying, you might have an egg eater or two in your flock. Look for signs like yolk smeared on the nest box materials.

13.  Layers are no more laying eggs as a result of free ranging

Free ranging birds sometimes lay their eggs in secrets nests / location. So your birds may be laying after all, but not where you prepared for them to lay. 

If this is the case keep them cooped up for a few days so they will learn to use the nest boxes. Use fake eggs or golf balls in the nest boxes will make them more attractive for hens too.

14. Layers are no more laying eggs as a result of predator

Predators such as skunks and snakes will eat eggs.  Prevent this by gathering the eggs more frequently, and improve pens and housing as needed to keep the predators out.

Pleas drop your comment, thank for reading trough.