Poultry farming turns money over quickly: broilers are raised in one and a half to two months, and laying hens produce eggs every day. But this activity requires precise control of temperature and feeding and strict biosecurity.
Broilers or laying hens
| Broilers (meat) | Laying hens (eggs) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cycle | Short: usually 6–8 weeks to slaughter | Long: a laying hen is productive for more than a year |
| Cross | Specialised meat crosses | Egg-laying crosses (white and brown eggs) |
| Main costs | Day-old chicks, compound feed, heating | Pullets, feed, lighting, egg packaging |
| Sales | Carcasses; a slaughter facility is required | Eggs daily; regular supply is important |
Productivity — weight gain, number of eggs per year — depends on the cross, feed and conditions. Use the chick supplier's data and the actual results of neighbouring farms as a guide.
Chicks' first days
- Warm up the house and bedding in advance. In the first days chicks need a temperature of about 30–33 °C. It is then lowered by roughly 2–3 °C per week.
- Behaviour shows whether everything is right: chicks huddling near the heater are cold; chicks moving away and breathing heavily are too hot.
- Water and starter feed immediately after placement.
- Bedding should be dry and thick, with no mould.
Feed and lighting
- Use complete compound feeds suited to age: starter, grower and finisher for broilers, and separate feeds for pullets and laying hens.
- Laying hens need calcium (shell grit, chalk) and a stable day length. A sharp reduction in light lowers egg production.
Biosecurity
Avian influenza and other infections can wipe out the entire flock. Prevent contact between domestic and wild birds (especially waterfowl), keep the poultry house closed, use a change of footwear and disinfection barriers, and follow veterinary requirements on vaccination. Report any mass deaths to the veterinary service immediately.
Sales
Veterinary documents are required to sell meat and eggs, and carcasses must come from slaughter under approved conditions. Arrange your sales before placing a batch, not after.
