General Information Related to Broilers

 

• Meat type birds
• Scientific name is Gallus Domesticus

For broiler breeders

1. Number of settable eggs per dam housed = 170 eggs
2. Breeding period = 25 to 66 weeks
3. Fertility percentage = 90%
4. Hatchability (% of total eggs set) = 80 %
5. Number of sale-able chicks per dam = 130 straight run chicks
6. Mortality (maximum); 0 to 8 weeks = 3 %, 9 to 20 weeks = 4 %, More than 20 weeks = 18 %
7. Body weight; 20^th week; Males = 2.6 kg, Females = 2.0 kg
8. Body weight; 40^th week; Males = 3.5 kg, Females = 2.5 kg
9. Age at first lay = 22 weeks
10. Age at sexual maturity = 25 weeks
11. Incubation period of egg = 21 days
12. Minimum hatch weight = 35 grams
13. Egg size (by broiler hens) = 55 grams
14. Floor space for broiler breeders (above 18 weeks) = 2.25 sq. ft.

Specifications of an ideal broiler shed

1. It should be constructed at least 300 ft. away from residential areas
2. Direction = facing east-west
3. Minimum distance between 2 sheds = 35 ft.
4. Size = depending on number of birds reared
5. Width = 22 to 25 ft.
6. Length = depending on land available and number of birds housed.
7. Foundation = should be of concrete; minimum 1 ft. above and 1 ft. below the ground.
8. Height; eaves height = 6-7 feet; height of centre of the roof = 10-12 ft.
9. Type of roof = gable or monitor type depending on weather conditions. In temperate areas, gable roof, and in tropical areas, monitor roof is built.
10. Type of floor = solid litter floor is with maximum benefits.
11. Doors = must open outside; Dimensions = 1 m high, 2 m wide
12. Overhang = 1 m on both sides
13. Manure pit = 1m depth; 30 m away from shed
14. Main gate = 12-15 ft. for vehicles; 3-4 ft. for personals

Feed stuffs apart from compounded feed

1. Energy feeds = cereals and their by products. E.g. maize, wheat, barley, sorghum, oat, rice polish, bajra, wheat bran, rice bran, molasses, etc.
2. Protein feeds;

Plant protein sources = ground nut cake, sunflower meal, soyabean meal, coconut oil cake, cotton seed meal, etc.

Animal protein sources = fish meal, meat meal, bone meal, tadpole meal, poultry by-product meal, etc.

• Feed should contain 23% crude protein & 2900 kcal/kg ME/day
• Calorie-protein ratio of feed = 122

Composition of broiler meat

1. Water = 76%
2. Protein = 19%
3. Fat = 5%
4. Saturated fatty acids = 2%
5. Ash = 0.8%
6. Calcium = 12 mg%
7. Phosphorous = 201 mg%
8. Iron = 1.9 mg%
9. Vitamin A = 730 IU
10. Linoleic acid = 1%
11. Oleic acid = 2%

Miscellaneous information

• Feeding space required by 1 chick  = 2 inches
• Drinking space required by 1 chick = ¼ inch
• Floor space requirement; from 0 to 4 weeks = 0.5 sq. ft., from 5 to 8 weeks = 1 sq.ft
• Debeaking to check cannibalism can be done at 9 days of age or 3-4 weeks of age.
• De-toeing can be done at 6-9 days of age in breeding males.
• Feed efficiency at 6 weeks of age = 1.8
• Livability(from 0 to 6 weeks) = 98%
• Dressing percentage = 75 (maximum)

 

 

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