7 Effective and Efficient Ways to Raise Broiler Chickens
Learn how to raise broiler chickens efficiently: build an ideal coop, secure light and water, guard the first 14 days, control feed and time vitamins.
Broilers are chickens raised specifically for their meat. Lean chicken meat contains animal fat as well as plenty of protein, both of which the body needs. Besides these two nutrients, chicken is also rich in calcium, iron, phosphorus, selenium, calories and much more. With such great benefits, it's no surprise that so many people love chicken. What's more, demand for chicken keeps rising, both on ordinary days and on major holidays. During holidays, chicken prices rise sharply, and that is when broiler farmers make their profit. If you want to raise broiler chickens, here is how:
Also read 5 Broiler Chicken Characteristics Every Farmer Should Know
Contents
An Ideal Coop
The first thing to do when raising broiler chickens is to build an ideal coop. What counts as ideal differs for each type of chicken. For kampung chickens (Indonesia's free-range native chicken), for example, the ideal is a large yard to roam freely, while a broiler coop must let sunlight in. An ideal coop also needs good air circulation, with air flowing freely in and out. In addition, keep the coop warm at night by installing light bulbs.
Access to Electricity and Water
The second step in raising broiler chickens is making sure the area around the coop has enough light. There must also be a water source near the coop to meet your broilers' drinking needs. Why does the area around the coop need enough light? Because other animals, such as rats, can attack your chicks.
A Night Guard for the Coop
Most chicken farms are located far from residential areas, because a farm close by would bother residents with the smell of chicken manure. So to protect your chickens at night, you should hire someone to guard the coop. If you are just starting out in the chicken business, you can guard it yourself at night, and once the business grows, hire someone to watch your coop.
Set Up Equipment Inside the Coop
To succeed in raising meat chickens, you need to install equipment inside the coop. The coop should be fitted with heaters, partitions and litter. Don't forget to add feeders and drinkers for your broilers as well.
The Vulnerable Period
If you are a beginner, you may not yet know when broilers are most vulnerable. The vulnerable period is the first 14 days. Give the chicks extra attention during this time, because if they are not looked after well, they will get cold, catch diseases easily and die.
Control Feed and Water
One part of raising meat chickens that needs your attention is controlling feed and water. When your chickens' water runs out, refill it right away. Keep feeders and drinkers clean so the chickens don't get sick easily. Feeding frequency also matters, because feeding too rarely or too often will only create new problems for your broilers.
Antibiotics and Vitamins
Chickens also need antibiotics and vitamins to prevent the various diseases that can strike. Before harvest, broilers should be given antibiotics and vitamins at least 10 days before harvest, and the vitamins can be continued until harvest time.
Also read 4 Ways to Make Layer Chickens More Productive
Those are the broiler farming methods you can put into practice. We hope you find this information useful.
