POULTRY FARMING IN WINTER

ByNOEL IYOMBWA

POULTRY farming in winter require temperature administration of poultry house which is a critical pre-condition for better generation and wellbeing of birds and better profit while doing poultry farming in winter.

To get the maximum profit out of the poultry farming business, the birds should befree from all types of stress.

Poultry faces stress of harsh cold weather which needs proper management of temperature, humidity, litter, ammonia, feed, water, light and ventilation.

Poultry Association of Zambia Chief Executive Officer Dominic Chanda says that although the cost of production in poultry is high during cold season, farmers don’t need to increase the price of chickens because the cost of feed has not changed.

Mr. Chanda stated that the country recently saw a good harvest of Soya beans which is a major component in the production of chicken feed hence the price remain sun changed.

He explained that 50 per cent of feed is made from Soya cake and the rest in Maize adding that there has been no movement in the price of feed to justify the increase in chickens.

The PAZ CEO admitted that the cost of production in chicken rearing is high during the cold season compared to normal seasons.

‘’The cost of rearing chicken is high during this period for example the cost of raising one chick is K 50 in normal period, during the cold season it becomes something like K 62 because during this period the chicks need to eat a lot and farmers should ensure that they maintain the temperature from 24 to 34 degrees Celsius failure to do that may reason in mortality rate increasing.

‘’Apart from that if the temperature is not up to standard, the chicken may not grow and for layers they will be reduction in laying eggs, ’he said.

He said that it is normal during for chickens dying during the cold season hence the need for proper management.

Mr. Chanda advised poultry farmers to always ensure that there is enough opening for air circulation during cold season to allow circulation.

‘’leaving windows open is very important while keeping the temperature to standard to avoid mortalities. During this period the cost of rearing chickens is very high because chicks need to eat a lot for them to grow well. You note that if a chick was eating 3-4 kilograms of feed in the normal season, during cold season it becomes more than that, ’Mr. Chanda said.

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