Tag: poultry

Organic Livestock and Poultry Farming

Organic Livestock and Poultry Farming

BY  CABMELA  ABAYGAR

Here’s an in-depth look at the world of organic farming for both livestock and organic.

Organic farmers should promote animal well-being throughout the farm. This may be done by minimizing physical and psychological stress on the animals and reducing the incidence of disease. Also, when animals are not stressed, veterinary bills are reduced and meat tenderness is maintained.

Pain  and stress relief Conventional farming practices such as castrating, marking and mulesing, if it cannot be avoided, should be kept to a minimum.

Physical alternations should be provided as needed to promote the animal’s welfare and in a manner that reduces pain and stress. Anesthetics lidocaine and procaine are allowed to be used for pain reduction. Chlorohexidine is also allowed for surgical procedures conducted by a veterinarian, as well as a number of other topical disinfectants.

Also, stress during handling can be minimized by reducing noise and not rushing stock through gateways.

Animals also experience stress when in transport going to market and during slaughter. Stress must be minimized during this period. Slaughter must be done quickly and without unnecessary stress. Animals should not be placed in an area where slaughter of other animals can be seen.

Living conditions

The farm should have living conditions for animals such that their needs for free movement, food, water, shelter and shade are provided. Also, the farmer must be aware of the animals’ specific natural behavior patterns. Living conditions that accommodate the health and natural behavior of the animals should be provided. Continue reading “Organic Livestock and Poultry Farming”

SIMPLER WAY TO FIND OUT FEED DEFICIENCY

SIMPLER WAY TO FIND OUT FEED DEFICIENCY

 

Experts suggested an easy way of finding out whether the chickens are being fed correctly. This is by looking at the floor of the pen to find out whether there are too many or too little feathers scattered around, or looking at the chickens to see whether some of them are already bald due to pecking by the other chickens. The underlying principle is, that the chickens will eat their feathers to get the protein they need. The chickens feathers and their fellow chicken’s skins are good sources of protein. Tips showing when chickens are supplied with more protein are: when the chickens are bald, when chickens are suffering from wounds inflicted by other chickens that peck on

them and when less feathers are scattered around. These techniques could easily be adapted to large scale commercial operations where collection of accurate weight and conversion data would not be possible.

 

Source: Greenfields, July 1980

Poultry contract growing

[youtube fmT6zb8b420]

 Broiler contract growing

In this system the integrator /company would provide you the chicks, feeds, technical assistance and market.

You, as the grower/farmer would provide the housing , manpower, electricity, water etc…

In any contract there would be agreements that both party will/should adhere too.

There would be certain standard that you need to meet in terms of FCR (feed conversion ratio),  ADG,  mortality etc.

And if you surpass this standards the company/integrator will pay you a premium.

But if you are below the standard there is an equivalent penalty.

 In the above video, San Miguel Foods, is one of the few integrators in our country and currently they are advocating for a tunnel vent housing.

Tunnel vent / tunnel ventilation  is a more advance type of housing for livestock.

In this system, the temperature, humidity etc of the house is being controlled through microcomputers.

The microcomputers will make necessary adjustment to make the housing more comfortable for the animal.

Thus, it will translate for more efficient and healthy animal and the end result would be a more profitable farming  (usually).

Vaccination Guide for Newcastle disease

Vaccination Guide for Newcastle disease
Bureau of Animal Industry
Department of Agriculture

Newcastle Disease (ND) in Chickens

Newcastle disease is a highly fatal disease of chicken, pigeons, quails and other domestic bird. Affected birds may die from ND even without observable signs and symptoms of the disease. Signs of infections include periorbital swelling, respiratory signs such as gasping (difficulty in breathing), rales may also be observed. More often, greenish diarrhea is present. Mortality can reach up to 100% Other sings include depression and drooping of the wings, torticollis or twisting of the neck.

Disease Transmission

ND is transmitted through infected or contaminated feces. Bird to bird transmission is often observed. Mechanical vectors can also carry the virus such as farm personnel/ visitors, vehicle, other animals within the farm. In addition, ND is also transmitted via the eggs and intestinal contents (intestinal organs) of sick birds. Lastly, ND can be spread through aerosol from one infected farm to the other. Continue reading “Vaccination Guide for Newcastle disease”