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Selecting the most suitable breed of turkeys for your flock

Raising some friendly breeds of turkey is really enjoyable. Moreover, if you bring them up at your home based settings, then you would be able to enjoy a number of flavored meats. At the same time, this strategy is also useful in saving some money. In this regard, you can make use of a number of old as well modern breeds. Glenn Drowns, a specialist in the domain of heritage poultry, asserts that the White Holland and related breeds are best suited for flocks which are below 20 and that the Bourbon reds are really useful in terms of pest control as well as for foraging. Frank Reese, another specialist in the domain of breeding turkeys, also suggests that the White Holland poultry breeds are quite competitive in terms of meat production and consumption. How to breed turkeys? This is the core question here.

Preference for Broad Breasted Breeds

For those who plan to raise for sales, then the breeds will come to be the most useful. However, these birds are available on a limited basis, all because of a respiratory disease outbreak that has effectuated thousands of flocks. The reason for which this bird is being recommended lies in the large amount of meat which is present in the areas of its breasts. In comparison to the wild turkey, the bird has 2 to 4 times more meat, due to which it is well suited for meat production purposes. These birds are able to achieve a weight of sixteen to twenty five pounds in a matter of 24 weeks. On the other hand, in order to reach the same weight, the heritage birds would demand nearly 2 years. The importance of this timing period is highly crucial in terms of poultry production, for which most of the poultry producers prefer to make use of this breed of turkeys.

Tips for selecting the best breeds for you farms

In terms of selecting the most suited and appropriate breed, you need to be knowledgeable of the various facets including its capacity of natural reproduction, its ability to fly, its pace in terms of reaching the stage of maturity and many other related factors. The thumb rule here is that the most famous breeds might not be necessarily suited for the smaller farms and at the same time, the big size is also not an indicator in terms of the best breeds of domestic turkeys.

Classes of Production Type Turkeys

There are two basic types which will be discussed here including Broad Breasted Whites and The Broad Breasted Bronze. You can easily purchase them from a number of hatcheries in times of the spring season. In addition, the pace of their growth is also quite agile, due to which you would be able to have a massive turkey in the minimal time span. However, there is a single drawback in making use of these breeds of turkey i.e. they aren’t able to produce on a natural basis. The reason for this can be linked to the large sizes of their breasts, which limits their ability to reach out. So, for those who plan to breed some large flocks of turkeys, these two breeds might not be suitable. But if you have no sort of problem with their reproduction limitation, then you should go for them.

Heritage Breed of Turkeys

There are a number of farmers and poultry producers who prefer to utilize the heritage turkeys, all because of their well-developed reproduction capabilities. Moreover, they also come in various colors and sizes and are also able to brood a number of eggs. Below are some of the breeds which you might want to consider at the time of selecting the best breeds of turkey for your farms and poultry houses.

Auburn: This heritage breed is believed to be similar to the bronze breeds, but happens to be more reddish in color. The origins of this breed go a few centuries back.

Beltsville Small White: This rare preservation breed is marked for being smaller in size. The breed is also more active in comparison to the other breeds, primarily because of its small size.

Spanish Black: Now here we have another rare breed which was mainly utilized by early settlers. The breed is also medium in size in comparison to other breeds of the same class.

Bronze: This breed is quite large in size and is able to carry out the breeding process in a natural manner. Do remember to distinguish it from the broad breasted ones.

Midget White: The smallest breed of turkeys, Midget White, is really suited for small families. Furthermore, these birds are also quite active and are also able to fly.

Royal Palm Turkeys: Famous for being a show bird, Royal Palm is a small sized heritage turkey. The breed is marked for having black and white colors.

Narragansett Turkeys: Believed to be good foragers, natural calm, medium sized and excellent brooders, Narragansett is the breed which you might want for your small farms. In the past, the breed had come quite close to being extinct, but now it is believed to be more prevalent.

Breeding and Rearing of Geese

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Of all forms of the domestic birds, the geese are the ones that can be termed to be the fastest growers. They are quite hardy and can become disease free if kept under constant care. Although a small number of these animals are kept in the poultry settings, there is still a lot of scope for the raising geese industry all over the world. The geese can be grown and brought up successfully on the green pasture, due to which the cost for the production can be lowered down by substantial levels. Keeping in view the feeding and geese breeding, you can expect to start a successful poultry business. Below are some types of geese, which you should know about when planning to raise the waterfowl geese or the water geese.

Famous Breeds of Domestic Geese

Embden

Classified to be a large and an upright bird among the breeds of goose, the Embden is known for its glossy feathers. Its eyes happen to be light blue in color. Initially, the breed had originated from the regions of Germany, but is now well distributed all over the world. For the gander, the weight falls around 8 to 9 kg and for the goose, the weight usually falls around 8 kg.

Chinese

The Chinese geese can be divided into two different classes i.e. the white and the brown. This bird is able to stand upright with its arching neck. It also has a very distinct knob on the areas of its bill. The eyes of this breed are brown in color. Moreover, this breed is considered to be the noisiest among all the breeds, due to which their sound can be heard to far of places.

Sebastopol and Toulouse

The Sebastopol breed is identified from its fuzzy and curling feathers due to which the birds that fall under the breed appear to be untidy. Furthermore, this breed is also known to be of having an ornamental nature. At the same time, the body of the breed is also more round in comparison to the other breeds. On the other hand, the Toulouse breed is believed to have originated in France and is quite similar to the Embden. But it is not so popular in relation to the other breeds mentioned here.

Moreover, the breeds of wild geese include The Barnacle Geese, Bar-Headed Goose, The Red Breasted Geese and many more.

Brooding of Goslings

After the goslings hatching, a lot of care should be taken in terms of handling them. In other words, for the first few days the goslings are quite delicate due to which they should be kept warm. Now for the goslings which are brought up under the supervision of their parents, the occurrence of problems is less likely. You can provide some simple housing arrangements for them for the first few days in order to protect them from the changes in the weather. At the same time, you should also ensure that the floor litter is kept as dry as possible.

On the other hand, for the goslings which are being brought up in an artificial manner, the need for a warm enclosure is highly crucial. For the purpose of providing the goslings with some heat, you can make use of infrared as well as the carbon heating globes. For example, a 250 watt globe will prove to be enough for nearly 30 goslings. In order to know the optimal temperature for the goslings, you can also observe their movement to get an idea.

Breeding and Mating of Geese

How to breed geese? Well, the geese enjoy their best breeding period from the age of 2 to 8 years. After the age of 10 years, the pace of egg production declines slowly at which you should introduce some new flocks of geese. The process of geese breeding can be run using the free range method. It is best to make use of the healthiest gander for 3 to 4 healthy females. You should also allow the birds to mate for one month at the beginning of the geese breeding season.

Feeding and Nutrition

In addition to the availability of the green pasture, you can use of a supplementary ration which can be in the form of geese food pellets or mashes. The feed should be given to the birds 3 to 4 weeks before the fertile eggs would be hatching. Moreover, also prepare vitamin and mineral based mixes in accordance with the guidelines and directions given by the manufacturers.

The goslings should be given a constant access to the water from the very first day. The water provided should be good in quality and should be subject to quality assurance from time to time. Now here you can make use of some specialized jars and troughs for the purpose.

Shelter Needs

The need for having a spacious shelter for the geese is quite crucial, especially in times of the winter season. For the optimal levels of comfort for the birds, the shelter should be at least 8′ x 10′. Each bird should be given around 6 square feet. Moreover, the shelter should also be water and predator proof. It is also important not to confine the birds for a long time as they might get restless at times.

Gizzard Worming Issue and Solutions

At times when you find the presence of the gizzard worms on the body of the birds, then it is best to begin with contacting the specialists. Moreover, you should also ensure that a proper heat supply is available to the birds due to which the worms including, acuaria, tapeworm and at all others won’t be able to heavily influence the health of the birds. You can also administer the doses of the medications including Nilverm, Aviverm, Droncit and many more.

10 Popular Domestic Geese Breeds And Their Predators

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When it comes to knowing the facts and information about geese, then surely a number of breeds stand out among all others. All of the ancestors of the domestic geese had been derived from the wild species of those times. The European breeds are believed to have originated from the graylag class while the Asian breeds had been obtained from the swan goose.

Although these two classes had quite separate origins, still they were able to inter breed from time to time. The breeds of domestic geese have been classified and stumbled into a number of different classes, the details of which would be shared below. Here are the 10 most popular breeds of domestic geese with pictures.

1. Toulouse

Known to be the largest and one of the most used standard geese breeds, the Toulouse breed is marked for having a weight of about 20 to 26 pounds. The back of this domesticated breed is seen to be dark gray in color. The color starts to transform to light gray color as we move towards the breast regions.

The feet are marked for their deep reddish and orange colors. The bill of the Toulouse breed is pale yellow. In terms of the predators, raccoons, owls, foxes and weasels are in the lead.

2. Embden

This geese breed comes from a German city that was famous for exporting them to the regions in England. In comparison to the Toulouse, the embden breed is a bit smaller and white in color. Moreover, it is also a better sitter in comparison to the different breeds of geese.

It is also the most popular and desired market goose in the United States markets. In addition to being a rapid grower, the breed is also quite agile in maturation. The adults can easily reach the weight of about 16 to 26 pounds. In order to wither off the predators, the breed is famous for making use of stylized sounds, hissing and movements.

3. African

Marked for having an ashy brown color and dark orange colored legs, The African geese breed had originated in India. But at the same time, it has been erroneously reported that Africa is the region where it had come from. It also has a kind of protuberance on the top regions of its head.

The male members of the breed are really famous for cross breeding into the other breeds. The adults in this breed are able to have a weight of about 14-20 pounds. Its dark beak together with some other features make it less desirable in comparison to the Toulouse and embden.

4. The American Buff

Being light buff in color and having a white shaded breast, The American Buff is considered to be latest addition into the American market standards. In a matter of no time, the breed has been able to bag a fame and popularity, which is all because of its amazing features and breeding characteristics. The adults in the class of American Geese breed can reach the weight of about 15-18 pounds.

5. Chinese Geese

Presently, you can find the brown as well as white varieties of the Chinese geese. Being smaller and having a swanlike appearance, this breed of geese is well adopted and suited for consumption at the home based settings. The brown Chinese goose is known to have a brown colored plumage, while the white ones are known for their orange colored bill.

6. Sebastopol Geese

Marked for their twisted, curled and feathery upper regions of the body, the Sebastopol is classified to be an ornamental breed. The weights for the adults can top the 12 to 14 pounds limit, thus also making them suited for non-commercial purposes.

7. Pilgrim

The pilgrim is more like a fast growing and sturdy geese breed which is desirable for varying reasons and features. It has always been raised for its feathers and for the purpose of its delicious meat. The breed is also different in terms of the plumage color with which the males are separated from the females.

The males happen to have blue colored eyes, while the females are marked for having hazel colored eyes. The optimal weight for the adults reaches to about 12 to 14 pounds.

8. The Canada Goose

Mechanisms of close confinement are what that are used for the captivation of this geese breed. Mostly they are used in the public parts and by the hunters to serve the purpose of decoys. Their plumage varies from grey to black colors while the feathers on their breast happen to be light.

The ganders or male members do not breed before the age of 2 years. Moreover, they are famous for the mating process in pairs. But there is one drawback in making use of this breed for commercial reasons i.e. they are not efficient in terms of the reproduction.

9. Egyptian

Having long legs, but a small sized body appearance, the Egyptian is used for varying ornamental purposes. Surely, the breed is beautiful but has no potential for competing in the commercial markets all over the world.

The only ones who prefer to purchase them are the ones who are obsessed with their beauty. Their weight, which ranges from 4 to 6 pounds, is also what makes them the least desirable.

10. The Buff Back Geese

Europe is the place of origin for this geese breed, which can be differentiated in terms of its plumage size, color and a long bodied appearance. It is used for the purpose of meat and eggs together with its broody nature. They can be breed effectively in the form of pairs and trios.

Protecting Geese From Predators

For the purpose of protecting the breeds from the geese predators, you would need to provide them with some adequate levels of shelter. It is best to allow them to roam in the day time and keeping them confined in protected shelters at night.

Not to forget here that some predators are quite lethal in terms of attacking from under the ground due to which it is recommended to secure the base of the shelter with some strong and durable materials. It is also preferable to make the use of low intensity electric fences. The common predators for all the breeds of geese include bobcats, dogs, coyotes,

5 Latest Poultry Researches News 2013

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The poultry industries all over the world have been subject to a wide range of advances in the past decades. These advances are not limited to the use of technology, but also involve some major advancement in the medicine and farming techniques. These frontiers also include the use of various diets and foods which are directed towards the betterment of the poultry health of the domesticated animals. These feeds include glycerin which has been enhanced using various forms of biodiesel and poultry vitamins.

 Glycerin as an input to the poultry diets

The major component of glycerin is glycerol which is used as an energy source. But there are other residual parts and components which have limited the use of these feeds in the animal foods. These components include sodium and methanol. The energy derived from glycerin in animals varies significantly in the animals depending upon the specific methods from which the components had been extracted. But there is a mutual agreement that nearly 85 % of the energy can be obtained easily from these sources. It is through a complete understanding about the role of glycerin that we would be better able to use them in the diets of animals.

The use of garlic as a potential feed supplement

In terms of the feed additives, natural herbs and various forms of plants have been subject to research due to their positive effects on the health of the animals at the farm. Garlic is one of the most effective feed supplement all because of the beneficial effectuations it has towards the health of the animals. The positive effects seen from the use of these feeds include feed efficiency, poultry growth, increased production of eggs and quality. These feeds also help in stimulating the immune system of the animals plus lowering down the levels of cholesterol found in the blood vessels. But there is a variation in the reported results in terms of the authors who carried out the researches. But there is indeed an element of community and agreement between the reported results.

The role of ascorbic acid for reducing heat stress in poultry

There are a number of reviews which have been written in this regard. But our main focus here is on the reviews published relating to the effectuations caused by ascorbic acid on the overall performance of poultry and in the treatment of poultry diseases.

The first review had been written by researchers including Pardue and Thaxton in the year 1986. It focused on the role of ascorbic acid in alleviating or lowering down the effects of the heat stress in the birds brought up in the poultry research settings. The second review in this regard had been published by Whitehead and Keller in the year 2003 which focused on effects on poultry other than heat stress. Heat stress is linked with the decline that comes in the growth, overall performance, and intake of poultry diets, quality and the amount of egg production and poultry feed. Not to forget that it also comes to effectuate the immune system of the animals. Furthermore, the fertility of the male birds is also decreased on being exposed to some enormous amounts of heat stress. Now here the use of 250 mg or more of ascorbic acid has shown to increase the performance, immunity, feeding efficiency, digestion of nutrients, antioxidant status and much more, all of which serve as clear cut pointers towards the positive sides of ascorbic acid and related poultry supplements.

Effects of Carbohydrase Enzymes in poultry

A number of experiments have been performed for the validation of the hypothesis i.e. that the carbohydrase enzymes do come to increase the energy of the animals and the overall performance. The experiments involved the use of CE preparations making use of single and multiple ranges of activities. A substantial amount of improvement had been seen in the digestion of amino acids which was not more than 27 % of the total undigested fraction or part. The positive effectuations caused by the use of the enzymes are quite consistent with the increase and improvements seen in terms of the body weight of the animals.

Selective Breeding

For the production of some elite progenies or animals with better health and endurance there are a number of strategies. This mechanism is more commonly referred to as selective breeding.

The importance of comb for breed selection

Review by N Mukhtar and SH Khan

The formation and the development of the comb are linked with the hormone levels of the body. Both of them come to effectuate the production as well the reproduction parameters of the animals. So, it is evident that the size sof the comb is also linked with the principles of selective breeding. The appearance and production of various traits in animals is also associated with the comb size.

It is quite clear now that through the use of various feeds and poultry vaccines, some of the major issues of poultry science and production can be dealt in a more effective manner. This notion is also supported by a number of researches of poultry science association and reviews of world poultry journal.

This is an abstract from ”world’s poultry science association”

For detail information u can purchase report from cambridge journals or

Subscribe to wapsa journal

Different Types Of Backyard Chicken Coops

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When it comes to hen coops, then there are limitless number of ideas and chicken coop designs which you can use. Building the chicken houses is a process that should never be taken lightly, as the health and well being of the birds is going to be determined on the accommodation that would be provided to them. Some even say that it might be an easy to go plan which is best suited for the weekend. So, if you plan to have some low cost chicken coop, then there are numerous ideas and designs which will come in handy if you pay a proper heed towards them. Here are some of the different types and forms of the backyard chicken coops which you can use.

Small Chicken Coop

The thing about the small chicken coops is that they can easily be moved from one place to the next. Yes, there are some chicken coops which are not optimal for movement, but it is always best for you to design a moveable one. The dimensions which you need to ponder are 3.5 ‘ High, nearly 38” deep and about 64” long. It is the most recommended chicken coop for 8 chickens. Now here, you can also make use of the internet for the purpose of downloading a number of chicken coop plans.

Large Chicken Coop

For the purpose of making a chicken coop for 10 chickens, it is imperative to keep in mind the space that would be required for the optimal growth of each of them. The space to be allocated should be around 0.4 square m per chicken. Moreover, the nests should be shared in a balanced manner between the chickens. To be more precise, 3 nests can be shared between 8 chickens. So, in lines to this, for 10 chickens, 4 nests would be the most recommended. Furthermore, the design you would be using should also come to allow the maximum area for the storage and should also be capable of turning down the attacks that would be initiated from the side of the predators. The same square formula is applicable whether you need to make the chicken coop for 12 chickens or chicken coop for 20 chicken. In terms of the ark chicken coop, again the number of birds should be considered. Moreover, you would also need to ensure superior protection mechanisms while making use of these one of a kind coops.

Stationary Chicken Coop

Permanents points of resting are allocated for the stationary chicken coops. In all, there happen to be different types of the chicken coops that are used including the moveable and fixed ones. These coops are structured in the form of a building or a specialized fenced area. The size of the coop here is determined on the basis on the number of chicken that would be kept in the setting. However, the rule of thumb here is the use of 4 square feet for each bird. Keeping in view, this formula, you would be able to make one for yourself. On the other hand, the moveable chicken coop might be best suited for those who are wary of the attacks of predators and from evasive weather conditions. But there are some farmers and home owners who prefer to make use of the basic chicken coop for the job.

Portable, Moveable or Mobile Chicken Coop and tractor

The moveable chicken coops can easily hive or accommodate a large number of birds, but it all depends on the specific design and the measures for the protection of the birds which you have made use of. The inspiration behind the use of this chicken coops is the high level of functionality and movement they offer. Just by adding some wheels to the lower end of the coop, an all in one mobile coop might be the right option for you. The roosts should be placed above the trays which are dedicated for the collection of the chicken left overs. Moreover, the tops of the boxes can also be modified in order to allow the birds to make use of the roosts.

The chicken tractor can also be classified among the most used portable chicken coops. In addition to housing the birds, these machines are also used for giving a shelter to other forms of poultry. The prime use of these tractors is the freedom in terms of free ranging they allow to the birds and the farm owners. Using this machine, the farm owners would be able to provide an extensive environment to the birds.

Plastic Chicken Coop

The plastic chicken coop can be termed as those new players that have emerged recently in the worldwide chicken markets. Most of the advertisements you are going to see in this regard stumble upon the extended protection these coops from the red mites. The red mite can be classified to be a very small ecto-parasite that feeds using the blood of the poultry animals. The cleaning process of the plastic coops is also quite easier in comparison to the wooden houses. You can wash, clean as well as dry out these coop in only 30 or less minutes. Moreover, these coops are also less costly in comparison to the wooden ones, so they are best suited for those who are on a tight budget.

Handcrafted Chicken Coops

There are a number of handcrafted chicken coops that are designed to be portable and easier to clean. In fact, in some states of the US, these coops can be availed at pretty low prices. In addition to offering a good quality settings and environment for the chickens, these coops are also easier for mobility. The number of chickens that can be kept in these coops range from 3 to 7 or even more, if the area is sufficient enough. Now here, the chicken pens might not be best suited for those areas which are marked for frequent predator attacks.

Wooden Chicken Coop

As mentioned before, the wooden chicken coop are losing their fame now, all because of the difficult cleaning process. While there is a substantial presence of the farmers who prefer to make use of these coops, but still it might not be the best suited for those who are newbies in the domain of raising the backyard chicken.

Eglu Chicken Coop

Now here we have another form of chicken coop which can be termed as easy to clean and a bit cheaper. The prime question which is asked in making use of these coops is related to the prevention of the red mite. There is no doubt about the increase in the popularity of these coops. Moreover, they are also quite appealing and attractive in comparison to the others types of backyard chicken coops. At the same time, there are those who always prefer to make use of the chicken hutches.

13 tips to protect your chickens from hot weather

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Each of the united state regions is now broiling – wonder why the heat wave seems to have adored this place. Humans have ample amount of ways to counter this igneous heat but what about the animals around? I am being specific about our backyards fellows and other feathered creatures because they are absolutely innocent and rely on us for shelter when the temperature is torturing. One of the researches says that birds like turkeys, guinea fowl, ducks, chickens and pea fowls cannot stand against the temperature of 90 degrees – they can even die cause of sun stroke/ heat stroke if exposed to soaring temperature than this.

Don’t worry, there are ample ways through which you can protect your little fellows and keep your flocks happier even if the shiny sun is in the mood to annoy them. This excerpt now highlights simple, affordable and quick ways through which you can keep chicken cool during the hot season. Raising backyard chicken is interesting but caring chicken is responsibility.

Identify the heat stress symptoms:

You must be wondering how to identify symptoms regarding heat stress in poultry? Well, their behavior would depict lots of things;

Hyperventilation or panting: this refers to quick and short breaths by birds
Laziness – they lie down on the ground with fully stretched wings
Eating disorder – appetite shrinks
They stop responding to stimuli

How to keep chicken cool in summer?

Here are the most inquired tips:

1: Choose the bird breed sensibly:

Indeed, you would never want to have a sick or lazy flock in the backyard – a healthy and active flock is something that each rasier would look up to. If that’s your goal, always select the bird breed wisely. What do I mean by this? See, there are a few heat tolerant breeds; similarly, you would come across cold tolerant breeds, and a few which cannot bear any extreme temperature. If you would build your flocks based on factors like beauty, rareness or egg laying ability only, you may face trouble. Before filling your coop clearly make a note of their habitats and abilities.

2: Chicken coop design should be considered:

Always inquire vendor about the coop designs; for example, the slanted roof has a greater tendency to absorb heat as well as the humidity. Similarly, all sides closed coop would also lead to suffocation; you must have a coop which allows fresh air to pass easily while providing enough shade inside the coop for birds.

3: Make sure enough shade is provided:

During summers specially, you must have shades and shelter at different places so that chickens and other birds can seek shelter there. What you can do is grow more shrubs, trees and porches – if you don’t have enough space, you can use man-made options for making shady areas.

4: Make water available:

You must place cold water for birds in their residency – try to change the water after 2 hours during peak summers. If that’s not possible for you, at the base of water containers place ice in plastic bags – this would help water retain coolness.

5: Use small ice air conditioners:

What you can do is, freeze water in small some containers and place them in the resting place of the birds. They would get an idea that while they are near the containers they feel relaxed and cold. It’s a good way to keep them away from heat strokes.

6: Provide dust bathing place:

By doing so you would reduce the chances of getting parasite as well as heat. When the temperature is ferocious, chickens make small holes in the dirt and would sit where they find cooler regions.

7: Use of electrolyte:

All you have to do is buy a powdered electrolyte from the store and mix it in the cold water as per the instruction on the packet.

8: Pay attention to nest Box area:

Smaller chicken coops face this type of a problem widely – as the day passes temperature inside the coop soars. You have to make sure that there is proper ventilation and air circulation where nest boxes are placed. You can use a fan or place freezers (ice air conditioners). In fact you must have nest boxes outside somewhere in shady regions for summers.

9: Change in diet:

Stop giving your chickens scratch and corn – they provide the body with extra heat and require longer time for digestion. Replace them items with fresh fruits and juicy vegetables.

10: Use Frozen foods:

Take out fresh and juicy fruits and vegetables and chop them into smaller pieces. Go to your flocks and let them enjoy this meal twice a day. This would help them retain energy and coolness. You can try;

Watermelon
Cucumber
Oranges
Berries
Apples
Pineapple

11: Water your coop:

If you have plants at the top, that means you have a green roof chicken coop, you must keep on watering it. Also, you can create a cold water pool inside the coop.

12: Decrease the litter in the coop:

You must decrease the deep coop bedding – by doing so you would be able to keep the coop cool and clean. This would increase the air circulation and decrease suffocation.

13: Give birds freedom:

Your goal is to lower the chickens stress so try giving them a place to play and walk around. This would help keep away their stress.

Pakistan Poultry Industry Facing the Unstable Market Situation

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Poultry market in Pakistan is now on the brink of chaos, all because of the lack of policies and proper research. Poultry marketing is highly unstable and unreliable, due to which we come to see extreme fluctuations in the prices every now and then. The reason for these fluctuations is the absence of professional controlling bodies which might come to determine the prices of the poultry products and meat on a regular basis keeping in view the demand of the times. So, the amount of profit that is being generated from the sector is pretty low, which is another cause for which foreign investment is not coming. In other words, the present dynamics of the poultry sector do not provide sufficient reasons to the investors to put their money into the domains of industrial poultry farming. Since the times of the sector’s inception around 30 years ago, no form of stability has been seen in it. There are times in which it appears that the sector is managing to generate some huge revenues, but at other times the opposite seems to be true. In short, poultry in Pakistan is being effectuated by various diseases and poor environmental control, which has made the investment, more like a gamble. There are a wide range of factors that can be held responsible for this instability, most of which are mentioned below.

Factors Effectuating the Market Prices:

1.       Lack of a Standardized Marketing Strategy

One of the most important factors for this ongoing crisis is the deficiency of any standard and proper marketing maneuver or strategy. The processing plants happen to be scarce all over the country, and those which are functional, only manage to process 2 % of all the broilers that are being produced. The government should try to facilitate the sector through a number of compensations and cheap marketing methods, as the economy of the nation does depend on the stability of the poultry sector. There are a number of countries whose economies are marked by the working of an efficient poultry sector like USA, China, Germany, Brazil, Russia, Mexico, Japan, India and many more. Furthermore, some highly trained and experienced professionals should be employed into the sector, whose responsibility would be to evaluate and then reformulate a proper and pragmatic marketing strategy for the development of poultry in Pakistan.

2.       Live Birds VS. Processed Birds

The process birds, in comparison to the live birds, are sold out all around the year, at relatively stable prices with little fluctuations. But the prices of the live birds are the ones that always seem to be changing at a very rapid pace. 98 % of the total domestic production happens to be the live birds which are the ones subject to the extreme price fluctuations. These fluctuations can be so varied in nature that the next week the price of the live bird might increase by 100 %. The same also holds true for the prices in terms of poultry trade. The Pakistani poultry rates need to be pacified and stabilized for the better and profitable functioning of the sector, which is now the edge of eternal damnation. For those who do not know, the sector has an evident share for the GDP of Pakistan.

3.       Extreme Weather Conditions

Apart from all other marketing and pricing maneuvers, dramatic and extreme changes in the weather have also created a number of problems for the farmers. In times of summer, the temperature happens to be so intense, that the farmers appear to be helpless in exercising some control on the mortality. In other words, in times of summer the live birds and other domesticated animals fall off like flies in your house. Furthermore, most of the farmers in Pakistan do not have specialized and well organized weather control sheds due to which they are unable to lower down the levels of the heat stress. So, what sort of chicken production can be expected in times of summer, it might be pretty obvious to you now? Due to these climatic changes, the farmers are forced to sale the birds at varying prices, thus flooding the poultry markets in a debilitating way. The prices of the live birds directly effectuate the prices of the processed birds. In times when the pricing of the live birds go down, then the same happens with the birds produced by the broiler processing companies.

4.       The Need for a proper Health Authority

Disease diagnosis can be best performed by specialized and trained individuals, hired by the health authorities of the sector. The poultry industry in Pakistan faces another major problem i.e. the presence of some highly dangerous diseases which need to be controlled for the betterment of the sector. Even in times of winter, a number of diseases have been seen to cause a rise in the mortality rate. So, it is imperative here that the health authority of the sector should induce some revolutionary measures for getting the upper hand on these diseases and conditions.

5.       Control on Production and the Role of
         the Poultry Processing Companies

For gaining some control on the prices, the production needs to be controlled every season keeping in view the present needs of the poultry markets. Furthermore, the poultry processing companies also have a major role to play in taking this sector to a whole new level, where the whole nation could benefit from it.

Benefits of Herbs for Chicken Health

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The trends of taste among people have been changing quite drastically. In older days, people use to give priority to vegetables more as compared to meat food. But now it’s the opposite. And in this, the usage of chicken has been in the top of the list. The increase in the consumption of chicken by people belonging to different countries has led to the proper farming of chicken in order to fulfill the daily needs. But this farming has also raised some medical issues in respect of chicken health due to not handling them properly. Un-controlled and un-healthy environment creates parasites in chickens that not only affects the health of that chicken but also affects the health of other chickens. Therefore, remedy for this problem is using herbs. It is not necessary that these herbs can only be used for chicken farming on large scale. Even if you have small pack of chickens at the backyard of your house, you can also use these herbs to keep your chicken healthy. So below are some of the uses of herbs that are beneficial for the health of the chicken.

 Herbs for chicken

As we all are well aware that chickens eat green plants for their survival. If green plants are the food than why not provide with such green plants that does not only satisfy their basic need, that is food, but also keeps them healthy and reduces the chances of getting any worms in chicken. In order to provide them with useful herbs, you need to make some good room for the chickens. Chickens can be more happy and healthy when they have plenty of room to walk, spread their wings and find their food themselves. Keeping them in fence cannot fulfill this purpose that accurately as this is practiced for the convenience of humans and keeping chickens away from predators. The important herbs that are useful for the health of chicken and also so that they could lay healthy eggs are comfrey, garlic, chickweed, elder, hyssop, feverfew, nasturtium, tansy, lavender, kale, Gotu Kola, and nettle.

 Some Herbs and their benefits

The herbs that are mentioned above have separate benefits for chicken. These are described below.

Comfrey:

this herb is filled with tonic food and protein and has a high level of calcium and potassium in it. This herb is also beneficial in providing amino acid. Feeding this herb daily to chickens will not only help them in being healthy but they will lay eggs with golden yolk as well.

Chickweed:

This herb is very common and it grows in the cooler months. This herb is on the top of the list that is liked by chickens.

Feverfew:

This herb is effective in controlling mites and lice that possesses some serious threats to the health of chickens. This herb produces self seeds and ample of flowers. These flowers and leaves can be converted in to a tea and then sprayed to control mites and lice.

Gotu Kola:

This herb grows in areas that are partially shaded. The leaves of this herb are very useful tonic for chickens and this herb can also be used for some of external skin conditions.

Nasturtium:

This herb has antibiotic and antiseptic characteristics and helps in repelling the insects away from the chicken.

Nettle:

This herb not only is rich in minerals and vitamins but also it prevents chicken against worms. This herb can be added with comfrey after drying it so as to give a boost for laying eggs.

Herbs and chickens health

Some of you may have experienced that the chickens which you have been keeping in your backyard or on your farm are getting less active and are often seen in unhealthy shape. This may lead to death of some chickens as well. If you are providing them with proper food, water and shelter and wonder why still this is happening, so the reason is their declining immune system. The reason in the declining of chicken’s immune system is unhealthy diet. You may have been providing proper feed for hen but sometimes that is just not enough. Giving them proper diet which includes useful herbs is also very important. These herbs have the necessary proteins and vitamins that do not only strengthen the immune system of chicken but also helps them in fighting with any parasites in chickens. The stronger the immune system is, the healthier is the chicken and will also lay healthy eggs. The immune system not only helps the chickens to fight with parasites but also to counter lice and mites diseases that may not only affect the health of one chicken, but may also affect other chicken as well. Besides the fact that these herbs help in maintaining the immune system of chickens, there is one also additional benefit received from these herbs. These herbs not only make the immune system of chickens more defensive but also provide the necessary calcium and proteins that helps in the nourishment of these chickens. As healthy the chicken will be, there are greater chances that the egg laid by the egg laying chickens will also be rich in protein and calcium. And when these eggs will be used as a source of food by the people, they will also have a better and healthy life.

Above are some of the benefits discussed of using various herbs for the proper nourishment of chickens and why they are essential for the immune system of chickens as well. So if you think that the food which you are providing to your chickens is enough, than think again. This information will help you to keep your chickens more healthy and active and the herbs mentioned will help the chickens in fighting various diseases as well.

Here is more information on types of herbs,their benefits and how to use them

http://orgprints.org/20460/1/sb_poultry.pdf

12 ways to preserve chicken eggs to prolong its freshness

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I get really amazed when I see fatty chickens running through the driveway. My friends and family members keep on arguing that why I am spending much time in this hobby? True that it consumes a lot of time and taking care of these cute little fellows is troublesome to some extent. However, I never felt anything troubling, maybe because I was in love with my adorable bird babies. I wasn’t much into keeping the chickens for poultry purposes, because I was attached to my fellows. However, with time my father made me understand that at times we can use the fresh eggs and the meat for the dining table.

Also, the father told me that I can introduce newer chickens to the family so in a way I won’t lose my fellows; I liked the idea, and I must confess one thing over here – since my father told me to use the fresh egg for my breakfast, from the backyard chickens coop, I fell in love with the taste of the egg. It was really very different from those which I used to get from the stores. However, I was quite suspicious to know that how can the egg taste differ when both comes from the hens? Gradually I realized that the egg I obtained from the backyard chicken was fresh, the yolk was more tasty and nourishing, and the outer shell was much harder.

I have noticed some behaviors in these little fellows; hens keep on laying eggs even if there is no rooster available for the fertilization. The conventional breed of hen would lay only one egg per day; however, some people have collected even 8 eggs per week. Summers and springs are considered to be the best periods for hens, while autumn and winters are not much egg laying seasons. With artificial environment and proper lights you can make the cycle work. In order to make the most of the spring and summer seasons egg lying, ample amount of preserving fresh eggs methods have been evolved.

1: For long term storage, the mixture of sodium silicate is quite popular. This is a conventional farmer way for storing fresh hen eggs. In water the powdered sodium silicate is mixed and the fresh eggs are covered completely with the paste; these covered eggs are safely kept inside the stoneware crock. you can keep the eggs fresh up to 2 years with this simpler method.

2: As per the USDA recommendation, it is suggested to cover the eggs with lime solution and keeps them in stoneware crock; this is another method which is used for keeping eggs fresh for at least 15 months.

3: Never change the temperature of the hen eggs. For example, if you have bought the un-refrigerated eggs from the farm, than make sure you keep them stored in such a place which does not provides difference in the temperature. This would help the egg retain its freshness. In case the egg is refrigerated once, than make it under the similar conditions till use.

4: Backyard chicken eggs can be kept fresh for a year if you opt the freezing technique. Practically it is not possible for one to store four or more dozens of eggs in the refrigerator at a time, but you can do it by keeping the mixture of beating eggs. Consider it as if you are making the scrambled eggs; this mixture if placed in an airtight jar properly, can retain its freshness for 12 months easily.

5: You can even preserve the egg yolk for a longer time period. Those who are interested in baking and cooking can add salt or sweet accordingly in the beaten yolks, and keep them in the refrigerator in any airtight bottle. This would help in sustaining the freshness for a year at least.

6: In order to keep the egg white useful for a year, you can simply pour them in the ice cube trays and get them freeze. Later, you can keep those egg white cubes in the airtight shopper and leave in the refrigerator at night.This would provide you with fresh egg for up to 9 months

7: You can simply take help from mineral oil; slight heat some mineral oil and rub each and every egg so that it gets coated. Now you can place the carton in the room temperature or even in the fridge as per your choice. Don’t worry, the chicken eggs freshness would be retained for at least 8 months.

8: You can take a container and fill it with natural preservative like chopped oats, salt or may be bran and charcoal mixture. Now add the eggs in the container containing this mixture.

9: Unwashed eggs retain their freshness for longer time period; there is a natural protection known as bloom around the egg, if it remains undistributed the egg won’t lose its freshness till months.

10: The ideal temperature for retaining the eggs freshness is 35° to 40°F – At that temperature the egg would remain fresh even after 6 months.

11: Unwashed eggs when placed under dry sand retain their freshness for moths easily.

12: By pasting the coat of Vaseline, you can keep the eggs fresh under normal room conditions.

Nutrition Guide of Broiler for High Quality Meat

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Introduction

Poultry producers all around the world are now focusing on the production of some high quality meat. The prime reason for this can be linked to the increase in the consumer concerns about the quality of poultry they consume. Due to the rapid growth of the HACCP, it is now vital for them to standardize all the phases of poultry meat production so that the customers can be satisfied in a more effective manner. Moreover, there is also a growing need to maintain the environment, poultry broiler management operations in addition to the broiler chicken feed and production strategies so that all of the products might come to meet the retail requirements in the present times. The consumers are also now widely interested in knowing about the kind of food the birds are fed at the broiler grower settings.

Growth and Development

The challenge here is to provide the domesticated animals with such an environment that would come to encourage their growth and well being. The amount of muscles and the fat ratios seem to be the concern of the poultry consumers nowadays. Moreover, little importance is being paid on the skeletal development of the animals. It happens because of the physiological growth of the animals that lead to the increase of meat in the body of the animals while feeding chickens.

Energy Intake

Birds try to make adjustments among themselves in order to control the amount of energy they consume. But for better control, the poultry Producers are also required to monitor the nutrient requirements of broilers and broiler feed consumption at all times. If the energy intake is less or greater, then an increase in meat deposition might be observed. Moreover, the overall weight of the animal’s body is going to increase, not because of the presence of more proteins, but due to the fat deposition which consumers do not demand presently. Most of these deposited fat goes down to the abdominal section which is indeed the least desired by the consumers. It is evident from this that the producers need to optimize the energy take in a more controlled manner so that some extra fat might not accumulate.

Intake of Minerals, Vitamins and Amino Acids

In the formation of proteins and broiler feed intake, the amino acids do play a vital role. There are some studies that assert than increase in the consumption of amino acids for getting the maximum levels of breast meat, may exceed beyond the amounts that are required for optimal growth. There are a number of variations and synthetic forms of the amino acids that are available in the market which can be brought to some practical use in controlling the amount of energy the birds need for normal performance. These include tryptophan, Lysine and some others, all of which have been proved to be effective in leading to proteins deposition. It is also due to the excessive availability of such synthetic forms that might lead to a more complex formulation of the foods for the animals. In addition to amino acids, various minerals and vitamins are also important for the growth of the animals in the poultry settings. In order to achieve the maximum amount of bone mineralization, some knowledge about the use of macro minerals is also essential. These minerals include calcium and phosphorous which have been used in the poultry houses for quite some time now. But in these times, these minerals should be presented in a more controlled amount to comply with the needs of the poultry birds. Moreover, they are also important for the improvement of the immune systems of the animals which helps them in combating the various diseases and virus attacks that are quite common in the underdeveloped farms and poultry houses.

Creation of Superior Retail Products

Manipulation of the dietary supplements and foods in addition to the increase in the carcass quality, are the two strategies which are crucial for taking the quality of the retail products many notches up. But here in increasing the carcass quality might also lead to the deposition of unsaturated fatty acids which are also the least desirable by the poultry consumers of the present era. Thus it is imperative here that all such foods and supplements are stabilized in order to ensure that the fat deposition remains the minimal in the poultry feed and nutrition.

Summary

Innovation and control, on the poultry products, especially the broiler started feed, is the need of the times for ensuring that all forms of poultry productions come to be higher in quality.

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