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4 Ways to Insulate Your Chicken Coop for Extreme Weather Conditions

Insulating the chicken coop, is a must for those who live in the windy and cold regions. If you are one of those people who happen to reside in these areas, you might have had a number of plans for chicken coops in your mind. Moreover, you might have also stumbled towards the question that why is the need for weather insulation so imperative? The answer to this question lies in the specific needs of the birds. In other words, your profits in terms of raising backyard chicken lie in the usage of some crucial and top of the line weather resistance measures. The process is really easier than some of you might think of it. All it demands is a bit of devotion and a planned strategic approach from your side. There are numerous cold weather chicken breeds that might not demand extreme insulation measures, but not all of the breeds have been equipped with the potency and immunity to withstand the extreme effectuations of weather at times, so you should think about the winterizing the chicken coop.

Cold Weather Chicken Breeds

Most of the chicken breeds are equipped with the maximum amounts of weather resistance on them, but when it comes to superiority in terms of the withstanding the weather conditions, then some breeds are able to do much better than others. The breeds included in the class of high resistance for cold weather are Wyandottes, Dominiques,Easter Eggers, Delaware, Hamburg, Orpington, Buckeyes and many more. At the same time, the Norwegian Jaerhons have been long termed to be quite reliable for their usage in the cold weather.

cold weather chicken breeds

Chicken Breeds for Hot Weather

The breeds best suited for the hot weather include Leghorn, Rhode Island Red, barred Plymouth Rock, Barnevelders and many more. The Leghorns and the Minorca happen to be the breeds which are the most recommended in terms of the usage for the warm and hot weather conditions. Moreover, the dual purpose breeds like the Rhode Island Red have also been seen to be handle the heat in a more effective manner. Moreover, there are also a number of people who have had profound levels of success when it comes to the usage of the Barred Plymouth Rock. Other breeds included in the list are Buff Minorca, Red Star Sexlink, Russian Orlof, Golden Phoenix, Sicilian Buttercup, Jersey Giant and Buff Brahmas. In all, there are a number of breeds which are best adopted for usage in both weather conditions, hot as well as cold.Cool chicken coop is optimal for usage in the hot weather.

hot weather chicken breeds

Ways of Insulation

Now here I would be sharing with you the 4 most conducive and effective ways in terms of the insulation of the chicken coop for extreme weather conditions. These tips should be used in accordance to the structure of the cold weather chicken coop.

1-Cardboard

One manner in which you can save money in terms of the insulation process is to make use of the cardboard. The hen house which would be draft free would be better able to insulate your birds from the changes in weather. In addition to being a cheap and effective material, the cardboard is also readily available all across the local markets. You can make use of the staple for the purpose of attaching the large sheets of cardboard towards the interior regions of the chicken coop and when used in combination to the heat lamps, there might no other better way to do the insulation.

cardboard

2-Inch Styrofoam

The Styrofoam is quite a facilitating material when it comes to insulating the chicken coops. You can make use of a large panel and stick towards the top of the roof which would come in handy in terms of the prevention of the hot air to escape. Moreover, it is also crucial that you secure the foam materials a bit higher from the reaching limits of the chicken otherwise they would be pecking away the entire material in a matter of a few days. It is best to carry out the construction keeping in view the requirements of the winter chicken coop.

styrofoam

3-Towels and Blankets

It is time you should think about saving some old towels as well as the blankets. Most of the people prefer to give these things away, which is indeed a noble act, but when you happen to have a number of chickens to keep, then what could be more optimal that the usage of these materials for the insulation process of the chicken coop? You must prefer to make use of them in addition to the cardboard which is going to notch up the levels of insulation.

towels and blanket

4-Bales of Straw

When it comes to the history of the bales of straw, then you would be amazed to know that the farmers have been bringing these materials for usage for many centuries. Cattle barns and straws do come in handy for the insulation of the chicken coop. The straw should be piled and leveled up to a depth of about 4 inches which comes in handy for the protection of the birds from the cool ground. Moreover, the materials also absorb the droppings and give them a mechanism for scratching at. In short, building the winter chicken coop can be a cheaper process if you prefer to make use of the above mentioned measures.

Bales of Straw

Poultry Meat and Health

Poultry is used in relation to the meat consumption of the domesticated animals. Since the past few years, the scopes for the sales of the poultry products have been notched. It is all in lines to the rise in the demand of the poultry meat and eggs. At the same time, the health benefits of poultry are also numerous due to which more and more people are turning towards the usage of these products in order to meet their daily protein consumption needs. So it can be said that the health benefits of poultry are much more than most us can consciously imagine.

The Cuts of Poultry Meat

White meat, which is more commonly referred to as white poultry is quite healthier in comparison to the usage of dark meat. Moreover, the white meat has also been proved to be facilitating for health, as it contains a corroborated presence of some of the most crucial nutriments.  A number of scientific researches made in the domain of poultry nutrition and consumption also assert the same about the use of the white poultry. On the other hand, the dark meat is mainly found on those body parts that contain the most used muscles. That’s not all, as the dark meat has also been shown to have more fat. So, it can be said that dark meat should be consumed on a moderate basis.

cuts of poultry meat

Healthy Poultry Meat

The white meat is the top recommendation for all those who plan to lose some weight. The idea here is to make use of the cuts of the poultry meat. In order to eat these skinless cuts of the poultry meat, you should prefer to cook or grill them before usage. Now on other hand, when you make use of the fried poultry, the only thing you are consuming is a diet which is very high in terms of the fats and calories.

Grilled herbed chicken breasts

Health Benefits of Poultry Meat

The vitamins and minerals which are offered by the poultry products include vitamin B, pyridoxine, Vitamin E, thiamin, magnesium and iron. The consumption of protein in moderate amounts on a daily basis, ensures that your bones remain strong and excelling at all times. Furthermore, the proteins are also crucial for the creation of a number of hormones and enzymes, all of which come in handy in terms of our physiological mechanisms and processes.

Recommended Consumption

The concerned departments and bodies in the US recommend that people should make use of around 6 to 9 oz of the proteins diets and cuts. They also recommend that uncooked meat should never be consumed. It is also asserted that while baking or cooking the meat, the temperature should be kept at the level of 180 degree F. The manufacturing companies should also make all conducive and possible arrangements for the poultry health.

Turkey Meat Facts

One of the most noticeable fact about the turkey meat is that it is quite low in fat and higher in terms of the protein presence. Moreover, it is also a relatively inexpensive source of iron and the required vitamins, all of which are crucial for the human growth. This is the reason for which the turkeys are being raised on a large scale all over the world.

turkey meat

Feed and Nutrition Guide for Laying and Breeding Hens

Getting Started

When the question arises about what to feed chickens or about the raising of chicken hens, then there are a number of points to consider. Poultry nutrition and feeds are made in order to fulfill the needs of the chickens in a more effective manner and also for the sake of increased egg production. There are a number of types of feeds that are used in the poultry settings. For example, chicks that have just hatched are given starter feeds. In comparison to this, grower and other forms of feed are given to the chickens in their adolescence. It is quite clear from this that chickens require varying levels of feeds and nutrients in order to grow and develop naturally. Although the ingredients that are used in the making of these feeds might be similar, still they come to impact the development of the birds in a different manner. It is an established fact that the amount of nutrients required by chickens vary in terms of their age and requirements. For example, chickens that lay eggs are required to be given some more effective feeds so that they might continue at the same pace. In terms of the specific nutrients which the chickens and birds requires, all of the feeds must contain proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, fats and much more, all of which are really crucial for their normal development. Any lack in the fulfillment of these nutrients might lead to numerous problems in the health of these animals. Below are the types of feeds used in the farm settings for  feeding chickens.

Starter Feeds

For a period of 6 weeks after hatching, the chicks are reared making use of these chicken feeds, designed specifically for them. These starter diets and nutriments are made in order to boost the speed of growth for newly hatched chicks. In terms of proteins composition, these feeds contain nearly 18 to 20 % of them. Some more efficient diets might also be used for the meat chickens which demand more amounts of proteins and other forms of nutrition for chicken.

starter feed for chicken

Developer and Grower Feeds

At the time the birds reach the age of 6 weaks, it is now time to change the feeds that are being used. Grower feeds typically contain about 15 % proteins which come in handy for maintaining the levels of growth which the animal is going through. By the time the chickens reach the age of 14 weeks, you might replace the grower feeds with the developer nutrients and feeds. The developer feed is really crucial for preparing the chickens for the stage of egg production. Here it is also important to consider that both of these feeds can also be interchanged within the time spans specified above.

grower feed for chicken

Layer and Breeder Feeds

As soon as the chickens start laying eggs, you have an option of introducing these feeds in the diets given to the chickens at these times. The choice for the required feed depends upon the purpose for which the eggs would be used. The layer feeds are specially designed for the hens laying eggs for home or table use. These feeds contain 16 % levels of proteins and high amounts of calcium so that the chickens might be able to produce better layers for an egg or the eggs with stronger shells on them. On the other side breeder feeds are given to the best laying hens and birds that produce eggs for hatching. These feeds are more or less like the layer feeds, but vary in terms of the higher levels of proteins they contain. In addition, they are also believed to contain some extra vitamins for the chickens in comparison to the layer feed for chicken.

layer feed

Medicated Feeds

Most of the medicated foods and diets are prepared to make the animals immune to the various diseases and virus attack that might come their way. In almost all of the farms in the developed countries, these feeds are offered to the flocks. These feeds aren’t normally present in the layer and breeders feeds. Those which contain some substantial amounts of such feeds are labeled. These medications are also subject to some major researches and analysis due to which you can be assured of their safety. At the same time you can also make use of the non-medicated feeds which are easily and widely available on order.

medicated feed for chicken

Water and Scratch Grains

Water is also crucial in terms of the growth and development of the eggs, due to which it should be provided in adequate amounts. Moreover, chickens also love to engage in the process of scratching by making use of their feet. So by making use of such grains, this kind of behavior can be easily reinforced. The feeds used for this purpose are either cracked or rolled.

scratch grains for chicken

Housing of ducks-considerations for building duck pen

If you have ducks as pet, you will need to take proper care of them while examining their way of living. Ducks need to have a secure place where they can live and can be safe from any predators and it is easy to clean their housing area. Ducks do not prefer spending time inside their housing area as they prefer roaming outside for most of the time, regardless of the weather or the season.

There are many people who want to know how to build a duck pen? If you are looking forward to build a nice yet practical duck pen then you need to follow the guidelines that are discussed below.

First of all, you need to make sure that the structure of the duck pen offers proper protection to the ducks and is a defensive structure actually. It is important to keep your ducks safe from other animals and predators. You can allow them to roam about during the day time and lock them later during the night. Ducks love to spend their time in water and you can make a small pool near their pen and allow them to beat the heat of sunny days.

duck house

The design of duck house is just similar to chicken house design except some minor differences such as it doesn’t require roost, nest boxes and need some large door with some steps and it must not be so high from the ground.

There are two basic designs of duck coop plans. One is knows as the intensive pen design and the other one is called the semi-intensive design.

  • The intensive pen design

The intensive pen design is structured to keep the ducks safe during the day time and night they are locked totally. The shelter is made quite tough to shield the ducks from any pending danger or threat.

  • The semi-intensive design

In the semi-intensive design the ducks are allowed to roam freely within specified boundaries during the day time.

When we talk about chicken coop flooring and bedding material we’ve several options to explore. While constructing the duck pen it is important to give proper attention towards the flooring. To manage litter and to provide cushion (while they are laying and protecting eggs) a wooden flooring or hay is preferred in most of the cases. Choose a flat area for constructing the duck house but the system of drainage must be very good as you need to prevent the chances of any disease out break or any other health issue. The area of duck pen will depend on the number of ducks that you have actually as you need to provide proper ventilation and sunlight.

Just like your house, you need to consider the best material for construction. Wood is the preferable item as it is durable and long lasting. For the shape of the duck pen, you can opt for the rectangular one as it will allow more space to the ducks to roam freely.  Duck housing designs will help in giving a comfortable environment to the ducks and they will remain healthy and happy. The entrance and the outer limits of the duck pen need to be designed carefully as with the passage of time ducks will continue to grow and will require more area.

How to construct a proper duck pen

1- As told above the enclosure needs to be well protected and shaded and it must be dry.  If, you are planning to construct a pen on DIY basis you need to select the appropriate wood posts. It means that the dimensions of the plywood must be well suitable for a spacious pen. Other accessories that you will need are tarps, wheelbarrow, gravel, cement, straw bedding, cement blocks, well secured latch, vertical hinges, wire mesh, hardware cloth, staple gun and some heavy duty staples.

2- For a common or ideal measurement ground you must allow 11/4 square yards of space for three ducks. The location must be well ventilated and must have the features of a good drainage system. On the floor place a good quality hardware cloth and then place gravels on it and for the last touch you can include the straw bedding. It will provide comfort if you are raising ducklings in the pen.

3- While erecting the plywood for the pen, you need to bury them at least two feet deep in solid ground. When the posts have been erected properly you can staple the wire mesh to provide proper fencing. This will prevent invaders from entering the pen through any side once the protection and construction has been done properly. There are different duck house plans and you can choose one according to your requirements, area and the amount of ducks you have.

duck house

4- Backyard duck pens are very successful for Rearing ducks, that is, if you have ample space and can look after the ducks easily. If you’ve already chicken coop and thinking about Raising chickens and ducks together in the same coop than it is not a difficult task at all, you will need to plan the pens carefully keeping in view some difference in their housing requirements as discussed above and allow the chickens and ducks ample space. Do keep in mind that in rough environmental conditions chickens love to spend their time indoors.

Raising Quail in the urban environment- Guide for quail pen and breeds

Raising chickens in the backyard of your home has always attracted many people. People who get retired or are very much in backyard chicken farming and adopt this as a hobby. Some even do this for getting fresh eggs for their breakfast. But this practice has raised some issues as well. Cases were reported in many different regions that people had started complaining in against those houses that were raising chickens in their backyards. The reason was the noise they use to make and even sometimes get into neighbors houses UN-invited. As a result of this, urban chicken keeping laws were formulated so as to keep the environment safe and peaceful. This resulted in making handicap to many chicken lovers. But life is not over yet. Still you can fulfill your desire of raising some birds and having fresh eggs in your breakfast. This can be done by raising quail. Quail’s have almost the same living habits as chickens have besides the fact that quails are much quieter as compared to chickens.

 Why quails

Besides being a silent creature, what else benefit quails can give that may encourage a chicken lover to plan to raise backyard quail instead of chickens. Currently, there are no such municipal limitations in keeping quails at the backyard of your home. This makes it easy in raising quail. Quails don’t need a larger space to live as compared to chickens. This is because quails are smaller in size than chickens but this does not effects on the eggs given by them. Quails lay high-quality eggs which are full of nutrition’s. Housing for quail is also quite easy as compared to chickens. If you had chickens in your backyard and now you are planning to have quails, so you can keep quails in your urban chicken coop without any hesitation.

 Coop or pen for your quail

Now after finally deciding the city farming of quail, it’s time to plan your quail coop. making coop or quail pen is not that hard. As mentioned earlier, if you had chicken coop, you can keep your quails in them. But having a separate quail coop would be much better. There are not much of very high requirements of keeping quails. A quail only requires about ½ sq ft of place on the floor. If you are planning to keep your quails indoor, than you should keep this in mind that quails require light. So you have to design your quail hutch accordingly. Now comes the bedding. The most effective bedding for quail is with fine wood shavings. Quails love to take bath in dust, so make sure you provide them dust in the wood shavings. One can opt to use wire mesh floor which has trays underneath as it allows the dropping to pass through but that trays must be regularly clean up. In case of bedding it should be overturned periodically. When feeding your quails, you can use a small pet bowl or a through feeder. Keeping the feeder outside the cage is more effective as it will help in saving some space within the quail cage and will also help in prevention of any contamination of feed by quails while messing with it. You can simply put some cuts out on the mesh so that quails could easily take their feed by bringing their heads. The width of the cute mesh should be 1.5” and 2” in height. This same procedure can be adopted for placing bowls of water for quails. It is advisable to not use pet bowls as they can bring any kind of unhygienic problems for quails.

For more information on quail housing you can download the following Quail Housing.doc

quail penbedding for quail

 Breeds of quail

Having quail in your backyard is sometimes just not enough. People also give specific priorities to some specific breeds of quail. Normally there are two breeds of quail that are more commonly raised. One is the coturnix quail while other is bobwhite quail. The Japanese quail that is more commonly known as coturnix quail is the bird found in East Asia. These quails are migratory species and breeds in southeastern Siberia, Manchurian, Korean peninsula and northern Japan. While they do wintering in southern china and south of Japan. This species is found in large quantity and can easily be raised as your backyard quails. These birds are usually raised for the purpose of production of egg and meat for families. While on the other hand, bobwhite quail are found in Mexico, U.S and Caribbean. These quails are the member of species generally known as New World quails. They are called bobwhite because of the characteristics of their whistling call. These quails feed on small bugs and plants. Their appearance is also a bit different to coturnix quail that has also attracted many people in raising bobwhite quails as their backyard quails.

bobwhite quail

 Now these breeds that are mentioned above are the perfect replacement for keeping chickens in your backyard if you are hampered by city chickens ordinance. Birds of these breeds get mature quickly and can be much productive as compared to chickens. Quails can easily adjust themselves more quickly in the urban environment as compared to chickens. For chickens, you have to make many necessary arrangements so that they could feel comfy like home in order to keep them as your backyard chickens but that is not the case for quails. Much less arrangements have to be done for quails to keep them in your backyard. This makes quails the best alternative for your backyard chickens. Getting the same desired output with less input that was being done in chicken case can only be obtained if you are planning to keep quails.

OVERVIEW OF PAKISTAN POULTRY INDUSTRY

Poultry farming is now considered to be one of the most integral and dynamic component of the worldwide food production. The poultry culture is seemingly in the phase of rapid expansion. Even the Asian countries are in no exception to this. The broiler and chicken farms are all a part of this phenomenal expansion. The poultry farms in Pakistan have made a significant contribution towards the enhancement of food production strategies and measures. Poultry farming in Pakistan had started in the year 1963, when the country was in its initial phases of industrialization and agricultural growth. Pakistan poultry association was also formed in the nearby years with the intent of offering and introducing new and healthy farming practices through which the country would be able to meet it food related needs. It was in Karachi, that the first poultry hatchery had been formed marking a new era of poultry production in Pakistan. Since then a number of private poultry farms and industries have been launched in collaboration with foreign investors and companies. These days, the poultry sector seems to be concentrated around the urban and metropolitan centers of the country including Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Mianwali, Bhawalpur and many more. Another important contributor towards the development of poultry in Pakistan are the various managerial and core systems.

Management Systems
  • Commercial poultry Farming
  • Rural Poultry Farming

Rural poultry farming

Pakistan is basically agriculture country,more than 67 % of its population live in rural areas and are dependent to agriculture means.Since beginning pakistan have been involved in backyard farming,which contributes major portion of total poultry production in pakistan.
the problems with rural poultry farming are
  • lack of labour skills
  • insufficient knowledge about poultry diseases
  • no fascility of training
  • far away from the market

       backyard poultry farming in pakistan

 Commercial poultry sector

The commercial sector of the Pakistani Poultry is now on the stage of its economic boom with a growth of 20 to 25 % on an annual basis. In addition to the various incentives and compensations provided by the government, advanced farming practices and measures can also be credited for this phenomenal expansion which has been. The steps taken from the side of the government include

  • Income tax exemptions and compensations
  • Use of advanced and scientific instruments and measures
  • Funded research on farming
  • Duty free imports
  • Enhanced farming equipment
  • Better feeding ingredients and disease control chemicals
  • Interest free loans and banking options

      commercial poultry farming in pakistan

Improvements in the infrastructures

It is due to the large scale and multifaceted investment that now more and more hatcheries are being established all over the country. Presently, there are nearly 352 hatcheries that have been set in the country with a capacity of nearly 346 million day-old chicks on an annual basis. The population in terms of poultry is estimated to be nearly 319 million, out of which more than 44 % is coming from the rural sectors. The population includes

  • 160 million broilers
  • 17 million layers
  • 5 million breeding stocks
  • 13154 farms

           hatcheries in pakistan

Importance of poultry farming to Pakistan

Poultry farming is of extreme and undeniable importance to the country, especially in terms of offering better foods and animal proteins in a more accessible and cheaper way. It is a fact that most of the people in the country suffer from protein deficiency and consume much lesser than the suggested amount for a daily basis.

chicken protein

Various poultry breeds

Buff rock, Rhodes Island and Sussex are the breeds that are being hatched and brought up successful in the country keeping in view the desired traits and features. On an average, a laying bird is able to produce nearly 250 eggs yearly and has a weight of about 1.2 kg within 8 weeks of its birth. The total output of Pakistan in terms of eggs laid is about 6.5 million thousand eggs per year which is indeed is a clear indicator about the potential for growth and expansion which is evident in the specified amounts and reported statistics. Furthermore, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done including some advanced and modified approaches to expansion of poultry business in Pakistan.

egg production

Approaches directed to increase production

  • Increased funds to the rural sector
  • Rearing and modification of traits through modes of cross breeding and genetic engineering need to be introduced
  • Encouraging the establishment of more hatcheries and control sheds in Pakistan
  • Leniency in the poultry products and prices of the feeds
  • Offering technical and specialized training to the farmers
  • Provision of specialized chemicals for the treatment of various debilitating diseases

Conclusion

Much needs to be done for the improvement of the poultry sector, so that it may play a vital and determining role in the economy of the nation. The sector indeed has a lot of potential for rapid expansion and in inducing a change in the lives of the people who are linked to it. The government should endeavor to offer new policies and regulations for the wellbeing of the sector.

Basic Nutritional Facts of Chicken meat and Eggs

Chicken happens to be the kind of poultry which is high in terms of the nutriments and all other minerals it comes to offer. In terms of the fat levels, the skinless white chicken food is the one which is best suited for those who love to exercise a control on the fats they consume. Surely, human health is best determined in terms of the minerals, vitamins and all other useful nutrients that are available in a certain poultry products. Below are some of the most useful nutrition facts about chicken meat.

Nutrients in chicken

Proteins

Just like the fish, beef and other meaty products, chicken is also rich in terms of the essential proteins. For each ounce of the meat that is offered, 7 grams of proteins is present. In terms of the typical portions that might be consumed, the protein supply falls around 28 grams. In short, the chicken is an all in one protein based product which can comply with all your health related needs. In addition to honing the performance of all the bodily muscles, the proteins in chicken meat is also crucial for the growth of the tissues. The protein in eggs is also one of the reason for which people prefer to use the poultry based eggs.

protein in chicken

Calories, Carbohydrates and all Other Fats in Chicken

For those who pay a great deal of heed to the levels of carbohydrates they consume, Let me tell you that chicken meat happens to be free from them. According to the most recent nutrition data, the skinless chicken diet ensures that the least amount of fat and calories are allowed to enter into your body. On the other hand, the dark meat is marked for having some higher substantial levels of fat, which can really cause a number of physiological issues. To be precise, if you consume 86 grams of dark meat, then conversely you would be absorbing 165 calories together with 8 grams of fat. Not to forget the 2 grams of saturated fats that you would be consuming.

carbohydrates in chicken

Vitamins in chicken meat

Chicken can be termed to be a prime source of two classes of vitamins i.e. Vitamin B3 and B6. In terms of the recommended daily value of the vitamins, a 4 ounce portion can do it all for you. The Vitamin B3, also known as Niacin, also comes to facilitate the release of the energy from the consumed carbohydrates. At the same time, it also comes in handy in elevating the formation of the RBCS or red blood cells. The role of the niacin based nutriments for the protein metabolic processes can also never be undermined. Making use of the poultry food is definitely worth your health.

Minerals

The 2 prime source minerals, phosphorous and selenium can easily be utilized by making use of a 4 ounce portion of chicken meat. Both of them come to meet nearly 16 and 30 % of the daily optimal or recommended value. The role of the phosphorous involves facilitating the durability and growth of the bones and in strengthening the cell membranes. Moreover, it is also useful in activating the b vitamins which the body requires. In addition to regulating the activity of the thyroid hormone, selenium is also crucial for the performance of the immune system.

Nutrition Facts about Eggs

The eggs happen to be a core substitute to the meat based products. They are not only low in the calorie composition, but are also desired for other basic needs. There are numerous minerals in eggs for which they are widely consumed all over the world. It is one of those versatile foods that were once shunned for the high levels of cholesterol, are now considered to be an integral component of any healthy diet for the individual.

Nutrition Facts about Eggs

Basic Nutriment Values

In terms of the nutrient values, one egg contains around 1 oz proteins for red meat. As specified by the US Department of Agriculture, 1 large egg helps in providing 75 calories, 5 grams of fat, 6 grams of proteins, 63 mg of sodium and around 213 milligrams of cholesterol. Moreover, the eggs also happen to be high in terms of the B2 vitamins which they offer. At the same time, the egg yolks have also been proved to be rich in terms of having the presence of 2 antioxidants including zeaxanthin and lutein. Eggs are also considered to be an efficient source of trace minerals including selenium, iodine and molybdenum.

nutrient value of egg

Enviromently control poultry farm Ventilation Systems for Broiler, Layer, Breeders and Top Suppliers

Ventilation is something which is of extreme importance for the poultry houses. What you must understand is the fact that poultry system requirements change from time to time depending upon the changes in weather and all other conditions. Most of the systems involved in ventilation make use of a number of interlocked fans and heating mechanisms designed to keep the temperate at a constant level. Furthermore, the elements of animal age and density also come to effectuate these requirements. The ventilation process can be seen in a number of different forms depending upon the use of devices. Some of the systems are powered from the room, while others may be placed outside the farm house, with pipes taking the required air inside. The farm houses can also be ventilated in a longitudinal way through the use of special tunnel pipes, designed specifically for the purpose of a balanced air distribution.

Tunnel Ventilation

These systems make use of large belt driven fans designed for the purpose of being fitted into the falls. The air is taken in from the inlets and then distributed according to the requirement of the floor. In other words, the floor area is given due importance when it comes to the distribution of air for the animals. Another important thing about making use of these fans is the fact that they can be brought to some good use in summer as well as winter. The type of system to be used for the farm house depends primarily on the number of birds to be accommodated for the farm. For example, a 30000-45000-60000 bird capacity farm house would make use of a number of different ventilation systems.

Importance of Ventilation

The ventilation is of great importance for the health of the domesticated animals, especially when it comes to maintaining the environment of the farm house. The prime objective for which the farm house owners make such huge investments in the ventilation system is to ensure that all the animals are brought up in fresh air. Furthermore, the animals brought up in the poultry setting require a much greater amount of air than the rest of the animals. This is because they do not sweat at all times, so the only way for them to create a reduction in their body temperature is to via breathing. They use all the oxygen available to them quickly from the ventilation systems and also come to give off some large amounts of carbon dioxide. At times when you are just building the farm and see that there not enough ventilation for the animals, so it is imperative that you make use of the maximum number of windows and air inlets so that the birds may receive the maximum levels of oxygen. Here it must be also kept in mind that some large amounts of heat would also be released from the process of respiration, so you should make use of a number of cooling systems in the times of summer. Another important thing to consider is why it is necessary to have negative pressure in  the house? the answer is that to increase the velocity of air in the house by way of some variant combination of automatic exhaust fans  which turning on and off according to temperature requirement in the house. So, the importance of a perfect ventilation system for an environmentally controlled shed is more substantiated now.

Most of the alpha class farms in the world make use of special devices and mechanisms directed to the removal of various organisms that can come to cause a disease. The cooling evaporation systems being used make use various state of the art technologies and measures directed to a fast and efficient cooling mechanism which remains functioning for a long time to come. Always try to ensure that the temperature is maintained around 23 degree centigrade. Any slight deviations from this temperature can cause a great deal of problems in the animals. In other words, excessive temperatures can really come to cause a number of diseases in the animal’s .For this purpose we have thermometer in the house to monitor temperature.

The arrangement of the exhaust fans should also be done in a way that the same amount of air enters and leaves the farm house. In other words, the amount heat and carbon dioxide released should be taken out of the farm house through the use of some controlled mechanisms and systems. Now in using such a large number of devices and machines there comes another problem i.e. the chances of a short circuit are many. In order to avoid this problem, the best thing to do is to make use of automatic switch breaker .Another important thing to consider is to have backup facilities just like standby generator which works with automatic transfer switches to make sure of continuous power supply in the house.

It is now clear that making a farm house is not an easy thing and not everyone can afford to have a farm. The estimated cost price for having such a farm house with an advanced ventilation system may go in millions. The price can indeed vary depending on the type and quality of equipment which is to be used. In order to ensure that everything goes right, you must make use of the most ideal heating and ventilation systems.

Top 5 Suppliers of Ideal Poultry Ventilation System

1)      Big Dutchman

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2)  chortime Ventilation Systems

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3)    Ali baba ventilation systems

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A Guide To World Poultry egg/layer 2012(market/economic analysis,trends.,table,graph)

Upcoming Trends in World Poultry: Eggs and Layers 2012

Global egg production has expanded rapidly in the past few years. In comparison the 1970, the output has been estimated to have tripled. In the year 1970, the output was nearly 20 million tons, but for the year 2007, it rose to 60 million tons for the whole world. A number of analysts and experts from the International Egg Commission have stated that the new trends and some large production scales would be seen in the years that follow 2012. According to a number of surveys, there are nearly 4.93 billion egg laying hens in the world, out of which the most of them are found in Asia. Around 800-1000 million hens are found in China, 276 million in the United States, 380 million in Europe, 133 million in India and 115 million hens in Mexico. In the year 2012, more than 60 million tons are expected to be produced all over the world.

Egg Production

China is by far the largest importer and exporter when it comes to eggs and layers. Much of the production is consumed within the country. The US is on the second number in terms of the world’s largest egg producers. An important point to note here is the fact that there is a major difference in the consumer preferences in both of the countries which indeed comes to influence the capital generated from this production, as asserted by various economic analysis of the poultry markets and poultry egg business. The egg  production in the United States was around 7.55 billion till the September 2012 with nearly 338 million layers according to the various reports released by USDA. Furthermore, the demand and supply in the most of the leading egg production countries is also very high, with most of the production consumed inside the countries. Although China and USA have been better able to meet the challenges to the poultry sector, but India and some other developing countries have not been able to do so. In the start of summer 2012, the poultry production had dropped significantly, which caused an increase in the prices. Although the decrease in the weight of the eggs and layers is normal in summer, but the change seen in India was much more than the normal.  A rise in the prices of eggs has also been seen in China, USA, Japan and Mexico all because of the various diseases, changes in weather and the rising costs of all the various feed ingredients and nutriments. The inflation in the regions have been expected to remain around 2.5 % for the last quarter of 2012.

Top 5 Egg Producing and Trading Countries

  • China
  • USA
  • India
  • Japan
  • Mexico

In the year 2011, only 5  of  these 5 countries had provided the 55 % of the production, export and trade of eggs. In total, they had produced nearly 64 metric tons of eggs. The same can also be said for the year 2012. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, various projections show that the all the countries of the world are going to produce nearly 70.4 million metric tons of eggs in 2015 and 89.9 in the year 2030, out of which most of the contribution is going to come from the developing countries, probably Asian. These trends also reflect numerous investment opportunities in these countries. On an annual pace, India comes to produce 2.86 million metric tons of eggs. The analysts and poultry analysts also assert that the egg production is also going to increase in Brazil which also happens to be in the top 10 countries in poultry production.

Egg Production in Europe Falls

It is a fact that Europe has a lower population for egg laying hens, which indeed shows lower investment opportunities in the region. The production forecast is going to be lower by 1 % in comparison to the year 2011. In the region, the largest egg producers are Germany, Spain, France, Italy and UK. According to the Russian Prime Minister of the agricultural sector, the egg production is going to cross the 41.9 billion mark in the year 2012. Not to forget that the egg production in Russia has been increasing since the past few years. It is due to the fall of egg production in Europe, the countries are now forced to increase the imports of eggs in order to meet the increasing demands of the consumers.

Raising Chicken And Duck Together

Ducks vs chicken and chicken vs ducks. Even though ducks and chickens are a lot a like in some ways, they are also very different in others, and it is this difference that does prompt the question of is it wise to be keeping ducks with chicken? Well, the answer to this question does vary in response, and it also tends to be a unique experience in raising for the backyard chicken and duck raiser who does their very best to raise both of these fine creatures side by side. Can a duck live with chicken? Both chickens and ducks do indeed have their very own special needs, and this means that each animal will be demanding in its own way, especially if these creatures are very young and require constant care. Raising ducks and chicken are something that is very possible, but it should only be attempted by someone who does know the ropes, and also has had the past experience to be very successful at raising these two types of species before.

 What are the differences that do make
 chicks and ducks different?

Sometimes, by knowing the differences that do make each of these two animals unique in their own ways, it is easier to understand them both and what makes them tick as individual species unto themselves in the bird world. Even though ducks and chickens are members of the genre called fowl, they are entirely two different types of bird species altogether. Also, ducks and chickens are very different in appearance, and they also behave differently from one another, in addition, as well. Ducklings tend to have very flat bills and broader bills than chickens do. Chickens possess a beak that is pointed and is pronounced in description. Ducklings also tend to waddle like other adults ducks do, and chickens don’t waddle, they just walk about jerking their heads in a funny motion and clucking up a storm. Ducks also tend to like water, and being in water, as much as possible. Chickens, on the other hand, don’t like water at all. A chicken also tends to be far more of a farmed animal than ducks are, and this is with good reason, because they do provide very delicious poultry, as well as tasty eggs to. Ducks can also fly and they have their wings. Chickens get their wings clipped and aren’t able to fly in the air, only able to clear fence or reaching to trees or roost. Ducks may not be creatures that are farmed like chickens are, but still people have partaken of duck eggs before, as well as duck meat which is delicious. A duck’s feathers are something that are waterproof by design, as well as nature, and chickens don’t have waterproof feathers. Chicken and duck meat have two different distinct tastes that are different and are their very own. Chickens and ducks also have very different bone structures, as well, which makes them very not so alike after all. Ducks also love to swim, and have the ability to swim, which is something chickens cannot do. Chickens prefer to sleep on a roost while ducks sleep on ground. Ducks are very sensitive to light and can’t sleep in light. Ducks are more vulnerable to attacks from predators like coons, skunks, possum, coyote.

flying duckchicken

 What are the similarities that do make
 ducks and chicks alike in some ways?

The very first thing, which does make ducks and chicks an awful lot alike is this, they are both members of the genre called fowl. Both species also lay eggs, in addition, as well. A duck uses its bill mainly to dig up mud, while the chicken on the other hand, does use its beak to catch prey with a good deal of the time. Ducks also build their nests on the ground, while chickens make them inside of chicken coops. Both of these species of very popular creatures are highly prized most for their skin and their eggs on the average. Despite the fact that chickens and ducks do have a lot in common, they are still very different, when it comes to nature and their particular defining characteristics and behavior.

 Can chickens and ducks be raised in a
 combined environment successfully or not?

Even though ducks and chickens are alike in some ways, and also are very different, the question that remains is this. Can chickens and ducks be raised in a combined environment successfully or not? It is through the understanding, as well as knowing that ducks and chickens are two different and very special kind of animals in their own rights. Duck and chicks can, and often have grown up together side by side. The only difference is that ducklings do tend to take to water, very early on, and baby chicks prefer dry bedding. Despite the facts that both are very different, when it comes to being babies, they are pretty much the same in a lot of ways. Ducklings and chicks cuddle together pretty much like newborn puppies or kittens in a litter. The only thing that is different about them is that ducklings like to get wet, and chickens not, so with this said. It is advisable to separate baby ducks and chicks in a separate brooder boxes until they are older, because little ducklings prefer to be damp and wet, and dam and wet is not very good for the health of small chicks. Nonetheless, once they are a bit older, chicks and ducklings can peacefully co-exist with each other, and they can both imprint one on the other. Can chickens and ducks be raised in the a combined environment successfully or not? The answer is yes, if the raising is done with a lot of excellent tips, knowledge, and most important experience on the subject. This can indeed prove to be a great hobby, but it still something, which must be handled with a lot of tremendous caring, determination, and patience to make the raising of these two individual creatures a real reality in every way that counts most.

duck in water

Raising chickens does indeed have its benefits and rewards, but so does the raising of ducks, in addition, as well. Both of these species are very excellent types of animals, and they each do matter a whole lot in their own ways, and this is something that must be realized whenever it is decided that they will be raised alongside of each other from start to finish.