Poultry Farming Management | Meaning, Types, Importance

Hi, welcome to this blog on livestock management and Poultry Farming

Table Of Contents

1. What is livestock management?
2. Meaning of poultry management
3. Terms used in poultry.
4. Characteristics features of a good layer.
5. System of poultry management.
6. Poultry equipments.
7. Importance of poultry farming.
8. Revision Questions.

Meaning Of Livestock Management: Livestock management is the rearing of animals and birds in a farm.

Meaning of Poultry

Poultry farming involves raising domesticated birds such as chickens, ducks, or turkey, goose, guinea fowl. These birds are reared mainly for meat, egg production and manure. They are non- ruminants. Proper housing, nutrition, and health management are important for successful poultry farming.

Read Also

• Deep Litter System in Poultry, advantages and disadvantages
• Process of egg formation in poultry, and egg structure
• List of birds and their names you need to know

TERMS USED IN POULTRY

• Cock – Male fowl above one year of age.
• Cockerel – Male fowl below one year of age.
• Hen – female fowl above one year of age.
• Pullet – female fowl below one year of age.
• Chick – A young fowl (0 to 6 weeks old).
• Capon – A castrated male fowl.
• Caponization – process of castration in fowl.
• Treading – Act of mating in fowl.
• Grower – Fowl between 7 to 19 weeks of age.
• Layer – Female fowl over 20 weeks of age that can lay eggs.
• Broiler – Fowl reared for meat.
• Clutch – A group of young chicks.
• Flock – A group of fowls.
• Chicken – Meat of fowl

Types of Poultry Farming

Broiler farming, layer farming, free range, duck farm, turkey farm, quail farm, organic poultry farm, backyard poultry farm, integrated and hobbyist poultry farm.

Broiler Farming: Focuses on raising chickens for meat production. These birds, known as broilers, are raised to reach market weight quickly.

Layer Farming: This Primarily involves raising hens for egg production. These birds, known as layers, are kept for their ability to lay eggs consistently.

Free-Range Farming: This farming Involves allowing birds to roam outdoors, providing a more natural environment. Both meat and egg production can be part of free-range systems, emphasizing animal welfare and sustainable practices.

Duck Farms: Specialized in raising ducks for meat and egg production.

Turkey Farms: Dedicated to the production of turkey meat.

Quail Farms: Raise quails for both meat and egg production.

Organic Poultry Farms: Follow organic farming practices, avoiding synthetic inputs.

Backyard Poultry Farms: Small-scale operations often for personal or local consumption.

Integrated Poultry Farms: Involve multiple stages of production, from hatching to processing.

Hobbyist Types of Poultry Farming: Kept for enjoyment rather than large-scale production.

System of poultry Management

The system of poultry management defines the extent to which birds are exposed to sunshine, pasture and also housing pattern. There are three main system: extensive, semi intensive and intensive system

Extensive System Of poultry management

Under this system the domestic fowls are allowed to roam about in search of food and water. There are no proper housing, care and feeding for this birds. Unlimited grassland is available to the birds .The capital investment is small and the birds population per Hectare of land is minimal and production is usually very low. The use of technology is also limited. Example of the extensive system of rearing poultry is the free range system

Free-Range System Of poultry management

Under the free range system, birds are allowed free access to a range of grassland. The birds are allowed to run freely over a large fenced area where they experience nearly natural conditions. The birds are confined in a hut or a shed at night and allowed to roam within the fenced area during the day. During unfavorable weather condition, the birds fine shelter under trees, bushes or hedges within the range while some run to the range shed or hut to take cover.

Semi-Intensive System Of poultry management

The semi-intensive system is Midway between intensive and extensive system. The birds are housed in a fixed building but are allowed to move about within a fence area during the day. The buildings are made up of wood and are raised above the ground with wire netting on the floor to permit easy dropping of faeces. A good example of the semi-intensive system is the fold unit system.

Intensive System Of poultry Management

Under this system, the birds are confined within a building and are not allowed to move out. It prevents the birds from having access to pasture and sunlight. There is high stocking density which implies a closer contact among the birds. Feeds, water and all medications are provided for the birds. Two examples of intensive system of poultry management are Deep litter system and battery cage system.

A. Deep Litter System Of poultry Management

Description: In this system, a thick layer of bedding material, such as straw or wood shavings, is spread on the floor of the poultry house. The bedding is allowed to accumulate and decompose over time.

Characteristics: Provides a comfortable environment for the birds, encourages natural behavior like scratching and dust bathing. Regular addition of fresh bedding helps manage waste and odor.

B. Battery Cage System Of Poultry Management

Description: Birds are kept in small individual cages, arranged in rows and tiers. The cages are typically small, and each bird has limited space for movement.

Characteristics: Efficient space utilization, easy management of eggs, and prevention of egg breakage. However, concerns about animal welfare have led to increased scrutiny of this system due to limited mobility for the birds.

Characteristics features of a Good Layer

1. A good layer has a broad and square head.
2. It has a short beak.
3. It has a bright and bulging eyes.
4. It possesses a smooth and lean face.
5. It has a large but comb.
6. It has a bright red comb and wattles.
7. It has a soft and pliable abdomen.
8. There is absence of cannibalistic tendencies or aggressiveness.
9. It has a broad flexible pelvic bones.
10. It possesses a wide, moist cloaca.
11. It has pale colored shanks.
12. There’s absence of broodiness.
13. It possesses a glossy plumage.

POULTRY EQUIPMENT AND THIER MAIN USES

1. Incubator – Hatches eggs by maintaining optimal temperature and humidity.
2. Brooders – Provides heat to newly hatched chicks for warmth.
3. Feeders – Holds and dispenses poultry feed.
4. Drinkers – Supplies water to poultry.
5. Egg Candler – Checks the development of embryos inside eggs.
6. Poultry House Ventilation Systems – Regulates air circulation in poultry houses.
7. Nesting Boxes – Provides a place for hens to lay eggs.
8. Perches – Allows birds to roost and rest.
9. Poultry Feed Grinder and Mixer – Processes and mixes poultry feed ingredients.
10. Egg Collection Systems – Automates the gathering of eggs from laying areas.
11. Poultry Scale – Weighs poultry for monitoring growth and health.
12. Poultry Vaccinator – Administers vaccines to birds.
13. Poultry Lighting Systems – Controls lighting to optimize production conditions.
14. Poultry Plucker – Removes feathers from slaughtered birds during processing.
15. Manure Removal Systems – Automates the removal of waste from the poultry house.
16. Heat Lamps – Provides supplemental heat to poultry during cold weather.
17. Poultry Debeaker – Trims the beaks of birds to prevent pecking injuries.
18. Egg Washer – Cleans eggs before packaging.
19. Poultry Monitoring Systems – Monitors environmental conditions in the poultry house.
20. Footbath – Used to disinfect footwear to prevent disease spread in the farm.

IMPORTANCE OF POULTRY FARMING

1. Protein Source
2. Economic Contribution
3. Quick ROI
4. Accessible to Small Farmers
5. Food Security
6. By-Product Recycling
7. Disease Control
8. Diversification of Agriculture
9. Fertilizer Production
10. Research and Innovation

Protein Source: This is one of the importance of Poultry Farming, Poultry farming is a vital source of high-quality protein through eggs and meat, contributing to human nutrition.

Economic Contribution: The importance of poultry farming plays a crucial role in the economy by generating income and employment opportunities, particularly for small-scale farmers.

Quick return of investment (ROI): Poultry farming has a relatively short production cycle, allowing for a quick return on investment compared to some other forms of agriculture.

Accessible to Small Farmers: The industry is accessible to small-scale farmers, promoting inclusivity and rural development.

Food Security: Poultry farming enhances food security by providing a consistent and affordable protein source.

By-Product Recycling: Poultry contributes to sustainability by recycling agricultural by-products into poultry feed, reducing waste.

Disease Control: Properly managed poultry farms help control pests and reduce the risk of certain diseases in the agricultural ecosystem

Diversification of Agriculture: Integrating poultry farming with other agricultural practices provides diversification, reducing the dependence on a single source of income.

Fertilizer Production: Poultry manure serves as an excellent fertilizer, enhancing soil fertility and promoting crop production.

Research and Innovation: Poultry farming drives research and innovation in areas like genetics, nutrition, and disease management, benefiting the broader agricultural sector.

In conclusion: Poultry farming is very important for several reasons. It is a source of protein through eggs and meat, contributes to the economy by generating income and employment, and offers a relatively quick return on investment.

And also, poultry farming is accessible to small-scale farmers, promoting rural development and food security. The industry also plays a important role in recycling agricultural by-products through poultry feed, making it an environmentally sustainable practice.

Revision Questions

1. What is poultry farming?
2. State the characteristics features of a Good layer.
3. State any five terms used in poultry management.
4. Briefly Explain the deep litter system of poultry management.
5. State any seven importance of poultry farming.