Poultry Vibes

05/06/2025

*WHY YOU DAY OLD CHICKS DIE AT HIGH RATE*

Things no other vet will tell you

Many poultry farmers face this challenge, and many of you are still failing to figure out the cause. Do not be quick to judge the source and cause of the problem. Let's first understand how the body of your day old chicks work!

During hatching, the reminder of the yolk sac gets retained and covered within the abdominal cavity of your chicks.....before hatching, the yolksac feeds the embryo.
So the tolk sac is not just a left over of the egg. These are the 2 most important jobs this yolk sac does;

1. IMMUNITY: it delivers maternal antibodies from the hen to the chick. So the chick can fight off infections using the immunity it gets through the yolk from its mother
2. NUTRITION. Even after hatching, the chick continues to feed on the yolk sac until it eats on its own.

Because of the high protein level in the yolk sac, it can be a potential breeding ground for infections if it's not fully absorbed in the first 2 or 3 days.

Chicks might fail to fully utilize the yolk sac due to;
A. Cold temperatures. Under cold temperatures, chicks fail to metabolize the yolk well.
B. DELAY IN FEEDING AND DRINKING. The faster they're provided feed and water , the faster the yolk sac is absorbed. Ensure you have the right drinker and feeder size, palatable feed, not too hot or bot too cold water.
C. BACTERIAL infections like OMPHALITIS that target the yolk sac passing through unhealed navels due to poor hygiene or hatchery contamination.

How to recognize that chicks are dying from yolk sac infection;

1. Soft , swollen and smelly belly
2. Wet un healed Navel
3. Weak chicks
4. High Mortality in first 5 days

So should you give antibiotics right from day 1 to prevent this? Ethical Answer is *NO* as you may destabilize the gut flora and affect immunity development.

What to do then?
Observe the chicks behavior for the first 6 to 12 hrs as you supplement them on only *GLUCO-CHICK GROW*. You are as well giving them ample time to build immunity and utilize their immunity passport - the yolk sac

If you neglect the yolk sac utilization, you are at high risk of losing the flock before even getting started. Avoid starting with antibiotics....instead utilize the yolk sac.

Paying attention to every detail in the first 72 hours matter alot.
Your weapons against early chick mortality should be;
1. Proper biosecurity
2. Proper temperature regulation before and after arrival/placement
3. Proper early nutrition.

08/02/2025

Here are some characteristics of the Improved Kienyeji chicken ¹ ²:

- *Disease resistance*: The Improved Kienyeji chicken is highly resistant to diseases and has a high productivity rate.
- *Growth rate*: It achieves 1.5kg in about five months, while other indigenous breeds take up to seven months or more.
- *Feathering system*: Its feathering system allows it to adjust faster to any climatic conditions, including arid and semi-arid regions.
- *Egg laying*: A hen can produce between 220 and 280 eggs a year.
- *Maintenance*: The chicken is easy to maintain since it can be kept under the free range system or deep litter, depending on a farmer’s financial ability and objectives.

08/02/2025

Kari chicken, also known as Kari broiler or Kari fowl, is a popular chicken breed in Africa, especially in Nigeria and other West African countries. It is a dual-purpose breed, raised for both meat and eggs. Here are some characteristics of Kari chicken:

1. Origin: Developed in Nigeria in the 1960s by crossing local chickens with exotic breeds like Rhode Island Red and White Leghorn.
2. Appearance: Kari chickens have a medium-sized body with a single comb, red earlobes, and yellow legs. They come in a variety of colors, including white, black, and brown.
3. Egg production: Kari hens are good layers, producing an average of 120-150 eggs per year.
4. Meat production: Kari cockerels are known for their fast growth rate and are often used for meat production.
5. Hardiness: Kari chickens are known for their hardiness and adaptability to hot and humid climates.
6. Temperament: They are friendly, docile, and easy to handle.
7. Feed efficiency: Kari chickens are known to convert feed efficiently, making them a popular choice for small-scale farmers.

Overall, Kari chicken is a versatile breed that is well-suited for small-scale and backyard farming in Africa.

08/02/2025

Uzima

08/02/2025

01/12/2024

# Chicken farm

18.1K likes, 205 comments. “Good appetite, good day!”

24/11/2024