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TIMI Farmhands, Lusaka (2025)

19/05/2025

Details in Comments 👇👇

16/05/2025

Spacing in BANANA FARMING

The spacing depends on the Soil fertility level, rainfall (water availability).
The following spacing is recommended under a five-year cycle on a fertile soil with adequate rainfall:

· Short variety (Dwarf Cavendish, Giant Cavendish) 2.5m × 3m.

· Medium variety (Valery, Williams) 3.0m × 4.0m.

· Tall variety (Lacatan, Poyo) 4.0m× 4.0m.
Planting Materials

Clean, healthy planting material consisting of side shoots, or pieces of corm with one to two eyes can be used.

08/05/2025

Unlocking Nature's Bounty. Details in the comments 👇👇

22/04/2025

Cattle Casting

Overview:
Cattle casting is a controlled technique that uses rope to safely bring large animals—particularly adult cattle—into a recumbent (lying down) position.

The method works by applying steady, consistent pressure through ropes placed at specific points on the animal's body, encouraging it to lie down with minimal resistance.

Before beginning the casting process, it's essential to first gain control of the cow's head, usually by fitting a rope halter securely.

Careful planning is critical. Once the animal is cast, ensure that no pressure is placed on its airway to avoid compromising breathing.

Various rope casting techniques are available, and care must be taken to avoid placing ropes over sensitive areas such as the udder, prepuce, or sc***um.

Two commonly used casting methods are:

Reuff's Method

Criss-Cross Method (also known as the Burley Method)

In Reuff's method, a non-slip knot must be used around the neck to prevent the rope from tightening and causing injury.

Regardless of the technique, always ensure that all slack is removed from the ropes before applying pressure. This helps ensure a smooth and safe descent for the animal.

21/04/2025

CHICKEN TERMINOLOGIES YOU SHOULD KNOW

1. Bantam: A small variety of chicken.
2. Broiler: Chicken raised for meat.
3. Brooder: Heated area for chicks.
4. Broody hen: Hen incubating eggs.
5. Cockerel: Young male chicken.
6. Comb: Fleshy crest on top of the head.
7. Coop: Chicken house.
8. Cornish: Breed of chicken used for meat.
9. Crossbreed: Offspring of different breeds.
10. Dust bath: Chickens' way to clean themselves.
11. Egg tooth: Chick's beak tip used to break out of the egg.
12. Feathers: Plumage covering a chicken's body.
13. Flock: Group of chickens.
14. Free-range: Chickens with access to outdoor areas.
15. Gizzard: Digestive organ for grinding food.
16. Hen: Adult female chicken.
17. Incubation: Process of hatching eggs.
18. Layer: Chicken bred for egg production.
19. Nest box: Place where hens lay eggs.
20. Organic: Chickens raised without synthetic chemicals.
21. Pecking order: Social hierarchy among chickens.
22. Pullet: Young female chicken.
23. Roost: Perch where chickens sleep.
24. Rooster: Adult male chicken.
25. Scratching: Chickens' behavior of foraging.
26. Silkie: Breed of chicken with fluffy feathers.
27. Spurred: Having spur growths on legs.
28. Spurred: Having spur growths on legs (yes, it's repeated in the list!).
29. Wattle: Fleshy part under a chicken's beak.
30. Wing clipping: Trimming feathers to prevent flying.
31. Bantamweight: Small-sized chicken.
32. Biddies: Informal term for baby chickens.
33. Capon: Castrated male chicken.
34. Clutch: Group of eggs a hen incubates.
35. Crop: Pouch for storing food.
36. Dual-purpose breed: Chickens raised for both eggs and meat.
37. Egg candling: Checking eggs' development using light.
38. Feather pecking: Behavior of pecking other chickens' feathers.
39. Grit: Small stones aiding digestion.
40. Hackle: Neck feathers.
41. Hen saddle: Protective pad for hens' backs.
42. Hybrid chicken: Crossbred for specific traits.
43. Molting: Shedding and regrowing feathers.

18/04/2025

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN QUALITY POULTRY FEED.

As a Farmers, you can create your own poultry feed using the Pearson Square method. This method helps ensure that the feed contains the right amount of digestible crude protein (DCP), which is essential for the nutrition of chickens.

Here’s how you can do it:

Ingredients and Their DCP Values:
- Whole maize: 8.23%
- Soya: 45%
- Fishmeal (omena): 55%
- Maize bran: 7%
- Sunflower: 35%

For example, if you want to make feed for laying hens (layers), the feed should have at least 18% crude protein.

Making a 70kg Bag of Feed for Layers:
To make a 70kg bag of feed with 18% crude protein, you need:
- 34kg of whole maize
- 12kg of soya
- 8kg of fishmeal (omena)
- 10kg of maize bran
- 6kg of lime (as a calcium source)

Calculating Crude Protein:
To check if the feed meets the 18% protein requirement, do the following calculations:
- Whole maize: 34kg × 8.23 ÷ 100 = 2.80%
- Soya: 12kg × 45 ÷ 100 = 5.40%
- Fishmeal: 8kg × 55 ÷ 100 = 4.40%
- Lime: 6kg × 0 ÷ 100 = 0.00%

Total crude protein = 2.80% + 5.40% + 4.40% = 12.60%

To get the total crude protein percentage in the 70kg bag:
12.60% ÷ 70kg × 100 = 18%

So, the feed has 18% crude protein, which is perfect for layers.

Ready-Made Formulations:
To make it even easier, here are ready-made feed formulations for different stages of chicken growth:

Chick Mash (1-4 weeks)
Ingredients for a 70kg bag:
- 31.5kg whole maize
- 9.1kg wheat bran
- 7.0kg wheat pollard
- 16.8kg sunflower or linseed
- 1.5kg fishmeal
- 1.75kg lime
- 30g salt
- 20g premix amino acids
- 70g tryptophan
- 3.0g lysine
- 10g methionine
- 70g threonine
- 50g enzymes
- 60g coccidiostat
- 50g toxin binder

Growers Mash (4-8 weeks)
Ingredients for a 70kg bag:
- 10kg whole maize
- 17kg maize germ
- 13kg wheat pollard
- 10kg wheat bran
- 6kg cotton seed cake
- 5kg sunflower cake
- 3.4kg soya meal
- 2.07kg lime
- 700g bone meal
- 3kg fishmeal
- 14g salt
- 1g coccidiostat
- 18g pre-mix
- 1g zinc bacitracitrach
- 7g mycotoxin

18/04/2025

Understanding Feed Requirements for Chicks: Estimated Feed Quantities by Flock Size

When planning for chick rearing, estimating the right quantity of feed is essential for ensuring proper growth and minimizing waste. Feed for broiler chicks is generally categorized into three main types: starter, grower, and finisher—each supporting different growth phases from hatch to market.

Below is a detailed guide on the number of 50kg feed bags needed for various quantities of chicks, based on recommended feeding programs. This guide also shows the total bags required and the average amount of feed consumed by each bird.

Feed Requirements by Number of Chicks

For 50 chicks:
Starter: 1 bag
Grower: 1 bag
Finisher: 2 bags
Total: 4 bags
Average per bird: 4.00 kg

For 100 chicks:
Starter: 2 bags
Grower: 3 bags
Finisher: 3 bags
Total: 8 bags
Average per bird: 4.00 kg

For 150 chicks:
Starter: 3 bags
Grower: 4 bags
Finisher: 4 bags
Total: 11 bags
Average per bird: 3.67 kg

For 200 chicks:
Starter: 3 bags
Grower: 5 bags
Finisher: 5 bags
Total: 13 bags
Average per bird: 3.25 kg

For 250 chicks:
Starter: 4 bags
Grower: 6 bags
Finisher: 6 bags
Total: 16 bags
Average per bird: 3.20 kg

For 300 chicks:
Starter: 5 bags
Grower: 7 bags
Finisher: 7 bags
Total: 19 bags
Average per bird: 3.17 kg

For 350 chicks:
Starter: 6 bags
Grower: 8 bags
Finisher: 9 bags
Total: 23 bags
Average per bird: 3.29 kg

For 400 chicks:
Starter: 6 bags
Grower: 10 bags
Finisher: 10 bags
Total: 26 bags
Average per bird: 3.25 kg

For 450 chicks:
Starter: 7 bags
Grower: 11 bags
Finisher: 11 bags
Total: 29 bags
Average per bird: 3.22 kg

For 500 chicks:
Starter: 8 bags
Grower: 12 bags
Finisher: 12 bags
Total: 32 bags
Average per bird: 3.20 kg

Starter feed is given in the early

18/04/2025

Emergency Care for a Newborn Animal That Is Not Breathing

After a difficult birth, some newborn animals may struggle to breathe due to weakness or fluid in their lungs. Immediate action is necessary to help them breathe properly. Please follow these steps carefully:

Assist with Breathing
If the newborn is having trouble breathing, gently hang it upside down and rub its chest. This encourages fluid to drain from the lungs and exit through the nose.

Drain Mucus and Fluid
Hold the animal by its back legs for about one minute to allow mucus and fluid to drain from the lungs. For small animals, you can gently swing it in a circular motion to help expel the fluid from the nose.

Use the Mother’s Back for Support
Place the newborn over the mother’s back with its head facing downward. This position also helps drain fluid from the lungs.

Stimulate Coughing
Insert a small piece of clean, dry grass into the animal’s nostril. This usually causes a cough reflex, which can help clear the airway and stimulate breathing.

Encourage Suckling
Ensure the newborn begins to suckle from its mother as soon as possible. The act of suckling triggers the release of the hormone oxytocin in the mother, which:

Stimulates milk flow from the udder.

Helps contract the uterus and expel the placenta.

If the animal still does not begin to breathe or shows signs of distress, contact a veterinary professional immediately.

09/04/2025

Boost Soil Health and Yields Using Tithonia Mulch (Mexican Sunflower)

Looking for a natural way to nourish your soil, retain moisture, and control weeds—without breaking the bank? Tithonia diversifolia, also known as Mexican sunflower, is a fast-growing miracle plant with hidden powers for your farm.

Found abundantly across Africa, Tithonia is rich in nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—making it an excellent mulch for almost all types of crops.

Benefits of Using Tithonia as Mulch

1. Moisture Retention – Tithonia mulch keeps soil damp for longer by reducing evaporation.

2. W**d Control – A thick layer blocks sunlight, suppressing unwanted weeds.

3. Natural Fertilizer – As Tithonia breaks down, it releases nutrients into the soil.

4. Soil Softening – Improves soil texture and promotes microbial activity.

5. Erosion Protection – Shields soil from wind and water erosion during heavy rains.

How to Harvest and Apply Tithonia Mulch

What You’ll Need:

Fresh or semi-dried Tithonia leaves and stems

A sharp knife or panga

Sack or wheelbarrow for transport

Steps to Apply Mulch:

1. Cut the Tithonia into small 10–15 cm pieces.

2. Spread a layer (5–10 cm thick) around your crops.

3. Keep mulch a few centimeters away from stems to prevent rot.

4. Replenish the mulch every 3–4 weeks as it decomposes.

Best Crops to Use with Tithonia Mulch

Tomatoes

Cabbage

Maize

Sweet Potatoes

Groundnuts

Spinach and Sukuma Wiki

Bananas

Fruit Trees (Mango, Avocado, etc.)

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How Much Do You Need?

For one hectare, prepare around 2.5 to 5 tons of fresh Tithonia—about 50 to 100 bags (50kg each). The fresher, the better!

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Pro Tips for Maximum Results

Combine with animal manure (cow or poultry) to supercharge nutrient content.

Add wood ash to boost potassium levels in depleted soils.

Use during dry seasons to lock in moisture and keep crops thriving.

Apply early in the morning or late evening to retain moisture during application.

09/04/2025

DID YOU KNOW THAT TILAPIA FISH FARMING IS ANOTHER ENTERPRISE THAT CAN GENERATE INCOME IN AGRICULTURE? HERE IS HOW YOU CAN KEEP TILAPIA STARTING FROM FISHPOND DESIGNING.
DETAILS IN THE COMMENTS! 👇👇

09/04/2025

Hello bee farmers

When brood rearing is very active, nurse bees typically feed the larvae with bee bread, not fresh pollen directly. Bee bread is a mixture of pollen, nectar, and enzymes, and it is specifically fermented to provide a longer-term, more stable food source for the developing larvae.

Fresh pollen can be placed in the cells close to brood, but it's primarily for the purpose of being converted into bee bread by worker bees, and not for direct consumption by the larvae in its raw form. Bee bread, with its fermented nature, serves as a more reliable and nutritious food source, especially during periods of high brood rearing, when the hive requires consistent nourishment for the larvae.

Yes, bee bread is meant for longer-term storage, ensuring that there is a ready supply of nutritious food to support the colony, especially during times when fresh pollen might not be readily available.

09/04/2025

Poultry FAQ.
Frequently Asked Questions about Poultry. 👇👇
Details in Comments 👇👇

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