Did you know that there are specific actions you can take to help your broilers grow at a healthier, more optimal pace? By improving different factors within their environment, you can realise considerable improvement across your flock which can have a positive impact on your business results. In this blog, we'll outline 5 ways to help your broiler performance improve and reach its full potential.
Keep reading to learn more!
Take control over the following 5 factors and positively influence and stimulate optimal growth and well-being for your birds.
1. Balanced feed: one of the most important aspects of poultry husbandry is providing the right feed for the birds. A balanced feed will help ensure that broilers grow at a healthy rate and can reach their full potential. This can be achieved by providing a high protein feed during the growth phase and always ensuring they have access to fresh water in order to keep the animals well hydrated as water is essential to help the digestion of their food.
2. Safe breeding: taking the right choices regarding genetics when trying to optimise poultry performance and growth should not be underestimated. Some breeds are naturally faster growing than others. Each breed will require its own specific management to help them grow at their optimal rate. Choose the right breed to fit your business goals so you can steer the various parameters accordingly.
3. Housing conditions: Housing broilers mean there needs to be enough space for the animals to move around and exercise within the barn. This is essential for broilers to develop strong muscles and bones. Creating an environment so they can keep up the growth pace without any physical discomforts or injuries is essential.
4. Temperature: the best environment and optimal growth can be achieved when the temperature in the house is between 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit (21°-24° C). Anything outside of this range will limit growth. This means you must make sure the housing is properly insulated and temperatures are controlled with great precision, as even a slight deviation from the ideal range can impact the health and wellbeing and therefore the growth process. A variety of methods can be used including the use of heat lamps, fans, and (central) heaters.
Alternatively, you could use a heat exchanger like the ECO Unit which will help to create a more consistent temperature all year round. It will significantly help to reduce the need for external heat sources keeping the body temperature of growing broilers at the right levels.
5. Disease prevention: hygiene needs to be taken very seriously, this doesn’t apply only to the housing but also in the entire process of feeding and watering. This should all be kept as clean as possible and free of parasites. Also preventative care such as following the vaccination programs will help to prevent common diseases in broilers, keeping them healthy throughout their life.
Taking these 5 factors into account can help broiler farmers to optimise the growth and productivity of their flocks, contributing to the health and well-being of the flock and improving business results.