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ANTWI FARMS
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We believe in a better World
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Egg Eating by Chickens
Egg eating occurs primarily in flocks that are kept on the floor (i.e., not in cages). A number of factors can
contribute to egg eating. Egg eating can result when the hens are overcrowded, when light intensity is too
bright, when there are inadequate nests, when the nests are not constructed properly, or when there is
insufficient nest litter. Some small flock owners throw cracked or broken eggs on the floor for the chickens to
eat. This practice will encourage egg eating.
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Vaccination of Small Poultry Flocks
Vaccination is an effective means to prevent and/or reduce the adverse effects of specific diseases in poultry.
Poultry refers to birds that people keep for their use, and generally includes chicken, turkey, duck, goose,
quail, pheasant, pigeon, guinea fowl, pea fowl, ostrich, emu and rhea.
Disease-causing organisms can be classified, smallest to largest, as viruses, mycoplasma, bacteria, fungi,
protozoa, and parasites. All these organisms are susceptible to chemotherapy, except viruses. Control of viral
diseases is dependent upon prevention through sanitation and biosecurity, and by vaccination.
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Procedures for Killing and Dressing Home Grown Fowl
Today, commercial broilers are processed in highly automated, quality-controlled plants located close to
where the chickens are grown. These plants dress many thousands of birds daily. The same concept used by
commercial processors applies to the processing of small flocks of chickens, turkeys, geese, and ducks. As
in commercial poultry processing plants, cleanliness is very important. Equipment should be cleaned before,
during, and after processing. Scalding water should be changed often, and all tissues to be saved should be
cleaned with cold, running water.
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Poultry Diets for Small Flocks
The diets are designed to be fed in mash form, and they meet all the nutritional needs of
the various species of birds. It is not necessary to provide any supplements, such as oyster shell or grit.
The feed should not be diluted with scratch feed or other grains.
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Home Processing of Poultry
Processing is the final step in the production of broiler
chickens. As the saying goes "last, but certainly not least."
The quality of the final product is dependent on proper processing.
Processing of chickens involves the steps discussed herein.
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Factors Affecting Egg Production in Backyard Chicken Flocks
The laying cycle of a chicken flock usually covers a span of about 12 months. Egg productionbegins when the
birds reach about 18-22 weeks of age, depending on the breed and season. Flockproduction rises sharply
and reaches a peak of about 90%, 6-8 weeks later. Production thengradually declines to about 65% after 12
months of lay.
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The Home Broiler Chicken Flock
Broilers are meat-type chickens. Sometimes they are called fryers or frying chicken. Commercial broilers are
crossbreds, primarily involving White Cornish and White Plymouth Rock. Today's commercial broilers are
marketed at 4-10 weeks of age, depending on the body weight desired. Broilers are used for products such
as Cornish Hens (2.85 lb live weight at about 4 weeks of age), chicken for fast food restaurants (4.1 lb at
about 6 weeks of age), chicken for grocery stores (6.0 lb at about 7.5 weeks of age), and deboned chicken
for sandwiches, nuggets, etc. (6.5 lb at about 8.5 weeks of age).
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The Home Broiler Flock
Many famillies are interested in producing their own broilers for home use.
It may cost more to ralse broilers than to buy them at the supermarket,
but the recreation and satisfaction the activity provides can offset the slightly higher cost.
In addition, manure and litter from the broiler enterprise can be used to fertilize the family
garden and flower beds.
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Small Poultry Flock Nutrition
Water is probably the most important nutrient for poultry because a lack of adequate supply will
adversely affect the bird's performance more quickly than a shortage of any other nutrient. This is why it
is so important to keep an adequate supply of clean, fresh, cool water before the birds at all times.
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This website is still under construction.
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GHANA - Agric News
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PDF Files
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Many of these publications are available as PDF files.
PDF files are viewable with the Adobe Acrobat Reader.
If you don't already have it, you can download
your FREE acrobat reader from Adobe's site!
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