Feeding broilers at home for rapid growth

Cultivation of broilers is considered a popular activity among farmers. For it to be successful, birds are advised to provide proper care. It should include a whole range of components. One of the most important is the feeding regime of broilers. In order for birds to develop normally and ensure high productivity, their diet must be carefully considered.

Features of feeding broilers

Feeding regimes for birds in households and large poultry farms are different. In the first case, broilers receive a more varied diet. Many farmers give chickens, in addition to compound feed, fresh herbs and vegetables.In addition, you can cook different mash, cereal mixtures and feed.

Chickens need vitamins and minerals to grow quickly. A balanced diet has a positive effect on the taste of the carcass. Self-prepared feed helps to save on ready-made feed. Especially since it is often of dubious quality.

If you feed the birds incorrectly or use low-quality products, there is a risk of a sudden loss of the entire livestock.

In order for birds to develop normally, it is recommended to consider the following features:

1. Ensure constant access to fresh water. It is important that the liquid has a comfortable temperature. Birds do not like to drink warm water, but cold water can make them sick. The best option would be a temperature of + 18-22 degrees. There should be 1.7 units of water for 1 unit of feed.
2. Keep feeders clean. After feeding, it is recommended to remove the feed. Thanks to this, it is possible to avoid the development of decay processes and the emergence of pathogenic microflora.
3. Ensure a stable temperature regime and maintain sufficient illumination. Before slaughter, chickens are recommended to be kept at a temperature of + 10-14 degrees. Chicks require parameters + 27-33 degrees. If these recommendations are violated, there is a risk of metabolic disorders and stunting.

Meat breeds do not require active walking. Their mobility is limited by a cage or a room. This helps to minimize energy loss. After the first week, chickens should install river sand feeders. It is also permissible to use small pebbles. Minerals improve the digestion of foods.

Amount of feed consumed

A he althy broiler eats 5 kilograms of compound feed before slaughter. At the same time, it is recommended to properly plan the 42 days that are required to gain the required weight. For this, up to 21 days it is recommended to use starter feed, and then - growth or finish.At the peak of consumption, which occurs from 4 weeks, the bird should receive 150 grams of feed per day. With this regimen, a he althy broiler gains 2.7 kilograms of weight by day 42.

Specific feed intake rates are shown in the table:

335456Feed rate, grams 15-2125-8993-128160 -169

Type of feed	Prestart	Start	Fatter	Finish
Age, days	0-5	6-18	19-37	38-42
Growth, grams	15

Feed frequency

Feeding rates vary with age. At the stage of prestart and start, the birds quickly gain weight. At this stage, their backbone is formed. Therefore, birds should be fed often enough. In general, it is worth observing the following regimen:

• first week - 8 times a day;
• second week - 6 times a day;
• third week - 4 times a day;
• fourth week - 2 times a day.

How many days fattening

The term for growing birds for meat depends on the decision of the owners. Usually they are sent for slaughter at 2-3 months. At this point, they are gaining the desired mass. Growing broilers for too long is not worth it, as the meat may lose its palatability.

Calculation of nutrition for chickens

Chicks should receive a maximum of 15 grams of feed for the first 5 days. Over the next 5 days, the dose is increased to 20 grams. At 11-20 days, it is recommended to give birds 45 grams of feed.

Then every 10 days the amount of feed is increased by 15-20 grams. Thus, in 2 months, the chicken will already eat 115-120 grams. Over the entire period of life, a broiler eats about 5 kilograms of feed.

Types of feed for broilers

Mixed feed have different types. They depend on age:

1. Start - suitable for feeding chicks that have just hatched. Contains many proteins.
2. Grover - provides rapid muscle development.
3. Finish - suitable for adult chickens. The composition contains a minimum of protein, but a lot of vitamins and minerals.

What food should consist of

A bird should eat a certain amount of food per day (determined by its age). This feature should definitely be taken into account when growing birds.

Day 0 to Day 5

From the first days, broiler chickens need a specific diet. It is worth feeding the birds 8 times a day. This is done at regular intervals. The basis of the diet of day old chickens are crushed boiled eggs and cottage cheese.It helps to strengthen the digestive organs and immunity. Then continue feeding with compound feed, starting with 20-25 grams. You can also feed with a wet mix of crushed cereals.

From Day 5 to Day 18

In order for the chicks to gain weight, they should be gradually transferred to the starter feed. It practically does not differ in composition from prestart. This changes the proportions of the ingredients. Usually the feed should contain yeast and fats. Be sure to include flour - meat and bone, herbal and fish. Also at this stage of development, broilers need premixes. These dietary supplements ensure the harmonious development of birds and unlock their genetic growth potential. Otherwise, there is a risk of rapid development of muscle mass and impaired bone formation.

From 19th to 37th day

By the third week, the digestive system of broilers is formed. They have an increased need for food. At this time, the maximum weight gain is observed. At this stage, it is recommended to gradually reduce the amount of protein in the feed and increase the amount of carbohydrates.

It is recommended to maintain a balance of useful elements so that the bird gets everything it needs.

At this stage, chickens digest food perfectly. Therefore, it is not necessary for them to give food in granules. It is perfectly acceptable to use crushed mixtures of cereals and legumes. Be sure to feed the birds with premixes. Meal and cake should be present in their diet. Chickens also need herbal flour. It is permissible to replace it with chopped root crops and herbs. It is recommended to introduce yeast, fish and meat and bone meal into the diet.

Day 38 to 45

From the 38th day, feed conversion decreases in birds and growth retardation is observed. Therefore, fattening broilers for longer than 45 days is impractical. At this stage, finishing compound feed should be present in their diet. It coincides in composition with the growth or fattening complex. However, the balance of ingredients is biased towards carbohydrates.The composition contains proteins, but their amount is significantly less.

What not to feed

There is a whole list of products that are contraindicated for broilers. Prohibited foods include the following:

1. Any food from the human table. It includes many impurities and components that are harmful to birds. Broilers are contraindicated in sweet and s alty foods. Spices should not enter their system.
2. Pure boiled potatoes. It is also strictly forbidden to use potato broth. It cannot even be used as a base for mixers. Boiled potatoes are always mixed with cereals.
3. Fine sand. This substance can clog the goiter.
4. Bread and bakery products. Any additives are banned.
5. Citrus fruit peel. The same applies to the crusts of gourds.
6. Sausages and cheese.
7. Chocolate, jam, cocoa.
8. Fresh milk.
9. Alcoholic drinks, spoiled fruits and berries.
10. Vegetable and butter in its purest form.

If some foods for a balanced diet are missing, they cannot be changed to forbidden foods. In this case, it is recommended to choose the right product.

How to reduce feed consumption when fattening

Feeding broilers is permissible with ready-made feed. However, many farmers try to save as much as possible when raising birds. High-quality industrial ration will be quite expensive. In this case, poultry farmers use cereals, food waste, greens and succulent feed.

It is recommended to buy special additives - premixes in advance.

They contain vitamins, minerals, amino acids, drugs. Birds also require antibiotics and coccidostatics. Broilers do not have strong immunity. Therefore, there is a need to use such funds.

To reduce the cost of fattening birds, it is recommended to properly organize their diet:

1. Feed wet mash. Shredded root crops, potatoes, greens can be introduced into the diet of birds. Also, birds can be given food waste in combination with cereals or compound feed. This helps to significantly reduce the cost of feeding birds. It is forbidden to completely refuse concentrates, as this negatively affects the gain.
2. Add yeast to wet mixers. They help to better assimilate the feed and reduce its consumption. As a general rule, fodder yeast should be added to boiled and chopped potatoes. You can also make a cereal-based mash with herbs and root crops. To do this, it is recommended to take 200-300 grams of yeast for 15 kilograms of components, add 15 liters of water and infuse for 6 hours in a warm place.
3. Introduce dairy products into the diet. It is useful to give chickens fermented baked milk, curdled milk, whey. Such components can be used as a wet base for mixers. They include potassium and animal proteins, which are required by broilers.
4. Give greens to the birds. Grass can be chopped or hung in the form of brooms. Greens contain many vitamins and help strengthen the immune system of birds.

In order for the birds to grow normally and not get sick, it is important to keep them clean. It is recommended to regularly disinfect feeders and drinkers, change bedding. This helps to minimize the chance of bird deaths and save on fattening costs.

Causes of poor appetite

The reason for the deterioration of appetite may be such factors:

1. Spoiled food. Food is recommended to be poured at the same time and cleaned after 40 minutes. Be sure to monitor the quality of the ingredients. If mold or rot appears, there is a risk of deterioration in the he alth of birds.
2. Lack or poor quality of water. It should be changed more often, left freely available.
3. Helminths. Birds must be treated periodically for worms and parasites.

Mistakes in breeding broilers at home

The main mistakes in growing broilers include:

1. Cold floors in the chicken coop. This provokes the development of diseases.
2. Neglect of sanitary rules. The presence of mold in the room is especially dangerous for chickens.
3. Too bright light for chicks. It can cause pecking, weight loss, stress.
4. Lack of ventilation. The air in the room should not smell too strongly of ammonia.

Feeding broilers has a number of features. In order for the birds to develop normally and not get sick, it is recommended to carefully consider their diet. The amount and composition of the feed directly depend on the age of the hens.

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