Emily Carter
Raising broiler chickens in the Philippines is a thriving business. The term 45 days chicken is popular in the Philippines, especially in Visayan provinces, as this breed of chicken can be slaughtered between 38 to 45 days. Commercial growers usually harvest their chickens at 38 to 39 days, as any additional days will incur losses on feeds. The growth of broiler chickens can be divided into four stages: early brooding, late brooding, middle stage, and late stage. The late stage refers to the period from 38 days of age to slaughter, where the chicken's weight increases rapidly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of chicks | 10 |
| Chick weight at 45 days | 900 grams to 1.5 kilograms |
| Chick weight at slaughter | 1.5 kilograms |
| Time to slaughter | 35-50 days |
| Housing | Brooder or cage |
| Cage design | Multi-layer, fully automatic |
| Cage features | Automatic feeding system, drinking system, manure cleaning system, chicken removal system |
| Brooder features | Well-ventilated, bright, clean, dry, permanent |
| Chick characteristics | Active, healthy feathers and eyes, no disease or abnormality, consistent in size and colour |
| Chick feed | High-quality, on time, sufficient protein, amino acids, calcium, minerals |
| Climate control | Cool cell or tunnel ventilation, automatic temperature and humidity control |
| Lighting | Lights on at night |
| Chick health | Anti-stress medication before and after moving out of cage |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing healthy chicks
When choosing healthy chicks, it is important to select a reliable hatchery or breeding ground. It is also crucial to find out about the health of the chick's parents and how to care for them before taking them home. Here are some specific things to look out for when choosing healthy chicks:
Activity and Alertness
Healthy chicks are active and curious when they are awake and not sleeping. They are busy eating, drinking, exploring their environment, and reacting to external stimuli by scurrying away when approached. Happy and warm chicks do not huddle together while awake; injured, cold, hungry, or lost chicks often exhibit this behaviour.
Eyes
Healthy chicks have bright, open, and alert eyes. Unhealthy chicks may appear sleepy most of the time, stare blankly, or have eyes that are crusted shut.
Legs and Feet
Healthy chicks have straight legs and toes that are positioned normally. Crooked toes or oddly positioned legs may indicate underlying conditions that cannot be seen and may require special care.
Posture
Healthy chicks stand tall and walk with ease. Unhealthy chicks may have difficulty standing or walking, crouch, or sit back on their hocks. Their necks may retract into their bodies, their beaks may point towards the sky or bend towards their backs, or they may flip backward. Stargazing posture, for example, is a condition that affects the nervous system and prevents chicks from eating and drinking normally.
Vent Health
A healthy chick's vent, the opening from which droppings are eliminated, should be clean and free of any blockages. Pasty butt, or pasted vent, is a condition where droppings stick to the down surrounding the vent, and while it is not always a sign of illness, it requires cleaning and monitoring.
Flock Uniformity
When selecting chicks, it is important to consider the overall uniformity of the flock. A good flock has chicks of the same colour and size, with less than 3% of the flock being weak.
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Chicken cage design
Space Optimization
Maximising space is crucial in chicken cage design. The design should aim to accommodate more birds per square meter without causing overcrowding, as this can lead to slow growth. One way to optimise space is to use multi-layer chicken cages, such as the 3-tier cages recommended by Hightop Poultry Equipment for a poultry farming project in the Philippines.
Automatic Systems
To enhance efficiency and reduce labour costs, consider implementing automatic systems within the chicken cage design. This includes an automatic feeding system, automatic drinking system, and automatic manure removal system. These systems contribute to the faster growth of chickens and reduce the time and effort required for manual labour.
Ventilation and Temperature Control
Proper ventilation is essential to prevent lung diseases in chickens. Ensure that the chicken cage design allows for adequate airflow, with the option to adjust ventilation as needed. Additionally, consider incorporating temperature control measures, such as cooling pads and exhaust fans, to maintain a comfortable environment for the chickens.
Sturdy and Sanitary Construction
The chicken cage should be constructed using sturdy and sanitary materials to ensure durability and ease of cleaning. Hot-dip galvanised material is a common choice for cage bodies and frames, offering long-lasting performance and resistance to wear and tear. A sanitary bottom net can help prevent chicken breast hematoma, reduce coccidiosis, and lower the death rate.
Customisation and Flexibility
Look for chicken cage designs that offer customisation options to tailor the setup to your specific needs. This may include the ability to adjust the spacing between cages, the height of feeding and drinking systems, and the addition of accessories or modifications to suit your climate and farming practices.
Installation and After-Sales Support
When choosing a chicken cage design or manufacturer, consider the level of support provided. Some companies, like Retech Farming, offer installation assistance, training programs on poultry management and cage maintenance, and quick response support for troubleshooting and spare parts. These services can be invaluable in ensuring the proper setup and ongoing success of your chicken cage system.
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Chicken diet and nutrition
When the chicks are very young, their diet should include more protein and amino acids to help develop their digestive and immune systems. It is also important to ensure that chicks are not left without food for more than an hour or two, as they are better able to use the nutrients from their feed when it is given on time.
As the chicks grow, their diet should focus on bone growth, with increased protein and energy requirements, as well as sufficient minerals such as calcium hydrogen phosphate and stone powder. The broiler cage system should have an automatic feeding system to ensure the chickens are well-fed.
In the final stage of growth, the feed intake of chickens increases significantly. High-energy foods and increased fat content are necessary to accelerate muscle growth and improve taste. Commercial broiler feeds contain ingredients that accelerate growth and help prevent sickness.
It is important to note that the chickens' environment can impact their appetite. For example, in hot weather, their appetite may decrease, so it is recommended to provide them with wet food or find ways to lower the temperature, such as spraying the roof and around the cage with water.
Overall, a well-planned diet and nutrition strategy, combined with a suitable housing design, are crucial for successful 45-day broiler chicken production in the Philippines.
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Chicken housing and facilities
Housing and facilities are crucial in raising broiler chickens, and there are several factors to consider when designing and constructing chicken coops. Firstly, there is no one-size-fits-all design for broiler housing due to variations in local climatic conditions, topography, costs, and availability of building materials. However, some basic requirements should be prioritised when building a broiler house. These include providing comfort, biosecurity, and protection for the chickens against the elements of nature, ensuring convenience and ease of work for caretakers, and using durable and affordable construction materials.
In the Philippines, the poultry industry has evolved from small chicken coops in backyards to large buildings used in contract growing businesses. Housing for broiler chickens can be categorised into two types: the slatted-floor type and the litter-floor type. Local broiler raisers typically prefer the slatted floor type due to its superior ventilation and more convenient waste handling. To protect chickens from high environmental temperatures and humidity, some commercial broiler farms, especially larger ones, install cool cell or tunnel ventilation systems to regulate temperature. However, the economic feasibility of tunnel ventilation systems needs to be carefully considered due to rising fuel oil and power costs.
When designing chicken housing, it is essential to provide adequate space for the chickens to grow and prevent overcrowding, which can hinder their growth. Proper ventilation is also crucial to prevent lung diseases. The housing should be well-lit to facilitate feeding, and it should be kept clean and dry to minimise the risk of diseases. Additionally, the temperature and humidity should be carefully monitored and controlled, especially during the brooding stage, to ensure the chicks' health and comfort.
Some companies, such as Retech Farming, offer customised chicken coop designs to meet specific farm needs. Their 45-day chicken coop design focuses on space optimisation, accommodating more birds per square meter. Their coops feature automation, including automatic feeding and drinking systems, manure removal, and chicken removal systems. These advancements improve efficiency, reduce labour costs, and streamline the process of raising broiler chickens.
Overall, when designing and constructing chicken housing and facilities, it is essential to consider the local climate, the chickens' comfort and health, and the efficiency and convenience of caretaking tasks. By incorporating automation and customisations, farmers can improve the productivity and success of their broiler chicken operations.
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Selling your chickens
Raising broiler chickens for meat production is a thriving business in the Philippines. The country's poultry industry has evolved from small chicken coops in the yard to large buildings used in the contract-growing business of broiler poultry rearing.
When it comes to selling your chickens, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to ensure that your chickens are healthy and of good quality. This means providing them with proper care, nutrition, and living conditions throughout their growth.
Secondly, you should consider your target market and the demand for chicken meat in your area. It is advisable to survey the market and talk to potential buyers, such as hotels, eateries, and businesses, to understand their needs and preferences. You can also form a cooperative with other poultry traders in your community to agree on pricing and selling strategies.
Another important consideration is whether to sell your chickens live or butchered. This decision may depend on the preferences of your target market and the regulations in your area. If you choose to sell live chickens, ensure they are within the preferred weight range for your location. For example, Luzon favors birds that weigh 1.5 to 1.8 kg, while Visayas prefers smaller birds weighing 1.4 to 1.5 kg.
Additionally, you need to decide on the selling platform. You can choose to sell directly from your farm or at a local market. It is also essential to be mindful of the weather conditions when transporting chickens, as they can get stressed during travel. It is recommended to give them anti-stress medication two to five days before and after they move out of their cage.
Finally, keep in mind that the revenue generated from selling broiler chickens can vary depending on market prices and the number of chickens sold. Proper management and planning are crucial for maximizing profits and ensuring a successful poultry business.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no single best design for broiler chicken housing in the Philippines due to variations in local climatic conditions, topography, costs, and availability of building materials. However, some basic requirements include providing comfort, biosecurity, and protection for the chickens, as well as convenience for caretakers. Housing for broiler chickens can be classified into two types: slatted-floor and litter-floor. Local broiler raisers commonly use the slatted floor type as it offers better ventilation and more convenient waste handling.
It is important to choose healthy chicks that will grow into strong broiler chickens. Look for dry and beautiful feathers, bright eyes, and active behaviour. Ensure the chicks have no diseases or physical abnormalities and are consistent in size and colour. It is also important to research the health of the chick's parents and how to properly care for them.
It is important to provide chicks with the right amount of heat, space, and ventilation to prevent lung diseases. High-quality feeds or patuka should be given on time to ensure chicks can properly absorb nutrients. Avoid leaving chicks without food for extended periods. As chicks grow, increase their intake of high-energy foods and fat content to accelerate muscle growth and improve taste.
