Newsroom

By Maphari Machaka

The construction of coop with installation of equipment such as lights, heating and cooling systems, feeding, and drinking equipment; bedding material; vaccination and disinfection programmes in place; good hygiene and access to market; are some of the basic principles of managing a poultry production.

Producer must also have passion to run a poultry production.

This indication came out of the poultry management information day by Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, which was held at Mokwakwaila village on 05 October 2023.  

Growing chicks under the mentioned conditions such as healthy feeding, sufficient water supply, proper shelter with enough space to allow wind or fresh air to pass through during summer and during winter, free from diseases, generally achieves genetic potential for growth.

But, according to presenters, there are few catchy things that producers should look out for such that chicks like to huddle together when there is cold, which can cause smothering or suffocation. Other few things that negatively affect growth and mortalities include heating stress, which is caused by the exposure to too much heat. However, temperature needs to be closely monitored at bird-height, recorded and actively managed.

According to industry players such as Diag Poultry and Superior Chicks who were part of the presenters, have made indication that biosecurity is the first line of defence in the fight against diseases in poultry. They indicated that it is not only good for hygiene, but significant for food safety.

Producers were reminded that budgetary constraints become part of the plan of managing poultry production.