BROILER

CHICKEN
FARMING
ZAMBIAN FORMULA
make your dream
business a reality
from this point
forward.

MISHECK MWALA
 Contents
Introduction 01

Setting Up or Building 02
a Broiler Pen

Selecting Day-Old Chicks 03

Poultry Management 04

Feeds and Feeding

in Broiler Farming 05

Water Consumption
in Broiler Farming 06

Broiler Health and

Disease Management 07

Vaccination & Medication

Program For Broilers 08

Marketing and Sales 09

Summary 10
https://izake.dcms.site
DECLAIMER:

Every attempt has been made to ensure the

accuracy and relevance of the information
presented. However, Misheck Mwala accepts no
liability for the consequences of using the
information for the management of chickens.
01 Introduction
Broiler chickens are a specialized breed bred
specifically for efficient meat production. In
Zambia, they have become a popular choice for
poultry farmers due to their fast growth rate and
high feed conversion efficiency. For instance,
the Cobb 500 broiler breed is well-suited for
Zambia's climate and management practices,
with a growth rate of approximately 2.3 kg in just
6 weeks. This rapid growth allows farmers to
take advantage of market demands for fresh
chicken meat.

Broiler Breeds Suitable for Zambia:

To illustrate, the Ross 308 broiler breed is

another widely used option in Zambia, known for
its adaptability to varying climates and ability to
thrive in both intensive and semi-intensive
production systems. This breed's well-balanced
traits, such as feed efficiency and meat yield,
make it an excellent choice for Poultry farming.

1
 What you need to get
started in raising broilers

When it comes to broiler chicken farming, there

are a few things you need to know in order to get
started. You will need the following:

• Rearing pen or cage

• Electric, gas or charcoal brooder (source of
heat)
• Feeders (tray and cone feeders)
• Drinkers (nipple, fountain or bell drinkers)
• Brooder guard
• Lamps
Budget Approximations:
• Wood shavings(Sawdust) It Takes About K65 To Raise 1
• Water tank or drum Chick.
• Buckets and bowls therefore,
• Feeds K65 × The number of chicks
you want to grow is the
• Spade Budget.
• Brooms, knives and scissors example..
• Vaccines and medicines 50 chicks × K65
Is K3,250 Budget
• Weighing scales
Note:
• Knapsack sprayer This approximation Changes
• Ropes and binding wires From Time To Time So Find
• Pliers or pinches Out More Information On
Budgeting
• Good source of water
It is Not Always K65...this can
go up or down.

2
 Setting Up or Building
02
a Broiler Pen
Broiler Housing Systems

Broiler chickens can be raised in cages (cage

system) as well as on the floor (deep-litter
system). When raised in cages, more birds are
raised per unit space.

Deep Litter System

Under this system, the floor of a deep-litter pen

is covered with bedding material such as wood
shavings, which absorb moisture from the
broiler droppings. The litter materials must be
able to absorb a lot of moisture. Wood shavings,
chopped hay or straw, groundnut hull or rice
husks are examples of good litter materials.

Feed and water are served to the birds inside the

pen while the litter is packed and replaced when
they get wet, smelly or caky.

Cage System

3
The raising of broilers in cages is not common
on a commercial level. Under this system, the
broilers are raised in a wooden or metal cage.
The feeders and drinkers are also placed inside
the cage. Although, wood shavings or sawdust
are spread under the cage to absorb the
moisture from the droppings and it makes
cleaning easy.

Getting Started
Broilers do well under an intensive management
system. That is when they are housed in a pen or
cage with restricted movement. The reason for
this is not farfetched. They convert the energy
meant to be used for scavenging or roaming
around to flesh and fat.

A broiler house should be constructed properly.

Irrespective of the size and building materials
used (wood or brick), the following features
must be available.

• Must be constructed in the correct location

• The roof must be watertight and non-leaky
• The floor and walls should be easy to clean and
disinfect.

4
• it should allow adequate ventilation
• Wild bird and rodent proof roof, walls and floor

Where to locate a
broiler house
Before constructing a broiler chicken rearing
pen, ensure the following conditions are met.

• The land must be well-drained and not water-

lodged. This is vital especially if you plan to raise
broilers on the deep-litter floor system.
• If possible, the house or pen should be sited far
from other poultry houses or farms to minimize
the spread or transmission of diseases.
• The building should be in the east-west
direction to avoid direct sunshine into the
rearing pen.
• The house should be well lighted and allow
natural sunlight during the day.
• There should be shades around the house such
as tall trees if it is in a hot area. The tall trees
however should not hinder natural airflow.
• Fence the broiler farm or unit to reduce human
traffic which will reduce the incidence of disease
outbreaks and bird theft.

5
 How to build a broiler
chicken pen
1. When building a broiler pen or cage, ensure
that the materials used are of good quality,
durable and easy to repair when damaged. This
is because the house is meant to last for a long
time.

2. The width (wideness) of the pen house should

not be more than 10 meters (33 feet) for
sufficient natural ventilation. The number of
broilers to be kept in the pen would determine
the length (longness) of the pen. The height of
the pen shouldn’t be less than 2 meters.

3. The floor of the pen must be concreted as it

makes the floor easy to clean.

4. If you are in the hot and temperate region,

ensure that at least 3 sides of the pen side walls
are opened but covered with wire nets so as to
allow adequate air to flow easily into the pen.
These opened sides can be temporarily and
partially covered with tarpaulin during brooding
or when you have chicks inside the pen.

6
5. The roof should extend the walls of the pen by
0.5-1 meters. You can slope or ridge the roof.
For a ridged roof, the ridge should be open to
allow the natural escape of heat due to the
chimney or stack effect.

6. You should include a cloakroom or changing

room, feed store and there should be a foot dip
at the entrance to the area where the chickens
are kept.

7
03 Selecting Day-Old Chicks
Selecting healthy day-old chicks is crucial for a
successful broiler farming venture. Farmers can
acquire chicks from reputable hatcheries like
ZamHatch Hatchery, known for producing
disease-free and high-quality stock. For example,
farmers should look for chicks with clean and
fluffy feathers, bright eyes, and strong legs.
Chicks should have received vaccinations to
protect against common poultry diseases like
Marek's disease and Newcastle disease.

Chicks are younglings of chickens. The quality of

broiler chicks you purchase directly affects their
growth and feed conversion rates. Therefore, if
you start your broiler farming journey with low-
quality chicks, you shouldn’t expect anything
positive in the end

If you buy chicks from reputable hatcheries, your

stock will perform well—and the better it
performs, the more money you make.

NOTE:

Ask About Their;

Vaccination and Medication schedule/program

8
04 Poultry Management
Poultry management usually refers to the
husbandry practices or production techniques
that help to maximize the efficiency of
production. Sound management practices are
very essential to optimize production. Scientific
poultry management aims at maximizing returns
with minimum investment.

Brooding Broiler Chicks as a Beginner

What is brooding?

Brooding is the act of caring for broiler chicks

from one day old to 2 weeks of age. This
includes the provision of heat, feed, water,
vaccination, medication and other necessary
care during their early growing period.

Chicks are just like babies that need maximum

care from the mother. However, in the case of
chicks, there is no mother and it is the
responsibility of their raiser to provide all the
support and needs the chicks required.

9
Broiler chicks can’t regulate their body
temperature themselves, they don’t have
feathers to protect them from cold and their
mother is not there to keep them warm. This is
why it is important to provide artificial heaters
for them. The artificial heaters can be charcoal
stoves, kerosene stoves, gas brooders, electric
brooders and incandescent light bulbs.

Apart from providing heat to the chicks during

brooding, feed and water must be provided too.
These are very important for the survival and
quick growth of the chicks. Hence, you will need
adequate numbers of feeding trays or flip-top
feeders as well as baby drinkers.

The recommended temperatures for broiler

chicks are:

Day 1 – 34°C or 93°F

Day 2 – 32°C or 90°F

Day 7 – 31°C or 88°F

Day 14 – 27°C or 81°F

10
Several devices can be used for providing
artificial heat. Hover type electric brooders are
by far the most common and practical these
days. The temperature in these brooders is
thermostatically controlled. Many a times the
heat in the brooder house is provided by use of
electric bulbs of different intensities. Regulation
of temperature in such cases is difficult
although not impossible. Infra­red lamps are also
very good for brooding. The height and number
of infra-red lamps can be adjusted as per
temperature requirement in the brooder house.

Brooder space

Brooder space of 7 to 10 sq inch (45-65 cm2) is

recommended per chick. Thus a 1·80 m hover
can hold 500 chicks. When small pens are used
for brooding, dimension of the house must be
taken into consideration as overcrowding results
in starve-outs, culls and increase in disease
problems.

Brooder guard

To prevent the straying of baby chicks from the

source of heat, hover guards are placed 1·05 to
1·50 m from the edge of hover. Hover guard is
not necessary after 1 week.

11
Brooder
Guard

Brooder

12
 Sanitation and hygiene

All movable equipments like feeders, waterers

and hovers should be removed from the house,
cleaned and disinfected. All litters are to be
scraped and removed. The interior as well as
exterior of the house should be cleaned under
pressure. The house should be disinfected with
any commercial disinfectant solution at the
recommended concentration. Insecticide should
be sprayed to avoid insect threat. Malathion
spray/blow lamping or both can be used to
control ticks and mites. New litter should be
spread after each cleaning. The insecticides if
necessary should be mixed with litter at
recommended doses.

Litter

Suitable litter material like saw dust and paddy

husk should be spread to a length of 5 cm
depending upon their availability and cost.
Mouldy material should not be used. The litter
should be stirred at frequent intervals to prevent
caking. Wet litters if any should be removed
immediately and replaced by dry new litter. This
prevents ammoniacal odour.

13
 When it’s one week to the arrival of
the chicks, the following should be done
or put in place.

1. Clean and disinfect the pen thoroughly with

good disinfectants like Morigard, Polidine or V-
OX. The floor and walls should not the focus.
The production equipment which includes the
brooder or heater, feeders and drinkers should
not be left out.

2. Re-install the equipment after they must have

been disinfected.

3. After the inside of the pen has been properly

cleaned and disinfected, prepare a foot dip at
the entrance of the pen with the disinfectant
solution inside in it. Anyone going in and out of
the pen must dip their feet inside the foot dip.

4. Cover up the netted walls with translucent

polythene material or white tarpaulin if available.
Just ensure the openings are covered to trap
heat and stop draught when brooding.

5. Lock the pen until the time the chicks will

arrive.

14
When it is 24 hours to the arrival of the chicks,
do the following.

1. Spread the wood shavings(Sawdust) to a

minimum depth of 5cm above the floor then
place newspapers on it. If you are brooding
inside a cage, place newspapers or plywood on
the floor of the cage.

2. Light up the heaters (electric bulbs, charcoal

stoves, gas brooders, etc.) and if you want to
use brooder guards, set them up around the
heaters. Place a digital or analog thermometer
to monitor the temperature of the whole pen.
The required temperature is 34oC or 93oF.

3. Check that the pen is well illuminated by the

bulbs and that the floor is easily seen. If there is
a need to add more bulbs, do so immediately.

4. Arrange the round tray feeder and drinkers

based on the number of broiler chicks.

5. Adjust the feeders and drinkers well so that

the chicks can reach the feed and water easily.

When the chicks arrive, do the following.

15
1. Mix mild broad-spectrum Antibiotics e.g
(Fosbac Plus T), Multivitamins e.g (StressPack),
in water and fill all drinkers with the solution 3
hours before the chicks arrive. Put the broiler
starter mash or crumbles in all the feed trays.
2. Immediately the chicks arrive, unload the
boxes from the van and move the boxes into the
brooding pen. Start unboxing the chicks gently
but quickly unto the floor. Take a record of the
number of chicks inside each box including dead
and malformed chicks.
3. Make sure the chicks are even spread or
distributed within the brooding area. Also,
ensure that they are eating the feed inside the
feed trays and drinking water.

In the first 3 days of brooding broiler chicks, you

must check them regularly (every 30 minutes)
and also check the thermometer reading.
However, the most important thing is to check
the behavior and arrangement of the chicks to
know if the ambient temperature is correct.

Please note:

• If the chicks are evenly distributed in the pen, it

shows the temperature is correct.

16
• If the chicks huddle together under the heat
source, it means the temperature is too low. In
this case, add more heaters.

• If the chicks move far away from the heat

source, it means the temperature is too high. In
this case, reduce the heaters or open up a side
of the wall to allow heat dissipation.

• If the chicks are arranged on one side of the

pen, it means the heat is not evenly distributed.
In this case, check for open walls allowing air
movement from outside into the pen.

It is important to also check the water tanks and

drinkers. If you are using nipple drinkers, check if
the water is coming out. If you are using a fount
drinker, ensure that the openings are not blocked
by wood shavings.

What you should do for the

first 7 days of brooding

1. Administer antibiotics and multivitamins via

water for 3-5 days right from day 1.

Add 2 teaspoons of Multivitamins(stress pack),

3 teaspoons of Administer antibiotics (Bedgen
liquid) to 20 Litres of water in
the morning.
17
2. Provide broiler starter feed and water round
the clock for the chicks. However, the drinkers
and feeders should be washed every day.

3.Check the vitality of the chicks. If you find

chicks with vent or cloaca soiled with feces,
clean the area with a clean cloth soaked in warm
water.

4. If you use newspaper instead of flip-top

feedings or feed tray, remove the newspapers
after 2 days and replace them with flip-top
feeders or trays.

5. Remove dead chicks and bury them

immediately.

6. Replace the litter after 5 days.

7. As the chicks grow in size and weight,

gradually expand the brooder area if it is
partitioned.

8. Reduce the temperature gradually every day.

In the hot afternoon, put off some of the heaters
to avoid mortalities due to heat stress.
18
9. Lighting must be provided round the clock to
allow the chicks to eat in the evenings and
nights.

10. Take the average weight of the chicks every

day using a digital weighing scale and kept the
records.

11. Keep the records of stock, mortalities,

quantity of feed consumed and medication. Do
this until the chickens are sold and slaughtered.

19
 Feeds and Feeding
05
in Broiler Farming

To ensure that the broilers grow healthily, it is

essential to feed them with high-quality feed.
Low-quality feeds may result in not only low
production but also poor health. The nutritional
requirements of broilers vary with age; hence
three different diets are commonly given to
broilers. They are:

● Broiler starter diet

● Broiler grower diet
● Broiler finisher diet
Broiler Starter Diet. This diet usually contains 21-
22% crude protein and 3000 Kcal/kg energy.
This is fed for the first 10 days of life. Thereafter,
the broiler chicks have a commensurate
additional growth response.

Broiler Grower Diet. This diet usually contains

19-20% crude protein and 3050 Kcal/kg energy.
This is fed after 10 days until 25 days of age.

Broiler finisher diet. This diet usually contains

20
18-19% crude protein and 3100-3200 Kcal/kg
energy. This is fed after 25 days of age weeks
until the birds reach the market weight, Other
Feed Companies also produce broiler withdrawal
feed, so it is essential to follow what feed
producers advise when using their feed.

Some broiler farmers feed the pre-starter diet,

which contains more protein and antibiotics for
a better start for the first 7 days.

Broilers are commonly given mash but crumbles

and pellets are acceptable to them. They should
be fed and given water ad libitum. The feeders
should be constantly raised to the level of the
back of the broilers also to prevent feed
wastage.

Many producers market their broilers at 6 weeks.

It has been shown that after 8 weeks, the rate of
body weight gain of a broiler starts declining
while feed conversion continues to increase.

In this guide note book I am going to use

Novatek Feed as an example. It doesn't mean
that you need to go for Novatek Feed, you can
use other Feeds like NAMFEED and others.

21
 Feed

0 to 14 days = Broiler Starter Feed

15 to 25 days = Broiler Grower Feed

26 to 32 days = Broiler Finisher Fred

33 to 38 days = Broiler Withdrawal Feed

Calculations

Age: 0 to 14 day Old Chicks

Number of Chicks: 100

Feed type: Novatek Broiler Starter Feed

Minimum number of Bags needed(50Kg):

1 Bag(s)

22
Age: 15 to 25 day Old Chicks

Number of Chicks: 100

Feed type: Novatek Broiler Grower

Minimum number of Bags needed(50Kg):

2 Bag(s)

Age: 26 to 32 day Old Chicks

Number of Chicks: 100

Feed type: Novatek Broiler Finisher

Minimum number of Bags needed(50Kg):

2 Bag(s)

23
Age: 23 to 38 day Old Chicks

Number of Chicks: 100

Feed type: Novatek Broiler Withdrawal

Minimum number of Bags needed(50Kg):

2 Bag(s)

24
 Water Consumption in
06
Broiler Farming
Water is very important to broiler chickens.
When deprived of water, they die. A simple way
of estimating the volume of water required by
broilers is to multiply the age of the broiler in
weeks by 2. The answer gives the estimated
liters of water needed by 100 broilers daily that
week. For instance, at 7 weeks of age, 100
broilers will drink 7 X 2 = 14 liters of water daily.
Water consumption increases during hot
weather.

Consult manufacturer’s recommendations for

feed and water station quantities, locations, and
for proper adjustments.

Feeder and Drinker

Requirements for Broiler
Chickens
When Starting use chick tray feeders or Just
place the feed on newspapers from day 1 to 7.

25
50 broiler chicks need 2 chick tray feeders while
adult broilers need 2 tube feeders. 100 broiler
chicks need 3 chick tray feeders while 100 adult
broilers need 3 tube feeders. For 200 broilers, 6
tray feeders and 6 tube feeders.

Feeders

● Round baby chick feeder:

= One(1) Feeder For 30 chicks for 10 days

● Flip-top feeder:
= One(1) Feeder For 30 chicks for 10 days

● Adult tube feeder:

= One(1) Adult Feeder For 30 Broiler for 10 days

Drinkers

● 4-liter font drinker:

= One(1) Adult Feeder For 50 Broiler for 10 days

● Adult bell drinker:

= One(1) Adult bell drinker for 60 broilers

26
Manage feed daily:

Adjust feeder line height to minimize spillage

and optimize access. Adjust feeder height so
that the birds’ backs are level with the base of
the feeder;
Allow birds to clear feeders daily to reduce
waste and improve feed efficiency. Monitor
carefully so that feeders can be quickly refilled
after the clearing.

Manage water daily:

Adjust drinker line height to below enough for

birds to reach, yet high enough to minimize wet
litter. Birds should never have to strain to reach
the nipple;

Maintain line pressure high enough to provide

water to all drinking stations, yet low enough to
minimize leakage. At placement, chicks require
lower water pressure to easily activate the
nipple. As birds age, increase pressure to meet
water demand. Lower the pressure if the litter
under the drinkers is too damp;

27
 Pay special attention during excessively
hot conditions

Sufficient water is especially important at high

ambient temperatures. Prolonged high
temperatures in tropical areas can double daily
water consumption. Birds will not drink water
that is too hot, so keep water supplies out of the
direct sun and flush drinker lines regularly.

At high ambient temperatures, as water

consumption goes up, feed consumption goes
down. Since feed conversion is already being
impacted, consider withholding feed at the
hottest time of the day to prevent heat stress
and resulting mortality.

Monitor consumption

Monitoring feed and water consumption

provides information on bird health and
performance, as well as feed and water system
failures.

28
When available, use the alarms attached to
automated systems.
Use meters to measure water consumption. A
meter for each house allows for comparisons
that will help identify disease and production
problems. In large operations, consider multiple
meters per house to evaluate within-house
zoning differences.
Monitor the ratio of water to feed consumption
to ensure that the flock is receiving sufficient
water.

Use preventive maintenance

Strict adherence to a preventative maintenance

program will keep equipment running efficiently,
minimizing equipment malfunctions and costly
down-time. As part of preventative maintenance:

Walk through barns routinely to evaluate

equipment condition;
Keep an inventory of spare parts on hand at all
times;
Develop a maintenance checklist based on the
manufacturer's recommendations;
Keep maintenance records; and
Between flocks, flush the entire water system
and completely clean the feeding system.

29
Maintain Emergency supplies Especially in
remote areas, have backup supplies in case
normal operations fail. Keep sufficient feed for
at least five days at maximum consumption and
store it in strong watertight bins to protect it
from pest damage and spoilage. Have sufficient
water to provide 24 hours of water at maximum
consumption. Store the water in a cool, shady
area using enclosed containers.

Sufficient water is particularly important when

temperatures are high and supplies should be
kept out of direct sunlight.

30
07 Broiler Health and
Disease Management
How to Keep Broiler Chickens Healthy

Remember the saying, “Prevention is better than

cure.” To keep your broilers healthy, there are
certain important things that you must do
routinely and occasionally. It is not only
administering drugs now and then. Doing that
will only increase your production costs. This is
why it is better to do the things that will prevent
your broilers from falling sick and help them
grow very well.

1. Ensure you observe a high level of biosecurity.

This includes disallowing visitors to enter the
pens anyhow and without disinfecting their
footwear in the foot dip. Wild birds and rodents
should be restricted from the pen area as they
are potential disease carriers. Block all holes
and crevices.

2. Proper hygiene and sanitation should also be

observed. This includes disinfection of all
production pens and equipment, regular washing
of the feeders and drinkers and proper disposal
of poultry wastes and litter. Have an incinerator
where dead birds are properly burnt and buried.
31
3. Avoid giving contaminated or moldy feed to
the birds. Ensure the feedstore is adequately
ventilated and dry as wet environments
accelerate feed spoilage.

4. Give your birds clean and healthy water and

not water from questionable sources. If you
can’t drink or cook with the water, then it is not
safe for your chickens to drink.

5.Ensure adequate ventilation and avoid

overcrowding or overstocking the pen more than
the ideal capacity.

6. Replace smelly, caked or wet litters with new

and clean litters. If you notice the pen is starting
to give an ammonic smell or it is past 5 days, it
must be packed immediately.

7.Physical stress weakens the immune system

of chickens. Therefore, ensure you reduce the
relocation, transportation and handling stresses
to the minimum. Administer an anti-stress
(multivitamins) after to minimize the effects of
stress on the chickens.

8. Vaccinate at the right time and give the

necessary medications such as coccidiostat and
antibiotics before diseases resurface.

32
Ensure to adhere to the dosage and
administration instructions by the
manufacturers.

9. If you observe a bird is sick, isolate such bird

from the main flock until it recovers.

10. Raise birds of the same kind, batch and age

together. Don’t raise broilers, turkeys and
cockerels together in the same pen.

11. Always make sure there is enough water and

feed for the birds and make sure water is
available all the time.

Proper security measures can greatly reduce the

chance of disease outbreaks. Use disinfectant
foot baths or wear plastic foot-coverings when
entering buildings. Change foot baths often to
keep them effective. If you use equipment for
more than one flock, wash and disinfect it before
introducing another flock or using it in another
building.

Only bring in poultry from disease-free flocks.

Secure your facilities from wild birds. Don't keep
pet birds on the premises, and avoid contact
with other flocks.

33
 VACCINATION & MEDICATION
08
PROGRAM FOR BROILERS

A common challenge that poultry producers face

is the prevention and treatment of diseases in
their broiler flocks. Vaccination and the use of
medications are two common methods used to
protect bird health.

Broiler vaccinations are an important part of

ensuring good health in broiler flocks.
Vaccinations can protect birds from some
diseases, including Marek’s disease, Newcastle
disease, and infectious bursal disease. In
addition to vaccines, administering medication
to broilers can also help to keep them healthy.
Some common medications used in broilers
include antibiotics and coccidiostats.

What is Vaccination?

Vaccination is the process of protecting

chickens from disease by giving them a vaccine.
A vaccine A preparation that is used to stimulate
the body's immune response against diseases.

34
Each class of birds has its own unique
vaccination program or schedule. For broilers,
the suggested vaccination schedule is:

Day 10:
1st Gumboro or Infectious Bursal disease (IBD)
vaccine

Day 14:
1st Lasota or Newcastle disease vaccine

Day 18:
2nd Gumboro or Infectious Bursal disease (IBD)
vaccine

Day 21:
2nd Lasota or Newcastle disease vaccine

35
 Dosage And Administration

Directions for Drinking Water Vaccination:

1. Do not open and mix the vaccine until ready to

vaccinate.

2. Remove all medication, sanitizers and

disinfectants from the drinking water 72 hours
prior to vaccination.

3. Provide sufficient waterers so that all of the

birds can drink at one time. Clean and rinse the
waterers thoroughly.

4. Withhold all water from the birds for two (2) to

four (4) hours prior to vaccination to stimulate
thirst.

5. Add nonfat dry milk to the water at the rate of

one (1) ounce per gallon before mixing the
vaccine.

6. Remove the aluminum seal and rubber

stopper from a vaccine vial.

36
7. Fill the vaccine vial two-thirds (2/3) full with
clean, cool water and mix gently.

8. Mix the dissolved vaccine with water

9. Distribute the vaccine solution among the

waterers. Avoid direct sunlight.

10. Do not provide any other drinking water until

all of the vaccine mixture has been consumed.

Spray Aerosol Vaccination: Use only for

revaccination of healthy chickens two (2) weeks
of age or older. Do not use for initial vaccination.

Use a sprayer delivering an aerosol-like mist to

disperse the rehydrated vaccine quickly and
evenly throughout a house of chickens.

Precautions:

● Store at 35-45°F (2-7°C). Do not freeze

● Do not vaccinate within 21
days before slaughter.

● First week no vaccine

37
DAY 10

First
Gumboro (M.B) Vaccine 1000 doses
(Gumboro Disease)

Thirst the birds (Don't Give Your Chicks Water)

for 1-2 hours,

Add I cup skimmed milk to 15 litres of water

then add the vaccine and let them drink within a
limited time of 2 hours.

What is Gumboro (M.B.)?

A live vaccine for use in chicks for the prevention

of Gumboro disease. The vaccine can be
administered via drinking water or eye drops.

Indications

Gumboro (M.B) vaccine is indicated in chicks for

the prevention of Gumboro disease.

38
DAY 14

VH+H+120 Vaccine 1000 doses

(Newcastle and Infectious Bronchitis)

Thirst the birds (don't give your chicks water) for

1-2 hours,

Add 1 cup skimmed milk to 10 litres of water

then add the vaccine let the chicks drink within a
limited time of 2 hours.

What is VH+H-120 ?

VH+H+120 is a live vaccine for poulty to protect

against Newcastle disease and infections
bronchitis. The vaccine can be administered in
drinking water, as a spray or in nose/eye drops

Indications

Combined Newcastle Disease (V.H. strain) and

Infectious Bronchitis (H-120) live vaccine
against Newcastle disease and Infectious
bronchitis infection.

39
DAY 18

Second
Gumboro (M.B) Vaccine 1000 doses
(Gumboro Disease)

Thirst the birds (Don't Give Your Chicks Water)

for 1-2 hours,

Add I cup skimmed milk to 15 litres of water

then add the vaccine and let them drink within a
limited time of 2 hours.

What is Gumboro (M.B.)?

A live vaccine for use in chicks for the prevention

of Gumboro disease. The vaccine can be
administered via drinking water or eye drops.

Indications

Gumboro (M.B) vaccine is indicated in chicks for

the prevention of Gumboro disease. For best
results

40
Day 21

Second
(Newcastle/Lasota) 1000 doses
(Newcastle Vaccine)

Thirst the birds (Don't Give Your Chicks Water)

for 1-2 hours,

Add I cup skimmed milk

in 20 litres of water then add the vaccine and let
them drink within a limited time of 2 hours

NOTE:
You will need a veterinarian to help you with the
vaccination. You only need to give fowl pox vaccine in
cases where the birds will be staying on your farm for
greater than 8 weeks. Give anti-stress (vitamins) in water
on arrival and throughout the day of arrival to relieve
them of stress of transportation. Start antibiotics (e.g.
enrofloxacin) for the next 5 days. Ensure they eat
enough feed and water daily. Vaccinate them regularly
according to the schedules recommended Give them
multivitamins before or after vaccination. Drugs can be
given to them after the day of vaccination, but not on the
day of vaccination

Disclaimer:
This is only a guide to ensure you do not miss any
important vaccination or medication.

41
 What is Medication?

Medication
in poultry is a broad term that can refer to a variety of
different treatments or interventions. It can include
antibiotics, vaccines, and other medications used to
prevent or treat diseases in poultry. The medication
schedule of broilers is as follows.

42
 Broiler Booster

Broiler Booster is a water-soluble powder

formulated by veterinary nutritionists. It contains
a balanced blend of vitamins, minerals,
electrolytes, amino acids and probiotics. It is
developed for fast growing meat birds to help
strengthen bones and develop muscles rapidly.
Contains Biotin, Selenium and Vitamin E for
excellent meat quality of dressed birds. Use as a
supplement for broilers, fast growing indigenous
breeds, turkey, ducks and other fowl.

Properties:

Broiler Booster is a complete supplement

formulated with vitamins, probiotics, amino
acids and minerals. The carefully selected
vitamin and trace element sources have
maximum bioavailability. Modern manufacturing
methods and the inclusion of certified additives
offers maximum product quality. Guaranteed
potency and traceability of ingredients

Benefits

Developed for fast growing meat birds to help

strengthen bones and develop muscles rapidly.

43
Contains Biotin, Selenium and Vitamin E for
excellent meat quality of dressed birds.
Formulated to be a powerful supplement for
improving disease resistance and immunity
building in poultry. Helps in correction of vitamin,
protein, minerals and nutritional deficiency
disorders and aids healthy growth of poultry.

Recommended Usage

By oral route; dissolve in drinking water or mix in

feed. Ideal dosage is 1g per litre in drinking
water, or mix 100g in 10kg of feed. Measure 1
teaspoonful (5g) per 5 litres of drinking water.

Administer daily to broilers for 6 days between

day 18 to day 36. Available in: 100g sachet, and
500g and 1kg tub.

Administer daily to broiler/indigenous chicks for

5 days from day 7.

NOTE:
These contaminants in broiler chicken can
cause antibiotic resistance in some people,
increase the risk of cancer, and lead to early-
onset of puberty.

44
09 Marketing and Sales
Pricing and Distribution:
The farmer researches the market to determine
competitive pricing that covers production costs while
appealing to customers. The broiler chickens are sold to
local markets, but the farmer also establishes direct
sales channels by partnering with local restaurants and
supermarkets.

Building Customer Relationships:

The farmer prioritizes excellent customer service and
seeks feedback from buyers. Customer feedback is used
to improve product quality and meet consumer
preferences.

Financial Management

Budgeting for Broiler Farming:

The farmer creates a comprehensive budget that
includes costs for infrastructure, feed, labor, vaccines,
and other expenses. With a clear understanding of the
financial requirements, the farmer can plan for potential
profit margins.

Cost Analysis:
The farmer regularly reviews production costs,
identifying areas where cost-saving measures can be
implemented. For instance, bulk purchases of feed
ingredients can result in cost reductions.

45
Record-Keeping and Performance Analysis:
Accurate records are maintained, documenting sales,
expenses, and production metrics. The farmer analyzes these
records to assess the farm's financial performance and make
informed decisions for future improvements.

Scaling Up and Diversification

Expanding Production:
With successful broiler farming, the farmer may consider
expanding the operation. The farmer can construct additional
broiler houses and increase the flock size while ensuring that
management practices and biosecurity measures are
maintained.

Value-Added Products:
To diversify income streams, the farmer may explore value-
added products like chicken sausages or ready-to-cook
marinated cuts. The farmer conducts market research to
identify the demand for such products and invests in the
necessary equipment and facilities.

Conclusion:

"Raising Broiler Chickens in Zambia" provides aspiring and

existing poultry farmers with a comprehensive guide to
successful broiler farming. With practical insights and real-
world examples, readers are equipped to embark on a
profitable and sustainable broiler farming venture in Zambia.
By implementing the best practices and embracing continuous
improvement, farmers can tap into the growing demand for
chicken meat and achieve long-term success in the poultry
industry.

46
10 Summary
When Starting
Buy:

Germ Dead, Feeders, Feeding Trays, Drinkers, Sugar,

Starter Feed, Newspapers, Sawdust, Charcoal and 10-
20m Black Plastic tent, Antibiotics (Fosbac plus T)
Multivitamins(StressPack)

Clean and Disinfect the Poultry with disinfectant

chemicals (germ dead)..

Put Sawdust on the floor then spread Some paper

(newspapers) to prevent chicks from eating the Sawdust.

Cover the windows and other spaces with the black

plastic tent to maintain the required temperature.
Or create a brooder guard.

Switch on the heat source (Charcoal Stove, Electric

heaters, e.t.c..

Bring in the chicks.

Give the chicks Glucose, stress pack and Fosbac Plus T.

Give the chicks Starter Feed. First day no Feeders,

place the Feed on the newspapers

Follow the vaccination and chemical program By

consulting from a veterinarian.

Start with the first Vaccination as written in the book then

the other.