In large-scale chicken farming, the decision to cull and adjust the flock directly impacts the overall performance of the flock throughout the entire production cycle. Proper management ensures that all chickens grow at a similar rate, which is crucial for maximizing productivity and minimizing health issues.
On the day of hatching, it's essential to select and adjust young chicks promptly. On day one, weak chicks should be vaccinated against Newcastle disease and infectious bronchitis, and then placed near the heat source in their baskets. A second selection occurs on day four, where thin, weak, or struggling chicks are removed and placed in a more favorable environment with higher temperatures, while the healthier ones remain in their original cages.
As the chickens grow, the density inside the cages increases, making timely grouping necessary. By around 42 days of age, chickens are typically grouped into three categories based on body weight: large, medium, and small. Alternatively, they can be divided into those above standard, at standard, and below standard. Larger chickens are placed on lower tiers, while smaller ones are moved to upper tiers or areas with slightly warmer temperatures. Feed amounts can then be adjusted accordingly to help each group reach the desired weight.
During the rearing period, some frail or underdeveloped chickens may appear. It's important to regularly monitor the flock and remove these individuals promptly to ensure they reach the target weight as quickly as possible. This helps maintain consistency across the entire flock.
Flock adjustment also requires careful weighing. Two key principles should be followed: first, weigh the flock regularly—once a week is ideal. Second, use random sampling, selecting approximately 5% of the total population for weighing. Based on the results compared to the standard weight, feed quantities and feeding schedules can be adjusted to keep the average weight within the optimal range.
When transferring chickens to new groups, it’s important to inspect them again and sort by size to apply appropriate management strategies. The ultimate goal of flock adjustment is to achieve a uniformity level of over 80%, ensuring that the flock performs at its best, producing high yields consistently. If adjustments are delayed, weaker chickens may not develop properly, leading to reduced productivity and economic loss.
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