Choosing the right type of chicken production system
ELLANIE SMIT
WINDHOEK
In Namibia, chicken farming is an emerging venture that is on the rise with a focus on producing eggs and meat.
Agribank’s technical advisor for crops and poultry, Hanks Saisai, says in order to farm successfully with chickens for either egg production (layers) or meat (broilers), it is important to implement a certain production system.
A chicken production system is the method in which chickens are kept and raised in order to produce eggs or meat in a specific period.
Saisai says chickens can be reared in one of the following production systems; free-range, semi-intensive and intensive.
Running free
“In most rural areas of Namibia, the free-range production system is commonly practised. In this system, the farmer’s responsibility is to buy the chickens and they do not have to provide shelter.”
Saisai says these chickens must find their own shelter and normally sleep in trees, old houses or any place that seems safe and they must also find their own food and water.
He says in this type of system, the farmer has no form of management as the chickens are not vaccinated against diseases or parasites.
“This production system has the least cost of production, but because the chickens are not cared for their productivity is very low. Moreover, this system is also very risky as the chickens are also vulnerable to disease outbreaks and parasites.”
Furthermore, free-range systems are not good for egg production as the chickens may lay eggs wherever they find themselves and predators may consume the eggs before they are collected. The chickens are also vulnerable to predators and theft, Saisai adds.
Modern free range
In the semi-intensive production system (modern free range), the farmer is responsible for providing chickens with shelter, water, food and on occasion chickens receive medical attention when necessary.
“In this system, a roaming area is constructed around the chicken house so that the chickens can wander around during the day to look for additional food. This system provides protection against predators, theft and parasites to a small extent.”
Battery chickens
In the intensive production system, chickens are kept indoors for the full production cycle and it is the farmer’s responsibility to ensure that all inputs (shelter, feed, water and medical attention) are provided throughout.
Saisai says this system is normally implemented when one engages in commercial poultry production operations.
The farmer must implement production practices such as cleaning of the house, replenishing the feeders and drinkers with fresh and clean feed every morning and evening.
Saisai says in this type of system, the farmer must ensure adherence to regulations or standards set by the poultry association, such as the mandatory vaccination of chickens against notifiable diseases such as Newcastle disease and infectious bronchitis to be able to have access to formal markets.
WINDHOEK
In Namibia, chicken farming is an emerging venture that is on the rise with a focus on producing eggs and meat.
Agribank’s technical advisor for crops and poultry, Hanks Saisai, says in order to farm successfully with chickens for either egg production (layers) or meat (broilers), it is important to implement a certain production system.
A chicken production system is the method in which chickens are kept and raised in order to produce eggs or meat in a specific period.
Saisai says chickens can be reared in one of the following production systems; free-range, semi-intensive and intensive.
Running free
“In most rural areas of Namibia, the free-range production system is commonly practised. In this system, the farmer’s responsibility is to buy the chickens and they do not have to provide shelter.”
Saisai says these chickens must find their own shelter and normally sleep in trees, old houses or any place that seems safe and they must also find their own food and water.
He says in this type of system, the farmer has no form of management as the chickens are not vaccinated against diseases or parasites.
“This production system has the least cost of production, but because the chickens are not cared for their productivity is very low. Moreover, this system is also very risky as the chickens are also vulnerable to disease outbreaks and parasites.”
Furthermore, free-range systems are not good for egg production as the chickens may lay eggs wherever they find themselves and predators may consume the eggs before they are collected. The chickens are also vulnerable to predators and theft, Saisai adds.
Modern free range
In the semi-intensive production system (modern free range), the farmer is responsible for providing chickens with shelter, water, food and on occasion chickens receive medical attention when necessary.
“In this system, a roaming area is constructed around the chicken house so that the chickens can wander around during the day to look for additional food. This system provides protection against predators, theft and parasites to a small extent.”
Battery chickens
In the intensive production system, chickens are kept indoors for the full production cycle and it is the farmer’s responsibility to ensure that all inputs (shelter, feed, water and medical attention) are provided throughout.
Saisai says this system is normally implemented when one engages in commercial poultry production operations.
The farmer must implement production practices such as cleaning of the house, replenishing the feeders and drinkers with fresh and clean feed every morning and evening.
Saisai says in this type of system, the farmer must ensure adherence to regulations or standards set by the poultry association, such as the mandatory vaccination of chickens against notifiable diseases such as Newcastle disease and infectious bronchitis to be able to have access to formal markets.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article