In this thread/topic, I'll take you along on my journey as I raise my DOC. This is my second batch. I welcome your advice and criticism. In case you don't know, I have written about my first experience under the thread My Poultry Farm. But a lot of posts were lost when Nairaland suffered from hackers.

Number and Type of Birds: 607 brown day old chicks from Crown Hatchery, Issele-Ukwu, Delta State.

Mortality so Far: Total of 22 chicks died. 5 died due to DOC screening test at the lab. 1 was found dead on arrival. 6 died from avoidable causes. Others died due to respiratory problem – they find it difficult to breath.



Cost/Chick: N180.
DOC Screening: It was done on day 2 and the cost was N7000. The test covers serological test and antibiotic sensitivity test (AST).  Through serological test you’ll get a vaccination plan suitable for your birds. The later (AST) was for Staphylococcus and Candida spp. It helps you to know the best antibiotics that will work against those bacteria. In my case, Gentamicin and Streptomycin were effective while Oxytetracycline, Furaltadone, Collistin etc were not effective.



Was DOC Screening Useful? Yes! They found out that the chicks have low resistance against Newcastle and Gumboro diseases and I have to vaccinate them fast! They recommended giving gumboro on day 5, followed by Immucox on day 6 and lasota on day 7. But due to some reasons, I have to give the vaccines on days 6,7 and 8 respectively. Most of the chicks that died did so before and some days after these vaccinations, meaning that if I had followed the ‘normal vaccination plan’, there would have been more death.



Brooding: We used kerosene stoves and lamps, but next time I plan investing in gas brooders that cost about N13k. With gas brooders, brooding will be easier and even cheaper, free of clumsiness. For bedding, I used rice hull and covered it with nylon for the first few days (I did this to prevent the chicks from eating the bedding). When I uncovered it, I noticed some molds on the rice hull. I have to remove the affected spots because mold can be dangerous to chicks. I even suspect it could have contributed to the respiratory problem the birds suffered from. Next time I won’t be covering the bedding.

Feeding: We use top feed and feed them ad libitum (i.e. feed is always available).

Vitamins: When I checked how much spent on vitamins for our last batch, I have to buy 1 carton this time around. I bought 1 carton of Vitalyte for N14,720. A carton contains 32 satchets.

Merek’s Vaccination: You can see the vaccination plan in the DOC screening result. Marek’s vaccination was given on day 25. The vaccine cost N3500 and workmanship N3000.

I would have posted a lot more pictures but I lost many when traferring from phone to laptop. Updates follows soon.
Note: I got them on 6th May, so they're about 7 weeks and now.

Farmtech Farmtech! Well spelt out. U too much

Nice thread

Thanks. More info soon.

Brilliant thread i must confess. You are indeed a great source of encouragement to many people like me out there. I pray more grease to your elbows sir. Please could you be kind enough to show us the break down cost so far incurred from DOC to present age of birds. May God bless your efforts. Amin

Following

nice one farmtech. part 2 will be better than part 1

Please can a farmer help me out....
I need to know how much is commercial feed for layers
1) Grower
2) Layers mash
and also approximately how much would it be if I have to mill a local feed per 50kg. (I know it varies an approximate would be fine)?
How many kg would feed 1200 birds?
where can I buy a commercial feed from a reputable seller and what brand is the best quality?
farmtech help.....

A long time without updating guys. Don't worry, I'm just compiling them until I recharge my modem. We have given fowlpox and komarov killed vaccines so far.
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^^Top feed starter about N2700, grower N2250. I don't know about the layers yet. I don't mill my own feed yet. You can estimate feed consumption from the chart at: http://www.farmersjoint.com/blog/livestock-farming/poultry/feed-consumption-plan-body-weight-target-laying-hens/.

Please oga FarmTech, can I visit your farm?? I stay at Omagba Phase 1.

manfred131:
Please oga FarmTech, can I visit your farm??
I stay at Omagba Phase 1.

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Very close. It's at nkpor. I send u a pm.

FarmTech, thanks so much for being generous with information and experience here...Kindly keep it up and do break down most of the terminologies for us newbies in poultry farming and reasons for actions as you undertake them...thanks...God bless and reward your efforts boss...

Would you mind allowing me the privilege of visiting your farm anytime that I am home to Anambra?...thanks Sir...

Whynotthetruth:
FarmTech, thanks so much for being generous with information and experience here...Kindly keep it up and do break down most of the terminologies for us newbies in poultry farming and reasons for actions as you undertake them...thanks...God bless and reward your efforts boss...

Would you mind allowing me the privilege of visiting your farm anytime that I am home to Anambra?...thanks Sir...

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You're welcome anytime. Ok I'll try to explain certain terms, but if u don't understand the ones I assume to be simple, pls call me back.

FarmTech:

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You're welcome anytime. Ok I'll try to explain certain terms, but if u don't understand the ones I assume to be simple, pls call me back.

Thanks so much Sir... you really have a heart of gold...I will PM you anytime I will be coming home Sir... thanks

FarmTech:

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You're welcome anytime. Ok I'll try to explain certain terms, but if u don't understand the ones I assume to be simple, pls call me back.

Well done bro, truthfully, l will be needing serious deliverance before l can become interested in poultry!

FarmTech:
A long time without updating guys. Don't worry, I'm just compiling them until I recharge my modem. We have given fowlpox and komarov killed vaccines so far.
..
^^Top feed starter about N2700, grower N2250. I don't know about the layers yet. I don't mill my own feed yet. You can estimate feed consumption from the chart at: http://www.farmersjoint.com/blog/livestock-farming/poultry/feed-consumption-plan-body-weight-target-laying-hens/.

Sir, were these tests done in your farm or you took them to the laboratory elsewhere?
Do you inject them yourself?
Would you mind adding other miscellaneous expenses incurred so that we have a comprehensive picture of the cost implication?

Whynotthetruth:


Thanks so much Sir... you really have a heart of gold...I will PM you anytime I will be coming home Sir... thanks

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I don't reply my mail fast enough bc my phone can't access it. I prefer facebook (ikeme henry).

Pavore9:


Well done bro, truthfully, l will be needing serious deliverance before l can become interested in poultry!

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You're right somehow bc of their delicate nature compare to pigs or fish. But it helps if you start small and grow, learning along the way. Going for training will also help a lot, if it is a good one.

Whynotthetruth:


Sir, were these tests done in your farm or you took them to the laboratory elsewhere?
Do you inject them yourself?
Would you mind adding other miscellaneous expenses incurred so that we have a comprehensive picture of the cost implication?

..
You mean the DOC test? You take some chicks to an animal lab. No I don't inject/vaccinate myself, but I plan doing so with next batch. The expense will be included in my update.

I've seen and replied the pm.
thanks.

FarmTech:

..
You're right somehow bc of their delicate nature compare to pigs or fish. But it helps if you start small and grow, learning along the way. Going for training will also help a lot, if it is a good one.

l am really okay with pigs. l did visit a pig farm some months back and was so impressed as the owner feeds them from fodders he grow hudroponically. There were looking so robust like yahoo boys! How do you see also feeding poultry birds with earthworms?

FarmTech:

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I don't reply my mail fast enough bc my phone can't access it. I prefer facebook (ikeme henry).

Well taken note of then...thanks so much...

Weldon bro nice job,pls my question is dis what is d work of vitacox on chicks

manfred131:
I've seen and replied the pm. thanks.

.. I sent u my number right? Call me when you'll come.

Pavore9:


l am really okay with pigs. l did visit a pig farm some months back and was so impressed as the owner feeds them from fodders he grow hudroponically. There were looking so robust like yahoo boys! How do you see also feeding poultry birds with earthworms?

..
Earthworm is good for them. I plan doing that when I set up an integrated farm. Space is needed to grow large number of them. I'll be doing it in small scale for the main time.

Cabunice:
Weldon bro nice job,pls my question is dis what is d work of vitacox on chicks

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It is a sulfa base drug used against coccidiosis and other diseases. See more here: http://www.kepro.nl/catalogus/product-106.html?ref=adv&ingredient=0&animal=0&type=0&cat=5.

FarmTech:

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Earthworm is good for them. I plan doing that when I set up an integrated farm. Space is needed to grow large number of them. I'll be doing it in small scale for the main time.

You can start with a 3ft by 6ft space and set 2 coaches of blocks, plantain/banana stem, cow dung and 2kg of earthworm. l am very engaged right but promise to give details later.

Xeim

Pavore9:


You can start with a 3ft by 6ft space and set 2 coaches of blocks, plantain/banana stem, cow dung and 2kg of earthworm. l am very engaged right but promise to give details later.

Please add pix for better understanding if U can! We are patiently waiting

FarmTech:
I would have posted a lot more pictures but I lost many when traferring from phone to laptop. Updates follows soon.
Note: I got them on 6th May, so they're about 7 weeks and now.

farmtech, u too much.
there are really very few pple here on nairaland who understand the scientific aspect of poultry farming the way u do.

I will like to have ur contact.

Pavore9:


You can start with a 3ft by 6ft space and set 2 coaches of blocks, plantain/banana stem, cow dung and 2kg of earthworm. l am very engaged right but promise to give details later.

Ok, waiting.

obstead200:
farmtech, u too much.
there are really very few pple here on nairaland who understand the scientific aspect of poultry farming the way u do.

I will like to have ur contact.

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Contact me on facebook @henry ikeme. Spammers won't let one share phone number publicly.