Poultry farming is a sensitive undertaking whose outcomes depend on the implementation of a flock schedule. In order to achieve the highest possible yields, your flock require certain conditions at different times in their lifetime.
Rearing poultry birds outside their ‘comfort zone’ can result to loss of productivity, diseased birds, increased mortality and financial loss. Following a flock schedule as prescribed by the flock supplier is essential to ensuring your flock is at potential for high yields.
What is a poultry flock schedule
Simply put, A flock schedule is a timetable that outlines different flock management activities over a flock’s lifetime. Said timetable includes activities such as feeding, vaccinations, weight monitoring, egg production cycle and so on.
Fundamentally, a flock schedule helps a poultry farmer anticipate and plan poultry farm and flock management activities in advance.
Furthermore, a flock schedule serves as a benchmark for determining the performance of a flock at any given time. For instance, a flock’s mortality, bird’s weight, and egg production cycle enable a farmer to determine if their flock meets expectation or not.
What should a complete flock schedule contain
Flock schedule come in different forms and sizes. Some just contain a vaccination schedule. Others a vaccination and feeding schedule. In some cases, you may find a flock schedule that includes bird’s weight at different times through their lifetime.
In the worst case scenario, a farmer if they are unaware that the rearing of flocks require a schedule may end up ‘winging’ it. However, in such cases, they are likely to raise a flock under unsuitable conditions and may incur huge losses.
A complete flock schedule should contain the following:
1. Coop climate, housing and supplies
Coop climate and supplies can specify a number of things. For example coop climate should specify coop temperature and ventilation requirements for a flock, at different times in its lifetime.
Housing and supplies requirements may stipulate the amount of space required per bird, at each stage in their life time. Moreover, this should also state required feeders and drinkers by bird number. Also in these should be bedding material, minimum and maximum litter levels, among other things.
2. Vaccination schedule
A vaccination schedule details all the vaccines that should be administered to a flock, at different times. For instance each vaccine, the amounts, administration method and under what conditions are outlined.
Inadequate administration of vaccines, forgoing vaccinations, or administering vaccinations under unsuitable conditions can result in vaccine inefficiency, diseased birds, low yielding flock, increased mortality and the loss of a whole flock.
3. Feeding schedule
A feeding schedule is another key element of a flock schedule. It specifies the type, and amount of feed per bird, and at what age, that should be provided to a flock. An example expression may state: Chickmash: day 1 – day 10: 25g / bird / day
Improper feeding, characterized by low quality, insufficient, and lack of access to clean water, will ultimately undermine your flock’s productivity. Additionally it is likely to result in underweight birds, disease and an increase in mortality.
4. Bird’s weight
Bird’s weight can be considered as part of the feeding program or just as an item by itself. This specifies the expected weight that a bird in the flock should have at different times in the flock’s lifetime.
Bird’s weight monitoring helps you determine if birds in your flock attaining benchmarked weight gain at specific times in their life. Underweight birds can be one indicator that your birds are not reared in suitable conditions.
5. Egg production cycle (for layers)
An egg production cycle specifies when a layers flock should start producing eggs, when it will reach peak egg production, and when its egg production will come to an end.
You can track your flocks egg production using Kukufarm app or by other means. Essentially you want to track and compare the performance of your flock by the benchmark in the flock schedule.
Keeping egg production records will enable you to determine if your flock is meeting the egg production benchmark or not. At the end of a flock, you will also be able to determine how financially viable that flock was for you.
6. Liveability / mortality rate
Not all birds in a flock, even when reared under specific conditions as prescribed in a flock schedule, live to maturity or harvest. There is an expectation of a certain mortality rate within a flock which is specified in percentage. This is expressed in one of two ways
- Liveability rate: 96%
- Mortality rate: 4%
Mortality and liveability rates are opposites. The one tells of the other. If 96% of birds in the flock are expected to live to maturity, then that flock has a 4% mortality rate. You can easily log and track your flock’s mortality rate using Kukufarm app.
7. Birds harvesting time
Birds harvesting time essentially states when a flock is ready for harvesting. For broiler chicken, this is usually between 30 and 40 days depending on the breed and other factors. In contrast, for layers birds this is usually when their egg production has declined beyond financial viability.
Some birds especially broiler breeds have a specific harvest date after which they might not fetch market rate returns. Other birds, especially dual purpose and even layers can live longer.
Where can I get a flock schedule
A flock schedule, especially for single purpose but also dual purpose breeds can be obtained from the flock supplier. For commercial farmers, particularly those dealing with hybrid breeds, your flock supplier should provide you with a complete schedule either before or on flock delivery.
In some cases, for various reasons, a farmer may not obtain a complete flock schedule. It is upon them to follow up with their flock supplier to get one. Alternatively, they should consult local and certified poultry vets to get at least key important facets of a flock schedule.
For beginner farmers, it is not recommendable to raise a flock without following a flock schedule.
Flock schedule Key takeaways
- A flock schedule is a timetable that specifies a flock’s management activities
- Complete flock schedule includes vaccination, feeding, weight, egg production cycle and flock harvesting information
- Poultry flock schedule is usually unique to a flock by its breed, and other biosecurity requirements
- Additionally, a flock schedule serves as a benchmark, by which a farmer can determine if the flock is living up to its expectations
- You can obtain your flock’s schedule from your flock supplier. Alternatively, you can also obtain it from a certified poultry vet.
- It may be upto you to make up a complete flock schedule by combining different parts to form a whole