Avian Production Management

HOUSING AND FEEDING - GROWERS

• Majority of the farmers tend to neglect layer birds at this age. However, it has to be kept in mind that the reproductive organs of the bird which produce eggs later on undergo proper growth only during this age and it is all the more necessary to provide appropriate care during grower phase

Housing & Feeding

• Growers may be reared in separate grower houses or continued to be reared in brooder-cum-grower house
• Floor space allowance has to be increased to 1.4 sq.ft. (1260 cm²) per bird
• Feeder space to be given is 6-8 cm per bird. One linear feeder of 120 cm length and 8 cm depth may be provided for 40 grower birds. Raise the height of the feeders as age advances
• Waterer space allowance during growing phase is 2 cm per bird. A circular waterer of 36 cm height and 8 cm depth of 6 litre capacity may be provided for 50 growers. At this age, 100 birds will take about 15-20 litres of water per day. Provide fresh, cool, potable water twice a day.
• Take care to avoid spillage of water on the litter. Rake the litter often to bring down the moisture level

Grower mash - Recommendations

• Feed them with grower mash containing 16% crude protein and 2600 Kcal/kg of M.E. up to 20 weeks of age. They may take approximately 60 to 80 g of feed per bird per day

Restricted Feeding Programme

• It is not advisable to provide ad libitum feeding at this age as the birds may then tend to put on more fat and their persistency of egg production will be reduced later on. If birds are found to be over weight, then follow alternate day feeding or quantum restriction of feed (only 75% of normal quality to be provided per day) to bring down the body weight