Sharad
MemberForum Replies Created
-
Mohamed Hamada Nasser
MemberOctober 17, 2025 at 4:16 pm in reply to: Bedding Choices for Better Flock HealthEach litter material—<strong data-start=”108″ data-end=”149″>rice husk, sawdust, and wood shavings—has its own advantages, but the best choice depends on your local conditions and management.
<ul data-start=”246″ data-end=”643″>
🌾 <strong data-start=”251″ data-end=”265″>Rice husk: Excellent moisture absorption and easy to find in many regions, but may get dusty if too dry.
🌲 <strong data-start=”367″ data-end=”385″>Wood shavings: Provide good cushioning and aeration, helping reduce footpad dermatitis; however, they must be clean and free of resin or chemicals.
🌳 <strong data-start=”526″ data-end=”538″>Sawdust: Affordable and absorbent but can pack tightly if wet, leading to poor ventilation and ammonia buildup.Each litter material—rice husk, sawdust, and wood shavings—has its own advantages, but the best choice depends on your local conditions and management.
🌾 Rice husk: Excellent moisture absorption and easy to find in many regions, but may get dusty if too dry.
🌲 Wood shavings: Provide good cushioning and aeration, helping reduce footpad dermatitis; however, they must be clean and free of resin or chemicals.
🌳 Sawdust: Affordable and absorbent but can pack tightly if wet, leading to poor ventilation and ammonia buildup.
-
Water is the <strong data-start=”85″ data-end=”132″>most abundant component in a chicken’s body, making up about <strong data-start=”150″ data-end=”185″>55–75% of its total body weight, depending on age and body fat.
<ul data-start=”221″ data-end=”340″>
<strong data-start=”223″ data-end=”234″>Chicks: around <strong data-start=”242″ data-end=”258″>75–80% water
<strong data-start=”263″ data-end=”279″>Adult birds: about <strong data-start=”286″ data-end=”302″>60–70% water
<strong data-start=”307″ data-end=”316″>Eggs: roughly <strong data-start=”325″ data-end=”338″>65% water
Water is vital for <strong data-start=”361″ data-end=”437″>digestion, nutrient transport, temperature regulation, and waste removal. Even a short period of water restriction can quickly reduce <strong data-start=”499″ data-end=”542″>feed intake, growth, and egg production.Water is the most abundant component in a chicken’s body, making up about 55–75% of its total body weight, depending on age and body fat.
Chicks: around 75–80% water
Adult birds: about 60–70% water
Eggs: roughly 65% water
Water is vital for digestion, nutrient transport, temperature regulation, and waste removal. Even a short period of water restriction can quickly reduce feed intake, growth, and egg production.
-
Safety in a <strong data-start=”89″ data-end=”102″>feed mill is critical to protect workers, maintain feed quality, and prevent accidents. Key safety standards include:
-
<strong data-start=”220″ data-end=”241″>Machinery Safety: Install guards on moving parts, provide emergency stop buttons, and ensure only trained staff operate equipment.
-
<strong data-start=”363″ data-end=”380″>Dust Control: Maintain proper ventilation and dust collection systems to reduce explosion risk.
-
<strong data-start=”470″ data-end=”492″>Electrical Safety: Regularly inspect wiring and equipment to prevent short circuits or fires.
-
<strong data-start=”576″ data-end=”596″>Fire Prevention: Keep fire extinguishers accessible, ban smoking near raw materials, and store chemicals properly.
-
<strong data-start=”703″ data-end=”727″>Personal Protection: Require helmets, masks, gloves, ear protection, and safety shoes.
-
<strong data-start=”802″ data-end=”832″>Cleanliness & Maintenance: Prevent clutter, remove spills promptly, and schedule routine maintenance.
-
<strong data-start=”916″ data-end=”947″>Training & Emergency Plans: Train workers in safe procedures and have clear evacuation routes and signage.Safety in a feed mill is critical to protect workers, maintain feed quality, and prevent accidents. Key safety standards include:
⚙️ Machinery Safety: Install guards on moving parts, provide emergency stop buttons, and ensure only trained staff operate equipment.
🔥 Dust Control: Maintain proper ventilation and dust collection systems to reduce explosion risk.
⚡ Electrical Safety: Regularly inspect wiring and equipment to prevent short circuits or fires.
🧯 Fire Prevention: Keep fire extinguishers accessible, ban smoking near raw materials, and store chemicals properly.
🧤 Personal Protection: Require helmets, masks, gloves, ear protection, and safety shoes.
🧹 Cleanliness & Maintenance: Prevent clutter, remove spills promptly, and schedule routine maintenance.
📋 Training & Emergency Plans: Train workers in safe procedures and have clear evacuation routes and signage.
-
-
Good <strong data-start=”82″ data-end=”106″>feed mill management ensures consistent feed quality, safety, and efficiency. Key guidelines include:
-
<strong data-start=”198″ data-end=”218″>Design & Layout: Maintain a clean, well-ventilated, and organized facility with clear workflow from raw material intake to finished feed.
-
<strong data-start=”348″ data-end=”373″>Raw Material Quality: Test ingredients for moisture, aflatoxin, and nutrient content before use.
-
<strong data-start=”457″ data-end=”491″>Accurate Formulation & Mixing: Follow precise feed formulations and ensure uniform mixing to avoid nutrient imbalance.
-
<strong data-start=”588″ data-end=”612″>Pelleting & Cooling: Maintain proper temperature and moisture for pellet durability.
-
<strong data-start=”685″ data-end=”711″>Hygiene & Biosecurity: Clean regularly to prevent contamination and pest infestation.
-
<strong data-start=”783″ data-end=”802″>Record Keeping: Track production batches, formulations, and quality checks for traceability.
-
<strong data-start=”888″ data-end=”908″>Safety Measures: Train workers on machinery operation and personal protection.
-
-
As an Animal Scientist, being familiar with the necessary vaccination and medication schedule for your birds is very important. If followed strictly along with a properly monitored biosecurity will definitely keep your flock healthy.
-
Feed formulation and analysis are essential to ensure that poultry receive the right balance of nutrients for their age and production stage.
Feed formulation helps create a diet that meets nutrient requirements at the lowest possible cost, using available ingredients.
Feed analysis verifies the nutrient content and quality of those ingredients and the finished feed, ensuring accuracy and consistency.Feed formulation and analysis are essential to ensure that poultry receive the right balance of nutrients for their age and production stage.
Feed formulation helps create a diet that meets nutrient requirements at the lowest possible cost, using available ingredients.
Feed analysis verifies the nutrient content and quality of those ingredients and the finished feed, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
-
proper vaccination is to follow the relevant region vaccination schedule,
to follow the instructions given by manufacturer to administer,
and general vaccine precautions like at cold time of the day, fresh vaccine preparation and administer with in an hour maximum, use of vaccine stabilisers, in drinking use of fresh simple water etc
-
<strong data-start=”70″ data-end=”83″>Nutrition is the process by which birds obtain and utilize the nutrients in feed for <strong data-start=”159″ data-end=”212″>growth, maintenance, reproduction, and production (like eggs or meat).
A <strong data-start=”239″ data-end=”256″>balanced diet means the feed contains <strong data-start=”281″ data-end=”308″>all essential nutrients—proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water—in the <strong data-start=”377″ data-end=”398″>right proportions and <strong data-start=”403″ data-end=”417″>quantities to meet the bird’s needs without excess or deficiency.
Good nutrition ensures <strong data-start=”499″ data-end=”565″>optimal health, strong immunity, and efficient feed conversion, leading to better productivity and profitabilityNutrition is the process by which birds obtain and utilize the nutrients in feed for growth, maintenance, reproduction, and production (like eggs or meat).
A balanced diet means the feed contains all essential nutrients—proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water—in the right proportions and quantities to meet the bird’s needs without excess or deficiency.
Good nutrition ensures optimal health, strong immunity, and efficient feed conversion, leading to better productivity and profitability
-
A proper <strong data-start=”81″ data-end=”117″>vaccination program for chickens depends on the <strong data-start=”133″ data-end=”187″>type of production (broilers, layers, or breeders) and the <strong data-start=”196″ data-end=”231″>disease challenges in your area, but a general schedule includes:
<strong data-start=”272″ data-end=”284″>Day 1–7:
<ul data-start=”287″ data-end=”382″>
<em data-start=”289″ data-end=”306″>Marek’s disease (at hatchery)
<em data-start=”325″ data-end=”360″>Newcastle + Infectious Bronchitis (spray or eye drop)
<strong data-start=”387″ data-end=”401″>2–3 weeks:
<ul data-start=”404″ data-end=”431″>
<em data-start=”406″ data-end=”421″>Gumboro (IBD) vaccine
<strong data-start=”436″ data-end=”450″>4–5 weeks:
<ul data-start=”453″ data-end=”503″>
<em data-start=”455″ data-end=”474″>Newcastle booster
<em data-start=”479″ data-end=”489″>Fowl pox (wing stab)
<strong data-start=”508″ data-end=”545″>8–10 weeks (for layers/breeders):
<ul data-start=”548″ data-end=”620″>
<em data-start=”550″ data-end=”569″>Infectious Coryza or <em data-start=”573″ data-end=”598″>Avian Encephalomyelitis (if common locally)
Always use <strong data-start=”636″ data-end=”699″>clean equipment, fresh vaccines, and proper storage (2–8°C). Follow manufacturer instructions and give birds <strong data-start=”749″ data-end=”792″>vitamins/electrolytes after vaccination to reduce stress.A proper vaccination program for chickens depends on the type of production (broilers, layers, or breeders) and the disease challenges in your area, but a general schedule includes: Day 1–7:
Marek’s disease (at hatchery)
Newcastle + Infectious Bronchitis (spray or eye drop) 2–3 weeks:
Gumboro (IBD) vaccine 4–5 weeks:
Newcastle booster
Fowl pox (wing stab) 8–10 weeks (for layers/breeders):
Infectious Coryza or Avian Encephalomyelitis (if common locally) Always use clean equipment, fresh vaccines, and proper storage (2–8°C). Follow manufacturer instructions and give birds vitamins/electrolytes after vaccination to reduce stress.
-
Proper vaccinations of birds depends on the type (broilers/layers) we have Lasota (which is vaccinations against Newcastle diseases) which is given at interval but first 7-9days from day old and Gumboro (infectious bursal disease) which is given around 2-3 weeks… they are other vaccines like mareks, fowl pox and the rest. Best is to consult a veterinarian for proper schedule and guide
-
Pellet length usually depends on the <strong data-start=”107″ data-end=”130″>diameter of the die and the <strong data-start=”139″ data-end=”160″>species being fed, but as a general rule, pellet length should be about <strong data-start=”215″ data-end=”253″>1.5 to 2 times the pellet diameter.
For example:
<ul data-start=”273″ data-end=”489″>
<strong data-start=”275″ data-end=”315″>Fish feed pellets (2–4 mm diameter): length around <strong data-start=”330″ data-end=”340″>3–8 mm
<strong data-start=”345″ data-end=”388″>Poultry feed pellets (3–4 mm diameter): length around <strong data-start=”403″ data-end=”413″>5–8 mm
<strong data-start=”418″ data-end=”460″>Cattle feed pellets (6–8 mm diameter): length around <strong data-start=”475″ data-end=”487″>10–16 mm
Uniform pellet size improves <strong data-start=”520″ data-end=”582″>feed intake, reduces wastage, and ensures proper digestion. Keeping knives on the pellet mill well-adjusted helps maintain consistent length.Pellet length usually depends on the diameter of the die and the species being fed, but as a general rule, pellet length should be about 1.5 to 2 times the pellet diameter.
For example:
Fish feed pellets (2–4 mm diameter): length around 3–8 mm
Poultry feed pellets (3–4 mm diameter): length around 5–8 mm
Cattle feed pellets (6–8 mm diameter): length around 10–16 mm
Uniform pellet size improves feed intake, reduces wastage, and ensures proper digestion. Keeping knives on the pellet mill well-adjusted helps maintain consistent length.
-
Mohamed Hamada Nasser
MemberOctober 17, 2025 at 2:47 pm in reply to: Managing Post-Vaccination StressTo minimize <strong data-start=”88″ data-end=”115″>post-vaccination stress, make sure the birds are <strong data-start=”141″ data-end=”196″>well-hydrated and calm before and after vaccination. Provide <strong data-start=”206″ data-end=”258″>vitamins (especially Vitamin C and electrolytes) in drinking water for 2–3 days to boost recovery.
Avoid handling birds roughly, <strong data-start=”342″ data-end=”390″>maintain optimal temperature and ventilation, and <strong data-start=”396″ data-end=”436″>reduce unnecessary noise or movement in the house. Also, ensure <strong data-start=”464″ data-end=”488″>feed and clean water are always available, and avoid giving <strong data-start=”528″ data-end=”547″>other stressors (like feed changes or transport) right after vaccination.To minimize post-vaccination stress, make sure the birds are well-hydrated and calm before and after vaccination. Provide vitamins (especially Vitamin C and electrolytes) in drinking water for 2–3 days to boost recovery.
Avoid handling birds roughly, maintain optimal temperature and ventilation, and reduce unnecessary noise or movement in the house. Also, ensure feed and clean water are always available, and avoid giving other stressors (like feed changes or transport) right after vaccination.
-
Early signs of <strong data-start=”87″ data-end=”102″>coccidiosis in chicks include <strong data-start=”121″ data-end=”223″>reduced feed intake, slow growth, ruffled feathers, drooping wings, and dull or depressed behavior. You may also notice <strong data-start=”245″ data-end=”275″>bloody or watery droppings, especially in the later stages.
Chicks often <strong data-start=”325″ data-end=”353″>huddle near heat sources due to weakness and may show <strong data-start=”383″ data-end=”409″>pale combs and wattles from blood loss. Early detection and prompt treatment with <strong data-start=”469″ data-end=”497″>anticoccidial medication or <strong data-start=”501″ data-end=”515″>ionophores, along with good litter management and hygiene, are key to preventing outbreaks.Early signs of coccidiosis in chicks include reduced feed intake, slow growth, ruffled feathers, drooping wings, and dull or depressed behavior. You may also notice bloody or watery droppings, especially in the later stages.
Chicks often huddle near heat sources due to weakness and may show pale combs and wattles from blood loss. Early detection and prompt treatment with anticoccidial medication or ionophores, along with good litter management and hygiene, are key to preventing outbreaks.
