Changing feed

The grower feed arrived yesterday. This morning, the feeders are still full.

Nothing serious, you might say. They will get used to it. But every ignored meal is weight that isn’t gained.

I see a change of feed as a turning point. If taken too quickly, the flock goes off course.

According to the selector, a broiler flock has three feeds. Starter until ten days, grower until twenty-four, then finisher.

Between the three, there are two transitions. And on each transition, several things change on the same day.

The shape, the size of the grain, and the richness of the ration. For the broiler, it’s another meal.

When everything changes at once, it may eat less. The breed guide therefore advises to manage this transition carefully.

However, a broiler that eats less grows less. The delay is then reflected on the scales.

For us, this transition is often double. We move from the purchased crumbs to a flour made on the farm.

New shape and new recipe on the same day. It’s the tightest turn for the flock.

First action, do not empty the feeders to change. Pour the new feed over the old.

The mixing happens automatically in the dish. It finds both and switches from one to the other without a hitch.

Second action, if you buy the grower feed, take the first bag in crumbs or very small pellets.

Third action, no gap between two bags. The flock must never wait for its new feed.

Fourth action, change by weight, not just by date. A light flock at ten days keeps its starter longer.

And monitor the water and droppings, before, during and after. A drop in water intake often signals issues before anything else.

Note the water consumed the day before, then the following days. If it drops, or if the droppings change significantly, discuss it with your veterinarian.

The same method applies around the twenty-fifth day, for finishing. This is when the largest volume of feed is consumed.

A successful change, the flock doesn’t even notice it. It eats the next day just like the day before.

And how does the new feed arrive at your place? Mixed with the old, or all at once, one morning?

Send your change days and the weight at ten days via WhatsApp, to 05 44 83 27 79. The flock record book is on us.

The chicks for your next flock? 07 07 72 78 67. Subscribe. Then, the feeder, where the feed goes.

They come out of our hatchery, in Agnibilékrou. With Nextekci, every customer is a satisfied poultry farmer.