The flock that drops a week before it shows

A week before it is visible, the scales are already speaking to you.

The building seems calm, yet the delay may have already begun.

When everyone sees the problem, you have already lost days.

The first signal is often less water, then less feed.

A lost day is hard to make up for, especially when age costs more.

To spot early, follow four simple things, always the same.

On the seventh day, the chick should weigh about four times its starting weight.

This check assesses the brooding, not just the visible size.

Take at least thirty subjects, randomly, not the easiest ones.

Catch, weigh, note, always at the same time.

Same time, same scales, otherwise you are comparing different things.

Then, put your weight against the benchmark of the same day.

These benchmarks come from the breed and broiler reference guides.

Also look at the water consumed: it is often the earliest alert.

The chick drinks before eating, especially when the heat rises.

Dirty drinkers or lukewarm water can quickly reduce intake.

Note the feed consumed: it tells the story of tomorrow's growth.

The guides indicate a daily intake that rises very quickly.

If the feed decreases without reason, the weight will drop after it.

Look at the uniformity: scattered weights indicate a tail in the flock.

The buyer takes the large ones, leaving you with the small ones longer.

These laggards consume about one hundred and sixty grams per day of waiting.

Over ten days, that amounts to about one kilo six more each.

This additional feed comes out of your margin. Count your bags.

With age, the index deteriorates: the same kilo becomes more expensive.

Each additional day costs more than the previous one.

You do not need a large chart, just habit.

A simple notebook is better than a hurried memory at the market.

Without notes, you sense a problem. With notes, you can prove it.

If water, feed, or weight decreases, look for the cause immediately.

Start with water, heat, air, then litter.

Behaviour confirms: piled up, open beaks, or well spread out everywhere.

Spotting early means correcting before the delay eats into your bags.

Weigh, note, compare, then act before the eye sees.

And at your place, does the scale come out on the seventh day, or only on the day of sale?

Send your seventh-day weight on WhatsApp, to 05 44 83 27 79. The flock record book is yours for free.

Your broiler chicks are reserved at 07 07 72 78 67. Subscribe, a field lesson every week.

Our chicks are born in our hatchery, in Agnibilékrou. With Nextekci, every customer is a satisfied poultry farmer.