By Joshua Kato
There is a scarcity of broilers on the market at the moment. This has not only happened to places like Kalerwe or Nakawa markets but also among the several large companies that produce and supply supermarkets.
In a space of two weeks, a 1.5kg bird that cost sh17,000 at Kalerwe market goes for sh25,000. The chicken stalls are almost empty and yet, growing broilers take the shortest cycle among all livestock. It is a minimum of five weeks and you are done.
While farmers claim that feeds prices are too high, the market remains and must be fed. Speculative farmers must grab this opportunity.
Simple steps include booking and disinfecting the house seven-14 days before the arrival of the chicks and all the equipment that includes feeders and drinkers. You must also ensure that you have got enough charcoal to warm the stoves.
You need to pick a section of the house and construct a brooder in which the chicks will first be kept. You are advised to use hardwood or boards.
On arrival, count the chicks, make sure that all of them have been vaccinated against new castle disease and gumboro, record the starting number and then put them around the heat source.
Let them drink water for at least two hours before feeding them. Give them broiler starter mash and maintain a steady temperature. As the chicks grow, increase spacing.
The brooder can be removed after three weeks and then revert the chicks to the normal heating. Remember to disinfect whoever is visiting the house and keep away all unessential visitors.
If all is well kept, the broilers should be ready for sale by the fifth to the sixth week when they weigh 1.7-2kgs
