INTRODUCTION:
Contract poultry farming is
when a company and a farmer signs a contract to produce
broilers, breeders or replacement pullets and commercial
laying hens.
This method of production has been used in the
poultry industry for more than 50 years and has proven to be
one of the most secure and financially successful forms of
agricultural production. Its success is based upon the
assumption that both parties will do their part to attain
maximum performance from the flock.
The company furnishes feed
that has been formulated by professional nutritionists to
satisfy all the performance needs of the birds. They hatch
chicks that have been prepared genetically and otherwise for
livability, growth and feed efficiency.
These major items and
all other production materials and support attempts to help
you maximum performance from your flock.
A prospective poultry producer
is expected to furnish and maintain the best possible housing,
equipment and daily management to assure maximum performance.
You should be prepared to change types of production (size of
birds) as marketing needs change. The industry produces small
birds for Cornish hens, very large birds for deboning, and all
sizes in between.
Cooperation between the company and poultry
producers will help insure success for both. The following are
some facts that should help you determine if poultry farming
is right for you.
Physical
Facilities
- An agreement to grow
chickens must be reached with a poultry company before
proceeding with any plans to build or produce a poultry
operation.
- Property should be located
within approximately 25 miles of complex facilities-feed
mill, processing plant, hatchery.
- Buildings (poultry
facilities) must conform to industry standards and may
vary from company to company. Consult company
representatives for details.
- House equipment must conform
to industry standards as to type, amount, installation,
etc., which will vary from company to company.
- Farmstead, especially
immediate area around the poultry buildings, must be
prepared to accommodate feed trucks, catch and haul
equipment and other vehicular traffic. In addition,
poultry houses should be built a reasonable distance from
neighbors to minimize problems.
- Siting of buildings should
be discussed with proper authorities before construction,
concerning state and local laws that may affect your
operation.
- Size and number of houses
must be settled with poultry company before construction.
- If you are considering
purchasing an existing poultry farm, prospective
contracting company and/or company representatives should
inspect premises, with you, to determine suitability for
growing birds. You should discuss what equipment or
building upgrades will need to be made before birds are
placed.
Financial
Arrangements
- Meet with lending agencies
to determine the availability of funding and level of
payments. It is recommended that financial arrangements
should be structured so that payments to the lending
agency will not exceed 50% of expected income.
- Discuss low, average and
high expected income from the proposed poultry operation
with company personnel as well as other growers. Study
contracts carefully. You cannot plan on getting average
pay on the contract each brood. You should plan to have
reserves to cover your expenses in the case of low pay
periods and longer layout times due to market conditions
and diseases. There is not a set amount of income you can
expect to receive, however, the financial swings in
poultry production are less than other commodities.
- Be sure to carry enough
insurance to cover cost of buildings and loss of income
following a disaster - storm, fire, ice, etc. Insurance
should be reviewed annually to assure that you have enough
to meet increased building costs.
- Set up a good financial
record keeping system for the poultry operation. Money
management and cash flow is very important.
Management
and Husbandry Considerations
- Your poultry company will
have a management program that all growers are expected to
follow. Your field representative will work closely with
you on what is expected and the best ways to produce a
quality product. You must discuss the time required to
manage your houses so that you may plan for labor needs.
- Keep your buildings and
equipment properly maintained and in top working order.
Preventative maintenance is a daily job and you must be
able to do this (difficult and expensive to hire it done).
As house and equipment ages, much more maintenance is
required.
- Work with your field
representative to prepare your houses for bird
arrival-cleaning, litter, brooding arrangements, etc.
Always be ready in advance for bird delivery. The first
few days are critical to good performance.
- Be sure that the house is at
the appropriate temperature (to program specifications),
feed and water are ready and environmental control
capabilities are working properly.
- Be prepared to spend
considerable time with your flock, especially during the
first few days, to assure proper environment and
husbandry.
- Keep good flock records --
mortality, feed deliveries, vaccinations, etc.
- Housekeeping is very
important. Collect and dispose of dead birds daily,
control water spillage to prevent wet spots, keep feed and
water adequate and fresh, monitor air exchange to keep
house environment properly controlled.
- Never forget that your
primary job is to manage the flock throughout the
production period. Report any developing problems to your
field representative immediately.
- Understand that size of
birds produced and time between batches may vary according
to market demand.
- Vacation and off-time should
be scheduled around production cycles.
- Limit access to poultry
houses to authorized personnel only to avoid transmission
of disease. Also avoid going to other poultry farms. Avoid
contact with all other forms of poultry.
Summary of
Critical Management Factors
- Temperature -- should be
kept at optimum level regardless of age of birds or
season. Your system should be able to respond to changing
weather conditions night and day
- Ventilation -- replaces
oxygen used by birds, removes moisture and ammonia and
must be continually monitored.
- Feed and water -- Keep
plentiful and clean according to production program.
- Husbandry -- study the flock
daily for signs of discomfort, disease, proper feed and
water consumption. With experience, you should be able to
look at the birds and determine if they have a problem.
- Understand that you are
working with a live animal that may have special needs.
- Culling chickens is a key
part of the job.
Outside the
House
- Disposal of dead birds must
be done according to state regulations. Your field manager
will recommend proper methods.
- Depending on the size of
your operation, you may need additional equipment (such as
a tractor with a front end loader and scraper blade, a
manure spreader and a truck, flat bed trailer or other
specialized equipment.)
- Have a supply of spare parts
for in-house equipment, so that motors and other equipment
may be replaced quickly to avert problems.
- Keep all drainage around
house open and operable. No run-off water should be able
to get into the house.
- Keep all access roads in
good repair with easy access to feed bins and poultry
houses.
- Keep weeds and grass mowed
around the houses and farmstead to reduce rodent and other
problems.
- Understand environmental
challenges created by poultry operations such as dust,
smell, nutrient management, etc.
- No chemicals, pesticides,
herbicides, insecticides or medications should be used in
or around poultry houses without approval by company.
Final
Statement
The suggestions listed above
may not fit all situations and company programs. Work closely
with your field representatives to conform to company policy
and assure success in your operation.
- It is recommended that you
work in a poultry operation before getting into the
business.
- Understand that this is a
long-term decision.
Courtesy:
Pakissan
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Pakissan.com;
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