Common mistakes made by poultry farmers in Nigeria
Most farmers in Nigeria makes this kind of mistakes over and over again and this can lead to poor performance of the flock and this can bring about lots and lots of diseases these common mistakes are very simple but it has become a culture for the average Nigerian farmer
Mixing birds of different hatcheries together
Most hatcheries in Nigeria are known for having different kinds of diseases that are peculiar to them, some hatcheries may have prevalent diseases like CRD or Coccidiosis. When you buy birds from these hatcheries it is certain that these diseases will appear in the flock after a period of time.
The reason for this is because of the prevalent diseases that are usually associated with each of the hatcheries based on their hygiene level, parents stock, biosecurity and disease control mechanism on their farm.
Apart from being popular for the strains of birds this Hatchery stocks, they are also popular because of the hygiene level and the productivity of their flocks when stocked by the farmers.
Most hatcheries in Nigeria have their peculiar problems and hatcheries transfer these problems to their birds which are inherited by the average farmer that patronizes them if you are mixing birds from different hatchery together you are definitely mixing problems of different hatcheries together this can quickly lead to major problem especially with different diseases.
You will be dealing with a combination of problems on your farm from day one by raising birds of different hatcheries together. This is the number one recipe for disaster by the inexperienced farmer which can quickly lead to poor productivity of the flocks.
Mixing birds of different breeds together
Breeds of different birds have different nutritional needs, when you mix birds of different breeds together then you are starting a big problem that will lead to poor productivity. It's common practice by farmers to grow Noilers (AMO) and Broilers together, they are not of the same breed and hatcheries, their growth patterns, temperament are different and nutritional needs are not the same. This big mistake will increase stress and the pathogen level on your farm that will potentially lead to diseases in the near future. Keep breeds of different birds apart.
Another common practice is raising Heritage turkeys and broilers together. The turkeys are usually hatched in some not too popular local hatcheries that have poor hygiene records from unknown breeder's farms with questionable practices. Mixing these turkeys with your broilers from a recognised farm will increase your potential risks of disease outbreak.
Most excuses are that broilers are used to guide Turkeys to be able to access feeds and water. If this is the case, two or three broilers introduced to turkey will do the magic instead of putting the flock together and risking a serious disease outbreak in the foreseeable future.
Mixing birds of different age together (Birds of different age shouldn't flock together)
When you mix birds of different ages together you are actually increasing your chances of disease outbreak in the foreseeable future, the reason for this is that birds of different ages have different temperaments and have different stress levels.
Your chances and potential of having a disease outbreak is high by breeding birds of different ages together. Poultry birds have unique social structures with an established pecking order that comes with age, development and traits that can be disrupted when birds of different ages are bred together. This can quickly lead to stress and eventually poor immunity that can start an unending disease situation.
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