How to reduce chicken feed costs? Master these four key points

In chicken farming, feed costs account for a large proportion of the cost of raising chickens, and saving on feed expenses is also an important way to reduce the cost of raising chickens. So, how can feed costs be reduced?

1. Feed storage. The feed storage house should be built in a well-ventilated, sunny location with high, dry terrain and convenient transportation, with ventilation, rodent-proof and bird-proof facilities and systems, to prevent other animals from stealing feed, contaminating the feed, or causing it to become moldy and deteriorate, thereby losing its proper value. Feed of different batches and types should be stored in separate stacks to prevent the feed at the bottom from being forgotten and becoming moldy and deteriorated.

2. Feeding management. The installation positions of water troughs and feed troughs should be scientific; water troughs should be inspected and repaired frequently to prevent water from leaking into the feed troughs. Clean and disinfect feed troughs in a timely manner to prevent feed from sticking to the troughs for a long time and becoming moldy and deteriorated. During feeding, dedicated tools for transport and feed addition should be used to prevent the feed from being contaminated and becoming unfit for consumption; feeding should be done by designated personnel to prevent feed from being spilled on the ground because the feeders are not skilled enough in their movements. Feed at fixed times and in fixed amounts so that laying hens develop a conditioned reflex and have a strong appetite at feeding time, keeping little or no feed left in the troughs, thereby reducing waste.

3. Flock management. Successful beak trimming during the chick stage can both prevent chickens from scratching feed out when eating and reduce injuries caused by cannibalism, ensuring the number of laying hens during the laying period and the egg production of individual hens, and improving feed utilization. Deworm regularly, do a good job in disease prevention and vaccination, reduce the occurrence of diseases in laying hens, increase the laying rate, and effectively utilize feed resources. Observe frequently and inspect regularly; promptly cull hens that have stopped laying or have extremely low laying rates, so as to ensure a relatively high laying rate and improve feed utilization.

4. Environmental management. The temperature inside the chicken house should be 15-28°C. It is reported that when the temperature is below 10°C, their feed intake can increase to 4/3 of normal feed intake, and when the temperature is below 5°C, their laying rate decreases significantly. Reduce stress reactions caused by factors such as sudden climate changes, temperature differences between day and night, and vaccination, to prevent indirect feed waste caused by death, an increase in soft-shelled eggs, and other factors.

Daming County Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Bureau Li Zhongxi