Methods and Technical Points for Barred Plymouth Rock Chicken Farming Management
The Barred Plymouth Rock chicken is a native breed raised in our country. It has a large body size, with black and white feathers intermingled, as if its body were covered in flowers. Nowadays, Barred Plymouth Rock chickens are not only raised in various parts of our country, but also in other regions as well. So how should Barred Plymouth Rock chickens be managed during farming? What should be noted in terms of management? Let us take a look at its management methods together below.
1. Temperature Control
For newly hatched Barred Plymouth Rock chicks, the temperature within one week should be controlled between 30 and 32°C, and the air humidity should also be maintained at around 65 percent. When the Barred Plymouth Rock chicks have grown to half a month old, the temperature in the rearing house should be controlled between 29 and 30°C, and the humidity should also be reduced accordingly, to around 60 percent. For Barred Plymouth Rock chickens aged 21 to 27 days, the temperature should be controlled at around 25°C, and for those over 28 days old, it should be controlled at around 20°C. After the Barred Plymouth Rock chickens reach one month of age, the temperature can simply be controlled at around 15°C, and later the temperature should gradually be returned to the normal indoor temperature.
2. Lighting Management
Lighting has a great influence on the growth of Barred Plymouth Rock chicks, so lighting management is crucial. Generally, the light duration required for the growth of Barred Plymouth Rock chicks is 24 hours, which means that for newly hatched chicks, we need to use fluorescent lamps for illumination to extend the light duration. After the chicks have grown for one week, we can reduce the light duration by one hour each day.
3. Feeding Management
Before the chicks start eating, we need to first feed them a little warm boiled water, and wait until about three hours after they finish drinking before feeding them. The feeding mainly consists of powdered feed, and millet soaked in water can also be used for feeding. Of course, the simplest method is to feed them feed specifically designed for chicks. At this time, the chicks are generally fed at least six to eight times a day. After two weeks, the feeding can be reduced by two times, and during the feeding process, sufficient drinking water must be provided.
4. Free-Range Management
There is a certain age standard for the free-range rearing of Barred Plymouth Rock chickens. Generally, for free-range rearing in summer, the chicks are usually 30 days old; the age for free-range rearing in spring and autumn is the same, at 45 days; while in winter, it is at least 50 days old, or even 60 days old. If the age for free-range rearing does not meet the standard, it is very likely to cause illness or death in the flock. Secondly, it should also be noted that for free-range rearing in summer, it is necessary to choose the cool morning and afternoon; in spring and autumn, choose times when the weather is good for free-range rearing. In winter, even more so, it is necessary to choose times when the climate is relatively mild and the sunlight is relatively warm for free-range rearing, to prevent frostbite and heatstroke from occurring.
5. Sanitation and Cleaning
The first thing to note in sanitation and cleaning is to ventilate the rearing house from time to time to maintain good air circulation. Secondly, it is necessary to promptly clean up the manure and feed residues in the rearing house, and to disinfect the farm from time to time, including the feeding troughs and water troughs.
The farming management of Barred Plymouth Rock chickens is actually the simplest management method and also the most common management method, and of course it is also applicable to the farming management of other chicken breeds. The above is all the content that the editor wants to share with everyone today. I hope it can help everyone.