Why broilers may not grow
Many aspiring poultry farmers and experienced farmers face a problem when broilers do not grow well. With proper nutrition, care and constant vitamin supplementation, birds should grow and develop well, respectively, the absence of one or more of the listed elements affects the development of the livestock. Sometimes there are specimens that, having gained a certain weight, no longer gain weight. So why aren't broilers growing? We will try to figure it out in more detail with the reasons in this article.
Why broilers don't grow
Briefly about pathology
Why do broilers grow poorly? This problem is common, and many poultry farmers are concerned about this issue, because the broiler chicken breed does not like changes and is rather whimsical in nutrition and care. There were cases when chickens died immediately after changing feed: they either refused to eat it or, on the contrary, ate, but the stomach simply could not cope with the new diet.
If you follow all the recommendations regarding the nutrition necessary for such a breed, there should be no problems, since it is the factor of high-quality nutrition that affects chick development... If, even after revising the menu, no shifts are observed in the growth, it makes sense to try to reduce the area of hens' habitation.
What influences the appearance of the problem
Why aren't broilers growing? The problem may be lurking in chicken coop temperature... Layers cannot stand the cold. To keep warm, they begin to actively move, run, jump, while losing calories and, accordingly, not gaining weight. Feathers must be monitored: they can fall off if the chicks have health problems.
There are a number of other reasons why laying hens do not grow.
- Large area for a walk. Broilers do not need a lot of walking space. They enjoy cramped living and are content with a small walking area. In such a situation, they practically do not spend energy and calories to keep warm, which means they gain weight. Many farmers have found out from their own experience that the ideal area for a chicken is 50 x 50 cm, it is enough for 10 individuals. Under such conditions, within a month it will become noticeable that the birds are growing.
- A total lack of essential substances in the body. As veterinarians have found, a lack of calcium, protein and amino acids in the body is one of the biggest reasons chickens grow poorly.
- Broiler chain. Few people know that today on planet Earth there are a very large number of different species and broiler subspecies... There are lines that have their own characteristics, which include, for example, fast or, conversely, slow weight gain. If species are acquired that are slowly gaining weight, then even under good conditions and the complete absence of pathologies, they will not gain the required mass before the due date. You just have to be patient and wait.
- Disease of the stomach. In broilers, in the first day after birth, the digestive system does not work well, since the immune system has not yet fully formed. At this stage in life, they need special care.
If a beginner is engaged in breeding chicks, then often he does not have enough experience in this matter. Then improper nutrition and care can lead to the fact that the chick will change the acidity of the gastric juice, the work of the digestive system, which, as a result, will lead to dispersion. Such symptoms may also indicate that the birds are eating poor-quality food. But this type of hen is very sensitive to changes in feed, as well as to poor quality, spoiled and rotten feed, which causes poor growth.
How can all these problems be solved?
When the reasons are known, it is easier to understand what needs to be fought, what needs to be changed. If it became noticeable that the birds are rapidly losing weight or, on the contrary, have stopped gaining it, it is important to remember that a significant loss or shortage can lead to the death of the chick. A large percentage of health and correct development depends on the full and regular nutrition of the chick. Care is especially important in the first day of life.
From birth, broiler chickens need vitamins and protein. If you do not have your own food waste (pumpkin, cabbage, etc.), then the chicks need to add purchased feed to the diet: it can go either in granules or in the form of sand. You need to buy compound feed that contains a large amount of vitamins and protein; it also makes sense to ask the seller for compound feed especially for broilers.
Do not forget about vitamins and nutritional supplements. It can be absolutely any protein products: cottage cheese, fish meal, sour milk or fish. It doesn't matter what kind of product to give, the main thing is to regularly add it to food. It is advisable to give about 2-4 g of yeast every day for baking. Then, when the chicks are one week old, nettle (green) and alfalfa can be added to them.
Let's sum up
feeding chicks should be constant and regular. Any time they want to eat or drink, they must have access to such products. That is, the bowl should always be filled with water, and the feeder should always be filled with food. It is important to constantly regulate the height, weight and development of the chick. Thanks to this, it is possible to correctly and accurately calculate feed, supplements and vitamins that will be needed at this stage of development.
It will also help control the process of gaining weight and, if it becomes noticeable that broilers do not gain weight at all for weeks, you can sound the alarm and look for the reason. Perhaps there was a new addition, or the living conditions were slightly changed, and this led to stress as a result. If the bird's growth has become noticeable, you can try giving it calcium.
Now you know why broilers do not grow at 2 months and what to do if the bird does not grow or lags behind others in development. After a month of life, it is already possible to say whether the hens are gaining weight or not. If not, problems should be looked for in their content. A bird's feathers, like a human's skin, immediately let you know about the problem.