Poultry Farming For Beginners

Raising Free Range Poultry

In the free-range system, poultry are free to roam the farm in search of food. Eggs are laid outside in simple nests and are mainly used to maintain chicken numbers. In many cases, up to 75% of the eggs have to be hatched because the mortality rate among baby chicks is high. Few eggs remain for consumption and the poultry themselves do not give much meat.

The advantages of this system are that little labour is needed and waste food can be used efficiently. Very low costs can offset low production levels so that keeping poultry around the house can be profitable if certain improvements are made.

The free-range system is most suitable if you have a lot of space, preferably covered with grass. At night, the poultry can be kept in any kind of shelter, as long as it is roomy, airy and clean. This will minimise the loss of poultry to illness or theft. If you have enough space for the poultry to roam freely, a mobile chicken house is best.

The spread of infection by parasites in chicken faeces can be prevented by using a raised night shelter with an open floor made of chicken-wire, wooden slats or bamboo sticks 5 cm apart. This will also keep the poultry safe from predators. If you want to maximise the number of eggs, train mature layers to use laying nests in the chicken house early in the laying period. Place the laying nests in the chicken house before the poultry start laying, and keep them in a bit longer in the morning. Remember to provide fresh drinking water.

To limit mortality among baby chicks in the free-range system, take steps to protect the mother hen and the chicks from predators, thieves and rain. Put them in a simple, separate shelter that is roomy and airy and can be closed securely. Draughts and low temperatures during the first few days are particularly dangerous for the baby chicks. Although a run is handy, it is also risky, due to possible worm infections. It is important to move the run regularly, especially in wet weather.

Fold units are very suitable mobile housing units for young chicks. These cages can house 20 young hens, and contain feeders, drinkers and a perch. Obviously, you will need enough space to move the fold units around regularly.

In areas where dogs or predators are a problem, it might be worth building a shelter well above ground level (e.g. 1.20 m high). Tin rat baffles around the supporting poles will keep out rats and other small animals. The baffle must fit tightly to keep even the smallest rodent from climbing between the baffle and the pole.

Always ensure a steady supply of clean, fresh drinking water. Give your chicks extra feed, including greens which are rich in vitamins. If possible, vaccinate the chicks against the most common contagious viruses, such as Newcastle Disease.

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