AGRO SOLUTIONS

Please find a space to educate me on the basic things I need to start a poultry farm at my backyard. How much should I prepare for? Habibat Umar, Suleja   Answer Backyard poultry implies keeping a minimal stock of birds around your living quarters. First, your house should be completely detached in order not […]

Please find a space to educate me on the basic things I need to start a poultry farm at my backyard. How much should I prepare for?

Habibat Umar, Suleja

 

Answer

Backyard poultry implies keeping a minimal stock of birds around your living quarters.

First, your house should be completely detached in order not to infringe on your neighbours’ rights and freedom.

You need well ventilated, predator and weatherproof pen, cage, coop. Many of such things are available, depending on the number of birds you are able to keep.

Other equipment you need include drinkers, feeders, laying nests etc.

You would have to choose what breed of poultry you wish to keep, such as:

Meat type: Broilers or cocks

Egg type: Layers

Dual purpose-meat and eggs (noilers).

Your objectives will determine the size of your cage and the number of birds thereof.

Adult broilers will need at least 1’sq and for 2-3 above 2-3’sq/ bird.

Beginners are advised to seek additional technical information from professionals, particularly in respect of brooding (care of day-old chicks for up to the first four weeks and disease prevention.)

Dr  Usman Umar of Vetco Farmers Forum

 

What are the tips that can help keep my poultry farm safe in the wake of bird flu outbreak?

Isa Maman, Madalla, Niger State

 

Answer

If infected wild birds are in your area, reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from the poultry farm.

Change your clothes before and after contact with your flock, and ensure visitors do the same.

You should note that the disease is spread by direct bird-to-bird contact, through contaminated body fluids and faeces or contaminated water, feed, vehicles, clothing and footwear.

Stop bugs from spreading between sheds. Equipment must not be shared. And ideally, there should be a physical barrier between clean and dirty areas, with separate clothing and footwear for each.

Make covered foot-dips, using Defra-approved disinfectant, available outside all entrances, and assign staff to specific houses.

Keep a visitor’s book and minimise access to the site. Disinfect all vehicles on arrival.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be issued at the biosecure point to visitors. And a disposal bin should be available.

Mr Abdullahi Iyanda is an Ilorin-based retired extension service officer

 

What is the best time to plant cowpea? I reside in one of the area councils in the FCT.

Samson Jannet, Bwari, Abuja

 

Answer

The best time to plant cowpea should be from mid August to the first week of September. However, because of the irregular rainfall now, planting it a week earlier may be okay because in the last two years, regular rainfall often ceased by mid October.

Mr Abdullahi Iyanda is an Ilorin-based retired extension service officer