Lehman FFABroiler Guide

CostA major factor to account for when raising a livestock project is the financial aspect, which can require some planning. In the chart below is an estimate of what it would cost to raise a single pen of Broilers (25). Please be aware that this is only an estimate and some unexpected cost may arise through the process. Also know that this is the estimated costs for the year, not all of it is paid up front, but rather spread through the duration of the project.

Item Cost

1 Pen of Broilers $42.75

Feed (6 bags at ~16) $96

Additives and supplements (electrolytes…)

$12

Entry Fees County Only - $25

Major Show - $25+parking

Pen/Broiler House>10X10 shed will work

$200

Feed Storage Bin (large plastic tote will work, or keep indoors)

$15

Feed Scoop $5

Feeders (2.99-13.00)(old gutters around the perimeter of pen will work and old pie pans throughout the center)

$20

Watering Devices (2.99-25.00) 3 @8.00$24

Shavings (sawdust or small chunks are preferred but any will work)

10 bags @ 6.00$60

Clamping Heat lamps, bulbs and Electrical cords $2 @ 25$50

APPROXIMATE TOTAL$300-550+ (Depending on the cost variations and personal need)

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Daily CareRaising animal projects requires DAILY dedication and hard work. Every day you will need to do several things to ensure that you become a superb showman: remove manure, rake the pen to ensure the surface does not allow for injury, ‘stirr’ your birds as often as every 30 minutes to every hour is possible.

NutritionIt is absolutely imperative that show broilers receive a high quality ration and clean, fresh, cool water EVERY DAY. Without a properly balanced diet or water, the animal will not reach their peak potential. The winning pen of broilers comes from a flock that drinks and eats the freshest and the MOST. Big, healthy birds win!

WaterWater is probably one of the most overlooked nutrients in a broiler’s diet, but is one of the most important. Your project should ALWAYS have access to fresh, clean, cool water. The waterer should be dumped, cleaned and refilled AT LEAST once a day. Make sure that the heat lamps are not heating the water; your birds will not drink hot water. As your birds grow the water system should be raised to the chest level of your birds. Place stepping stone pricks or hang the waters from the ceiling. Getting the waterers off of the ground also helps to keep shavings, fecal matter and feed from contaminating the water- birds will not drink dirty water.

FeedThere are many different brands of show feeds available, and all of them offer their own benefits. To start your broilers off, you want a high protein feed that we will eventually transition to a lower protein. Start with a “TURKEY STARTER”, for a few weeks and then move to a “BROILER STARTER”, slowly transition to a “BROILER FINISHER”. Start with a ‘CRUMBLE’ nd move to a ‘PELLETED’ feed as the birds get bigger. The big pellets are hard for small chicks to eat. Fresh feed should be available 24/7. NEVER let your birds go without feed or with stale feed, they will not eat! *Do not purchase cracked corn or laying hen feed from tractor supply!*

Producers feed Coop in Bryan TX is an excellent source for top notch poultry feed.

Feeding Schedule (Estimated/Suggested Guideline)

Week 1

Turkey Starter- Crumbles Start the first 1.5-2 weeks in a brooder ring. Place 3 shiny pie pans of crumples. Put shiny marbles or other objects to interest the curious chicks to peck.

Week 2

Turkey Starter- Crumbles Move birds to the pen. Fill all of the perimeter gutters and center pans with feed.

Week 3

Transition to

Broiler grower- Pellets

Transition to broiler grower by mixing the two feeds together over a few days.

Week 4

Broiler Grower- CrumblesTransition to

Broiler Starter- Pellets

Transition to pellets by mixing the leftover crumbles.

Golden Flow

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Week 5

Broiler Grower- Pellets

Golden Flow

Week 6

Transition toBroiler Finisher- Pellets

Feed Finisher for the last 7-5 days before show.

Golden Flow

BRINGING HOME YOUR CHICKS- What do I do now?!

Your facilities should be ready no less than 7 days before your birds come home! Your pen/coop MUST include the following things for success:*Closed walls-protect your birds from the winter and keep other animals out!*Ventilation- allow for a breeze when it is needed and air flow at all times!*Solid clean floors to put shavings on (plywood works great)- not dirt!*Room with a minimum of 10’X10’ space for your birds to live- more is better if possible.(Facilities examples are on page 7 with example pictures)

BrooderWhen you first bring your birds home you will need to keep them in a brooder for at least 1 week. Be sure your brooder is setup and heat lamps are on 12-24 hours before you pick up your chicks. This allows time for the floors, and walls to absorb heat before birds are placed inside. The brooder can be kept inside of your pen/coop or somewhere else at home if you prefer.The brooder should be much smaller than the pen and provide a constant temperature of 90degreesF to your birds for the whole time. This ensures their body temperatures are maintained at a healthy warm level. Groups of birds that huddle and “cuddle” with each other under heat lamps are too cold and need more warmth; these birds can pile up and suffocate themselves on accident. Birds that spread out are warm and happy. The floors of your brooder should be covered with a clean bed sheet to prevent respiratory issues in these young chicks. Feed and water should be readily accessable.

Pictures below are great examples:

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Daily pen/coop cleaningYou should clean out the pen daily to maintain healthy conditions and prevent any unnecessary bacteria or spread of disease.

Stirring BirdsWell fed broilers will become lazy. You will need to gently get them up and moving as frequently as you can. Every Time they get up, they eat and drink. Encouraging them to move around will increase intake of feed and water as well as increase blood flow and muscle growth. Birds who sit for too long develop small breasts and become ‘slab breasted’ which are indications, to a judge, that you did not care for your birds; judges will place lower for these undesirable characteristics.

CullingCulling is the process of separating desirable and undesirable birds. Your ag teacher will help you with this selection process. Culling should occur a minimum of 3 times throughout the project: 3 weeks, 5 weeks and before show. additional culls are necessary with larger pens or at your ag teachers discretion.

Wing BandsBroilers come with metal wingbans, each with an individual number that identifies they belong to you. At the 1.5 or 2 week mark, you will need to ‘open the wing bands’. Use a flat head screwdriver to bend the wing band to allow more room for the wing to grow in. DO NOT REMOVE THE WING BANDS. Birds without wing bands are disqualified. Ask your ag teacher for assistance

Record KeepingRecord keeping is very important in your livestock project. Record keeping can help you identify average daily gains of your animal, feeding habits, and profit margins of your project. A daily record sheet (found on page 8) is required by all in order to help the ag. teachers assist with the success of your project.

Keeping accurate records also helps make you eligible for many FFA awards. It is recommended to use the form on pages 9 and 10 help you keep up with all of your expenses for your project and enter everything into TheAET. www.theaet.com

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ConclusionRaising show broilers, like any other livestock project, is a family endeavor not only the students. What is learned through the process of raising an animal will be invaluable in life. You will build relationships, skills, and memories that will last a lifetime. If at any time in the project you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask one of the Ag Teachers. There is no question to small. This is a learning process for all involved.

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Equipment

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2-3 LARGE poultry Feeders or pan feeder for the center of the pen.

*DO NOT GET A GROUND FEEDER

2-3 Poultry Waterers

Plastic ones are great and easy to clean!

2-3 Heat Lamps With Clamp

1-2 Thermometers to check temperature

Facilities

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Daily Record ChartIt is recommended to weigh on the same day every week (i.e. every Thursday).

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SAE Record Keeping

Date Purchased Cost of Pen

Date Purchased Store Purchased From Supplies (Equipment) Cost

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Dates Paid Entry Fees Cost

Dates Purchased Store Purchased from # and type of Feed Bags Cost

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Dates of Sale Sale or Premium (Where you make money from your animals)

Price Received

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