5 Mistakes Killing Broilers in Week 1-3 and How to Avoid Them


*Body:*

The first 3 weeks determine if your broilers will make money or give you loss. 

I learned this the hard way. Here are the 5 mistakes most Nigerian farmers make:


*1. Poor Brooding Temperature*

Too hot = chicks pant and die. Too cold = chicks pile up and suffocate.

*Solution*: Week 1 = 32°C-35°C. Use thermometer. Reduce heat by 3°C every week.


*2. Dirty Water and Feed*

Dirty water = Coccidiosis and http://E.coli. This kills 50 chicks in 2 days.

*Solution*: Change water 2x daily. Wash drinkers with Dettol. Raise feeders to chest level.


*3. Bad Litter Management*

Wet litter = Ammonia gas = breathing problems.

*Solution*: Use wood shavings. Turn litter daily. Remove wet spots immediately.


*4. Overcrowding*

More than 10 chicks per square meter = stress + slow growth.

*Solution*: Week 1-3: 10 chicks per sqm. Expand space every week.


*5. Wrong Feed and Vaccination*

Giving grower feed too early or missing Gumboro vaccine.

*Solution*: Week 1-4 = Broiler Starter. Week 4+ = Finisher. Vaccinate Day 7 and Day 14.


*Final Note:*

If you fix these 5 things, you will have 95% survival rate. I lost 200 birds before I learned this.


What mistake have you made before? Comment below 👇. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Broiler Vaccination Calendar 2026: Dates, Drugs, Cost in Nigeria

Image
*Body:* If you skip vaccination, you’re just feeding disease. One outbreak can wipe 100 broilers in 2 days. ₦300,000 gone. This is the exact *vaccination schedule* I use for my broilers in Nigeria. Save it. *BROILER VACCINATION CALENDAR 2026* **Day** **Vaccine** **Disease** **Method** **Cost/100 Birds** **Day 1** Marek Marek’s Disease Injected at hatchery ₦0 - already done **Day 7** Lasota (Newcastle) Newcastle Drinking water or Eye drop ₦800 - ₦1,200 **Day 10** Gumboro 1 Infectious Bursal Disease Drinking water ₦900 - ₦1,300 **Day 14** Lasota Booster Newcastle Drinking water ₦800 - ₦1,200 **Day 18** Gumboro 2 Infectious Bursal Disease Drinking water ₦900 - ₦1,300 *Total Vaccine Cost for 100 birds: ~₦3,400 - ₦5,000* *5 IMPORTANT RULES WHEN VACCINATING* *1. Water Must Be Clean* Don’t use chlorinated water. Leave water for 24hrs or use borehole. Chlorine kills the vaccine. *2. Starve Them 1-2 Hours Before* Remove water 1-2hrs before. So whe...
Read more

How I Reduced Mortality to 2% in Broilers

*Body:* I used to lose 50-80 birds every batch. Heartbreaking.  Last 3 batches? I lost only 10 out of 500. That's 2% mortality. Here's exactly what changed: *1. Biosecurity - Day 1* I disinfect the pen 3 days before chicks arrive. Foot dip with Izal at entrance. No visitors. *Result*: No disease coming in. *2. Water Management* Clean water 2x daily. Add Vitamin + Glucose in first 5 days. *Result*: Strong immunity, no dehydration. *3. Heat Control* Thermometer is a must. 33°C week 1. I check 3x daily. *Result*: No piling, no suffocation, no cold stress. *4. Litter Management*  I remove wet spots every morning. Change top layer every 5 days. *Result*: No ammonia, no coccidiosis. *5. Early Sickness Detection* I check birds 2x daily. Any dull bird? I separate it immediately + give antibiotic. *Result*: Sick birds don't infect others. *Final Note:* 2% mortality is possible. It's not luck. It's system.  Which of these are you doing already? Comment below 👇. 
Read more

3 Cheapest Feeds That Won't Kill Growth: What I Feed My Broilers in Nigeria

Image
*Intro:* Feed is 70% of your poultry cost. If you buy wrong feed, you either waste money or stunt your birds.  After 3 batches, I found 3 feeds that are cheap AND still give me 2kg+ birds in 6 weeks.  No gimmicks. Just what works for small farmers in Nigeria. *1. Vital Feeds - Broiler Starter* Vital Feeds - Broiler Starter *Why it's cheap:* Easy to find in Benin Delta and Lagos. Price is stable. *Result:* My chicks hit 700g in 3 weeks. No leg problems. *Tip:* Don't switch too early. Use for first 3 weeks exactly. *2. Topfeed - Broiler Finisher* Topfeed - Broiler Finisher *Why it's cheap:* Bigger bag, less cost per kg. Good energy for weight gain. *Result:* From week 4-6 my birds add 1.3kg with this. *Tip:* Add clean water and light 24hrs. Feed works better when birds eat at night too. *3. Hybrid Feeds - Grower Mash* Hybrid Feeds - Grower Mash *Why it's cheap:* Good alternative if Vital/Topfeed is out of stock. *Result:* Slightly slower growth but still hits target weigh...
Read more