Time:

1 hr. Barn

Goals:

1. To learn how to brood, feed, and care for 50 day old chicks.

2. To compare different methods of raising day old chicks (cage vs. floor housing).

3. To help them improve their observation and record keeping skills.

Overview:

This session is held on the day the chicks arrive from the hatchery. Based on reading the Livestock Guidelines and Practical Poultry Raising Manual, and with the equipment provided, trainees divide in two groups. One sets up a deep litter floor system, with a metal hover and an electric light bulb as a source of-heat; the other, a battery brooder cage system with a kerosine lantern as its source of heat. Besides learning how to raise chicks in two different housing systems, the trainees will compare and evaluate the systems by recording feed consumption and weigh gains of the two different groups.

Activities:

Time:

10 Min.

State goals and relevance of the session. Trainees divide into two groups to work on the different brooding systems with a trainer facilitating each group.

20 Min.

Trainees work on the brooding units adjusting heat sources, providing feed and water, placing wood shaving on floor, weighing feed and chicks and recording that information on charts.

20 Min.

Alternate groups to observe what the other group has done. A discussion is faciliated on the advantages and disadvantages of each system, and the appropriateness for where they are going.

10 Min.

Convene in large group. Review the responsibilities for caring for the animals and ask trainees to critique the one hour session.

Materials:

.Baby chicks

.Demonstration unit on farm

.Battery brooder/kerosine lantern

.Metal hover/light bulb

.Feeders, waterers

.Feed and scales

.Record charts

.Livestock guidelines

.Practical Poultry Raising Manual

Trainer Notes:

This must be one of the first session in order for trainees to observe a six (6) weeks growth process. These chicks will also be needed for other sessions such as vaccination and slaughter when they are older. Broiler chicks should be obtained because of their rapid growth rates.

Two trainers should facilitate this session. Different methods of raising chicks which may be more appropriate can be used instead of the method mentioned.

Trainees should prepare for this session by reading the required material. This session should be lengthened especially if some of the required equipment, such as waterers, etc. has not been purchased or constructed. If possible, a construction session can be incorporated into this session.