Broiler production in Zambia - management, growth, diseases and welfare

Abstract: Successful broiler production in hot climates requires knowledge of how birds are affected by heat stress. It is important with access to water and good ventilation to facilitate coping with the heat. It may be useful to reduce the consumption of feed during the hottest hours of the days, which together with a few hours of extra light available could improve both productivity and animal welfare. The vision in birds is superior to that of humans and most other mammals. Continuous light and light with low intensity can cause eye injuries, affect the eye development in young chicken negatively, as well as provide increased incidence of foot pad lesions. Access to light affects the production but also the welfare of birds. Increased number of light hours per day can increase production, but too much light can cause less growth and stress. In order to investigate addition of light to broiler chickens in a hot climate with short daytime light hours, a study was made at Golden Valley Agricultural Research Trust premises in Batoka, Zambia, with 40 broilers and solar lamps (HiLights from HiNation). The broiler chickens were divided into two groups, both had free access to feed and water and the experimental group received two and a half hours of extra light from solar lamps each evening during 22 days. The control group received no extra light, just daylight during the same period. Feed consumption was measured the first two weeks, weight gain was measured throughout the period and Feed Conversion Ratio was calculated. The experimental group consumed more feed, gained more weight and had a lower FCR than the control group. General conditions for broiler production in Zambia are described based on the following:  Three small-scale broiler farmers in Batoka and Choma areas in Zambia were interviewed about management, feed, water, diseases, cleaning procedures etc.  A large-scale broiler farmer outside the capital Lusaka was visited and interviewed regarding routines, feed, water, disease, profitability, diseases etc.  A poultry slaughter house outside Lusaka was visited. A tour through the slaughter chain was made with an experienced employee who answered questions. Information obtained about bird diseases in Zambia indicated problems with mainly Newcastle disease (ND), Infectious bursal disease (IBD) and Coccidiosis. Vaccination against ND and IBD occurs, but far from everybody vaccinates their broilers. The results of the solar light study indicate that increased length of light for broiler chickens in Zambia can improve productivity, if proper management and disease control is provided.