Farmers have been urged to adopt proper feeding and management practices to ensure broiler chickens reach market weight within five weeks.
A poultry specialist at Econutrivet, Dr Enoch Machingauta, said rapid growth in broiler production depends on a combination of correct nutrition, clean water, appropriate lighting and a stress-free environment.
“To make broiler chickens grow faster, provide high-protein, broiler-specific feed with 20–24% protein, ensure continuous access to clean water, maintain a warm, well-ventilated and hygienic environment, and use 18–22 hours of light daily to maximise feeding time,” he said.
Dr Machingauta said specialised feeding programmes, including starter, grower and finisher rations, were essential for muscle development and overall performance.
“Nutrition plays a central role in supporting rapid muscle growth,” he said, adding that birds should have constant access to feed, particularly during the first three weeks, to avoid stunted growth.
He also highlighted the use of natural growth promoters to support digestion and gut health, alongside recommended early-stage supplements.
Environmental management, he said, was equally critical. Chicks require temperatures of between 32°C and 35°C in their early days, gradually reduced as they mature.
“Proper ventilation is crucial to remove ammonia and supply oxygen, helping to prevent respiratory problems that can slow growth,” Dr Machingauta said.
Lighting, he added, encourages feed intake in the early stages of development.
“Implement 18–22 hours of light daily at the start to promote continuous eating, and avoid overcrowding by providing at least one square foot per bird,” he said.
On hygiene, Dr Machingauta urged farmers to maintain strict cleanliness in poultry houses, regularly clean feeders and drinkers, and replace wet litter promptly to reduce the risk of disease.
He also encouraged producers to monitor bird performance closely.
“Separate smaller birds from larger ones weekly to reduce competition for feed, and weigh a sample every three to five days to track growth and adjust management where necessary,” he said.
Dr Machingauta warned that stress, including excessive noise and handling, could reduce feed conversion efficiency.
He said that when proper nutrition, hygiene and environmental controls are consistently applied, broilers can reach weights of between 2kg and 2.4kg within four to five weeks.
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