Six precautions for raising poultry in spring

      The Awakening of Insects has passed, the Spring Equinox is approaching, and the weather is getting warmer day by day. Many farming friends breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that the most difficult winter had finally passed. wait a moment! Raising poultry in spring may seem easy, but in reality, there are hidden mysteries. Today, let's talk about what we should pay attention to when raising chickens and ducks in spring.

Raising poultry in spring brings mixed joys and sorrows
      Spring is a golden period for poultry to grow and lay eggs, as all things come back to life. As the sunshine duration increases and the temperature rises, the metabolism of poultry accelerates, their feed intake increases, and their growth, development, and egg production performance will significantly improve.

      But spring is also a period of active pathogenic microorganisms. The temperature fluctuates between high and low, the temperature difference between morning and evening is large, and the wind is often dry. These are all "invisible killers" of poultry health. Especially after experiencing a winter, poultry's physical condition is relatively weak, their resistance decreases, and they are more likely to be targeted by diseases.

      Experienced breeders know that proper management in spring can lay a good foundation for year-round breeding benefits; Improper management may render all previous efforts in vain.

Six precautions for raising poultry in spring
1、 To prevent the "spring cold", insulation should not be careless
      In spring, my child's face changes three times a day. The temperature rises in spring, but frequent cold air activity and large temperature differences between day and night are the most obvious characteristics of this season.

Key focus:

      Don't rush to remove the insulation equipment: especially for chicks, they are very sensitive to temperature changes. Even if it's warm during the day, it's important to keep warm at night

      Pay attention to the invasion of thieves: Check for any air leaks in the poultry house, especially in the gaps between doors and windows, fan ports, etc

      Timely ventilation and air exchange: Insulation is important, but it should not be covered too tightly. Properly ventilate on sunny days at noon to reduce the concentration of ammonia in the building

      Be prepared for emergency measures: There is often a "late spring cold" in spring. Prepare warming equipment in advance and be ready to deal with sudden drops in temperature at any time

2、 Moisture proof and moisture-proof, control the humidity well
      Spring is rainy and the air humidity is high. Excessive humidity not only makes poultry feel colder, but also promotes the growth of bacteria and mold, leading to respiratory and digestive diseases.

Practical advice:

Timely cleaning of feces: reducing sources of water evaporation

Keep the padding dry: Wet padding should be replaced in a timely manner, especially in the brooding area

Clear weather with good ventilation: Take advantage of the good weather and strengthen ventilation to remove moisture

Check drinking water facilities: prevent water leakage from the water dispenser, wet the ground and bedding

3、 Scientific adjustment of feed formula
      As the temperature rises, the energy demand of poultry will decrease, but the demand for protein, vitamins, and minerals will increase. At this time, the feed formula should also be 'changed seasons'.

Adjustment points:

      Appropriately reduce the proportion of high-energy feed such as corn to prevent poultry from becoming too fat

      Increasing protein content: providing sufficient raw materials for egg production and growth

      Supplementing vitamins and minerals: especially vitamins A, D, E, and B, as well as minerals such as calcium and phosphorus

      Continue using beer yeast: Spring is a good time for poultry to adjust their physique, and beer yeast can continue to be used in a ratio of 5% -8% to help poultry smoothly transition from winter mode to spring mode

4、 Strengthen disease prevention and control
      Spring is a high incidence period for viral diseases such as avian influenza, Newcastle disease, and infectious bronchitis, as well as an active period for bacterial diseases such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella. Disease prevention and control should be given top priority.

Key measures:

Getting vaccinated: Timely receive vaccine supplementation according to the local epidemic situation and immunization procedures

Strengthen disinfection: The frequency of spring disinfection should be appropriately increased, at least 2-3 times a week, and disinfectants should be rotated for use

Pay attention to observation: Observe the mental state, food and water intake, and feces of poultry in the morning and evening every day, and isolate and handle any abnormalities in a timely manner

Preventing wild birds from entering: Wild birds are carriers of many pathogens, and bird prevention measures should be taken

5、 Seize the opportunity for free range farming
      For free range farmers, spring is a good time for free range farming. But there are also guidelines for free range farming, and it cannot be rushed.

Key points for free range farming:

Step by step: At the beginning of free range, the time should not be too long, allowing the poultry to gradually adapt to the external environment

Choose good weather: choose sunny and warm weather for stocking, avoid rainy days

Avoid windy days: In spring, the wind is strong and it is not advisable to release livestock on windy days

Provide shelter from wind and rain: The stocking area should be equipped with a place to provide shelter from wind and rain, making it convenient for poultry to avoid at any time

Pay attention to guarding against natural enemies: In spring, snakes, mice, yellow weasels, and other activities increase, so it is necessary to take protective measures

6、 Prepare for reproduction
Spring is the golden season for poultry breeding. If you plan to hatch chicks, you should be ready now.

Key points of reproduction:

Optimize poultry nutrition: Supplement nutrition to poultry 2-3 weeks in advance to improve egg quality

Adjust the male female ratio: maintain a reasonable male female ratio based on the characteristics of the variety

Prepare incubation equipment: check if the incubator, brooder, and other equipment are functioning properly

Good egg management: collect eggs in a timely manner and store them properly

Common Spring Issues and Responses
Problem 1: The egg production rate cannot increase
      Some farmers have reported that even in spring, the egg production rate still cannot increase. The reasons may include: inadequate nutrition in feed, insufficient light exposure time, stress factors, and parasites both inside and outside the body.
      Countermeasure: Check if the feed formula is reasonable; Ensure around 16 hours of sunlight per day; Reduce stress; Regularly deworming.

Question 2: Frequent occurrence of respiratory diseases
      In spring, the wind is strong and dry, with a lot of dust, which can easily irritate the respiratory tract; Due to the large temperature difference, poultry are prone to catching colds.
      Countermeasure: Control the humidity inside the building (maintain it at 50% -70%) and reduce dust; Pay attention to the balance between insulation and ventilation; Discover sick poultry and promptly isolate and treat them.

Question 3: diarrhea caused by diarrhea
      In spring, the humidity is high and the feed is prone to mold; The temperature rises and bacterial growth accelerates, which can easily cause intestinal diseases.
      Countermeasure: Ensure fresh feed and avoid feeding moldy feed; Pay attention to drinking water hygiene; Probiotics or beer yeast can be appropriately added to feed to regulate intestinal health.

Spring management mnemonic
For the convenience of memory, I have summarized a spring management mnemonic for everyone:

      Remember to keep warm in spring and autumn, and do not neglect insulation work
      Proper ventilation and air exchange are crucial for preventing moisture and dampness
      The feed formula needs to be adjusted to ensure comprehensive nutrition and good physical fitness
      Vaccine disinfection needs to keep up, and disease prevention and control are the key measures
      Free range farming should be done gradually, and the prevention of natural enemies should not be forgotten
      Observant and diligent management, the flock of chickens, ducks, and geese is happy and carefree

Conclusion
      Spring is a season of hope and also a busy season. For farmers, the quality of spring management directly affects their annual income. From insulation to ventilation, from feed to epidemic prevention, from stocking to reproduction, every step needs to be done with care.

      Beer yeast is still a good helper in this season, as it can help poultry regulate their intestines, enhance their physical fitness, and smoothly pass the season transition period. With scientific feeding and management, we believe that everyone's chickens, ducks, and geese will be healthy and strong, with high egg production rates, fast meat growth, and a full harvest!

      Dear breeding friends, what problems have you encountered when raising poultry in spring? What unique experience do you have? Welcome to share and exchange in the comment section!

      Tip: The climate changes greatly in spring, so it is recommended to pay attention to weather forecasts and prepare in advance. When encountering continuous rainy days, it is advisable to add vitamin C and electrolytic multidimensional to the feed to enhance the stress resistance of poultry.