Address of suppliers

Senior Scientist &Head, Poultry Research Station, PVNRTVU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-30

Senior Scientist &Head, Livestock Research Station, PVNRTVU, Mamnoor, Warangal

ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-30

Brooding/nursery management (up to six weeks)

Brooding care of chicks ensures constant body temperature and protection from predators.
The brooder house floor must have a uniform 1-2 inch spread of clean litter like sawdust, paddy husk, rice husk, coconut husk, etc.
Litter absorbs moisture from poultry droppings and provides warmth in winter and coolness in summer.
Rake the litter frequently and treat it with slaked lime to avoid caking. Remove moist litter and replace it with fresh litter
Spread newspapers on the litter to prevent chicks from feeding on it till they are accustomed to differentiate litter from feed.
Rear the chicks on standard chick starter ration.
Brooding can be natural or artificial; the former involves a broody hen and the latter may involve heat sources, reflectors, electric bulbs, etc.
Secure the brooding area with a brooder guard/ chick guard made of cardboard sheet, GI sheet,wire mesh, mats, etc to restrict bird movement close to the heat source.

Let the birds free to forage/scavenge during the day; provide them shelter during night.
Provide clean drinking water before letting them out.
The preferred flock size is 12-15 birds per household depending on the area and natural food available
Extra roosters can be reared separately and marketed for meat.
Night shelters should be well ventilated, have adequate light and protection from predators.