How to set up a broiler farm.

Broilers are birds raised for meat and have a short production span of 42 days. The uniqueness of the broiler breed in its ability to turn feed to meat at a short time makes it a viable investment opportunity for short term investors. The production must be started with active,alert and normal chicks without any deformity,the quality of the day old chicks will determine outcome of project. Healthy birds must be selected to prevent losses as consumers are interested in well muscled and good quality birds. #poultry The factors to consider when you want to set up a broiler farm are as follows : 1) Land 2) water 3)quality of chicks 4) feed 5) equipment 6) management. Land: the poultry site should be a well drained site,without swamps or waterlogged areas. The land must not be bushy,or surrounded by bushes to limit the risk of rodents,reptiles and other predators. The land should be accessed,topography noted and the environmental impact assessment of project should be documented. Water:there must be on site a functioning source of clean water. The source of water must be readily accessible and it must be treated to ensure safety. Quality of chicks, are very important as the quality will determine outcome. Quality day old chicks must be sourced from reputable hatchery,and chicks must be alert and active. #poultry Feed is important when you are thinking of production,as the quality of feed will determine rate of growth and profit potential. Feed could be sourced locally,purchased from miller or setting up a feed mill to cater for your birds. read #poultry Equipment: the brooder,feeder,drinkers and farm tools are also important in production. The size,spacing and location of feeder and drinkers is vital to success of the production. Management: its important to practice an all in all out system,do not mix different ages and batches of birds. Biosecurity measures must be in place to ensure safety of birds and farm lands. Labor is vital to the success of the farm, skilled and unskilled hands are necessary for overseeing different aspects of operation.Waste management is an environmental issue and as such proper waste disposal techniques should be put in place. Litter type and management is another factor as the success of the project depends on how you use,handle and dispose it. #poultry Vaccinations should be carried out as at when due. read There is a need to engage the services of a veterinarian to assist with animal health and welfare issues. #poultry

Kenya farmers cash in on donkey business.

Kenya farmers cash in on donkey business.The price of donkeys in Kenya has doubled following the legalization of trade in and consumption of donkey meat. Before donkey meat consumption was legalised in 2012, the prices for the draught animals has risen steadily, driven by market outlets like abattoirs that are licensed to slaughter and export donkey meat. There is increased demand for donkey meat in China, and two specialized abattoirs one each in Baringo and Nakuru Counties, have been built. continue

Karamoja Traders Abandon Cattle for Donkey Business.

Karamoja Traders Abandon Cattle for Donkey Business.Cattle traders in Karamoja have turned to dealing in donkeys because of the proceeds in the new trade. Currently, trade in donkeys is booming in the pastoralist communities of Karamoja of Uganda and Turkana of neighbouring Kenya. High demand for donkeys comes from Chinese traders who deal in donkey products in Lodwa Town in Turkana County in Kenya, about 140 kilometres from Moroto Town in Uganda. The Chinese buy donkey hides which they boil to produce gelatine, one of the key ingredients in a medicine called ejiao. Ejiao is used to treat conditions such as anemia, heavy menstruation periods, as well as dry coughs. continue

African Youth Take Technology to Agriculture.

African Youth Take Technology to Agriculture.Africa's youth are turning to technology for new and smart agricultural practices,according to Rita Kimani, the co-founder and chief executive of FarmDrive, youth-led innovations in agriculture. This could help the continent move towards a productive, sustainable agriculture system. FarmDrive aims at using data analytics and mobile phone technology to connect smallholder farmers in rural Kenya with financial institutions.more

Baby born with parasitic twin.

Baby born with parasitic twin,the rare birth occurrence was in India and doctors have performed surgery to save the child.Doctors in India have saved newborn girl’s life after removing the head of her parasitic twin that was feeding off on her blood supply. The bay girl, yet to be named, was born via caeserean section and weighed only 5lbs, at a private hospital in Bhilwada in Rajasthan in northern India on April 26th to a farmer couple,the doctors were shocked to see the baby with an extra head complete with eyes, ears, nose and lips and a malformed left hand hanging down her chest. continue

Anthrax from shaving brushes.

Anthrax from shaving brushes,has occurred before as according to a historical review published by scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Poorly disinfected animal hair shaving brushes caused a mini-epidemic of head and face anthrax during World War I. The contaminated brushes were fake as the World War I cut off the regular supply of badger hair from Russia, the market opened up for alternatives to badger hair. Brushes were made from horsehair from Russia, China, and Japan. This shows that horses and other herbivores are at higher risk for anthrax infections than badgers and pigs, which are omnivores. Anthrax spores can get into the skin through a cut e.g when shaving, these spores cause swelling, itchy bumps or blisters, and also painless ulcers with a black center. Anthrax skin infections are the least deadly kind of anthrax infection, but it kills one in five people who are infected if it’s left untreated. The World War I notably had high anthrax cases,as many started cropping up in the US and UK,then officials with the British armed forces thought that the anthrax infections of soldiers’ heads and necks were because of diabolical strategy of the enemy until researchers were able to trace and track the outbreak back to the shaving brushes provided to the soldiers. This prompted the surgeon general and the New York City Board of Health to state the new recommendations for disinfecting and labeling sterilized brushes to prevent infection. This recommendation still applicable today to ensure health and safety is extended to all types of brushes.

Ooni Approves Training 6,000 Southwest Youths In Agriculture.

Ooni Approves Training 6,000 Southwest Youths In Agriculture.The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has given approval for the Ojaja II national image sustainable agricultural empowerment training scheme in South West States programmed to train over 6,000 youths in agricultural skills. The oba, in his letter of approval said the project cannot come at a better time than now when youth are disillusioned and lack adequate attention.continue