© CARGILL, INCORPORATED 2009
Poultry Care and Feed
© 2008 Cargill, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Cargill Animal Nutrition – Nourishing Animals; Enriching Lives
Different Breeds – Different PurposesLaying Breeds- Known for egg-laying capacity- Common: White Leghorn, Red Sex Link and Black Sex Link- will lay for several years- start laying 16-20 weeks of age- molt at about 14 months of age, do not lay during molt
© 2008 Cargill, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Cargill Animal Nutrition – Nourishing Animals; Enriching Lives
Different Breeds – Different PurposesMeat Breeds- Efficient at converting feed to meat- Approx. 1 pound of bodyweight for every 2
pounds of feed they eat- Popular breed: cornish game hen- grow and feather rapidly- Broilers and fryers are butchered at 3 ½ - 5 lbs.- roaster is butchered at 6-8 lbs.
© 2008 Cargill, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Cargill Animal Nutrition – Nourishing Animals; Enriching Lives
Different Breeds – Different PurposesDual-Purpose Breeds- Classic backyard chicken- Hardy, self-reliant, large bodied- Common breeds: Rhode Island Red, New Hampshire breeds
© 2008 Cargill, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Cargill Animal Nutrition – Nourishing Animals; Enriching Lives
Different Breeds – Different PurposesTurkeys, Game Birds, Ducks, other- Produce eggs- raised for meat
© 2008 Cargill, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Cargill Animal Nutrition – Nourishing Animals; Enriching Lives
Feed The Right RationTo know which ration is best for your flock, you need to know the answers to these questions:
1. What age birds are you feeding?2. What kind of birds are you feeding?3. Are the birds being raised for meat or toproduce eggs?
© 2008 Cargill, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Cargill Animal Nutrition – Nourishing Animals; Enriching Lives
Feed The Right RationDo not give young birds a layer ration. The calcium level is excessively high for young birds.
Do not mix scratch grain with a complete commercial ration.
By mixing cracked corn with a complete commercial grower ration, you dilute (reduce) the protein level as well as the vitamin and mineral content of the diet. The birds will not grow as well or lay many eggs and will also be less resistant to disease. Nutrient deficiencies may lead to feather picking, lameness, sores or even death.
© 2008 Cargill, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Cargill Animal Nutrition – Nourishing Animals; Enriching Lives
Feed The Right RationThe second most common mistake is not feedingenough of the appropriate type feed. Feed them free choice.
© 2008 Cargill, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Cargill Animal Nutrition – Nourishing Animals; Enriching Lives
Chicken Digestive TractMouth
Esophagus (gullet) – transports food from mouth to stomach
© 2008 Cargill, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Cargill Animal Nutrition – Nourishing Animals; Enriching Lives
Chicken Digestive TractCrop – temporarily stores food
Stomach – food broken into smaller units- gizzard uses grit to grind grains and fiber into smaller particles
© 2008 Cargill, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Cargill Animal Nutrition – Nourishing Animals; Enriching Lives
Chicken Digestive TractSmall intestine – nutrient absorption
Liver – aids in metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and protein
Ceca – helps break down undigested food
© 2008 Cargill, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Cargill Animal Nutrition – Nourishing Animals; Enriching Lives
Chicken Digestive TractLarge intestine – absorbs water, dry out indigestible foods
Cloaca – where digestive, urinary and reproductive tracts meet
© 2008 Cargill, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Cargill Animal Nutrition – Nourishing Animals; Enriching Lives
Chicken Digestive TractUrinary system – 2 kidneys and 2 ureters - kidneys are located in pelvic bones - filter waste and pass through ureter to outside
Vent – external opening of cloaca that passes waste to outside
© 2008 Cargill, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Cargill Animal Nutrition – Nourishing Animals; Enriching Lives
Feed ConsiderationsSeventy percent of the cost of raising chickens goes for feed. This is an investment rather than an expense because the better the birds are fed, the more productive they will be.
© 2008 Cargill, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Cargill Animal Nutrition – Nourishing Animals; Enriching Lives
Feed ConsiderationsThe importance of giving plenty of cool, cleanwater cannot be over-emphasized.
Water is a major part of both eggs and meat.
Provide your flock with fresh water and a complete balanced ration, and they will reward you and your family with fresh eggs or meat.
© 2008 Cargill, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Cargill Animal Nutrition – Nourishing Animals; Enriching Lives
Feed ConsiderationChickens- Supplement laying hens with oyster shell for
calcium – hardness of egg shells- grit to help digest food- Occasional treat of scratch grain will satisfy
pecking instinct and keep them busy
© 2008 Cargill, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Cargill Animal Nutrition – Nourishing Animals; Enriching Lives
Avg. Feed Needed Per Bird
© 2008 Cargill, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Cargill Animal Nutrition – Nourishing Animals; Enriching Lives
Care Tips for Healthy ChickensCoop should have:- minimum of 4 sq. ft. of space per hen- - one perch- one next box for every 4-5 hens- 6 inch layer of shavings or sawdust to absorb
droppings- be free of cold winter drafts- have good ventilation- Require a good, sturdy fence around outside
runs to protect from predators- close door each evening after your flock
roosts
© 2008 Cargill, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Cargill Animal Nutrition – Nourishing Animals; Enriching Lives
Daily Management Checklist- Feed available at all times- Clean, fresh water available at all times- Proper temperature and ventilation- Brooder and coop conditions- Litter conditions- Flock appearance and health- Eggs gathered- Records updated
© 2008 Cargill, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Cargill Animal Nutrition – Nourishing Animals; Enriching Lives
Nutrena NaturalWiseNatural poultry feed
© 2008 Cargill, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Cargill Animal Nutrition – Nourishing Animals; Enriching Lives
Nutrena Country FeedsNutrena Poultry Feed