Most poultry losses trace back to the same four failures: bad housing, poor feeding, skipped vaccination and no records. Get these right and the enterprise largely runs itself.
Housing
A coop must do four things: keep predators out, keep rain and wind off, allow air to move without draughts at bird level, and clean easily. Overcrowding causes disease and pecking — plan space honestly for the flock you intend, not the flock you have today. Our prefabricated coop is built to these four tests.
Feeding
Layers need consistent feed and clean water at all times — a skipped day shows up in egg production for a week. Supplement bought feed with greens, garden waste and insects where possible, but never let supplementation replace a balanced ration.
Health
- Vaccinate on schedule — Newcastle disease above all; confirm the local calendar with your vet or extension officer
- Quarantine new birds for two weeks before mixing them with the flock
- Clean waterers and feeders regularly; wet, dirty bedding invites disease
- Isolate and examine any bird that stops eating, looks fluffed or has a drooping comb
Records
Write down eggs collected, feed used, birds lost and money in and out. Records turn a flock into a business: they show whether it pays, where it leaks, and when to expand.