BY SETSABILE GININDZA

A total of five farmers, plus an additional lucky participant, won a box of 100-day-old chicks each after correctly answering quiz questions at the end of the Broiler Production Webinar hosted by Agri Business Media. The six boxes of chicks were generously sponsored by Elangeni Chicks as part of their commitment to supporting poultry farmers in Eswatini.

The webinar, held today, featured Dumsile Dlamini, Technical Adviser at Elangeni Chicks, as the keynote speaker. The session provided crucial insights into broiler chick management, equipping farmers with the knowledge to enhance production efficiency and reduce mortality rates.

Key Takeaways from the Presentation

Dlamini emphasized that chick quality is a fundamental factor affecting broiler performance and farm profitability. She recommended the Ross 308 breed, known for its superior growth rates and feed efficiency.

Her presentation covered critical aspects of broiler management, including:

• Chick Quality Assessment – Farmers should evaluate chicks based on alertness, feather coverage, navel condition, and absence of physical deformities such as leg or beak issues.
• Placement & Brooding Preparations – Houses should be preheated 24 hours before chick placement, with the brooding temperature set between 30-33ºC and adequate ventilation. Brooding rings should be constructed in advance, and at least 80% of the floor should be covered in chick paper to provide a warm, stable environment.
• Offloading Process – Chicks should be weighed upon arrival and handled gently to minimize stress. Proper placement should occur in a calm, draft-free environment, maintaining an initial stocking density of 50 chicks per square meter.
• Post-Placement Care – Ensuring chicks find water and feed immediately is critical for early development. Farmers were advised to remove chick paper after four days, provide clean water daily, adjust drinker heights, and gradually expand brooding rings.
• Monitoring Growth & Performance – Weekly weigh-ins are essential to track progress. By day seven, Ross 308 broilers should achieve five times their initial weight. Farmers were also urged to keep house records visible to monitor feed, water consumption, and flock performance effectively.

Engaging Q&A and Exciting Rewards

At the end of the session, farmers engaged in an interactive Q&A, where they sought further clarification and shared their farming experiences. To encourage active participation, Elangeni Chicks rewarded six farmers with chick boxes for correctly answering quiz questions based on the presentation.

Upcoming Session on Broiler Feeding

The second part of the webinar is scheduled for Monday, 10 February, from 16:00 to 17:00, featuring Bheki Mhlanga, Sales and Marketing Manager at Farm Services / Cranefeeds. His presentation will focus on broiler feeding strategies, helping farmers optimize nutrition and feed efficiency for improved growth performance.