Broiler farming can be highly profitable, but mortality can quickly turn a promising farm into a financial loss.
For Nigerian poultry farmers, reducing mortality is not about relying on one product or one medication. It requires a combination of good chicks, quality feed, clean water, proper vaccination, good ventilation, appropriate stocking density, hygiene, and daily farm observation.
Good nutrition is one of the foundations of successful poultry production.
1. Start With Good-Quality Chicks
The quality of the day-old chicks you receive matters. Purchase chicks from reputable hatcheries with good breeding, vaccination, and flock-health records.
Weak chicks may struggle from the first week and become more susceptible to disease and poor growth.
2. Pay Attention to Brooding
The first few weeks are critical.
Chicks need the right temperature, adequate space, clean litter, and easy access to feed and water. Chilling, overheating, dehydration and poor brooding management can cause significant early mortality.
Farmers should observe chick behaviour. Chicks crowding together may indicate cold stress, while chicks moving far away from the heat source may indicate excessive heat.
3. Never Underestimate Feed Quality
Feed is one of the biggest investments in broiler production—and one of the biggest determinants of performance.
Poor-quality or poorly balanced feed can contribute to:
Slow growth
Poor feed conversion
Weak immunity
Uneven flock performance
Increased susceptibility to disease
Increased production cost
A good broiler feed should provide the appropriate balance of energy, protein, amino acids, minerals and vitamins for the bird’s age and production stage.
This is why Rhosey Feeds focuses on properly formulated feeds designed around the nutritional requirements of the animal—not simply the cheapest possible ingredients.
4. Clean Water Is Essential
A farmer can provide excellent feed and still experience problems if the drinking water is contaminated.
Drinkers should be cleaned regularly, and water should be fresh and safe.
Dirty water can become a major route for pathogens and can also reduce water consumption, which subsequently affects feed intake and growth.
5. Ventilation Matters
Poor ventilation allows heat, moisture, ammonia, and harmful gases to accumulate.
This can predispose birds to respiratory problems and reduce their overall performance.
Good airflow should remove excess heat and moisture without creating harmful drafts.
6. Control Stocking Density
Overcrowding increases competition for feed and water and can worsen heat stress, litter problems and disease transmission.
Farmers should follow appropriate stocking recommendations for their housing system and production conditions.
7. Follow a Proper Vaccination and Biosecurity Programme
Vaccination should be based on the diseases relevant to the farm’s location and production system.
Biosecurity is equally important.
Limit unnecessary visitors, disinfect equipment, control rodents and wild birds, and avoid moving contaminated equipment between houses.
8. Observe Your Birds Every Day
One of the most important tools on a farm is the farmer’s observation.
Watch for:
- Reduced feed consumption
- Reduced water consumption
- Depression
- Respiratory signs
- Diarrhoea
- Sudden mortality
- Poor growth
- Uneven flock development
Early detection gives the farmer a better opportunity to investigate and respond before the problem becomes widespread.
The Rhosey Feeds Approach
At Rhosey Feeds, we understand that farmers are not buying feed simply to fill feeders. They are investing in growth, survival, feed efficiency, and profitability.
Our goal is to provide farmers with dependable livestock nutrition while supporting them with practical information that helps them make better production decisions.
Good feed cannot replace good management—but poor feed can undermine good management.
For farmers looking to improve flock performance, start with the basics: quality chicks, quality feed, clean water, proper vaccination, good housing, and excellent farm hygiene.