Artib Livestock

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YOUR CHICKEN SHOWING ONE SYMPTOM DOES NOT MEAN YOU KNOW THE DISEASETake ascites syndrome in broilers, commonly called wa...
01/09/2026

YOUR CHICKEN SHOWING ONE SYMPTOM DOES NOT MEAN YOU KNOW THE DISEASE

Take ascites syndrome in broilers, commonly called water belly. It is a real condition, but seeing a chicken in a short social media video is not enough to confidently establish that diagnosis.
The same principle applies to many other poultry problems.
Age, flock history, vaccination programme, previous treatments, feed and water, housing conditions, mortality pattern and other observations can all matter.
And when antibiotics or other veterinary medicines are involved, responsible use is important because inappropriate or unnecessary antimicrobial use can contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
Learn from social media. Ask questions. Listen to experienced farmers and qualified animal-health professionals.
But don't turn every online diagnosis into a prescription.

If your broilers are eating but the scale isn't showing good weight gain, don't immediately throw away the feed.Start in...
29/08/2026

If your broilers are eating but the scale isn't showing good weight gain, don't immediately throw away the feed.

Start investigating.

First, check the temperature. Excessive heat can reduce feed intake and hurt growth performance.

Next, check water. Are the drinkers working properly? Is clean, cool water continuously available?

Now inspect the litter. Is it wet or heavily caked? Poor litter conditions can contribute to problems, including conditions that favour coccidial transmission.

Then look at the birds themselves. Are they active? Are there signs of illness? Coccidiosis and other health problems can affect growth and feed efficiency.

Finally, review the feed itself, including quality, access and nutrition.

The lesson is simple: investigate the whole system before blaming one factor.

28/08/2026

The guys are growing!!!

One of the biggest mistakes when buying a breeding ewe is judging her by appearance alone.A ewe can look young, large an...
25/08/2026

One of the biggest mistakes when buying a breeding ewe is judging her by appearance alone.

A ewe can look young, large and healthy and still give you very little information about her future breeding performance.

That's why reproductive history matters.

If records are available, ask how regularly she has lambed, whether she has successfully raised her lambs, and whether she has experienced repeated reproductive problems.

Then examine her body condition, udder, feet, legs and overall health.

Also consider her genetics and whether she is adapted to your farm's environment, nutrition and management system.

And remember, a mature ewe isn't automatically a bad investment.

A sound mature ewe with a proven record may be more valuable to your breeding program than a younger ewe with unknown performance.

Don't buy the animal that simply looks best.

Buy the animal that fits your breeding goal.

HERE’S SOMETHING MANY POULTRY FARMERS MISS: SOMETIMES THE PROBLEM IS NOT JUST THE BIRD. IT’S THE HOUSE.If your chicken d...
24/08/2026

HERE’S SOMETHING MANY POULTRY FARMERS MISS: SOMETIMES THE PROBLEM IS NOT JUST THE BIRD. IT’S THE HOUSE.

If your chicken develops swollen or damaged feet, inspect the environment immediately.

Start with the litter. Is it wet, compacted or heavily soiled, especially around the drinkers? Poor litter conditions can contribute to footpad dermatitis.

Next, check the flooring. Look for sharp wires, splinters, broken surfaces or anything that can injure the feet.

Then examine the footpads for scratches, scabs, swelling or ulcers.

Also check the leg scales. Raised, crusty scales can be associated with scaly leg mites, but don’t diagnose mites simply because the legs look crusty.

Finally, watch the bird walk.

If it is severely lame, has deep wounds, ulcers or worsening swelling, get veterinary advice.

Good poultry management starts from the ground up: dry litter, safe flooring and regular inspection.

Can you brood turkey poults and broiler chicks together? The bigger question is whether you should. Yes, shared brooding...
22/08/2026

Can you brood turkey poults and broiler chicks together? The bigger question is whether you should.

Yes, shared brooding can be possible when the birds have compatible ages and environmental needs.

But disease risk is the major concern.
Chickens can carry certain pathogens without showing obvious illness, while turkeys may be much more susceptible. Blackhead disease is one important example.

So if separate brooding is practical, that's generally the safer option for your turkeys.

If you must brood them together, start with healthy birds, keep the brooder clean and dry, provide enough space, and maintain good hygiene.

Also give both groups easy access to their feed and clean water.

Don't just ask, "Can they share a brooder?" Ask, "What is the disease risk?"

How do you brood your turkey poults and broiler chicks on your farm?

5 SIGNS YOUR CHICKENS MAY NOT BE DOING WELLYOUR CHICKENS CAN LOOK “FINE” AND STILL SHOW EARLY WARNING SIGNS. Daily obser...
20/08/2026

5 SIGNS YOUR CHICKENS MAY NOT BE DOING WELL

YOUR CHICKENS CAN LOOK “FINE” AND STILL SHOW EARLY WARNING SIGNS. Daily observation helps you notice changes before they become bigger problems.

1️⃣ SUDDEN DROP IN FEED INTAKE
If birds that normally eat well suddenly consume less feed, investigate. Reduced appetite can occur with illness, heat or other environmental problems.

2️⃣ UNUSUAL WEAKNESS OR INACTIVITY
Healthy chickens are normally active. Birds that become unusually quiet, isolate themselves, or spend much more time resting deserve closer attention.

3️⃣ CHANGES IN DROPPINGS
Changes in consistency, colour, frequency or amount can be a warning sign. But droppings alone cannot reliably identify a disease. Check the birds' behaviour, feed and water intake, growth and other symptoms too.

4️⃣ UNEVEN GROWTH
If birds of similar age and management show noticeable differences in size, investigate feed and water access, housing conditions, litter, temperature, ventilation and health. Poor growth can have multiple causes.

5️⃣ ABNORMAL BREATHING OR PHYSICAL CHANGES
Coughing, sneezing, nasal or eye discharge, breathing difficulty, ruffled feathers, drooping wings or reduced activity should not be ignored. Respiratory signs can have different causes, so avoid guessing the diagnosis or randomly using medication.

THE BIG LESSON:

Good poultry management is not just feed, water and waiting for birds to grow. Observe your flock every day and learn what normal behaviour looks like.

WHEN SIGNS ARE SEVERE, PERSISTENT, OR AFFECT SEVERAL BIRDS, SEEK VETERINARY ADVICE.

SAVE THIS FOR YOUR NEXT FLOCK CHECK AND SHARE IT WITH ANOTHER POULTRY FARMER.

WHAT WARNING SIGN HAVE YOU NOTICED MOST OFTEN?

14/08/2026

Poultry farming is not only about feeding, proper management practices promote disease control and feed conversion. Boost biosecurity, protect your birds!

Optimizing Broiler Chicken Health through Effective Feeding and Lighting StrategiesTo foster healthy growth and developm...
01/08/2026

Optimizing Broiler Chicken Health through Effective Feeding and Lighting Strategies

To foster healthy growth and development in broilers, it is crucial to focus on proper feeding and lighting as key components of successful poultry management. Effective broiler farming involves providing the right nutrition at each stage of growth, rather than simply increasing feed quantity, to create conditions that support normal development.
Tailoring feed to specific age requirements is essential, as commercial feeds are formulated to meet the changing nutritional needs of broilers at different stages. Starter feed, typically administered during the initial 10 to 14 days or up to four weeks, contains elevated protein levels to support muscle, bone, and organ development.
Grower feed provides a balanced mix of protein and energy for steady growth, while finisher feed, given during the final weeks, promotes weight gain and meat production.
High-quality feeds often include ingredients such as maize, soybean meal, vegetable oils, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other approved additives. It is vital to source feed from reputable manufacturers or utilize properly formulated rations.
Ensuring continuous access to feed and clean drinking water is also critical, with regular cleaning of feeders and drinkers to maintain flock hygiene. Furthermore, lighting plays a significant role, particularly during the initial days when it helps chicks locate feed and water. After brooding, introducing periods of darkness allows birds to rest and exhibit normal behavior.
LED bulbs are a popular choice due to their energy efficiency and consistent lighting. Ultimately, successful broiler performance depends on a combination of factors, including clean water, proper lighting, ventilation, biosecurity, vaccination, and consistent daily management. What feeding or brooding practice has yielded the most significant benefits on your farm? Share your experience.

29/07/2026

ALOE VERA IN POULTRY FARMING: WHAT DOES THE SCIENCE SAY?

Can Aloe vera support poultry health? Aloe vera has garnered attention in poultry research due to its natural plant compounds exhibiting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Although the findings are promising, it is essential to view Aloe vera as a supplementary aid rather than a replacement for established practices such as vaccination, biosecurity protocols, balanced nutrition, and veterinary care.

Here's what current research indicates: Supports digestive health: Certain studies suggest Aloe vera may aid in maintaining normal digestive function when utilized in conjunction with optimal nutrition and proper flock management practices. Contains natural plant compounds: Aloe vera comprises compounds like acemannan and anthraquinones, some of which have demonstrated antimicrobial activity in laboratory settings. However, these should not be considered substitutes for antibiotics or professional veterinary treatment when birds are ill.

May support normal immune function: Researchers have investigated Aloe vera's potential immune system support capabilities, but further studies under commercial farming conditions are required. Can be part of supportive flock management: When birds are recuperating from stress or illness, priorities include clean water, balanced nutrition, and good management. Aloe vera may serve as a complementary nutritional supplement where suitable.

Topical use: Fresh Aloe vera gel is occasionally applied to minor superficial skin abrasions, although evidence regarding its efficacy in poultry remains limited. Serious wounds or illnesses should always be treated by a veterinarian. Remember, maintaining healthy birds relies on consistent good management practices, including balanced nutrition, timely vaccination, robust biosecurity measures, clean drinking water, proper ventilation, and early detection of health issues. Natural products such as Aloe vera can complement good poultry management but should never replace proven veterinary care. Have you utilized Aloe vera on your poultry farm? What results or observations have you made?

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