Animal husbandry

Backyard animal husbandry

Currently, in intensive and mass animal husbandry, antibiotics are widely used, which cause rapid growth of animals and prevent diseases. In this way, antibiotics enter our body, causing antibiotic resistance and disrupting the bacterial flora.

Nowadays, own production of plants and meat and eggs, using traditional methods, has become very popular. The products of our own production are of the highest quality, free of antibiotics and other chemicals, including GMOs. Animal husbandry requires a longer time of animal husbandry, this is compensated by the high nutritional value of the meat and eggs produced.

Poultry farming

Poultry farming is based on the use of vegetable feed, with the addition of natural dried and seeds. Own feed for chickens is free of GMOs, dioxins, antibiotics, hormones and additives of animal origin. Breeding hens is based on free range, where the hens move freely in the open air, have access to natural light.

It is necessary to remember about the appropriate equipment of the chicken coop, aviary or animal cage, in backyard kennels, where usually from several to several dozen pieces of chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, rabbits and other animals are bred. The chicken coop for chickens should be equipped with a perch and nests for laying eggs, padded with hay or straw. One nest is enough for 3-4 hens.

Feeders and drinkers must be located in the hen house and on the outer paddock. The size and quantity depends on the species of poultry and its quantity. Feeders with adjustable feed infeed in the trough and those with the possibility of suspension or legs, thanks to which poultry is not able to rummage and dirty in the trough, work best.

If we want to add vitamins or other additives to water, it is best to choose drinkers made of plastic, which does not react with certain substances. It is very important to remember about regular cleaning and disinfection of the chicken coop and all equipment. Disinfection prevents the spread of pathogenic viruses and bacteria. For water or feed, it is recommended to give vitamin additives that improve the immunity of animals, result in better quality of meat and eggs.

Incubation of eggs and rearing of chicks

Many breeders decide to breed poultry "from the beginning", that is, from the incubation of eggs. For this purpose, an egg incubator is used, which provides conditions for the natural incubation of eggs by the hen. The incubator has a heater and a fan, which are responsible for the right temperature, the breeder pours water to ensure adequate humidity. Incubators also perform the function of hatchers, they can incubate many species of poultry. Currently, there are different types of incubators on the market, which differ mostly in equipment, size and price, their function still remains the same.

Rearing chicks – this is the next stage, just after the incubation of eggs, where you need to ensure the right temperature for chicks using lamps or heating mats.

Rabbit farming

Rabbit farming is mostly based on cage breeding. You can buy ready-made cages, usually metal or make wooden cages with your own hands. The latter should have a grate made of plastic or a powerful welded lattice so that the spawn can be easily removed.

In cages, stationary drinkers and feeders for rabbits are usually used, which can be easily replenished from above, without having to open the cages. For hay, it is best to use feeders or ladders, thanks to which rodents have access to fresh sowing all the time, since placing it in the feeder prevents dirt.

Identification of animals

Depending on the species of animals and needs, homestead breeding uses different ways of marking animals. Poultry, including ornamental birds, shall be marked with rings for statistical or information purposes, e.g. to distinguish between younger hens or different species, etc. Rabbits are marked with earrings of different colors also for purposes such as poultry. Pigs and cattle shall be tattooed and eartaged for identification purposes.