Pastured Poultry | PoultryU | Department of Animal Science | U of M Home

PASTURED POULTRY:
A Heifer Project International (HPI) Demonstration

Broiler Production
   *  Brooder House
   *  Building a Movable Pasture-Poultry Pen
   * Processing Grown Birds

Broiler Production

Brooder House

The day-old chicks are kept in a brooder for the first 3-4 weeks. They are unable to regulate their own body temperature so need to be provided with supplemental heat.

The brooder area can be inside a building or outside in a separate brooder house. In either case, bedding material will be required.

Make sure the area is sufficiently ventilated, but avoid drafts.

Brooder house photo 1 Brooder house photo 2 Brooder house photo 3

Building a Movable Pasture-Poultry Pen

The pens must be made of light-weight, but durable material. Light-weight is the most important feature, since the pen has to be moved daily.

The pieces are screwed together rather than nailed, to give the structure more strength.

An 8x8 foot pen can hold 100 broilers.

We used sheet metal for the roof, but that may be too hot in some areas. Whatever material you choose -- remember, it must be LIGHTWEIGHT!

The completed pen (below) -- with water dispenser on top (filled daily) and boards for hanging waterer:

The completed pen

Feeders are placed on the ground, easily accessed by the door.

A handle can be added to assist with moving the pen daily. Wheels on the bottom back will assist with moving the pen (easier than dragging).

Building a pen photo 1

Building a pen photo 2

Building a pen photo 3

(Photos from workshop with Heifer Project International, Southeast Division)

Processing Grown Birds

Man using garbage bag for overalls Once your birds have reached the desired weight they need to be killed and processed. You don't need overly fancy equipment but it must be clean.

For overalls, a simple garbage bag and clothes pins work -- saves on the laundry bill.

The most humane way to kill the birds is to slit their throat, making sure you sever the carotid artery.

This funnel system keeps things clean and prevents the bird from struggling and hurting itself.

Electric funnel system Using the electric funnel system

Once the bird has bled out, it needs to be dipped in hot water. If you are killing several birds at one time it is helpful to have an electrical bath with a heater to keep the water warm.

Preparing to dip the bird in hot water Electric bath