Beata Mudjanima 

Record-keeping is the systematic collection, recording, preservation, utilisation and disposal of better data. 

It is of prominent importance in the poultry industry for several reasons. 

Whether you are running a small backyard flock or a large commercial operation, one of the first steps in having a successful poultry farm is keeping well-maintained and accurate records and establishing a sound record-keeping system. 

It will help farmers plan and complete realistic forecasting for every cycle, and aid in producing high-quality poultry products. 

The essential types of records in poultry farming are financial records, which cover all your income and expenses. 

Production records focus on yield and animal health records, which deal with sickness, mortalities, vaccinations and treatment. Furthermore, animal movement records include dates of receipt of new flocks, culling hens and slaughter dates. 

Financial record-keeping is important because it helps you track your income and expenses, determine your profitability and pricing, and make informed decisions. 

It is also necessary to note that farmers must write the number of birds on hand, their productivity and their age, which will help plan flock replacement and size. 

Record-keeping allows the farmer to monitor their growth rate, egg production and hatchability. 

Farmers must always pay attention to aspects of egg quality, such as egg size, in relation to the hen’s size and shell condition. 

This information can help farmers identify underperforming birds and make calculated decisions, such as culling or changing management protocols, to improve production and maintain a consistent supply of high-quality eggs. 

Detections can be made much more quickly before losses become high; for example, higher water consumption is observed in many diseases before production drops or mortality rises. 

Another important aspect of record-keeping is its role in traceability. 

During a disease outbreak, you can trace your vaccination records. 

A farmer should also keep records of medication given, considering the withdrawal period. You can also trace back a product, for example, Feedmaster’s products have bag tickets with batch numbers and production dates. 

There should be accurate records of feed and water consumption. 

Within its profitable production stage, a Layer Hen takes 110g of Feedmaster Layer Mash and 230-300 ml of water daily. 

This can yield improved growth rate productivity and help with budgeting. 

Farmers should keep records of their flock’s movement, paying attention to the dates they received new flocks, which can aid them in knowing when the hens will reach the end of their production cycle (culling).

Summing up, keeping records can be done either by using pen and paper or through a digital system. It will help not only in the efficient management but also in the long-term success and sustainability of poultry farming.

It will enable you to make informed decisions, manage risks and ensure your flock’s productivity, health and profitability.

*Beata Mudjanima is Feedmaster’s technical advisor in the northern communal parts of Namibia.