The objective of the broiler manager is to achieve the required flock performance in terms of bird welfare,
live weight, feed conversion, uniformity, and meat yield within economic constraints. Broiler production is a
sequential process, with ultimate performance being dependent on each step being completed successfully.
For maximum performance to be attained, each stage must be assessed critically and improvements made
wherever required.
The complexity of broiler production means that livestock managers should have a clear understanding of
the factors affecting the whole production process as well as of those directly influencing bird management
on the farm. Changes may also be necessary in the hatchery, during transport and in the processing plant.
Within broiler production, there are several stages of development of the bird as the bird moves from egg, to
farm and then the processing plant. Between each of these stages in the production process is a transition
phase. Transitions must be managed with minimum bird stress. The key transitions for the broiler producer
are:
• Chick hatching.
• Take off, storage, and transportation of the chick.
• Development of good feeding behavior in the young chick.
• Change over from supplementary feeding and drinking systems to the main system.
• Catching and transport of the broiler at depletion.