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FARMER’S GUIDE TO SASSO CHICKEN MANAGEMENT

FARMER’S GUIDE TO SASSO CHICKEN MANAGEMENT

April 5, 2020

SASSO chicken Production Objective:  Keep it Simple Achieve Good results even with Limited resources for Rurals & Small farmers

Sasso This new breed was developed in france and has gained popularity in Tanzania and Kenya, best sasso chicks in Kenya are available through Silver-lands Poultry Tz agents available in most parts of the country.

* Sasso weight gain Live weight 2200 – 2400 g in 84 days  The growth broilers selected by the SASSO are for outdoor raising of Label Rouge, farmer, pre-started or organic chicken types.

* Issued from the cross breeding of a Sasso rooster and a recessive Sasso hen, they meet the requirements of traditional markets dedicated to providing top quality meat while respecting our environment and animal welfare

* Sasso genetic potential allows optimal expression of market weight after about 84 days of breeding.* Sasso resemble our own native chickens,the Sasso chicken grow faster, with delicious and tender meat and strong disease resistance.

* Sasso chicken can be raised as broiler and are good layers too when they reach six months of age. Sasso hens lay naturally brown, tasty, nutritious and with less cholesterol eggs.


The major target in SASSO breeding Program is high production of hatching eggs from the parent breeder ( HE >220) and a slow growing, robust, easy to manage, multi-coloured sasso chicken which can be grown under different rearing systems – from indoor and intensive to Free Range and village family based production. Feed is less dense, less expensive, lower in energy and protein, and allows the use of higher levels of cheaper and unconventional farm by- products.

SASSO chicken meat is more firm and has that rich chicken flavor, juicy and tasty like the meat of traditional Indian country chicken and it commands higher market price. SASSO delivers better profit to the farmers and great taste to the consumers. 


THE SASSO COLORED BIRDS ADVANTAGE – Trusted origin and Assured Performance 

 SASSO – the finest quality premium colored broiler breeders and broilers from France, SASSO chicken are exclusively bred from original Parent breeding stocks imported from France.

SASSO chicken have several positive attributes that are ideal for Kenyan Conditions.

SASSO is an internationally popular breed originating from France. SASSO offers proven, hardy, easy to manage and versatile bird to Kenyan farmers. Farmers  can keep them in different production systems – from intensive production as well as down to earth simple sheds on deep litter with basic equipment, in backyard, in orchards, in coconut and rubber plantations, in forests areas, in the hills and even in the dry lands and in hot deserts!


The Farmer is the KEY and plays a major role in the success of rearing

Dear Farmers, when you plan to raise chicks, it is very important to realize that the chick is totally dependent upon you to meet its needs. chicks need proper care, temperature, comfortable environment, feed, water and protection for their survival.

The brief guidelines provided here in this farmer’s guide are vital to the expression of genetic potential of SASSO chicken to achieve good results. Follow these basic guidelines, keep it simple, and achieve good results even with limited resources.


SASSO REARING TECHNIQUES

  • Bio-security                                                                                                                 
  • Before the chicks arrive
  • Delivery and receiving chicks
  • Brooding chicks to give them a great start
  • Managing growth
  • Vaccination
  • Nutrient requirements

Minimum Bio security Program

One age group   – All in All out practice of operation is most preferred – at least during brooding period. Restrict visitors, keep a basin of disinfectant solution for foot dip and hand wash at the entrance. Do not allow wild birds and animals like cats and dogs on your farm. Ensure strict bio security in case of disease outbreak and high mortality of poultry in surrounding areas.


 Before the sasso chicks arrive

Arrange the required facilities/materials required for the broiler farm. Pre brooding management consists of Cleaning and disinfection of the house prior to the arrival of new batch of chicks. It consists of removal of old litter, cleaning of the shed- inside and outside, washing, disinfection, white washing and rest for a week. 

Basic principle: “Clean the house and prepare it as if it is a new house for the new batch”.


BROODING PERIOD

First few hours after arrival at the farm are most crucial period for the chick. Pre warming the house at least 12 hours before arrival of sasso chicks provides comfortable conditions to the chicks as they arrive at the farm. They start drinking and feeding soon. 

Brooding with artificial heat is provided during first 2 to 3 weeks as chicks need external heat to maintain their body temperature. Sasso Chicks suffer from stress when house temperature is too cold or too hot. Chicks which are subjected to cold always have poor development of digestive organs and immunity due to which all the other disease problems originate one by one.

Please remember – A Good Start is 50% of the success story.


Objectives of Brooding

  1. Quick unloading of chicks and releasing them under brooder
  2. Comfortable house – litter, temperature, light, ventilation, water supply and quick feeding.

Achieving these objectives depends on the facilities, equipments and the Farmer. The farmer himself   has a very important role to play during this most crucial phase in the life of the bird. 

Reaching these objectives is important to give a great start:

  • Good early growth- most of the early growth is in skeleton and internal organs
    • Good feather growth, uniformity, liveability
    • Disease immunity and stress resistance

Improper brooding may result into poor liveability, uneven size, higher cost of production, poor FCR and overall poor flock performance.

  • Temperature and Space : Floor space, Feeder space, Water Space requirement

Age wks Temp F at the brooder edge Floor space   sqft/bird Feeder space inches/bird Water space inches/bird
1 85-90 ¼ 1 ½
2-3 80-85 ½ 1.50 3 / 4
3-5 Room temp ¾ 2 ¾
5-8 Room temp 1 2 1
Above 8 Room temp 2 3 1.5

Heat Source – One heater (electric/gas/coal) for 500 – 600 chicks, hung at suitable height.

Gas brooder

Jiko Broodes

  • Litter: spread the litter on the floor of entire brooding room. Keep the litter in good dry condition, removing wet litter whenever noticed. 
    • Brooder guard with papers on floor:  provide circular brooder guard 8ft diameter for 600  chicks. Corrugated paper or tin sheets 1 foot width may be used for this purpose.

Put 2- 3 layers of papers on the floor. Remove one layer of paper every day.

  • Provide boiled and cooled water on day 1 and 2. Add Electrolytes 1g/lit water and Sugar 50  g/lit water to provide instant energy.
    • Feed:  Once the chicks have taken water, provide a well balanced easily digestible and fresh Starter feed on the flat chick feeder trays or plates for first 3 days and later in linear or tubular feeders. For the first two days, provide maize powder 5g/chick along with feed. This reduces Pasty vent problem.  
    • Crop Fill Test: This is a simple test about well being of chicks. Take sample few chicks 3 hours after arrival. 98% of the chicks must have full soft crop and warm shanks, if not, something is wrong – observe the chicks and recheck temperature, feed and water supply. Take corrective action immediately to prevent ‘Starve out’ chicks which will not grow well causing uneven flock. 
    • Ventilation: Do not make the house air tight. Provide 1ft opening on top of the curtains on both sides. Cross Ventilation provides fresh air and regulates house temperature. It takes away unwanted CO2, ammonia, moisture, dust and odour.
    • Light: Chicks are more active and grow better under bright light. Provide one 60 watt bulb for 200 sft area. After 2 weeks, it can be replaced by 40 watt bulb.
    • Suggested lighting program is a ‘Step down’ program.

Age in days 1 to 2 3 to 7 8 – 14 After 15
Light hours 24 20 16 Natural day light

Chicks that are evenly distributed in the brooding ring indicate good brooding conditions.  Ample feed and drinking water are available.

Comfort Zone for chicks: Your own observations are worth a thousand words. Comfortable chicks are spread evenly through the brooding areas. Cold chicks will huddle under the heat source. Chicks which are too warm will be seen as far from the heat that is possible. Chicks in a drafty brooding area will huddle away from the source of the draft. Take Necessary corrective action based on these observations.

 A proper balance between temperature, light and ventilation will provide proper environment for the chicks for sufficient water and feed intake and give them a ‘Good Start’.


Work to be done first few hours:

  • Observe the chicks – their behaviour and distribution. Chicks should be active as well as resting. They should consume water and feed and interact with each other. They should be well spread inside the brooder guard area.
  • Renew feed and refill drinkers with fresh water.

Work to be done first few days:

  • Visit the shed 5 to 6 times a day
  • Check that the birds are comfortable
  • Remove dead, sick and weak chicks
  • Clean and rake the litter by gently walking through the chicks.
  • Clean the drinkers and refill with fresh water twice a day
  • Clean the feeders and refill with fresh feed twice a day  Check the house temperature, ventilation and light.

SUMMARY: SASSO BROODING PERIOD

  • Before chicks arrive, inspect the house closely for cleanliness, proper set up of equipment, litter material, heaters, feeders, drinkers, feed, water, medicines etc.
  • Release the chicks quickly under brooder. Observe the chicks frequently, make adjustments as required.
  • Good start is crucial for the final results.  If there is a poor start, it may cause poor growth performance in the end result as there is little time for compensatory improvement later.  
  • Clean and refill drinker daily.
  • Add a vitamin/mineral supplement to the water of young chicks for the first week to help them get off to a better start.
  • Protect the flock from the attack of predators and thieves.
  • Watch your flock daily for signs of unusual behavior. Failure to eat, drink or  react normally are indications of a problem. A quick diagnosis and treatment can save your flock from unnecessary mortality.
  • If mortality does occur, get a diagnosis from a diagnostic lab as soon as possible. Give medicines and treatments only after you know the diagnosis.

MANAGING SASSO GROWTH

  • From 2nd week onwards, start giving more floor space, more feeders and drinkers. If you have enclosed and safe place where chicks can be released during day time, you can allow birds the access to free range after 3 weeks age. However, it is necessary to provide about 80% of the feed inside the house in the morning and evening. Birds can find remaining feed from the free range. 
  • Do not force the birds to grow fast by using high density broiler finisher feeds. Grow the birds to 9 to 10 weeks to develop good taste, texture and flavour.
  • Provide feed, water, protection and health care. Check the live weight of 5% chicks at weekly interval to see that the growth is up to the standards (Table 1). Follow the correct Vaccination and medication procedures.   

SASSO CHICKEN VACCINATION PROGRAM

Please note that this vaccination program is a “standard” recommendation you MUST ask to your vet a vaccination program according to your area!!


  • Keep record of feed intake to find out Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), mortality, medication and vaccination. Every batch of birds gives us some useful information. Records of chicks received, feed consumption, mortality, medication, live weight sold, and income from sale should be kept. This will help in calculation of Cost of production for each batch and find out ways to reduce it and improve profitability in coming batches.

SASSO FEEDING PROGRAMME

Consult your nutritionist for feed formulation according to nutrient requirements. Locally available raw materials from vegetable source could be used. Use of oil, meat, fish and other expensive materials may be avoided. A sample feed formula is provided here for your reference.  Premixes containing Amino acids, vitamins, trace minerals available locally could be used to simplify the feed formulation. Use reputed coccidiostats, enzymes (with phytase), probiotics, chelated trace minerals and toxin binders at recommended dosage level. Use Probiotics, avoid Antibiotics. Prevent mould growth on raw material and feed. During summer months use Soda Bi-carb 1kg/ton and Vit C 50 g/ ton to reduce summer stress. Store feed properly to avoid rat menace. Offer fresh feed 2 to 3 times daily in small quantities. Get the feed analysed from local laboratory occasionally. 

After 3 weeks age, birds can be let out in the free range where they find some feed. During this period 80% of the total feed requirement should be offered in the morning and evening hours inside the house and birds can find remaining 20% feed in the free range. Water should be provided in the shady area in the free range. Free range encourages good muscle development and firmness of the meat. Birds may be allowed to grow slow up to 9 to 10 weeks to get desired firmness, texture, taste and flavour in the meat. Birds may be sold according to the particular live weight requirement of the customer, preferably about 1.5 kg to get good fleshing and processing yield.


For assistance in booking or enquiry contact

0742214220 or 020785474


Sasso Low feed energy

Age in day Energy Protein Lysin
0-28 2940 20 1 , 1
29-77 3030 19,5 0 , 9
To- end 3100 16,5 0 , 7

T451A body weight low feed energy
Week FCR Male BW
1   105
2   220
3 1,38 316
4 1,56 504
5 1,71 717
6 1,85 964
7 1,97 1231
8 2,11 1514
9 2,25 1797
10 2,44 2065
11 2,66 2314
12 2,91 2535

High feed energy recommendation:

Age in day Energy Protein Lysin
0-28 3000 21,3 1 , 18
29-77 3150 19,5 1 , 17
To- end 3200 19,5 1 , 17
T451 A body weight high feed Energy
Week FCR Male BW
1   105
2   220
3 1,37 393
4 1,57 616
5 1,73 896
6 1,87 1213
7 1,99 1558
8 2,13 1909
9 2,27 2278
10 2,43 2646
11 2,58 2947
12 2,92 3297

T451A FEMALE PERFORMANCE

Growing period:

Week Age in day Live body weight FEED g /day
1 1-7 102 AD LIBITUM
2 8-14 248 33
3 15-21 393 44
4 22-28 539 50
5 29-35 685 55
6 36-42 810 58
7 43-49 910 63
8 50-56 1010 66
9 57-63 1110 69
10 64-70 1210 72
11 71-77 1310 75
12 78-84 1410 79
13 85-91 1510 83
14 92-98 1610 87
15 99-105 1710 91
16 106-112 1810 94
17 113-119 1910 98
18 120-126 2010 102
19 127-133 2130 106
20 134-140 2250 108
21 141-147 2370 110
22 148-154 2470 112

FEMALE T451A PRODUCTION DATA

Age in weeks BODY  WEIGT g FEED CONSUMPTION g % EGGS PRODUCTION EGGS WEIGHT g TOTAL EGGS PRODUCE
20 2250 108      
21 2370 110 5   1
22 2470 120 15   6
23 2549 162 30 45 10
24 2627 165 60 47 15
25 2706 165 92 50 20
26 2784 165 91 52 24
27 2850 165 91 54 29
28 2861 165 90 57 34
29 2871 165 89 59 38
30 2882 165 88 60 43
31 2892 165 88 61 48
32 2903 165 87 62 52
33 2913 165 86 62 57
34 2924 165 85 63 62
35 2934 165 85 63 66
36 2945 165 84 63 71
37 2955 165 83 63 76
38 2966 165 82 63 80
39 2976 165 82 64 85
40 2987 164 81 64 90
41 2997 163 80 64 94
42 3008 163 80 64 99
43 3018 162 79 64 104
44 3029 161 78 64 108
45 3039 160 77 64 113

FEMALE T451A PRODUCTION DATA

Age in weeks BODY  WEIGT g FEED CONSUMPTION g % EGGS PRODUCTION EGGS WEIGHT g TOTAL EGGS PRODUCE
46 3050 160 77 64 118
47 3061 159 76 65 123
48 3071 158 75 65 127
49 3082 157 74 65 132
50 3092 156 74 65 137
51 3103 156 73 65 141
52 3113 155 72 65 146
53 3124 154 71 65 151
54 3134 153 71 65 155
55 3145 153 70 65 160
56 3155 152 69 66 165
57 3166 151 69 66 169
58 3176 150 68 66 174
59 3187 150 67 66 179
60 3197 149 66 66 183
61 3208 148 66 66 188
62 3218 147 65 66 193
63 3229 146 64 66 197
64 3239 146 63 67 202
65 3250 145 63 67 207
66 3261 144 62 67 211
67 3271 143 61 67 216
68 3282 143 60 67 221
69 3292 142 60 67 225
70 3303 141 59 67 230


Age in weeks BODY  WEIGT g FEED CONSUMPTION g % EGGS PRODUCTION EGGS WEIGHT g TOTAL EGGS PRODUCE
20 2250 108      
21 2370 110 5   1
22 2470 120 15   6
23 2549 162 30 45 10
24 2627 165 60 47 15
25 2706 165 92 50 20
26 2784 165 91 52 24
27 2850 165 91 54 29
28 2861 165 90 57 34
29 2871 165 89 59 38
30 2882 165 88 60 43
31 2892 165 88 61 48
32 2903 165 87 62 52
33 2913 165 86 62 57
34 2924 165 85 63 62
35 2934 165 85 63 66
36 2945 165 84 63 71
37 2955 165 83 63 76
38 2966 165 82 63 80
39 2976 165 82 64 85
40 2987 164 81 64 90
41 2997 163 80 64 94
42 3008 163 80 64 99
43 3018 162 79 64 104
44 3029 161 78 64 108
45 3039 160 77 64 113

Age in weeks BODY  WEIGT g FEED CONSUMPTION g % EGGS PRODUCTION EGGS WEIGHT g TOTAL EGGS PRODUCE
46 3050 160 77 64 118
47 3061 159 76 65 123
48 3071 158 75 65 127
49 3082 157 74 65 132
50 3092 156 74 65 137
51 3103 156 73 65 141
52 3113 155 72 65 146
53 3124 154 71 65 151
54 3134 153 71 65 155
55 3145 153 70 65 160
56 3155 152 69 66 165
57 3166 151 69 66 169
58 3176 150 68 66 174
59 3187 150 67 66 179
60 3197 149 66 66 183
61 3208 148 66 66 188
62 3218 147 65 66 193
63 3229 146 64 66 197
64 3239 146 63 67 202
65 3250 145 63 67 207
66 3261 144 62 67 211
67 3271 143 61 67 216
68 3282 143 60 67 221
69 3292 142 60 67 225
70 3303 141 59 67 230

Credits:

Route de Solférino 40630 Sabres  FRANCE

Tél : +33 5 58 04 46 46    Fax : +33 5 58 04 46 47 infocom@sasso.fr   


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