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While chickens need a lot of carbs to meet their energy needs and make them put on weight, a high protein diet can help your indigenous chickens grow faster. Animal by-products are generally some of the best quality protein sources for your chickens. You can also supply them with some plant protein.
However, your chickens are not supposed to mature faster; don’t try to force it. Let them go through their natural cycle based on the chicken’s genetic potential. Early maturation for indigenous chickens can bring with it its own sets of complications such as prolapse and egg binding.
Proper feeding
Indigenous chickens are often left to their own devices to forage for their own food but small interventions in the feeding can make a huge difference. For example, instead of letting the chickens to fully forage on the pasture, you can supplement their diet with high quality formulated feed such as starter mash, growers mash, layers mash etc.
Vaccinate
While indigenous chickens are hardy, you should still vaccinate them against deadly diseases such as the Newcastle disease to boost their chances of surviving an outbreak. Follow the proper vaccination schedule as recommended by the agriculture ministry or your trusted local veterinarian.
Proper housing and biosecurity
Reduce losses due to temperature extremes, overcrowding or predation by building a proper chicken house that will comfortably accommodate your flock. You should also observe the highest standards when it comes to hygiene and sanitation.
Selective breeding or proper breed selection
Go for indigenous chickens with good characteristics such as early maturity, prolific layers and excellent resistance to disease. Bring outside cockerels often to prevent inbreeding. You can also do cockerel exchange programmes to reduce inbreeding which has an impact on the productivity of your chickens.
Provide enough water
Water is highly essential for the health and vitality of your chickens. Freshwater supply also has a positive impact on the feed intake. Make sure you provide enough drinkers in the poultry house to allow all chickens to drink comfortably without overcrowding or injuries.