This report summarizes the student's training experience at Amo Farms Sieberer Hatchery and Sersigwe Farms in Nigeria. It provides details on the operations and management of various sections of the farms, including the hatchery, parent stock sites, commercial laying and broiler sites, slaughterhouse, and feed mill. The student gained practical experience and knowledge in hatchery technology, poultry breeding, artificial insemination, egg and meat production, processing, and feed manufacturing. The report aims to document the student's learning during the industrial training placement.

1. LANDMARK UNIVERSITY, OMU – ARAN, KWARA STATE.
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
COMPREHENSIVE TECHNICAL REPORT
ON
STUDENT INDUSTRIAL WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME
(SIWES)
AT
AMO – FARMS SIEBERER HATCHERY
BY
AKPA Richard Idoko
MATRIC NO-10AC000102
400 LEVEL
SUBMITTED MAY, 2014

2. A TECHNICAL REPORT ON STUDENT INDUSTRIAL WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME
(SIWES) BY
AKPA Richard Idoko
With Matriculation number 10AC000102
A Report submitted to the College of Agricultural Science, Landmark University, Omu – Aran ,
Kwara State, Nigeria.
Submitted on May, 2014

3. CERTIFICATION
I hereby declare that this report was compiled by me and contains exactly the activities
undertaken by me during my SIWES training in Foresight Agro – allied industries. I also declare
that this report is original and authentic and has not been previously submitted elsewhere. All
citations and sources of information are clearly acknowledged by means of references.
Name Signature
_______ _____________________________ ______________________

4. DEDICATION
I Dedicate the completion of this Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) to GOD
ALMIGHTY, also to my parents MR AND MRS AKPA who helped me pursue my dream career
and all the lecturers who have helped me achieve this feat. I promise to revolutionize
Agriculture.

5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I wish to thank all the people who trained and guided me to the completion of this industrial
training. I’ll never forget my parents on how they guided and helped me to this level even all
through difficulties. They told me to pursue my dreams, also taught me about self reliance,
respect for one another and the wonderful feeling of trust for this I will forever be greatful.
I also want to thank the people I worked for and with at Amo Farms and Sersirgwe Farms
respectively. They really made my adaptation and fitting into farm work easy for me from the
time I arrived there, survival was in doubt every day but with sheer determination, team work
and a desire to learn I completed in goodwill. I will also like to acknowledge the various
Industrial Training students for the ideas we shared together and finally all lecturers attached to
the department of animal science specially and in general all lecturers in the college of Agric for
impacting knowledge into me GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

6. TABLE OF CONTENTS
COVER PAGE………………………………………………………………….. 1.
CERTIFICATION …………………………………………………………..…. 3
DEDICATION………………………………………………………………….. 4
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT………………...…………………………………… 5
TABLE OF CONTENT…………….………………………………………….. 6
LIST OF FIGURES…………………………………………………………….. 9
LIST OF TABLES………………………………………………………………. 10
SUMMARY……………………………………………………………………… 11
CHAPTER ONE………………………………………………………………… 12
1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.2 ATTACHMENT COMPANY’S BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
1.3 BRIEF HISTORY OF AMO FARMS AND SERSIGWE FARMS
1.3.1 OBJECTIVES OF AMO FARMS SIEBERER HATCHERY
1.3.2 ORGANOGRAM
1.4 OPERATIONS ON THE FARM
CHAPTER TWO…………………………………………………………………. 16
2.1 HATCHERY SECTION
2.2 PARENT STOCK BROILER REARING SITE
2.2.1 Brooding of day old chicks [parent stock]
2.2.2 Preparation of house before every batch

7. 2.2.3 One week prior the arrival of chicks
2.2.4 24hrs prior to the arrival of the chicks
2.2.5 On the arrival of the chicks
2.2.6 Monitoring and accessing the condition of the chicks
2.2.7 NUTRITION
2.2.8 WATER
2.2.9 VACCINATION AND MEDICATION
2.2.10 VENTILATION
2.2.11 DEBEAKING
2.2.12 BODY WEIGHT AND UNIFORMITY
2.3 PARENT STOCK BROILER SITE (ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION)
BREEDING
2.3.1 Daily management practice
2.3.2 Periodic management practices
2.4 ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION (A.I)
2.4.1 Why we do A.I at Amo farms sieberer hatchery
2.5 COMMERCIAL LAYING SITE (CLS)
2.6 COMMERCIAL BROILER REARING SITE (CBRS)
2.6.1 VENTILATION SYSTEM
2.6.2 LIGHTING SYSTEM
2.6.3 FEEDING AND DRINKING SYSTEM (FEEDERS AND NIPPLE LINE)

8. 2.6.4 VACCINATION PROGRAMME
2.7 SLAUGHTER HOUSE (NATNUDO FOODS)
2.7.1 RECEIVING AND HANDLING DEPARTMENT
2.7.2 SLAUGHTERING ROOM
2.7.3 PACKAGING SECTION
2.8 FEED MILL SECTION (AMO – BXNG 50 & 100 KG)
2.9 LAYING SITE (SERSIGWE FARMS)
CHAPTER THREE…………………………………………………............... 36
3.1 PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCES ACQUIRED AND ALSO
CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED.
3.1.1 HATCHERY
3.1.2 PARENT STOCK BROILER REARING SITE (PSBRS)
3.1.3 PARENT STOCK BROILER SITE
3.1.4 COMMERCIAL LAYING SITE
3.1.5 COMMERCIAL BROILER REARING SITE
3.1.6 SLAUGHTER HOUSE (PROCESSING SITE)
3.1.7 FEED MILL UNIT
CHAPTER FOUR…………………………………………………………. …….41
4.1 CONCLUSION
4.2 RECOMMENDATIONS
4.3 REFERENCES

9. LIST OF FIGURES
FIG 1: CANDLING PROCESS……………………………………………….. 18
FIG 2: HATCHING PROCESS………………………………………………… 19
FIG 3: VACCINATION [SUBCUTANOUS]……………………………………19
FIG 4: VACCINATION PROCESS………………………………………………22
FIG 5: DEBEAKER………………………………………………………………. 23
FIG 6: COLLECTION OF SEMEN………………………………………………..26
FIG 7: INSEMINATION PROCESS………………………………………………27
FIG 8: EXTERIOR VIEW AGRO-LOGIC HOUSING SYSTEM…………………29
FIG 9: INTERIOR VIEW AGROLOGIC HOUSING SYSTEM…………………..30
FIG 10: RECEIVING AND HANGING SECTION SHOWING SHACKLE CHAIN………31
FIG 11: EVISCERATION SECTION……………………………………………………32

10. SUMMARY
This report covers the extent of training undergone by me (Akpa Idoko Richard) at Amo farms
siberer hatchery and Sersirgwe farms, located at awe, Ibadan Oyo state and Auta balefi
Nassarawa state. A thorough review is given on poultry management in its entirety ranging from
incubation/hatching of the eggs, to the raising of the hatched chicks at the farm, production of
feeds for the birds. It simply contains the major part of all work done at the farm.
An exposition is given on the general processes involved at the hatchery for poultry (hatchery
technology).
Consequently, no mention is made of any such activities which I was not involved in especially
sections I was not privileged to visit during my stay at Amo Farms sieberer hatchery and
Sersirgwe farms.

11. CHAPTER ONE
1.1 INTRODUCTION
The industrial training program fulfills part of the requirement in pursuing the degree of
Bachelor of Agriculture (Animal Science) in Landmark University. This report serves to
summarize the activities and experiences I gained in Amo-Farms and Sersirgwe Farms in Oyo
and Nassarawa states respectively. It allowed me an opportunity to have a field experience of
what I have been taught in classroom and prepare me for the future.
The students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is a skill Training programme
designed to expose and prepare students of Agriculture, Engineering, Technology,
Environmental, Science, Medical Sciences and pure and applied sciences for the Industrial work
situation which they likely to meet after graduation. Duration of SIWES is four months in
Polytechnics at the end of NDI, four months in College of Education at the end of NCE II and six

12. months in the Universities at the end of 300 or 400 or 500 levels depending on the discipline
(Information and Guideline for SIWES, 2002).
Aims and Objectives of SIWES
The objectives of SIWES among others includes to:-
· Provide an avenue for students in institutions of higher learning to acquire industrial skills and
experience in their approved course of study.
· Prepare students for the industrial works situation which they are likely to meet after
graduation.
· Expose students to work methods and techniques in handling equipment and machinery not
available in their institutions.
· Provide students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge in real work situation thereby
bridging the gap between theories and practices.
Bodies Involved in the Management of SIWES:
The bodies involved are: Federal Government, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Other Supervising
Agencies are: National University Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education
(NBTE), & National Council for Colleges of Education (NCCE).
The functions of these agencies above include among others to:
· Ensure adequate funding of the scheme;
· Establish SIWES and accredit SIWES unit in the approved institutions;
· Formulate policies ad guideline for participating bodies and institutions as well as appointing
SIWES coordinators and supporting staff;
· Supervise students at their places of attachment and sign their log-book and ITF Forms;
· Vet and process student’s log-books and forward same to ITF Area office;
· Ensure payment of Allowances for the students and supervisors.
Therefore the success or otherwise of the SIWES depends on the efficiency of the Ministries,
ITF, Institutions, Employers of labor and the general public involved in articulation and
management of the program. Thus the evaluation of SIWES in tertiary institutions in meeting up
with the needs for the establishment of the program is necessary.
1.2 ATTACHMENT COMPANY’S BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Amo Farms Sieberer Hatchery along Ife-odan road, Awe, Oyo state, Nigeria. Sersigwe Farms km
22, along Keffi Abuja express way Auta -balefi, Nassarawa state.
1.3 BRIEF HISTORY OF AMO FARMS AND SERSIGWE FARMS

13. Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery, Oyo state which was formerly known as sandals started in
2003 and has been a major force in poultry business, though it was involved in fishery at a point
but didn’t keep up with it. Amo farms produces up to standard day old chicks (Broilers, pullet,
and cockerels) and table eggs (natnudo eggs). It also has its own parent stock broiler site where
artificial insemination is done to produce fertile (hatchable) eggs. It also has a slaughter house
where birds are processed for sale. There is also a commercial laying site where table eggs are
produced. There is also a feed mill where poultry feeds and concentrate are being produced
known as Amo-Byng another entity but same owner.
Sersirgwe farms on the other hand is an integrated farm which combines crop production
and poultry business such as the production of water melon, vegetables, quail farming, rabbit
farming and feed mill. Sersigwe farm is well known because of its rapid rise especially in the
poultry industry only just starting in 2010.
1.3.1 OBJECTIVES OF AMO FARMS SIEBERER HATCHERY
1. To be a leading poultry company in Nigeria, operating at international standard in order
to provide excellent healthy and nutritious poultry products.
2. To operate modern and mechanized integrated poultry company that will consistently
provide the best quality products available in Nigeria.
3. To be among the top three companies in the market for all our products.
4. To constantly strive to improve relentlessly.
5. Cutting waste to achievable profitable growth.
6. To minimize rate of unemployment among youths.
7. To respond to customers within twenty – four hours.
1.3.2 ORGANOGRAM
1.4 OPERATIONS ON THE FARM

14. During my stay at Amo farms Sieberer Hatchery (18 weeks) and Sersigwe farms (3 weeks) I
gained practical knowledge in the following sections:
1. Hatchery (AFSH)
2. Parent stock Broiler rearing site (PSBRS)
3. Parent stock Broiler site (Artificial insemination site)
4. Commercial laying site (Table size eggs)
5. Commercial broiler rearing site
6. Slaughter house/ processing plant
7. Feed mill section
8. Laying site (Table size eggs at Sersirgwe farms)
 HATCHERY: This section involves in the incubating and the hatching of the fertile eggs
with the use of incubators (setters and hatchers). The main aim of this section is to produce
healthy day old chicks for customers, prior to incubation and hatching the fertile eggs pass
through different sub – sections in the hatchery.
 PARENT STOCK BROILER REARING SITE: This section is involved in the care
and management (brooding) of chicks (parent stock) from day old to about 4 – 5 weeks of age
when they are moved to the growers houses (still in the same site) till they reach point of lay at
18 weeks and they are moved to their various site. Birds here include broiler (Aboacre breed)
and pullet (Isabrown breed).
 PARENT STOCK BROILER SITE: This section is involved in artificial insemination
which is done by collecting semen from cocks and inseminating the semen into the hen with
the use of a semen injector. The main aim of artificial insemination in this section is to produce
fertile eggs. Only one breed of broiler is kept here for artificial insemination that is the Aboacre
breed.

15.  COMMERCIAL LAYING SITE: The commercial laying site is the site where table
size eggs are produced for sale, the capacity of the entire laying site is 100,000 and only one
breed of pullet is kept for laying which is the ISA BROWN.
 COMMERCIAL BROILER REARING SITE: This site is where birds (broilers) are
being raised from day old to 5 weeks for consumption and the birds raised are transferred to the
slaughter house for processing. The provision of feed, water, ventilation, heat is automated (i.e.
done automatically using a central processing unit CPU). The things done at this site is
vaccination and removal of dead birds using human strength.
 SLAUGHTER HOUSE: This site is the processing section for birds reared at the CBRS
for consumption here also the processing procedures here is automated. Birds follow different
sub – sections before being stored finally.
 FEED MILL UNIT (AMO – BYNG): The feed mill is the power house of the farm and
here feed are being produced for sale and for Amo farms. Also concentrates are produced here
for sale. Feeds produced here are done with the use of machines. Full – fat soya is produced
here.
 LAYING SITE: This site is where pullets at point of lay are kept for the production of
table size eggs and the main aim of this site is to produce eggs for sale. The breed of birds kept
here is the ISA BROWN LAYER.

16. CHAPTER TWO
2.1 HATCHERY SECTION
This section is involved in the collection of eggs in batch from the farm and then these eggs
follow through some sub-sections before being put through incubation (keeping of fertile eggs in
a favourable condition that encourages embryo growth). The eggs pass through the setters and
hatchers, in the setters they spend 18 days before they pass through the candling process and are
moved into the hatchers where they hatch after 3 days. Then the day old chicks are vaccinated
and then boxed (placing them into cartons) and then sold immediately.
The various sub-sections include:
 EGG GRADING ROOM: Eggs brought from the parent stock site are sorted to remove
cracked eggs, broken eggs, shelless eggs and deformed eggs. Good quality eggs are oval in shape
and when eggs are being graded. The crates which they were brought in from the farm is
changed, new crates are used during grading. After this, the eggs are carried to the fumigation
room.
 FUMIGATION ROOM: Eggs from the grading room are fumigated to reduce the
microbial load on the eggs brought in from the farm and the fumigant used is potassium
permanganate and formalin mixed together to give formaldehyde gas. The door of the fumigation
room is locked and left for a while before they are removed and moved to the cold room.

17.  COLD ROOM: Eggs brought into the cold room from the fumigation room are kept here
to stop embryo development prior to when the eggs are moved to the setter incubators. Eggs kept
in the cold room are kept at a degree of 16 – 180
c and eggs are not kept here for more than seven
days because the hatchability percentage drops. Pre-warming is done to make the temperature of
the eggs to be normal room temperature and also cools eggs cause the incubator to work for a
longer time.
After seven days when eggs are set to be moved into the setter incubator, they are carried back to
the grading room where with the aid of an egg lifter, eggs are graded into the hatching tray then
placed on the trolley. Eggs on the setter tray are 150 in number and the trolley can carry 32 trays.
Eggs on the trolleys are then moved into the setter room.
 SETTER ROOM: The setter room is the room which houses the setter incubators and in
Amo – Farms Sieberer hatchery we have three types of setters which are: The Emka (Belgium),
Ramaa (India) and the Petersime. Here egg spends 18 days out of their 21 days incubation period
and during their stay in the setter incubator different observations must be carried out like
checking the temperature and humidity and making sure they are at their optimum for good
embryo development. For the temperature it is 99.5 – 99.8 for good embryo development and the
humidity is kept at this range to check the moisture level and if the optimal humidity of the setter
incubator is above optimal requirement, there is a ventilation vent at the ear end of the setter
incubator which is slightly opened to drop moisture level in the incubator and if the temperature
of the incubator is getting above the required range. There are two temperature switches which
are provided above the setter incubator (The primary heater and the secondary heater), the
secondary heater is switched off and monitored until the temperature drops down to the optimum
range, and if the temperature drops below optimum, both switch are left on and observed until it
reaches optimum then the secondary heater is switched off.
Also eggs must be turned hourly and it is done automatically by the setter incubator and for those
which turning devices are spoilt, it is done manually hourly in order to prevent developing
embryo attaching to one part of the egg which might create complication during hatching and
also allow the egg as a whole being heated. The temperature and the humidity of the setter
incubator are checked on a glass thermometer provided. The setter incubators are cleaned every

18. morning (sweeping). This is a process/ set of procedures that goes on for 18 days until they are
brought out and carried to the candling room.
 CANDLING ROOM: Candling is a process which involves the separating of fertile eggs
and infertile eggs. This is done using a candling box, where ray of light is attached to and the
eggs on the setter tray are put on the candling box, the ray of light passes through the eggs, the
complete transparent ones are candled out i.e. they don’t show sign of embryo development ,
while the opaque ones show sign of embryo development (fertile). Then after candling process
must have been done, the eggs are gently turned into already line hatching basket (150 eggs/
basket). They are then moved to the Hatcher.
FIG 1: CANDLING PROCESS
 HATCHING ROOM: Eggs brought here spend the last three days of their incubation
period. On the third day, they hatch and are brought out of the Hatcher. The day old chicks are
then sorted (removal of weak chicks). The eggs unhatched are removed and the healthy chicks
are placed in newspaper wind basket. Sexing is done, this involves the separation of the cockerel
from the pullets, and cockerels are usually white in colour while the pullet is brown in colour.

19. Broiler has no problem during sexing because new eggs are bigger and whiter in colour than
those of the pullets so they are not hatched in the same baskets / Hatcher. After all these must
have been done, birds are moved to the vaccination room where they are given marek vaccine
then packaged into boxes for already waiting customers.
FIG 2: HATCHING PROCESS
 VACCINATION: The day old chicks that have just been hatched are vaccinated against
marek and the administration route of this vaccine is sub-cutaneously.
FIG 3: VACCINATION [SUBCUTANOUS]

20. 2.2 PARENT STOCK BROILER REARING SITE:
2.2.1 Brooding of day old chicks [parent stock]: Brooding is an important and skillful part of
a poultry management. It is also the crucial, critical, and decisive period in a chick’s life. This
determines the/is the base for the production of a good pullet to be equipped with the genetic
potential of 360eggs in her life time of 80weeks. It is also noticed that the bad management or
mistake made during this period cannot be corrected later on.
The brooding period is also an important period in which all the systems of the
chicks are in their developing stage. The immune system is immature and unable to fight against
diseases, the digestive system is undergoing enormous anatomical and physiological changes,
and the feathering system is not perfect, thermoregulatory system generally matures at 12-14days
under normal condition i.e. the system in which the chicks can regulate its body temperature. So
therefore under good and well managed brooding system the genetic potential of the birds, in
terms of maximum egg production and livability can be achieved. At amo farms sieberer
hatchery it is practiced under intensive system of cage brooding.
2.2.2 Preparation of house before every batch
The following were done before arrival of new batches:
 There was a clear gap of 3 weeks after the liquidation of the previous batch.
 Removal of all litters and scraped the floor off the caked litters.
 Cob-webs at the roof were cleared.
 The floor was cleaned with water.
 Caustic soda was sprinkled on the floor.
 The roof was washed using a pressure washer.
 The surroundings of the house/pen were cleared of the grass and vegetation.
2.2.3 One week prior the arrival of chicks
 We ensured there was no reminant of litters and feathers in and around the pen.

21.  The curtains were fixed.
 Necessary arrangement for heating of the pen was made available.
 The cages were set and were placed in good conditions.
 The pen was sprayed with disinfectants.
2.2.4 24hrs prior to the arrival of the chicks
Cardboards were laid in the cage, to prevent their legs from hanging in between the cage and
also for the efficiency of feed.
 The feeders were arranged.
 The water and electrical connections were made to be intact.
 Prolidene was sprayed all over the interior of the shed and over the equipment and
surroundings.
 Feed crumbles were spread slightly on the cardboard.
2.2.5 On the arrival of the chicks
 The boxes were opened and we ensured all chicks were alive and active.
 The chick’s beaks were dipped in medicated water before releasing [infectious
bronchitis].
 The heating system was on before they were released.
2.2.6 Monitoring and accessing the condition of the chicks
It is very important to monitor the condition in the brooding room. The behaviour,
position, noise, feeding and drinking activities of the chicks were closely monitored. It
was noticed that after adequate house temperature was obtained and the chicks were well
managed, they were not huddling together or just sitting. To get the accessibility to feed

22. and water, a random sampling was done to 100 birds after 8 hours of arrival of the chicks,
their crops were gently palpated.
2.2.7 NUTRITION
Issues were raised concerning the type and nutrient content of feed giving to the day old
chicks and it was addressed by the site based supervisor that since the birds are just undergoing
a lot of physiological and anatomical changes, feed given to them should be palatable, easily
digestible, balanced and free of pathogens and toxins. He also stated that higher level of non-
starch polysaccharides materials should not be included or in little proportion to their feed
because they are responsible for poor digestion and wet litter, he adviced that crumble feeds are
better for the first 6-7 weeks of their life time.
N.B: crumble feeds is a sterilized feed with all essential nutrients. This day old chicks are started
with a broiler breeder crumbles which runs all through the first 6 weeks of their life time.
2.2.8 WATER
As water is known to be the most important factor in every living thing, generally it
was discussed and noticed that chicks consumes water which doubles that of feed, it primarily
transport all nutrients in the body, it cools the bird by evaporating through the lungs and air sac
and it also helps in certain digestive processes which is also an important part of the blood and
lymph. It was ensured that water given to them was free from microbes to prevent carrying
infection to the chicks and also for better performance and best profitability.
2.2.9 VACCINATION AND MEDICATION
Vaccination is done to protect the birds against diseases while medication is done to
prevent birds from bacterial and fungal diseases and also for anti-stress. During the brooding
period on this site the vaccination and medication procedure were duly followed according to the
farm vaccination and medication programme.

23. FIG 4: VACCINATION PROCESS
2.2.10 VENTILATION
It was noticed that ventilation during this period was very much important because
it’s main objectives are:
 Good air quality.
 Uniform shed temperature
 Good litter conditions.
 Removal of moisture.
 Conservation of heat.
It was ensured that the level of carbondioxide in the house was within acceptable range.
2.2.11 DEBEAKING
Debeaking is the act of trimming the beak of the chicks to ensure low mortality,
less feather pulling and better feed conversion. This debeaking practice was carried out when the
birds were just exactly at 5 days of age. The beaks were trimmed 2mm from the nostril using an
electric debeaker under extreme temperature, multivitamin and anti-biotic was then administered,
this is to reduce the stress level of the birds.

24. Advantages of debeaking:
o It helps to prevent feather picking and cannibalism.
o It improves the efficiency of the feed.
o It reduces nervousness
FIG 5: DEBEAKER
2.2.12 BODY WEIGHT AND UNIFORMITY
The body weight of the birds is taken always on the same day of the week and at the
same place, at the same time of the day usually in the afternoon. Question was raised why it is
done like that, the question was addressed by the supervisor giving reason being that the birds
are heavier in the morning due to feed and water consumption ,so by not weighing the same time
of the day one cannot compare the weights with the figure of previous weighing. A random
sampling of 100 birds was weighed to monitor the average weight and to maintain uniformity.
2.3 PARENT STOCK BROILER SITE (ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION)
BREEDING:
The parent stock broiler site is a site basically for artificial insemination of broiler birds
(Abor-acre) for the production of fertile (hatchable eggs to produce healthy day old chicks).
Artificial insemination involves the collection of semen from cocks (Broilers) and introducing
the semen into the reproductive tract [oviduct] of the hen (Broilers).The breeding house is an
intensive elevated house battery cage system where the litter is cleaned only once in a year

25. (December). The broiler parent stock such as the Abor-acre breed was raised on battery cage
system which makes it easy for the care of fertile eggs and also the broiler house were equipped
with ventilators to minimize the pen temperature.
2.3.1 Daily management practice
 Picking and cleaning of eggs.
 Provision of fresh feed for the birds.
 Provision of good drinking water through the nipple system.
 Removal of dead birds.
 Proper care and management of fertile eggs, by placing broad end of the egg
upwards because the broad end has a space to allow air enter into the egg,
thereby aiding embryo development.
 Sweeping of the breeding house.
 Renewal of foot-dip with disinfectant like prolidene, neodine
 Artificial insemination
2.3.2 Periodic management practices
 Medication.
 Weighing of the birds and eggs.
2.4 ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION (A.I)
Artificial insemination for chickens involves the collection of semen from cocks by gentle
massage of the cock testes and the insemination of semen into the reproductive tract of the hen.
2.4.1 Why we do A.I at Amo farms sieberer hatchery
o Artificial insemination ensures better conception than natural or normal mating.
o It provides the elimination of preferential mating.

26. o It brings about hatchable eggs.
o It ensures clean hatching.
o It guarantees healthy chicks.
o There is very low risk of early chick mortality.
o There is excellent feed conversion and weight gain in broilers and layers.
o Early onset of egg production.
o Uniform and persistent peak production.
o There is more profit and less stress.
Semen collection: from cocks
For this operation two people are needed, one for holding and collecting the semen
(holder) and the other (operator) to stimulate the control flow of semen. The holder rests the male
bird’s keel on the palm of his right hand in a horizontal position so that the head is between the
holder’s side and elbow, the bird’s legs being free to move. It is important to hold the bird
loosely to gain the desired result. The holder’s left hand is used to collect the semen. The
operator holds the rooster’s leg loose but firmly in his right hand and strokes the back of the bird
from neck to tail with his left hand. The stroke is firm but not tight and the fingers and thumb
follow the lateral contours of the body. After a few stokes the male organ swells protrudes
outwards and downwards. The white semen will be seen in the central furrow of the organ. The
semen is milked down by firm finger pressure either side of the vent into the semen collector
cup.

27. FIG 6: COLLECTION OF SEMEN
Insemination of the hen : The hen is held by the left hand being placed over the bird back
forced against the holder’s body, the head pointing to the ground. The right hand is placed over
the vent so the thumb is above and forefinger below the vent. A sudden pressure exerted around
the breast area and at the same time using the thumb and forefinger to spread apart the cloaca
resulting in the turning of the cloaca inside out. Then the vagina protrudes and the semen injector
is used to introduce the semen into the hen.

28. FIG 7: INSEMINATION PROCESS
2.5 COMMERCIAL LAYING SITE (CLS)
The commercial laying site is the site that is engaged in the task of the production of table
size eggs. The breed of pullet in this section is the ISA BROWN (International selection for
Africa). These pullets are brought into this site at point of lay (18 weeks) from the parent stock
broiler rearing site. In the commercial laying site the picking of egg is done using an automatic
egg picker which moves eggs with the aid of a conveyor belt from the battery cage system. A
1200 crates of eggs are picked daily. Also for the feeding of the birds (Isa brown) which is done
twice daily (morning and evening) is done with the aid of an automatic feeder and after feeding
is done spreading is done to create a balance of feed in the feeding trough using sticks. Also the
provision of good drinking water is ensured through the nipple line system.
Also different records are kept like
Hen day production percentage (%) record=
Total no of eggs (at day)/Total no. of hens (at day) X 100
No. of eggs per Hen housed (H.H)=

29. Cumulative No. of eggs produced/ No. of birds housed (at 18 weeks)
2.6 COMMERCIAL BROILER REARING SITE (CBRS)
The commercial broiler rearing site where broiler birds (Aboracre breed) are been reared
for the slaughter house is an agrologic site (turnkey project) whereby the feeding of the birds and
the provision of drinking water for the birds are both automated. The only thing done by humans
is the vaccination programme. There is a control room which houses a central processing unit
(CPU) and a keyboard. The central processing unit consist of a ventilation system, heating
system, cooling system, feeding and watering system and the lighting system. The heater works
from day old until the birds can heat themselves. The brooding temperature from 32 – 32.50
c
from day one.
2.6.1 VENTILATION SYSTEM
The ventilation system consists of the small vent and the big vent. The big vent starts to
work when the birds get to a certain age, while the small vent works on a duty cycle. The small
vent have dampers on them which serve to bring in fresh air while the small vent itself takes out
heat and gas build up in the house. The big vent sucks air through the cooling to bring maximum
air into the house. The heating system regulates automatically when the weather is hot/cold.
2.6.2 LIGHTING SYSTEM
The birds in the commercial broiler rearing site are subjected to dark period so that they
can get adapted to heat. When the birds are matured enough for slaughter the lights are switched
off for easy catching because the birds will be still. Blue and green bulbs are used for the rearing
house because test have shown that during the first ten days of the broiler raising period, green
light using the proper light spectrum stimulates growth, but blue light spectrum has proven most
effective for growth stimulation.
2.6.3 FEEDING AND DRINKING SYSTEM (FEEDERS AND NIPPLE LINE)

30. Feed is loaded into the silo which then transfers into the oppa where it stores and with the
use of the sensor at the downward side of the feeder it signals to the CPU when feed is needed
and it activates transfer of feed from the oppa via the auger.
Water is conveyed from the reservoir and it is activated by the central processing unit
which in turns sends it through the nipple line throughout the rearing house.
2.6.4 VACCINATION PROGRAMME
Newcastle vaccination using Lasota strain was done orally and gumboro vaccination
was done also and the administrative route orally.
FIG 8: EXTERIOR VIEW AGRO-LOGIC HOUSING SYSTEM

31. FIG 9: INTERIOR VIEW AGROLOGIC HOUSING SYSTEM
2.7 SLAUGHTER HOUSE (NATNUDO FOODS)
The slaughter house is the processing site for broiler birds for sale. The site is a turnkey
project, everything is automated, but the site comprises of different sub – sections where
different activities take place in the production chain.
2.7.1 RECEIVING AND HANDLING DEPARTMENT
Birds are kept in the receiving and hanging department a day before production (i.e. the
evening before production). The receiving and hanging department houses the shackle
chains on which the birds are attached to and passed through to the stunner.

32. FIG 10: RECEIVING AND HANGING SECTION SHOWING SHACKLE CHAIN
2.7.2 SLAUGHTERING ROOM
Electric stunner/ killer section:
Birds are passed through the electric stunner for electrocution which makes the birds
unconscious and it increases their heart beat so that when they are cut it allows for the
free flow of blood and after electrocution the birds are cut by someone using a sharp
knife. After this the shackle chain carries the birds into the scalding tank.
Scalding Tank/ Defeathering machine
The birds are moved into the scalding tank to add easy plucking of feather and the
temperature of the scalding tank is 58 – 59.50
c. After they are removed from the scalding
tank they are moved into a defeathering machine to defeather the birds (removal of
birds). There is also a bird counter with a red light that counts the number of birds that

33. passes. A head puller removes the head and hock cutter cuts the leg; after all these are
done the bird is then passed into the evisceration department.
Evisceration department
When the birds drop from the hock removal and is re – hanged by someone, a vent cutter
is used to create a small opening and an evisceration fork is used to remove the visceral
and the visceral are then passed to the evisceration belt and the visceral are picked up and
placed in a basket. The birds pass into the screw chiller which is filled with cool water to
reduce the temperature of the bird and it has two compartments (dirty and clean water
compartments) and it takes ten minutes to leave the machine and it passes to the dropping
machine which removes excess water which removes excess water and then it moves into
the Packaging room.
FIG 11: EVISCERATION SECTION

34. 2.7.3 PACKAGING SECTION
The birds pass into a parking hole then moves into the sealing hole where it is sealed by a
polycap seal, then it is arranged on the transfer trays then unto the trolley. Thereafter into
the chiller room to cool it for some hours then it is moved into the blast freezer (- 300
c) to
freeze it till the next day and it is re – weighed and packed into sacs (15/sac) and sent into
the cold room (- 200
c). The capacity of the cold room in our farm was 100 tonnes.
2.8 FEED MILL SECTION (AMO – BXNG 50 & 100 KG)
The feed mill is the power house of the farm; it is involved in the production of feed for Amo
farms and for sale. It is an automated feed mill. There are two earthen bins where ingredients are
poured. The first earthen bin allows for the passage of light materials that cannot be crushed e.g.
limestone, wheat offal and other calcium sources while the second earthen bin allows for
crushable ingredients. Examples include maize, soybean meal, full fat soya etc. After the feed is
grind to in the crusher. All ingredients from the earthen bins move via the individual elevator to
the mixer, where the ingredients are mixed together. After mixing additives are measured in
different proportions based on the type of feed being produced. Examples of additives added to
the mixer are “Furadan” or “Oxytocin”, chlorine chloride, Antitox (use to replace synthetic
vitamin E), Phytocee (to replace synthetic vitamin C), industrial salt and Di – calcium phosphate.
There is also a pelletizing machine which is used to produce pelletized feeds (small,
rounded compressed mass of a substance) which is used specially within a short period of time
which helps in saving money. Feeds are produced in the ration of 25kg for sale and 50 kg for
Amo farms.
Feeds produced in Amo farms Sieberer Hatchery:
1. Chicks mash
2. Grower mash
3. Pre – layer mash

35. 4. Broiler starter
5. Concentrate.
2.9 LAYING SITE (SERSIGWE FARMS)
Laying site where birds (Isa brown) are brought in at point of lay to produce table size eggs. The
capacity of the laying pen was 5,000 birds and I was involved in the picking of eggs, cleaning of
the eggs, sweeping of the pen, serving of feed, spreading of feed, removal of dead birds and
movement of eggs into the store house Also for the feeding of the birds (Isa brown) which is
done twice daily (morning and evening) is done with the aid of an automatic feeder and after
feeding is done spreading is done to create a balance of feed in the feeding trough using sticks.
Also the provision of good drinking water is ensured through the nipple line system.
Also different records are kept like
Hen day production percentage (%) record=
Total no of eggs (at day) /Total no. of hens (at day) X 100
No. of eggs per Hen housed (H.H)=
Cumulative No. of eggs produced/ No. of birds housed (at 18 weeks)

36. CHAPTER THREE
3.1 PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCES ACQUIRED AND ALSO
CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED.
3.1.1 HATCHERY
Practical knowledge and experiences acquired:
 I acquired knowledge and gained experience of all hatchery operations which involves
the sorting/grading of eggs, the candling process, proper use of setter incubators and also
adequate maintenance of the Hatcher. I also gained experience on sexing of birds.
 I acquired knowledge and gained experience in the area of vaccination, I learnt how to
vaccinate day old chicks subcutaneously (administration route) in the hatchery, I also
acquired knowledge of biosecurity practices.
Challenges encountered:
 I had a challenge with the setter incubators egg turning device which made work more
stressful and cumbersome.
 Language barrier was also a challenge I encountered.
 Tardiness of workers to work was yet another challenge I was faced with.
3.1.2 PARENT STOCK BROILER REARING SITE (PSBRS)
Practical knowledge and experiences acquired:
I acquired knowledge on brooding operations which ranges from the provision of supplementary
heat for young chicks, provision of food and good drinking water. I also acquired knowledge of
biosecurity practices which ranges from provision of farm clothes to the changing of foot dip
and the spray of vehicles coming into the farm to prevent introduction of disease into the farm. I
also acquired knowledge in effective vaccination for each of the disease prevalent in my
environment and also learnt about the strains of the vaccines and the administration routes to

37. which the vaccine are disposed in the body of the birds. I can now brood and grow day old
chicks (broilers and pullets) until point of lay.
Challenges encountered in parent stock broiler rearing site
 Flooded litter in the brooding house.
 Small work force which makes work cumbersome.
 Language barrier- I could hardly communicate with the workers.
3.1.3 PARENT STOCK BROILER SITE
Practical knowledge and experiences acquired:
 I acquired practical knowledge and gained experience in Artifical insemination, I can
collect semen from cocks perfectly and also I can inseminate semen into hens.
 I also gained knowledge and experience in the proper care and management of fertile
eggs( hatchable eggs)
 I also gained experience and knowledge in the analysis of feed consumption, egg
production, mortality records for signs of problems. I also gained knowledge about the
care of the breeding house.
Challenges encountered in parent stock broiler site:
 Small work force which led to mischievous doings of workers for example the use of
viju milk as semen in artificial insemination.
 Low production of semen by some cocks due to poor feeding i.e feed is not supplied
adequately.
 Communication was still a challenge because of the language difference, it was very
hard to relate with the workers.
3.1.4 COMMERCIAL LAYING SITE

38. Practical knowledge and experienced acquired:
 I acquired practical knowledge and experience in the production of egg and also the
feeding of birds.
 I also gained experience in the care of the laying site which involves cleaning of the pen
and the surrounding environment.
 I gained experience and acquired knowledge in the importance of record taking which
involves record of mortality and egg production rate.
“I CAN NOW OWN AND MANAGE A LAYING SITE”
Challenges encountered in the commercial laying site:
 Work force was small which made the activities (picking of eggs) in the laying house
very difficult and stressful.
 Language barrier: communication and relationship with casual workers was blurred due
to the language difference.
 Poor hygiene of the laying pen environment. The litter of the elevated laying building
was scattered around the laying site.
3.1.5 COMMERCIAL BROILER REARING SITE
Practical knowledge and experience acquired:
 I acquired practical knowledge and experience in the operation of the central processing
unit and keyboard in the automated rearing house.
 I also acquired practical knowledge in the preparation of the rearing house before the
arrival of day old chicks.
 I gained experience in the new technology of rearing birds for slaughter which entails
automated feeding, supply of water, ventilation system.
Challenges encountered in commercial broiler rearing site:

39.  Silo problem: The silo was constantly stuck with moist feed which caused delay in the
availability of feed to the birds.
 Poor feed sensor: The sensor had issues which actually lead to delay in feed availability.
 New technology for rearing poultry birds is too expensive.
3.1.6 SLAUGHTER HOUSE (PROCESSING SITE)
Practical knowledge and experience acquired:
 I gained practical knowledge and experience in the area of bird processing using
automated machines in the production chain for final consumption.
 I also gained experience in the processing of birds in to Whole chicken, portioned
chicken and economic parts.
 I gained experience in particular to a new technology of processing poultry birds
(broilers) which makes work easier and faster.
Challenges encountered in slaughter house:
 Laziness of workers to stay in sub- units they are attached to due to difficulty of work for
example some workers were posted to remove birds from the cold room but because of
the freezing temperature (35 degree centigrade) they refused pushing the work on us
industrial training students.
 Poor attitude from casual workers in relating with industrial training students.
 Language barrier.
 New technology for processing birds is too expensive.
3.1.7 FEED MILL UNIT
Practical knowledge and experience acquired:

40. With all sincerity and truthfulness the feed mill unit wasn’t a place where too much experience
was gained although I gained practical knowledge in the production of feed (not in depth) and I
experienced the production chain, the bagging and finally the weighing of sold products.
Challenges encountered in the feed mill unit
 Poor willingness of supervisors to teach industrial training students.
 There was preferential treatment in the case that some industrial training students were
carried to the control room and taught the process and way of controlling the feed mill
machines but us industrial training students from Landmark University were left in the
dark.
 The technology of feed production (amo byng) used is too expensive.

41. CHAPTER 4
4.1 CONCLUSION
My siwes was a very successful one; I had an insight of the agricultural world, I have now
known the power of agriculture. With the knowledge I gained about farm operations, I will be
able to setup a farm and manage it and be an employer of labour. SIWES as a course has truly
exposed me to the challenges faced in the world like poverty that is dependent on Agriculture. I
thank GOD for experiences amassed during the SIWES Programme.
4.2 RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the experiences amassed at AMO FARMS SIEBERER HATCHERY AND
SERSIRGWE FARMS, I therefore make the following recommendations:
 The SIWES program as it were should be improved on, as many students could not get a
placement on time; if the school and the ITF could be responsible for the placement of the
students, it will make the programme more effective.
 Better salary package should be arranged for industrial training students as incentive in
keeping their interest in the siwes programme in other to achieve the objective of the
programme.
 The companies or organizations where students are posted should ensure students work in
places relevant to their course of study.
 Regular visits should be paid to industrial training students at their place of attachment by
their various institutions.
4.3 REFERENCES
• AMO FARMS SIEBERER HATCHERY LIMITED(AFSH) “A PRACTICAL
GUIDE FOR POULTRY MANAGEMENT”