Security of your fowl run

09 Jul, 2021 - 00:07 0 Views
Security of  your fowl run Poultry farmers ought to be alert for criminals are still cunning and vicious like ever before.

Suburban

Rearing of chicken, ducks, turkeys and other poultry is seemingly a ready solution to improved family diet and financial stability but it is not without its own challenges, one of which is lack of security.

Jeremiah Mudonha 

As thefts of poultry continue to escalate within and beyond our borders, it is important to take a moment to reflect on the security of our fowl runs which happen to be the very place where chickens are kept and reared. 

From the onset, you can agree with me that the internal and external security of the fowl run should determine the security of the poultry project.  

You are likely to find this article worthwhile especially now when many, both rural and urban folks are increasingly turning to poultry farming due to its inherent benefits yet with little or no knowledge on the project’s requirements. 

In Harare, the number of chickens to be kept at a residential property is regulated depending on the size of the property. If a person wishes to keep more chickens, they have to apply for a permit. 

Besides considering other equally pertinent issues in poultry farming such as feed, heat and general upkeep to name a few, security of the poultry against thefts is important.

In fact, security comes first.

Imagine the damning loss that you suffer or the pain you feel if, for example, your broiler chickens at maturity stage are stolen.

Thus, a secure fowl run is the solution to give you some peace of mind and a somewhat guaranteed success. 

In as much as there is a noticeable surge in numbers and kinds of criminals today, there is also an emerging trend of many strange and complex ways that thieves are using to gain entry into fowl runs. 

Anyway, the aim of this article is not to explore these novel modus operandi. 

The long and short of it all is that poultry farmers ought to be as diligent, alert and shrewd as possible for criminals are still cunning and vicious like ever before, if not more given the increased modern-day sophistication of technology. 

My open advice is that you keep on researching and developing foolproof ways of securing your endeared poultry projects.

Be more and more security-conscious. 

I am assuming that you have a standard, immovable fowl run with all the requisite properties such as doors, windows, walls and roofs.

Let’s quickly analyse it in its entirety, considering that any part of it can be a potential entry point for burglars.

To begin with, how safe is your fowl run door? 

Be informed that strong doors are deterrent to any would-be criminals.

No sane criminal dares to open strong metal or wooden doors.

Also take into account its frame, size and fittings.

Leave nothing to chance. 

Most importantly, the door lock should be undoubtedly of higher security. 

When buying locks, do not fall for cheap, breakable and easy to tamper with locks.

Instead, go for the best no matter the cost.

Remember, expensive is dear. 

It’s pointless to have strong doors yet with weak locks. 

Besides, what kind of windows have you used for your fowl run and how strong are they? 

All things being equal, windows should be of strong material and its openings should not be too big to prevent criminals from fishing out anything.

Burglar bars are also important.

Then, considering that there could be a possibility of fire outbreaks, detachable and lockable bars or screens are somehow ideal.   

Turning to the roof, walls and the general structure, I urge you not to leave unnecessary openings.  

I also challenge you to take a careful look around your fowl run. Make sure every part of it is made strong and burglar-proof. 

It’s not done yet.

What of the external security of the fowl run? 

If the poultry project is on corporate scale, hiring security guards to patrol around your fowl run would be commendable. 

In my other articles, I mentioned in detail how you can find best guards. 

For small domestic production, the question to contend with is how close is your fowl run to your living house?

If far away, consider increasing its security. 

A security fence in the form of barbed or electric wire around the fowl run can be the solution.

Guard dogs provide good external security as they fiercely roam around the fowl run.

Sensor lights are also an option.

Even flood lights on their own can at least do the trick by helping you to see the goings-on at your fowl run. 

Alarms on the structure are also a sure way to keep burglars away. 

Traditionally, guinea fowls and mountain rabbits (mbira) were used and are still a choice today because they make noise if intruders come. In conclusion, the security of your fowl run is largely dependent on how much you value it and what efforts you make towards it’s effectiveness.

However, no matter how much you try to ignore security, one day you will see its relevance.

Hence, I urge you to prioritize the security of your fowl run not only against break-ins but also against fires and predators among other potential threats.

Lastly, even if you have high quality security in force, you should always remain alert and ready to tackle any emerging security concerns because security is a process and not a once-off event.

For your views and comments, you can email [email protected]

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