Rick Archibald started visiting his family’s poultry farm at a young age with his dad but today he plays an important role in managing the establishment, Guy’s Family Farms .Incorporating all the knowledge he has learned over the past years into rearing chickens, Rick is a contributor to his family’s success, as their St. Andrew business, supplies poultry, eggs and even turkey to their markets. They sell at various locations – Grenville, St. George’s and at their home.
Archibald said he spends around 3 hours a day on his farm, as this venture allows him to be flexible.
“We have been doing this very long, so I see it as a sport or a hobby. I spend about three hours here, then I go to another job.”
Some of his routine tasks on the farm include feeding of chicks, washing the waterers, collecting and wiping eggs and general maintenance. One of his recommended practices for caring of birds is proper nutrition.
“We start with Broiler Starter; in the mid-term we use developer and continue feeding them until they start laying. We also incorporate a bit of Watergrass, as they are typically high in vitamins and minerals. We try to ensure that our chicks have a balanced diet and consume plenty of water.”
The young farmer says one of his biggest challenges is the Mongoose. ”There was this one time we had about 600 layers and we were down to about 75, 100 broilers and we were down to about 45; that’s how bad the Mongoose affects us. We, however, have learned to deal with this issue; we make traps and set them around the building.”
Another of the challenges encountered by this young farmer is accessing water. He admits that while a bit of Rainwater Harvesting has helped in water management, there are days that they may have to use the alternative by carrying water, especially in the dry season.
Rick encourages young persons interested in poultry production to start small, which allows for easier scaling up.
If you are interested in purchasing from Guy’s Poultry Farm, give them a call on :
- 473-409-9593
- 473-414-1090
- 473-414-5242
Things to note about Rick:
- He has been helping out on his farm from a very young age and currently manages the farm.
- He believes that proper nutrition is key for the management of poultry.
- He practices a bit of Rainwater Harvesting, incorporated with automatic waterers to ensure that the chickens always have access to water.
- He makes his own Mongoose traps to deal with the Pest.
AGRICULTURAL TIP-
Prepared by Troy Augustine
Agronomy Division, Ministry of Agriculture
Tanteen, St. George’s, Grenada
Edited by Chief Agronomist et al
Printed by the Agronomy Division, Ministry of Agriculture
May 2012
INTERCROPPING FOR TANNIAS
Tannia can be grown successfully as an under storey crop. It is therefore a good intercrop for fruit trees, banana, nutmeg and cocoa.
Tannia plants should be spaced 3 ft by 3 ft when used as an intercrop.
PLANTING DAYS – APRIL
15TH – 16TH
Poor days for planting, seeds tend to rot in ground
17th – 19th
Plant seedbeds and start flower gardens. Plant tomatoes, beans, peppers, corn, cotton, and other aboveground crops on these fruitful days.
20th – 23rd
Grub out weeds, briars, and other plant pests.
