Biosecurity and the Bird Keeper
By Rick Kleyn The term biosecurity, a relatively new word in our vocabulary, is not found in many dictionaries. It’s broad meaning is the literal safety of live things, or the freedom from care for live things. In this article, biosecurity will mean the protecting of...
Towards Better Feeding of Captive Birds
By Rick Kleyn, MSc (Agric), Nutritionist, Avi-Products (Pty) Ltd. As of professional nutritionist who has worked in intensive animal agriculture for many years, my involvement at Avi-Products has exposed to me a whole new way of thinking about what I do for a living....
The Use of Anti-biotic Growth Promoters in South Africa: Some Perspectives
By Rick Kleyn, SPESFEED (Pty) Ltd. Anti-Biotic Growth Promoters (AGP’s) are widely used in the South African poultry industry. Their use has already been disallowed in Europe and the USA and South Africa may well follow suite. AGP’s are a cost effective way to ensure...
Strategies for Managing Expensive Feed on Farm
By Rick Kleyn, SPESFEED (Pty) Ltd Introduction The recent increase in poultry feed prices has come about because of two main factors. Firstly, last years maize crop was perhaps smaller than anticipated and secondly our currency has fallen dramatically over those of...
Organic Poultry Products – Are They the Real Deal?
By Rick Kleyn, SPESFEED (Pty) Ltd The demand for organic poultry products will continue to grow, despite the fact that producing organic chicken is expensive both in monitory and environmental terms. All organic systems are by definition free-range systems as well....
Koi Food – Look Beyond the Label!
By Rick Kleyn (MSc Agric) – Animal Nutritionist I am a new member of the South African Koi Keepers Society and new to keeping Koi. I have just bought my first fish and put them into my new pond. What then to feed these beautiful creatures? There is a dazzling array of...
Feeding and the Modern Layer Pullet
By Rick Kleyn, SPESFEED (Pty) Ltd. Modern layer breeds are constantly changing through genetic selection and improvement. The principle aim of the primary breeding companies is to ensure that the birds sold to their clients are more efficient. From table 1, it can...
Feeding Baby Birds
By Rick Kleyn, Animal Nutritionist It is that time of the year where many small birds, mostly passerines, are found “abandoned” by their parents in streets and gardens all over the country. Out of their love for birds, people tend to bring these helpless...