Taonga Farms

17/05/2026

Fermented feed?

One of the biggest misunderstandings in pig feeding is assuming that pigs “do not ferment feed” simply because they are monogastric animals.

Of course, pigs are monogastric.

But that does NOT mean fermentation plays zero role inside pig production systems.

Unlike ruminants that ferment feed extensively before digestion, pigs mainly rely on enzymatic digestion in the stomach and small intestine.

However, certain feed materials especially high-starch ingredients like maize and cassava can still undergo microbial fermentation within the gastrointestinal tract, particularly in the large intestine.

And outside the pig’s body itselfg

fermentation can already begin INSIDE the feed trough when wet feeding management is poor.

Because once uncontrolled fermentation starts

☛ feed acidity changes

☛ odor profile changes

☛ feed intake may reduce

☛ nutrient consistency becomes unstable

☛ performance variation increases

☛ diarrhea risk may rise

You may think: “cassava is cheaper than maize.”

But if
☛ processing is poor

☛ wet feed management is unstable

☛ fermentation becomes uncontrolled

☛ intake drops

then the expected feed cost advantage may disappear biologically.

Think on the feed economics alway.
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14/05/2026

How to Identify a Good Laying Hen

Healthy, productive hens often show visible signs that can help you understand their laying condition and overall well-being.

Signs of a good layer:
🔹Large, bright red comb and wattles
🔹Alert, bright eyes
🔹Smooth, glossy feathers
🔹Full, soft, rounded abdomen
🔹Moist, pink, elastic vent
🔹Active and healthy appearance

Signs of a poor layer:
🔹Small, pale, or floppy comb
🔹Dull or tired-looking eyes
🔹Rough, loose, or dull feathers
🔹 Small or tight abdomen
🔹Dry or pale vent
🔹 Low energy or unhealthy appearance

Good nutrition, clean water, proper lighting, and low stress all help hens stay healthy and productive.

Observing your flock regularly can help you detect health or laying issues early and improve overall flock management.
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13/05/2026

HOW TO USE TURMERIC FOR GUT HEALTH IN CHICKENS 👇

Turmeric is a powerful natural herb that helps improve digestion, reduce harmful bacteria in the gut, strengthen immunity, and support healthy growth in chickens. It contains curcumin, which has natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

BENEFITS OF TURMERIC FOR CHICKENS 👇

👉 Improves digestion
👉 Helps reduce diarrhea and loose stool
👉 Supports healthy gut bacteria
👉 Boosts immunity naturally
👉 Helps birds recover from stress and infections
👉 Can improve feed intake and growth

HOW TO USE TURMERIC 👇

1. TURMERIC IN DRINKING WATER

Mix:

👉 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
👉 Into 1 liter of clean water

Give for 2–3 days every week.

You can add a few drops of lemon juice to help absorption.

2. TURMERIC IN FEED

Mix:

👉 1–2 teaspoons of turmeric powder
👉 Into 1 kg of feed

Mix very well before feeding.

3. TURMERIC WITH GARLIC

This combination helps fight harmful germs in the gut.

Mix:

👉 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
👉 2 cloves of crushed garlic
👉 Into 1 liter of water

Allow it to stay for 2–3 hours before giving to birds.

👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

👉 Do not use too much turmeric because excess can reduce feed intake.
👉 Always use clean turmeric without chemicals or mold.
👉 Give fresh mixture daily.
👉 Suitable for chicks, broilers, layers, and local chickens.

Natural herbs work best when combined with good hygiene, clean water, and quality feed.

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10/05/2026

Chickens for sale
K150
Along Kasupe rd
power line bus stop
Lusaka west
0972003553
0962471811
Follow our page Taonga Farms
for more information.

08/05/2026

Chickens for sale
K150
Kasupe power line bus stop
Lusaka west
0972003553
0962471811

07/05/2026

Which part is your favourite to eat? 😋😋

04/05/2026

Deworming Piglets: When and How To Do It Safely

One mistake that affects piglet growth on many farms is deworming at the wrong time, or not doing it properly at all.

After weaning, piglets start exploring more, eating different things, and getting exposed to parasites from the environment. This is usually when worms begin to build up in their system.

And once worms are present, they quietly reduce growth.

Piglets may still be eating, but the nutrients meant for growth are being shared with parasites. That’s when you start noticing poor weight gain, rough hair coat, weakness, and sometimes diarrhea.

But here’s where many farmers get it wrong, timing.

Deworming should not be done too early.

Very young piglets are still fragile, and their system may not handle deworming medications well. Giving dewormers too early can do more harm than good, and in some cases, it can even lead to death.

The safer and more practical time to deworm piglets is after weaning, from around 8 weeks of age. At this stage, they are stronger and better able to handle treatment.

When it comes to what to use, farmers commonly use options like Ivermectin or Albendazole (oral bolus).

What matters most is correct dosage and proper administration. Underdosing may not clear the worms, while overdosing can stress the piglets.

Also, deworming should not be seen as a one-time fix. If the environment is dirty, worms will keep coming back.

Pens that are wet, dirty, or filled with waste create the perfect condition for parasite build-up. Piglets lying and feeding in such conditions are constantly re-infecting themselves.

This is why hygiene is just as important as the dewormer itself.

Clean pens regularly, keep feeding areas dry, and avoid overcrowding. These simple practices reduce the parasite load and make deworming more effective.

Another thing to understand is this, not every slow-growing piglet is suffering from worms, but worms are one of the most common hidden causes.

So when piglets are not growing as expected, deworming (at the right time) should be part of your management plan.

Good pig farming is not just about feeding well, it’s also about removing anything that competes with your pigs for nutrients. And worms are one of the biggest silent competitors on many farms.

🔴 At what age do you start deworming your piglets, and how often do you repeat it? Have you ever lost piglets after deworming? 👇



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21/04/2026

19/04/2026

"Advancing veterinary knowledge to improve animal lives."
Taonga Farms

19/04/2026

Hand pump
Condition: brand new
Complete set
K7000 negotiable
Location: Lusaka west kasupe
Ferngrove area
Along kasupe road
Call 0962471811
0978310200