Farm with Miki

29/09/2026

VERTEX BROILERS:
DAY 42

Day 42 — 3kg Target 🎯 Average Weight Met

The birds have now met my target average live weight of approximately 3kg in 6 weeks

It has been a smooth experience with this batch. No mortality whatsoever.

Only issue was two birds that had serious leg issues on the very day they were taken outdoors.

They were immediately separated so that they could receive proper attention.

But after three days of care and no improvement, they found their way into the pot☺️

What is left is to dispose of this batch and prepare for a new one for the December rush.

Since I don’t like keeping my broilers beyond 6–7 weeks, with 8 weeks being the absolute maximum, I will have to wait until around the middle of October before starting the next batch.

Thanks for following this journey from Day 1 to Day 42.

Follow Farm with Miki for regular Poultry Updates and Tips. Also, Like and Share
to others that may be interested.

29/09/2026

Can Rain Water Be Used For Your Birds—Broilers, Layers...
Give Your Candid Advice In The Comments 🙏

26/09/2026

THE NUMBER BEHIND THE NAME—Farm with Miki

MTN just sent me a voice note acknowledging my continuous use of my number since 2002!

That means this number has been with me for 24 years — long before Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, Instagram and many of the platforms we use today even existed.

And today, that same number is connected to Farm with Miki.

It has been part of my personal journey, business, farming, conversations with customers and the growth of this brand.

So, behind the name Farm with Miki is a number with a history of its own.

24 years and still counting.

24/09/2026

A RECAP of the journey of a carton of Vertex Broilers V. 111, from Day 1 to 42.

Follow Farm with Miki for regular practical, poultry updates and Tips and as we would be starting the next batch in some days from now.

22/09/2026

THE SECRET GRINDING MILL INSIDE A CHICKEN

No teeth? No problem.

A chicken has a built-in grinding machine called the gizzard. And its fuel is small stones.

You may see a hen pecking at bare ground, picking up tiny stones even when there is no food in sight. She is actually restocking her grinding mill.

Those stones collect in the gizzard, where powerful muscles use them to grind grains, seeds, grass and other tough foods into particles the chicken can digest.

The stones eventually wear down and pass out, so the hen keeps replacing them.

Free-range chickens usually find their own grit. But chickens kept on concrete, boards or bedding may not have access to suitable stones. If you feed them whole grains, scratch, garden scraps or other treats, provide insoluble grit separately.

And remember: grit and oyster shell are not the same thing. They perform completely different jobs.

Next time you see a hen picking stones, don't call her a strange bird. She's simply shopping for spare parts for her stomach!

Have you ever watched your chickens doing this?

Follow Farm with Miki for practical Poultry Updates and Tips. Also, Like and Share.

22/09/2026

FEEDS FOR BROILERS: When To Introduce Them — Happy Chicken (3)

If you’re using Happy Chicken feeds for your broilers, it is important to know the different feed types and when each one should be introduced.

Happy Chicken has Pre-Starter, Starter and Finisher feeds for broilers. Their product range also includes different formulations such as Elite and Elite Plus.

Pre-Starter
Day 1–14: This is designed for the very early stage of the broiler's life, when the chicks need highly nutritious feed to support their early growth and development.

Starter
About Day 15–28: Starter feed continues the growth process as the birds develop their body frame, muscles and feathers. Happy Chicken Starter is available in both crumbs and pellets.

Finisher
From around Week 5 until sale: This feed is used during the final growth stage, when the birds need to put on more body weight before they are sold or dressed. Happy Chicken Finisher is also currently listed by poultry feed suppliers.

What about Grower?
Unlike some broiler feeding programmes, the Happy Chicken range is presented around Pre-Starter, Starter and Finisher, rather than requiring a separate Grower stage.

So, as always, don't just change feed because other farmers are changing theirs. Know the feed you are using, understand its feeding programme, and plan your birds' feeding around your target selling age and weight.

Right feed + right timing + good management = better growth.

Follow Farm with Miki for regular Poultry Updates and Tips

21/09/2026

VERTEX BROILERS:
DAY 42

Day 42 — six weeks completed.

The birds have now met my target average live weight of approximately 3kg in 6 weeks

It has been a smooth experience with this batch. No mortality whatsoever.

Only issue was two birds that had serious leg issues on the very day they were taken outdoors.

They were immediately separated so that they could receive proper attention.

But after three days of care and no improvement, they found their way into the pot☺️

What is left is to dispose of this batch and prepare for a new one for the December rush.

Since I don’t like keeping my broilers beyond 6–7 weeks, with 8 weeks being the absolute maximum, I will have to wait until around the middle of October before starting the next batch.

Thanks for following this journey from Day 1 to Day 42.

Follow Farm with Miki for regular Poultry Updates and Tips. Also, Like and Share
to others that may be interested.

18/09/2026

WHY DO CHICKENS REALLY EAT SMALL STONES?

No teeth? No problem.

A chicken has a built-in grinding machine called the gizzard. And its fuel is small stones.

You may see a hen pecking at bare ground, picking up tiny stones even when there is no food in sight. She is actually restocking her grinding mill.

Those stones collect in the gizzard, where powerful muscles use them to grind grains, seeds, grass and other tough foods into particles the chicken can digest.

The stones eventually wear down and pass out, so the hen keeps replacing them.

Free-range chickens usually find their own grit. But chickens kept on concrete, boards or bedding may not have access to suitable stones. If you feed them whole grains, scratch, garden scraps or other treats, provide insoluble grit separately.

And remember: grit and oyster shell are not the same thing. They perform completely different jobs.

Next time you see a hen picking stones, don't call her a strange bird. She's simply shopping for spare parts for her stomach!

Have you ever watched your chickens doing this?

Follow Farm with Miki, for practical Poultry Updates and Tips. Also, Like and Share .

18/09/2026