Demand Grows for Poultry Training Amid Climate and Production Challenges
Dr. Joanne Singh makes her presentation to members of the local farming community
Faced with mounting challenges in poultry health, rising production costs and the realities of a changing climate, Barbadian farmers are increasingly seeking technical guidance to protect their livelihoods and boost output.
That demand was evident last Thursday when the Animal Nutrition Unit at The Pine was filled to capacity for a seminar on broiler and layer health and management, drawing a record turnout of commercial operators and backyard farmers alike. The session, hosted through a collaboration between the Centre for Agricultural Research and Innovation (CAGRI) at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill campus and the Ministry of Agriculture, focused on equipping farmers with practical, science-based strategies to improve flock performance.
Veterinary surgeon Dr Joanne Singh, the lead presenter, told the gathering that success begins long before chicks arrive on the farm, stressing that preparation remains the strongest defense against disease and early losses.
“It is vital that our farmers understand that ensuring their chicks are healthy from the very start is the foundation of a profitable enterprise,” she said. “Whether we are discussing the 24-hour preparation required before brooding or the supplemental calcium needed for high-quality eggshells in layers, every management decision must be intentional.”
Dr Singh warned that “silent killers” such as heat stress and sudden death syndrome continue to pose serious risks in the local environment, noting that strict environmental control and biosecurity are essential if farmers are to achieve optimal results.
“My goal [Thursday] was to empower our producers with the diagnostic and preventative tools necessary to combat ‘silent killers’ like heat stress and sudden death syndrome, which can otherwise devastate a farmer’s hard work in a matter of hours,” she added.
Participants were also taken through key aspects of feed management, disease prevention and the importance of properly managing the pullet phase to ensure birds reach target weights, reducing the need for costly culling later in the production cycle. Presenters also highlighted how improved daily practices can reduce mortality and waste while increasing returns for farmers.
Director of CAGRI, Dr Michele Singh, said the strong attendance reflected both the resilience of the local farming community and its growing interest in modernising operations.
“This seminar is about more than just bird health; it is about the health of our economy and the wealth of our farmers,” she said. “By aligning the technical expertise of CAGRI with the Ministry’s extensive outreach capabilities, we are ensuring that every farmer in Barbados has the opportunity to turn scientific knowledge into sustainable revenue.”
She added that taking research out of the laboratory and into the field was critical to building a stronger, more self-sufficient food system.
The seminar ended with an interactive question-and-answer session, with farmers raising concerns about sourcing healthy chicks and implementing vaccination programmes suited to local conditions.
