Broiler brooding tips

Broiler brooding tips


The first 14 days after receiving your day-old broiler chicks are essential. The period is known as the brooding period. The bird is making some adjustments to its thermo-regulatory system.Any errors may lead to mortality, hence high losses.

Here are some tips to help you manage your broilers through this period. 

Mortality

Ensure chick mortality does not exceed 2% with good management. Anything above that shows there is a serious problem, either with management or your source. Remember mortality rate determines the profitability of your broiler project. 

Preparation

Ensure the brooding house is prepared for your chicks. It should be clean and disinfected before the chicks are received. Always get clean litter for the floors. Different types of material can be used, including: wood shavings, straw or hay depending on your production system. Battery cages do not require litter, unlike deep litter production system.  Litter is placed 8 cm depth and will be added as required.

If possible install and prepare the brooder at least 2 days before receiving your chicks to ensure everything is in working order. 

Litter management

Under deep litter system, fresh litter is added from 8 cm to 25 cm to ensure the floors are comfortable and free from creating pathogen breeding environment. Mixing litter can prevent it from packing to ensures it is serving its purpose.

Temperature

Maintain brooder temperature between 32°C to 35°C for the first week then reduce by 3°C  each week until it drops to 21°C to 24.9°C. Chicks behaviour may indicate how high or low the temperature are. Chicks crowding in groups indicate low temperatures while if they are moving away from the infra red lights with their wings stretched, it is too hot. For accurate temperature reading, measure 8 cm off the floor or litter. It is important to check the temperature twice in a day. To ensure effective distribution of heat, install brooder guard around the chicks to keep them confined around the heat source. This can be moved wider each day and can be removed after a week depending on the environmental conditions.

Heat sources i.e. gas, lamp, electric heaters are raised as the chicks grow.

Lighting

Chicks need lighting. In gas heated brooders, lighting may not be necessary as both heat and light is provided from the same source. Lighting is needed for the first 3 days and may not be necessary thereafter. In a commercial setup lights may be used until broilers reach maturity.




Aeration

Ventilation is required to distribute heat around the brooder, eliminate dust and carbon dioxide. in High concentration of carbon dioxide can be lethal and chicks may move towards brooder walls for oxygen. Avoid air velocity at bird level as this might result in health issues. Poor air circulation result in increased levels of ammonia, carbon dioxide and moisture resulting in health problems such as ascites. 


Feed and Water

Ensure unlimited supply of clean fresh water fit for human consumption. In-line filters can be used to ensure quality. Low water intake reduces feed intake and ultimately affects growth. Chicks consume 25% of its body weight in feed. Always ensure the right feed is supplied. Try to achieve 5 times bird weight within 7 days.

Summary

Good brooding management will always result in your project success. The critical areas are temperature, air quality, water and feed. 



About the author
Rawlings Kofi is an Agribusiness Specialist (BSc. Agribusiness) and C.E.O of Agribusiness Consulting. He is the author of many crop and livestock manuals. Feedback: agroteamzw@gmail.com Facebook: Agribusiness Consulting.















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