The previous article discussed biosecurity; this one looks at brooding. During the first two weeks after chicks hatch, proper management of temperature, ventilation, feeding, and drinking water all affect their subsequent growth and development.
Temperature suitability should be judged by observing the flock
Chicks of different ages have different temperature requirements. Generally, on day 1, the temperature in the brooding house is around 30°C. After that, it is lowered by 1–2°C every few days, gradually reaching around 20°C by about week 4. Adjustments should also take breed, age, and actual environmental conditions into account.
Don’t just look at the thermometer; also observe how the chicks are distributed and behaving. Huddling together and calling continuously may indicate that the temperature is too low; moving away from the heat source, panting with open beaks, and holding their wings out may indicate that it is too high.
Keeping the temperature unsuitable for a prolonged period does more than make the chicks uncomfortable. When it is too cold, chicks tend to huddle together; in severe cases, they may be crushed to death. Diarrhea and slower growth may also occur. When it is too hot, feed intake may decrease, affecting growth and development.
Don’t overlook ventilation, humidity, or bedding
During the brooding period, maintain adequate ventilation to expel waste gases such as carbon dioxide, remove excess moisture from the poultry house, and keep the air fresh. When using gas- or oil-fired brooders, combustion consumes oxygen and may also produce carbon monoxide, making ventilation even more important.
In daily management, pay attention to both litter condition and air odor. Litter that remains damp for a long time often indicates problems with drinking water, drainage, or ventilation management. If there is a noticeable ammonia odor in the poultry house, check the ventilation and litter condition. The absence of a noticeable ammonia odor does not necessarily mean that air quality meets the standard.
If chicks gather in one corner, check for localized drafts as well; do not focus only on the reading on the poultry house thermometer.
During the early brooding period, relative humidity is generally maintained at 50%–60%; during the preheating period before chick placement, 60%–70% can be used as a reference. In actual management, adjustments should also be made based on the temperature inside the poultry house, how wet or dry the litter is, and the chicks’ condition.
Before chick placement, make thorough preparations
Brooding management begins before the chicks arrive. 2 to 3 days before chick placement, inspect the brooders, heating equipment, ventilation system, and alarm devices to ensure they are operating properly.
Thoroughly clean and disinfect the floor. The litter is generally spread to a depth of 5 to 10 centimeters and leveled as much as possible. Preheat for 24 hours, and adjust the temperature and humidity to the target range.
Transportation must not be overlooked. The vehicle compartment temperature can be kept at 22 to 28℃, with relative humidity at 50% to 65%. During transport, the chicks' cloacal temperature can be measured to help assess whether they are too hot or too cold. During hatching, transport, and the initial brooding period, the cloacal temperature can be kept at 39 to 40.5℃ as a reference, but it should be assessed in conjunction with the chicks' condition and the timing of the measurement.
After the chicks arrive, unload them promptly and handle them gently, then guide them to water and feed as soon as possible.
When using a brooding pen, it is usually gradually expanded starting on day 3 and completely removed on days 5–7. The specific timing also depends on the chicks’ activity, distribution, and environmental conditions.
Feel the crops to check whether the chicks are eating
After the chicks enter the house, do not just check whether the feeders and water lines are ready; also confirm that the chicks have actually eaten feed and drunk water.
A simple, practical method is to feel the crops. 80%–85% of the chicks should have full crops 12 hours after feeding; after 24 hours, the proportion should reach 95%–100%.
If this level is not reached, promptly investigate the cause: Are the feeder and water line positioned appropriately? Can the chicks find them easily? Is the temperature in the house suitable? Are the drinking and feeding equipment working properly?
The chicks’ performance is also related to the nutrition and health status of the breeder flock. Insufficient essential nutrients such as linoleic acid in the breeder diet may affect egg quality and the performance of the offspring. Good immune responses in the breeder flock help chicks acquire corresponding maternal antibodies, strengthening early immune protection after hatching.
Uneven chick sizes? Check the incubation process
Flock uniformity is not just about how even the birds look; it also affects day-to-day management. When chicks vary too much in size, it is difficult to set feeder and water line heights that suit all of them. As a result, smaller chicks may not eat or drink enough.
One reason chicks vary in size is that hatching eggs from breeder hens at different stages of lay are incubated together. Eggs laid early in the breeder hens’ laying period are usually smaller, and the chicks that hatch from them also tend to be smaller. Generally, a chick’s hatch weight is about 65%–68% of the egg’s weight.
For noticeably undersized chicks, consider raising them in a separate group, with particular attention to feed intake, water consumption, and growth.
Keeping different breeds together may also make management more difficult. Breeds differ in growth rates and changes in body size, and these characteristics should be carefully considered when grouping them.