Mia Patel
Broiler chicks require careful attention to temperature, space, food, and water. Before the chicks arrive, the brooder area must be draft-free, rodent-free, and pre-warmed to between 35-37°C, with a humidity of 65-70%. The floor under the brooder must be warm and dry, and the brooder guard should be cleaned and disinfected. On arrival, the body temperature of the chicks should be between 39.5°C and 40.5°C. During the first week, the chicks should be kept in a special environment with a higher temperature than normal, and the temperature should be checked at multiple points. The brooder area should be large enough to allow the chicks to move away from the heat lamp if they get too warm. Feed and water should be distributed over the whole area, and the feeders should be large enough to reduce feed wastage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Body temperature | 39.5°C to 40.5°C (103°F to 105°F) |
| Room temperature | 35-37°C |
| Humidity | 65%-70% |
| Light | 24 hours |
| Feed | 17g per day |
| Water | Should be fresh, clean, and at room temperature |
| Space | Minimum 0.5 ft2 per bird, increasing to 0.75 ft2 after four weeks |
| Ventilation | Increase a little at a time from the second week onwards |
| Perches | Not required for broilers |
| Nest boxes | Required from week 18 for commercial layers, or week 20 for other breeds |
| Debeaking | To prevent pecking of feathers, toes, and anus |
| Vaccines, nutritional medicines, and bedding | Required |
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What You'll Learn
Ensure the brooder area is draft-free, rodent-free, and warm
Ensuring the brooder area is draft-free, rodent-free, and warm is crucial for the health and comfort of day-old broiler chicks. Here are some detailed guidelines to achieve this:
Temperature Control:
Before the chicks arrive, it is essential to pre-warm the brooder area to a temperature of 35-37°C (93°F in Western Canada). This can be achieved by using a heating system or brooder heaters. The temperature under the brooders should be higher, ranging from 38-40°C. The floor under the brooder must be warm and dry to the touch.
Draft Prevention:
Install a draft guard around the brooder to protect the chicks from drafts. The draft guard should be approximately 18 inches high, with a distance of 2-3 feet between the brooder and the guard. This guard will need to be expanded as the chicks grow, as they will require more space.
Rodent Control:
Keep the brooder area clean and disinfected to deter rodents. Regularly remove any caked or wet litter, as these can attract rodents and other pests. Good hygiene practices will help ensure the area remains rodent-free.
Monitoring Chick Comfort:
Observe the behaviour of the chicks to ensure they are comfortable. If they are huddled together, they may be too cold, whereas panting could indicate they are too warm. Adjust the temperature accordingly, always aiming to keep the brooder area warm and comfortable.
Space Requirements:
As the chicks grow, they will need more space to move away from the heat lamp if they get too warm. After the first four weeks, increase the floor area to ¾ ft2 per bird for broiler chicks.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that the brooder area provides a warm, draft-free, and rodent-free environment for day-old broiler chicks, contributing to their health and well-being.
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Monitor humidity and temperature
Temperature and humidity are critical factors in the care of day-old broiler chicks. Broiler chicks are homeothermic animals, meaning they must maintain a constant body temperature between 40°C and 42°C. In the first week of brooding, chicks cannot efficiently respond to lower temperatures, so it is vital to monitor the air temperature across their entire living space. Before the chicks arrive, the temperature of the building should be checked at multiple points, and equipment must be calibrated to ensure the correct temperature is maintained. The recommended room temperature varies depending on the heating system: 32°C for a barn with an external heating system and no in-house brooder heaters, and 30°C for buildings with in-house brooder heaters, with a temperature of 38-40°C under the brooders. The floor temperature should be around 32°C, and the litter temperature should be approximately 30°C.
To check if the chicks are too hot or cold, observe their spatial distribution. If they are clustered around heating points, they are likely cold, whereas if they are against walls or away from heaters, they may be too warm. You can also check their body temperature using a forehead or ear thermometer placed on the cloaca, which should read between 39.5°C and 40.5°C.
Regarding humidity, it is often recommended to maintain a relative humidity (RH) of 60-70% or higher for day-old chicks. However, there is limited evidence for the benefits of high humidity, and it may lead to a vicious cycle of increased spraying, heating, ventilating, and more spraying to maintain humidity. Additionally, while higher humidity can prevent dehydration, it may also hinder the bird's ability to cool down by evaporating water through panting.
As the chicks grow, the brooding temperature should gradually decrease, and the space they require will increase. Depending on the weather, broilers may not need brooder heat after two weeks, but this can vary between breeds. It is essential to monitor temperatures and make adjustments as needed to ensure the chicks' comfort and health.
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Provide adequate space and feeders
Providing adequate space and feeders is essential for the health and well-being of day-old broiler chicks. Here are some detailed instructions to achieve this:
Space Requirements:
Firstly, it is crucial to ensure that the brooding area is draft-free and rodent-free to protect the chicks from potential health hazards. Allocate about 0.5 ft2 of space per chick, keeping in mind that you will also need room for the heat lamp, waterer, and feeder. As the chicks grow, they will require more space. After the first four weeks, increase the floor area to 0.75 ft2 per bird. Broilers typically need more space compared to other breeds, aiming for 3 to 4 ft2 per bird inside the coop and 8 to 10 ft2 per bird in the chicken run.
Feeder Requirements:
Provide enough feeders to ensure all chicks have access to food simultaneously. For trough feeders, consider replacing them with larger ones designed for bigger chicks to reduce feed wastage. The number of feeders will depend on the type of feeder and the number of chicks. As a rule of thumb, pan feeders should accommodate 100 birds per linear meter, while chain feeders should allow for 100 birds per 0.75 meters. It is important to increase the height of the feeders as the chicks grow, and always keep them clean to maintain good hygiene.
Waterer Requirements:
In addition to adequate feeders, ensure there are enough waterers so that each chick can access water simultaneously. No chick should travel more than 0.6 meters (2 feet) to reach a waterer. Place the waterers on a sheet of cardboard to keep them clean and free from contamination. Fresh, clean water at room temperature should always be available, and you can add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to prevent bacterial and algae growth.
General Tips:
As the chicks grow, continue to monitor their space requirements and adjust the brooder area accordingly. Pay attention to their feeding habits and increase feeder capacity if needed. Regularly clean and disinfect the brooder area, removing any wet or caked litter that may accumulate around the waterers and feeders.
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Maintain good litter quality
Maintaining good litter quality is essential for broiler chick care. Before the chicks arrive, the brooder area should be cleaned and disinfected, and the floor under the brooder must be warm and dry. The litter temperature should be around 30°C to ensure the chicks' comfort and success during the starting period.
As the chicks grow, the litter can become caked around the brooder and wet near the waterers, so it is important to remove soiled litter regularly. A daily cleaning routine is recommended, and chicken manure should be cleaned and disinfected to maintain good litter quality.
To facilitate cleaning, it is helpful to place waterers on a sheet of cardboard to keep them clean and free from wood shavings. Newspaper can also be placed under the litter for easier cleanup, but it should not be used alone as it can cause leg problems for the chicks.
Additionally, ensure adequate ventilation to maintain good air quality and reduce moisture buildup in the brooder area.
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Vaccinate and regularly disinfect
Vaccination and regular disinfection are crucial aspects of caring for day-old broiler chicks. Firstly, ensure that the brooder space is clean and disinfected before introducing the chicks. This is essential, especially if poultry has been kept there previously, to prevent the spread of diseases. Salmonella germs, for instance, can be carried by chicks and cause illness in humans, even if the chicks appear healthy and clean.
When it comes to vaccination, there are several options available, depending on the specific diseases prevalent in your area and the type of chicks you have. Marek's Disease and Newcastle Disease are two common and highly recommended vaccinations for broiler chicks. Marek's Disease vaccination can be given in ovo on the 18th day of incubation or subcutaneously to one-day-old chicks. The in ovo method provides a head start to the chicks' immune systems, giving them an advantage against the Marek's virus. However, if you are hatching your own eggs, the subcutaneous method is a very effective alternative.
For Newcastle Disease, a highly contagious and deadly virus in birds, vaccination is highly recommended, especially if you live near affected flocks. The LaSota and B1 vaccines are often available from feed stores, and the best way to administer them is via eye drops.
In addition to these core vaccinations, you may also consider vaccinating against Dry Pox, which is typically given at four weeks of age.
Regular disinfection of the brooder space and equipment is also important to maintain the health of your chicks. This includes cleaning water containers every few days and maintaining the appropriate temperature and ventilation in the brooder space to prevent the spread of diseases.
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Frequently asked questions
The ideal temperature for the first few days is between 35-37°C, with 65-70% humidity. The temperature should be reduced by 2-3°C when the chicks are picked up and maintained for 20-40 minutes to help them adapt to the environment.
If the chicks are huddled together, they are likely cold. If they are panting, they are too warm. You can also place their feet on your cheek or hand to gauge their body temperature, which should be between 39.5-40.5°C.
Buy fresh chick feed (chick starter) and ensure they have enough to eat. The average consumption of a day-old chick is 17g.
Ensure there are enough waterers for all chicks to access water simultaneously. They should not have to travel more than 0.6m to reach a water source. Water should be fresh, clean, and at room temperature.
You will need feeders, waterers, and a draft guard. The brooder area should be draft-free, rodent-free, and disinfected. The floor should be warm and dry, and the guard should be about 46cm high.
