Brooding
• the period immediately after hatch when special care and attention must be
given to chicks to ensure their health and survival. (or) the management of
chicks from one day old to about 8 weeks of age, and it involves the
provision of heat and other necessary care during chicks’ early growing
period
Types of Brooding
• Natural Brooding
• Artificial Brooding
Broding Requirements
1) The temperature requirement for brooding varies based on weather
conditions and chick conditions. The ideal temperature for the first few days is
33°C, decreasing by 2.5°C each week until room temperature is reached.
Maintaining 21°C during the growing period is ideal to prevent poor growth and
performance.
1.1 Heating System
Two types of heating system;
Space heating system
Local heating system
Heat Source
Kerosene stove
Gas Brooder
Electric brooder
Intra- red bulb
1.2 Chick gurds
Chickens should be kept in a heated area with a larger 6-foot diameter guard
to accommodate 50 chicks comfortably.
The guards should be used for 6-9 days and then removed, as they are
essential for restricting the chicks to a smaller area with easy access to food
and water.
1.3 Litter
• Litter in poultry houses has various roles: controlling moisture, providing
insulation.
• Common types are wood shavings, straw, rice hulls, with an ideal thickness
of 5-10 cm. Using new, clean, and dry litter reduces disease risk and
minimizes dust.
Lighting
To help chicks find feeders and drinkers easily, they should have continuous
24-hour light during their initial days.
During the first week, it's advised to use a 15-watt bulb for every 200 square
feet of floor area at night.
As the chicks mature, gradually reduce the light intensity to maintain their
calmness and prevent cannibalism.
Ventilation
• Adequate fresh air in an open-sided house promotes chick health by
removing moisture, leading to a drier floor and healthier chicks.
Preparation for Brooding House
1. Clean and disinfect brooder house before chicks arrive to prevent diseases and poor
results.
2. Remove all weeds and debris from the area outside around the house, burn feather, mow
the grass and make any necessary road repairs
3. Allow the brooder house to dry completely before adding 2-4 cm of litter material.
4. Consider covering the litter with paper for a few days if chicks are very hungry upon
arrival.
5. Start electric or gas brooders ahead of time to ensure proper functioning and
temperature adjustment.
6. Use chick guards to confine chicks to the heat source and prevent overcrowding.
7. Use cardboard or poultry netting guards based on weather conditions and remove them
after a few days.
8. Fill feeders and waterers in advance to encourage chicks to drink and eat upon arrival.
Chick Quality
Chicks should come from healthy and disease free parents
Chicks should be uniform in size and color
Chicks should be cleanly hatched
Should have round, bright eyes
Should be alert and active
Should be free of unhealed navels and navel infection
Shank should be bright and waxy, not dry and brittle
Should not have any deformities such as crooked legs, defective head or
eyes or cross beaks
Chick Delivery
Chick trucks should clean and fumigate after every delivery
Unless the chick boxes are made of plastic or some similar material, they
should be destroyed on the farm
Chicks should arrive at the farm early in the morning. So they will have the
entire day to learn to drink and eat under close observation
Chick Placement
• Quick unboxing is crucial to avoid dehydration and weight loss during
fattening.
• Chicks must be placed under a brooder within 6-12 hours, and an accurate
count, including any extra chicks, should be recorded.
• Additionally, covering the chicks helps them locate water and heating
sources more effectively.
Space Requirement
Days Space
1-3 10’ x 10’ per 500 birds
4-6 10’ x 20’ per 500 birds
7 - 10 10’ x 50’ per 500 birds
10 - 14 10’ x 70’ per 500 birds
Drinking System
Age Space
0 – 8 weeks 1 cm/ bird
8 – 18 weeks 2 cm/ bird
Vaccination
Careful vaccination should be carried
according to local vaccination program.
Eg. ND and IB vaccination at 1 day, 7
days and 21 days of age
Feeding System
Kind of feeder Layer Broiler
Straight 4 – 8 cm 4 cm / bird
Round feeder 1.6 – 3.2 cm 1.6 cm / bird
Thanks For Attention
