broiler Flashcards
chick behavior during broiler
newly hatch chicks cannot control their body weight
brooder is used to keep the chicks warm
simple brooder includes infrared heat lamp with hood and litter directly to the floor and cardboard or mesh wire to confined chicks on the heat source
Starting your chicks
Heat lamp will keep temperature maintain 95-90 degrees during the 1st week and measure the temperature 2.5 inches from the litter below the hood
Brooding requirements
Good management is essential during brooding and rearing period
Brooding is a process of providing artificial heat to the chicks until the time they can regulate their body temperature
Temperature requirements
Day old-1 week 90-95F or 32.4-35 C
1-2 weeks 85-90 F or 29.4-32.2C
2-3 weeks 80-85F or 26.7-29.4C
3-4 weeks 80F or 26.7 and below C
If the temperature is lower than the requirement
They huddle to each other or stay together near the heat source
Produce unusual chirping sound
If critically low chicks tend to pile on top of each other causing suffocation
Temperature is higher
Chicks tend to move away from the source of heat
spread their wings, pant and drink a lot of water
If extremely high temperature it can cause heat stroke
If drafty
Form wedge like patter
Cold air is coming inside the brooder
If temperature is adequate
Chicks are uniformly distributed inside the brooder
Doing varied activities like feeding, drinking, sleeping and playing
Setting up the brooding area
Process of caring of chicks after hatching
provides warm and safe environment
extra warmth for first 4-5 weeks until feathers are grown
Prepare the brooder
If it has used it should be thoroughly cleaned
Cover the floor with good layer of bedding
Set up the heat lamp or panel heater. Check the temperature
Keep an eye on heat levels if outside temperature is exceptionally high
Make sure the feeder and drinker are clean
Never increase light during growing period and never decrease light during laying period
Floor space
1 day-3weeks 0.3sq ft/bird
3-8 weeks 0.5 sq ft/bird
8-12 weeks 1.0 sq ft/bird
Meat type
1 day-2weeks 0.3 sq ft/bird
2 weeks to market 1.0 sq ft/bird
after 12 weeks the floor space requirement
litter floor 2.0-2.5 sq ft/bird
slat floor 1.5-2.0 sq ft/bird
cages 0.75-1.0 sq ft/bird
Drinker and feeder
narrow lipped chick drinker prevent chicks from soiling their water, getting wet and drowning
Small feeder with a partitioned keep chicks out of their food stops them from scratching the bedding
Sources of heat
electricity lpg infrared lamp kerosene lamp charcoal
