Brooding (1 -21 days)
Brooding lighting program
INTERMITTENT LIGHTING PROGRAM
(H&N Recommendation)
Dark houses only (< 3 lux)
This program can be used for up to 7-10 days after arrival. Then switch back to the
regular step-down lighting program. Using this lighting program has the following
advantages:
Chick behavior is synchronized; they rest or sleep at the same time.
Weak chicks will be stimulated by stronger ones to move as well as to eat
and drink.
The behavior of the flock is more uniform and evaluating the flock is much
easier.
Chick mortality will decrease.
Intermittent lighting program
NON-INTERMITTENTLIGHTING PROGRAM
All houses
In open houses is not easy to implement the intermittent lighting program. If this
cannot be applied, 22-24 hours of light during the first 2–3 days is common
practice. Providing this dark period to allow the chicks to rest is highly
recommended.
In a dark house the light level should be lower than 3 lux whenthe light-proof
system is set. In other words, it must be completely dark.
Non-intermittent lighting program
What do chicks need during the first week?
Temperature
The temperature should be between 34–36 °C for the first few days (see table).
Correct temperature: Chicks will be well distributed and active
Low temperature: Chicks will group together and sound stressed.
High temperature: Chicks will group in the coldest places, are inactive and
pant.
Temperature recommendations:
Cage air temperature: 34–35 °C
Paper and/or litter temperature: > 32 °C
Concrete/ground: > 28 °C
Pasted vents may indicate a too high or too low temperature
The temperature management in cage brooding is more critical than
floor because chicks can’t look for warmer or cooler spots.
After two or three days, decrease the temperature by 0.5 °C every day. Be aware
that the best indicator is chick behavior and cloacal temperature. Check the
flock every time you change your settings. If the house temperature is not uniform,
take corrective measures by changing heaters and ventilation parameters. When
housing the chicks, follow these recommendations:
Place the smallest chicks in the hottest areas or cages.
Place the youngest chicks in the hottest areas or cages (if the flock is
arriving over several days).
During the first 10 days avoid placing chicks in very hot spots (near the
heaters) or in very cold spots.
If most of the chicks are from a young flock (less than 27 weeks), increase
the objective temperate 1 to 2 ˚C (1,8 to 3,6 ˚F).
Place the males together with females in case of Brown Nick and white
breeders when males are dubbed.
In case of non-dubbed white males, keep them separate for the first 6–7
weeks or until you recognize the secondary sexual characteristics, and after
culling all sexing errors.
If males are from a young PS flock (less than 27 weeks) keep them separate
for the first 5 weeks in the warmer place of the house (when necessary, add
females to stimulate activity).
Cages: is necessary to place only comb treated males.
Leave the extra males separate in pen or cages.
In countries where dubbing is not allowed, an option is to wing-band the
white males.
Temperature recommendation
Correct temperature distribution
Low temperature distribution
Hot
temperature distribution
Water
Set the height of the drinkers so the chicks can drink easily 360-activated nipples
are preferable in rearing houses. If not available, and especially with infrared beak
treated chicks, we recommend using cups or other extra drinking system at a ratio
of 80 to 100 birds per extra drinker. Especially important having extra drinkers
when brooding on floor. Reduce the water pressure in the drinking system to create
a hanging drop at chick eye level. Follow manufacturer recommendations for flow
rate. Trigger the nipples or cups during the first 3–4 days to encourage chicks to
drink. Important to keep all the time the water temperature between 20 to 25˚C
(68–77˚F).
Always check the water temperature. In this case is too hot!
Feed
Good quality feed should be available for chicks immediately after placement.
Feed should be scattered on the cage paper and renewed during the first 3–5 days.
Place abundant feed in the feeders to attract the chicks.
Humidity
Humidity should be between 60 to 70 %. With lower than 40 % humidity, chicks
may dehydrate, experiment stress or damage their respiratory tract. Effects of
higher than 80 % humidity could be wet litter, increase ammonia and poor air
quality. Adjust temperature according to relative humidity. For instance, the
temperatures in this section are set for a humidity between 60–70 %. Above 80 %
the comfortable temperature reduces by 1 °C (1.8 °F) and below 40 % increases by
1 °C (1.8 °F).
Ventilation
Supply enough volume of fresh air to remove dust and undesirable gases. Ensure
adequate air movement even on cold days. Strong movements of air disturb the
chicks, they will avoid using drafty areas. This can negatively impact on chick
distribution and activity. Adequate ventilation is especially important in hot
weather.
How do you know that everything is running smoothly?
Crop fill measurement
Crop fill measurement is a good tool to check if the chicks are eating in the first
two days of life.
1: When is partial brooding, take 100 chicks randomly. Sample chicks distributed
throughout the house for reliable readings. In case of spot brooding take 40 per
circle. Cage and aviary Row systems brooding take a sample from the whole house
(25 from the front, 50 from the middle and 25 from the back).
2: Gently feel the crop.
3: The crop should be full, soft and rounded in started chicks.
4. Check the result according to the time after placement.
If the result is below target, check the brooding conditions and take corrective
measures.
Correct crop filling
Incorrect crop filling
% of chicks with feed in the crop
Cloacal temperature
Chick temperature is between 40–41 °C (104–106 after the moment of full
homeothermy. During the first week of life chicks are unable to control their body
temperature and it varies according to the ambient temperature. The cloacal
temperature can be used to adjust house temperatures optimally.
1: Make sure you collect samples of chicks from different parts of the house.
Samples chicks distributed throughout the house for reliable readings. Circle or
spot brooding take temperature of 4–5 chicks per circle. In floor brooding a sample
of 20 birds and cage brooding 50 (15 from the front, 20 from the middle and 15
from the back of the house).2: Check their cloacal temperature.
3: Collect the information, calculate the average and adjust the house temperatures
accordingly to achieve optimal chick temperatures. Adjust the environmental set
point or temperature: + or – (0,5˚C) (1˚F) per 0,3˚C (0.5˚F) above the upper limit
or below the lower limit of optimal vent temperature.