WINTER BROODING - SOME PRACTICAL TIPS Dr Anthony Chacko Trustee , Poultry Association of Zambia

Start right. Finish right OBJECTIVES Provision of : Right Temperature Right Air quality Quality water Quality feed Our objective should be: Start right. Finish right

OUTCOME OF BAD BROODING Reduced growth and development. Uneven growth, uniformity is affected. Poorer feed conversion. Increased diseases. Condemnation ( more culls) Increased mortality.

Temperature PREHEAT THE LITTER, 24 hrs before placing the chicks Litter temperature: very important for day old chicks. Average temperature should be about 32 degreeC. Since the ratio of body temperature to body mass is large in day old chick, therefore it loses heat faster than an adult bird. Chick does not have feathers but only ‘down’ and if temperature is not controlled it will lose heat rapidly.

WHY DO WE NEED TO PROVIDE EXTRA HEAT Early in life, chick can not regulate its metabolic processes to adequately control its body temperature. Bird undergoes transition from a immature thermoregulation system to a mature one in the first 2weeks. So it has to depend on the heat provided in order to maintain optimum body temperature. If the temperature is optimum the chick does not have to use its energy to generate heat through metabolism during winter.

Temperature (contd.) Body temperature of day old chick:103 degree F (39 degree C), but by about 5 days of age body temperature becomes 41.1 degree C, the same as adult bird. Chilling or overheating can affect the performance. Humidity ( the ability of air to hold moisture) should be between 40 and 70%. Below 40-50% leads to dusty conditions in the house. Above 70% humidity is conducive for microbial growth in the litter.

COLD TEMPERATURE Affects immunity and digestive systems. Shows higher incidence of ascites. May consume more feed to keep itself warm but ends up in reduced growth rates , reduced feed efficiency and increased feed costs. IDEAL TEMPERATURE and HUMIDITY: 32degree C ( 89.6 degree F) with RH 30-50% at placement

AIR QUALITY Make sure there is a flow of air during brooding. The curtain is placed in the house in such a way that there is some space kept at the top open. Be aware of carbon dioxide build up especially from charcoal brooding. Charcoal burning , placement of it in the house and aeration provided should get utmost attention and care. Be aware of high levels of ammonia due to improper litter management.

AIR QUALITY ( Contd.) RULE OF THUMB: NEVER TO SACRIFICE TEMPERATURE FOR VENTILATION AND NEVER TO SACRIFICE VENTILATION FOR TEMPERATURE

WATER AND FEED MANAGEMENT Water: An ‘invisible player’ in brooding. We need to guarantee that each chick drinks at least 24 ml of water in the first 24 hours. Since drinking water is interlinked with feed intake , if there is water restriction, body weight and FCR in the first 2 weeks will drastically come down Spreading news paper in the litter is a good practice during brooding ( first 4 -5days)

Other factors Light is a stimulant . Enough light should be there in the brooding area. Chick Check evaluation: In order to assess the performance in the first 24 hrs, crops of birds selected at random are palpated after six hrs and again at 24hrs after chick placement. A good goal is to get 95% of birds with water and feed in the crop. The chicks should be evenly spread in brooder area- good indication of good brooding

What we need to achieve in 7 days 7th day weight should be 4-5 times more than the weight at one day ( 160 to 180 gms). Mortality should be less than 1% in the first 7 days.

What can we do? Seal the house but provide cross ventilation. Insulate the roof Rectify any flaw in the heating systems employed. Install curtains correctly. Preheating the brooding area. Add extra brooders if needed.