Table Of Contents
- 1. Importance of Brooding Parameters
- 2. Biosecurity Measures
- 3. Barn Preparation
- Feed
- Lighting
- Temperature
- Water Lines
- Space and Sanitation
- 4. Chick Handling and Evaluation
- Chick Quality
- Crop Fill
- Weighing Chicks
- 5. Stockmanship
- 6. Antibiotic Use and Mortality
- 7. Data and Metrics
- Summary
- Useful PDF Resources
Best Practices for Broiler Brooding Management
Dr. Scott Gillingham, a poultry veterinarian with over 30 years of experience across Canada, shares valuable insights on effective broiler chicken farming practices, focusing on brooding parameters to optimise chick health and growth.
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1. Importance of Brooding Parameters
- Objective: Create an environment conducive to chick immune system development, gastrointestinal health, and optimal growth.
- FLAWSS Framework:
- Food
- Lighting
- Air
- Water
- Space
- Sanitation
Biosecurity is critical. Build a wall of protection through vaccination, good nutrition, and minimising environmental insults. - Dr. Scott Gillingham
2. Biosecurity Measures
- Practices:
- Wear protective gear: coveralls, gloves, head nets, and boots.
- Reduce environmental contamination risks.
- Approach:
- Integrated auditing: Document practices and evaluate outcomes.
Read more on Essential Biosecurity Measures for Broiler Chicken Farming: Protecting Health & Ensuring Farm Safety
3. Barn Preparation
Feed
- Feed Distribution:
- Cover 50-70% of brooding space with paper.
- Provide 40-50 grams of feed per chick.
- Use both feed pans and paper for feed placement.
- Feed Quality:
- Optimal texture: Crumbs (2-3 mm).
- Consistency ensures better crop fill.
Lighting
- Bright intensity is essential during the brooding phase.
- Position lights at least 10 feet above ground.
Temperature
- Maintain brooding chamber temperatures at 90°F.
- Mark zones of optimal temperature with spray paint.
Water Lines
- Flush lines two hours before chick placement.
- Activate nipples to create visible droplets, encouraging chicks to drink.
Space and Sanitation
- Ensure ample room for chicks to move freely and access feed and water.
- Maintain high cleanliness standards.
We are the mother hen. Create an environment conducive to heat, humidity, and lighting for chick welfare.
4. Chick Handling and Evaluation
Chick Quality
- Check for:
- Healthy beak and eyes.
- Navel healing.
- No red hocks.
- Measure body temperature (ideal: 103°F - 105°F).
Crop Fill
- Indicators of comfort and food access:
- After 2-3 hours: 60% crop fill.
- After 24 hours: 80-100% crop fill.
- Texture: Soft and pliable, like porridge.
Weighing Chicks
- Goal: Track growth and provide feedback to the hatchery.
- Expected weights:
- Day 0: 40 grams (average).
- Day 7: 4-5 times the day 0 weight (160-200 grams).
Did you know? Improving seven-day body weight by 10 grams can lead to a 70-80 gram increase in final weight.
5. Stockmanship
- Observation Skills:
- Look for behaviour patterns and activity distribution.
- Listen for abnormal sounds (e.g., noisy fans).
- Smell for ammonia or signs of disease.
- Feel chick feet for temperature.
- Adjustments:
- Modify water line height or fan speed as needed.
Stockmanship understands bird behaviour; management ensures adjustments to optimise conditions.
6. Antibiotic Use and Mortality
- Use antibiotics only under professional veterinary guidance.
- Strive for less than 1% seven-day mortality.
- Focus on patterns of mortality to identify areas for improvement.
7. Data and Metrics
- Use data-driven decision-making:
- Chick weight.
- Crop fill.
- Environmental conditions (e.g., CO2, humidity).
- Analyse trends for continuous improvement.
Summary
Creating an optimal brooding environment is essential for healthy and productive broiler chickens. Attention to FLAWSS, biosecurity, and stockmanship, combined with meticulous data tracking, ensures excellent chick performance and long-term benefits.
