broiler

Question 1

chick behavior during broiler

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Starting your chicks

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Brooding requirements

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Temperature requirements

Answer 4

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

Question 5

If the temperature is lower than the requirement

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Temperature is higher

Answer 6

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

Question 7

If drafty

Answer 7

Form wedge like patter

Cold air is coming inside the brooder

Question 8

If temperature is adequate

Answer 8

Chicks are uniformly distributed inside the brooder

Doing varied activities like feeding, drinking, sleeping and playing

Question 9

Setting up the brooding area

Answer 9

Process of caring of chicks after hatching
provides warm and safe environment
extra warmth for first 4-5 weeks until feathers are grown

Question 10

Prepare the brooder

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Floor space

Answer 11

1 day-3weeks 0.3sq ft/bird
3-8 weeks 0.5 sq ft/bird
8-12 weeks 1.0 sq ft/bird

Question 12

Meat type

Answer 12

1 day-2weeks 0.3 sq ft/bird

2 weeks to market 1.0 sq ft/bird

Question 13

after 12 weeks the floor space requirement

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Drinker and feeder

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Sources of heat

Answer 15

electricity
lpg
infrared lamp
kerosene lamp
charcoal

Question 16

Broiler health care

Answer 16

Start with disease free chicks
Vaccine against Mareks diseases
Drugs and feed to prevent coccidioses
Keeps free from aflatoxin
Cover floor atleast 3 inch deep

Question 17

Marketing

Answer 17

Market 6-8 weeks old
Feeders and waterers removed to prevent bruises during catching
Protect the in transit from extreme weather