Poultry: Proper Brooder Management

Published: May 6, 2008

Source : Ontario M. of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Proper Brooder Management is doing everything possible to promote a comfort zone in the broiler pen which will maximize feed and water intake during the first week of life. Low first week mortality is only possible if we start with quality chicks.

The manager must evaluate the environment by being present in the barn at least three to four times per day. I like to refer to it as working on your M.B.A.: Masters of Business Administration or Management by Being Around.

The formula for success is:

Clean Barn
The barn, including all walls, ceilings, equipment and floors are washed so that all dirt is gone and then the barn is disinfected. This procedure permits the birds to develop antibodies to vaccine which protects the bird for life. Insect and rodent control is an essential component of clean up.

Clean Water
This must be readily available at all times. This means proper height of nipple drinkers, proper pressure of cup drinkers and adequate levels and cleanliness of bell drinkers.

Temperature
Exhaust fans should operate right from day one, but only if there are no drafts at bird level. Ideal temperature at bird level is likely between 87 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Chick location dictates comfort and not the thermostat or the computer screen. Chicks are poikilothermic which means that their body temperature is dictated by the environmental temperature. Increasing the barn temperature speeds up growth rate and lowering the temperature slows growth rate. Remember that the relative change in body weight is over 250% within the first 7 days.

Feed
This must be accessible at all times via filled feed pans, paper below feeders, or supplementary feeder trays. Proper texture and quality is imperative. A young flock can have as much as 10 percent of body weight in the crop and gizzard as feed and water within hours of placement.

Light
Light intensity and duration can control weight gain. Metabolic diseases can be significantly reduced if a dramatic light restriction program is initiated within the first week of life.

Source

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Sherif Abdo

12 de mayo de 2008

This article about proper broder management in poultry is good but should be deeper in the life of poultry especially critical period in my opinion first 7 days of life as type of feed and effect of every component and effect in life. I hope it completes this and I need to explain about the role of selenium, especially organic or chelated on performance of poultry.
With my best wishes,

Dr Sherif

Abideen Busari

7 de mayo de 2008

I have taken into account the important points on this article. It is brilliant.

DR SUSHANTTH RAI, BELLIPADY

7 de mayo de 2008

Good article about proper brooder management in poultry.

Dr Sushanth Rai