Brooding Purchased day-old chicks: The dos and don’ts

Purchase of day-old chicks is a common practice in chicken rearing business. Farmers often seek chicks from breeders to set up their brood as they consider them relatively cheaper.

However, chicks at this particular stage require special and intensive care, and most farmers are often inadequately prepared.

The first few weeks (brooding period) of a chick’s life are critical as important developmental and physiological processes occur at this point. During the natural brooding period, day-old chicks are often seen peeping from under their mother’s feathered skirts in a bid to keep warm. The mother hen adequately provides heat and protection.

However, in artificial brooding, the farmer tries to mimic these natural conditions. A farmer must get the artificial brooding conditions right as this ultimately has an effect on the chicks’ subsequent growth.

The Brooder:

Brooder rings are recommended to prevent huddling of chicks in corners which often results in suffocation and trampling. Fumigation and disinfection of the brooder house is critical before the placement of chicks.

Chicks are very sensitive and the farmer must strive to achieve sterility. Litter/bedding (sawdust) should be thoroughly sprayed with a disinfectant and left to dry before lining the brooder ring.

A newspaper layer should line the litter and is also sprayed lightly with disinfectant. Regular change (2-3 days interval) of the newspaper lining is recommended to reduce infections. Do not compromise on hygiene.

Temperature: Chicks at this stage are only covered in down (light and small feathers, which are not good for insulation). This makes the chicks wholly dependent on an external source of heat for their survival. Low temperatures often result in poor growth. This is because feed ingested by chicks is converted to heat as opposed to being used for growth. An electronic heating system or charcoal burner (jiko) can be used to provide heat.

The heat source should be placed centrally in the brooder ring to ensure equal distribution of heat. Temperature should be maintained at 32°C in the first week. Excessive heat results to stress and dehydration. Farmers must keenly observe chick behaviour in relation to heat; too hot – chicks move away from the heat source, too cold – chicks are huddle under the heat source, while an even distribution of chicks indicates correct temperatures.

Lighting and ventilation: Adequate lighting is key in a brooder. This is necessary for day-old chicks to locate water and feed. For first seven days, bright light should be provided in the brooder house but gradually reduced to prevent cannibalism. Air quality is critical. Good air quality is important especially when using charcoal burners that may contribute to high accumulation of carbon monoxide and consequent gas poisoning. However, do not sacrifice temperature for ventilation or vice versa.

Vaccination: The vaccination schedule provided must be followed religiously. Multivitamins should be administered before and after vaccination.

Feed and water: Start off on the chick starter for one week and then gradually introduce the chicken marsh. Chick booster (a mixture of vitamins and glucose) can be added into the water.

Often, chicks at this stage require 24-hour surveillance. Farmers need to continuously alert the chicks in the first week, to stimulate faster yolk absorption. Be vigilant as common causes of chick mortality in the brooder house are as a result of suffocation, bacterial infections, viral infections and poor feed management.