The poultry industry has come to be considered as a means to fight poverty. It is important as a source of employment and income to many families. Unlike other ventures, it provides faster turn over on capital investment. This has led to the setting up of formal businesses and training institution. Production is always in stages and every stage is very important to ensure overall efficiency in production chain in the poultry industry, production ranges from hatchery, brooding of broilers or layers, fattening and marketing. The brooding of broilers is one of the foundation stages in the production chain which needs the close attention of operates in the sector and that of researchers.
Meaning of brooding
PROCESS OF BROODING CHICKS FROM DAY OLD TO FOUR (4) WEEKS OLD.
The brooding period, generally considered as the period of time from placement through 14 days, is perhaps the most important time in bird life. The brooding period is the most sensitive because the bird is changing from an in immature thermo regulation system to a mature system. Survival of the newly hatched chick is largely dependent on how quickly and efficiently the transition is made from the Hatchery to the farm environment. At no other time during the flocks life is a services person and producer job more important. Mistakes made during this critical time may be irreversible and negatively impact performance for the entire life of the flock. Brooder means to give a heat source by artificial means for the period of growth of chicks from 0 day (Day old) to 4 weeks.
The heat source generally has a large reflector (Hover) under which the chicks will get the heat uniformly. The day old chicks do not possess the insulating feather coverage to protect them from cold. It may result in the losing of body heat to the environment resulting in chilling which will create the ground for much disease. Chicks do not possess a well developed thermo regulatory mechanism. The body temperature of chick is 107oF which is always more than the ambient temperature. So a source of heat given by natural brooding or by Artificial brooding up to 4 weeks of age.
Preparation of brooder house;
(1) The litter material of the previous batch should be heaped up first so that building
(2) After 2 to 3 days the heaped up material can be removed from the brooder room.
(3) The portion of the hitter sticking over the ground must be scraped and removed.
(4) Disinfection of the room is carried out by spraying phenyl, Lysol, e.t.c at 5%
(5) Feeders, water containers, chick guards should be washed and disinfected in phenyl or Lysol. Dry it in the sun for a dry e.t.c
MANAGEMENT:-
(1) Spread finally grained maize over the news paper before the arrival of chicks
(2) Give cool water after boiling. Add electrolytes, B complex and antibiotics.
(3) Distribute chicks equally after counting under the broods.
(4) Before putting chicks under the brooder scale their beats with water
(5) For first 3 days provide crushed maize twice a day. Also provide ground maize in the feeder.
(6) Change newspapers sheets immediately if they get wet.
(7) Watch the chicks under light if chicks are spread uniformly under the light and brooder area. Then the temperature maintained is correct. If the chicks are huddled under the light, heat provides is not enough. If the chicks are huddled under the light, light source, the heat intensity is high. Give enough space for watering and feeding for growing chicks according to the age of the birds. The first (4) four weeks of chicks life is a critical time that contributes to the overall flock productivity. At placement, baby chicks are entirely dependent on grower management for survival. The objective of the brooding period is to create the ideal environment condition to detailed management is essential to accomplishing this objective.
Finally, understanding the specific requirement of
post hatch birds and subsequently adjust the brooding conditions is important
to improve performance, animal health and welfare. Have a nice day.
