By Ndumiso Tshuma
As many farmers take delivery of day-old chicks, a local poultry expert, Dr Enock Machingauta, suggests farmers pay attention to several critical factors to ensure the health and growth of their chicks.
According to Dr Machingauta, a poultry healthcare specialist and advisor at Upwise Farming, pre-heating the building before the arrival of the chicks is essential to provide a suitable environment. He suggests that the temperature of the building should be checked at multiple points around the house, with a recommended range of 30-40°C under brooders and 32°C at room temperature.
“It’s crucial to provide a comfortable environment for the chicks from the start. Pre-heating the building is important to providing a suitable environment for the chicks upon arrival. Preheating time can vary between 24 and 72 hours before the arrival of the animals depending on the season, the outside temperatures, the insulation, and the building sealing. Several hours before the arrival of the chicks, the temperature of the building must be checked at multiple points around the house,” said Machingauta.
Dr Machingauta noted that litter temperature is an important element to the success of the starting period and that a surface temperature of approximately 30°C is recommended for day-old chickens.
“If day-old chicks are being kept in a barn with an external heating system and without in-house brooder heaters, 32°C at room temperature, which is ambient temperature, should be maintained. In buildings equipped with in-house brooder heaters, 30°C at room temperature and 38 to 40°C under the brooders should be maintained. Litter temperature is an important element to the success of the starting period, and a surface temperature of approximately 30°C is recommended,” said Machingauta.
Machingauta highlighted the importance of providing adequate feed as they arrive because they drink and want to eat. He added that one should use the Endocox Hepator booster to boost the growth of the chicks.
“As chicks arrive, give them Endocox and feed because as they drink, they want to eat. Then, Hepator booster at two weeks. You can use Endocox and Hepator booster, no need for stress packs or any medication, just those,” said Machingauta.
Machingauta also emphasised monitoring temperatures and equipment readings regularly throughout the brooding period.
“Temperatures must be checked and calibrated as the first hours of life are essential. The equipment readings must be checked at regular intervals throughout the brooding period to enable the best environment for the chicks,” said Machingauta.
Machingauta highlighted the four critical factors that determine the growth rate of day-old chicks once they arrive. According to Machingauta, genetics, housing, feed, and management are the four key factors that impact the growth rate of broilers, and farmers need to understand that all commercial and small-scale broiler breeds have the genetic potential to grow fast.
“When looking at genetics, all commercial and small-scale broiler breeds have the genetic potential to grow fast. Proper housing should allow proper ventilation, and open houses should have northern and southern sides with a maximum height of 50 cm. The highest point on the fowl run should have a minimum height of 2.6 m to allow free air circulation in the house,” said Dr Machingauta.
Dr Machingauta added that it is important to ensure there is adequate ventilation and air supply and that air movement is critical, and curtains should be opened from the top downwards to avoid drafts onto the chicks from day one.
“Adequate ventilation and air supply should be available. Air movement is very critical, and curtains should be opened from the top downwards to avoid drafts onto the chicks from the first day. Windward and leeward sides should be opened at a proportion of 1:4 so that where the wind is coming from is smaller than where it is going, thereby creating positive pressure and a good flow of air to remove bad gases such as ammonia, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide. It is also important to keep removing wet litter to avoid creating an ammonia buildup, which can cause respiratory problems,” said Machingauta.
Machingauta also highlighted the need for proper brooding temperatures, which should be maintained within a range of 32-35°C on the floor from day one. He added that smaller chicks from young parent stock require higher temperatures than those from older parent stock.
“When it comes to ideal brooding temperatures, 32-35 degrees Celsius is the range required on the floor from day one based on the size of chicks. Smaller chicks from young parent stock need higher temperatures than chicks from older parent stock. Always get the floor temperatures right as that is the correct place to avoid birds being chilled. From five to seven days, gradually reduce the temperatures to 29-30 degrees Celsius. The key to the temperature is the comfort zone for the birds, which should be maintained all the time. Do what will make the birds active in terms of feeding and watering and what keeps them spread evenly within the fowl run,” said Machingauta.
Machingauta added that stocking densities are another critical factor, with recommended densities ranging from 10-12 birds per square meter at the grow-out stage.
“When looking at stocking densities, the recommended stocking density is 10-12 birds per square meter, with 10 being for summer and 12 for winter at the growth stage. Start with 25-33 chicks per square meter based on summer and winter brooding. Space movement must be done on days 4, 7, and 10 so that by 14 days, birds are on the full floor in summer and the full floor is given at day 21 in winter. The rate at which the birds are given more floor space will depend on insulation, outside weather, feeding space, and drinking space. Flocks with increased growth rates need more space earlier,” said Machingauta.
In addition, Machingauta said there must be adequate watering and feeding space, which is affected by the number of equipment per number of birds in the pen.
“When looking at nutrition, adequate watering and feeding space are critical. This is affected by the number of equipment per number of birds in the pen,” said Machingauta.
