Intensive / Floor
Brooding
Temperature management
When using a
gas fired brooder, reduce the temperature using the brooder by 3°C (5°F)
per week until 21°C (70°F) is reached. Maintain adequate relative humidity
for birds brooded on the floor. The chicks seem to be comfortable and
respond best when relative humidity is between 40 and 60%.
Observing
the chicks will tell you whether or not the temperature is correct. If
they are too cool, they will huddle near the heat source. If they are too
warm, they will spread out away from the heat source. If there are drafts,
they will huddle in groups to get away from the spot where the cool air
enters the heated area.
Comfortable chicks will spread out uniformly,
without huddling, throughout the brooding area.
Floor Brooding
Twenty-four hours before delivery of the chicks, prepare the
house as follows:
1. Place a brooder ring around each brooder
unit.
2. Adjust brooder temperature to 34°C (93°F) at chick level
3.
Fill jug drinkers - two 4 litre (one gallon) drinkers per 100
chicks.
4. Eliminate all drafts from the
house.