orgainsect
In the Brooder
- Jan 14, 2025
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If you're raising chicks for the first time, you can take a look at this article. Many people think there's no need to raise them in a systematic way, but I believe that if you want to increase their numbers, you must pay attention!!!
**Temperature**
Chicks have poor thermoregulatory capabilities and need a suitable and stable temperature environment. For chicks that are 1 - 3 days old, the brooding temperature should be maintained at 33 - 35°C. For those 4 - 7 days old, it should be kept at 32 - 33°C. After that, the temperature can be decreased by 2 - 3°C per week until the chicks can adapt to the outside environmental temperature.
**Humidity**
In the early stage of brooding, the indoor relative humidity should be kept at 60% - 65% to prevent chicks from dehydration. As the chicks get older, the humidity can be gradually reduced to 50% - 55% to prevent the occurrence of diseases like coccidiosis.
**Lighting**
Reasonable lighting can boost the growth, development, and metabolism of chicks. For chicks 1 - 3 days old, 24 - hour lighting can be used to help the chicks get familiar with the environment and learn to feed and drink. For those 4 - 7 days old, the daily lighting duration is 20 - 22 hours. After that, the lighting time is reduced by 2 - 3 hours per week until it reaches 10 - 12 hours per day.
**Ventilation**
It is of vital importance to keep the air in the chicken coop fresh. Good ventilation can expel harmful gases such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, and introduce fresh air at the same time, reducing the incidence of respiratory diseases. Ventilation openings can be set up on the top of the chicken coop, or equipment like exhaust fans can be installed.
**Stocking Density**
The stocking density should be appropriate. If the density is too high, it is likely to cause poor growth and development of chicks, as well as problems such as feather - pecking. If the density is too low, it will waste space and resources. Generally, 30 - 40 chicks are raised per square meter for 1 - 2 - week - old chicks, 20 - 30 chicks per square meter for 3 - 4 - week - old chicks, and 10 - 20 chicks per square meter for 5 - 6 - week - old chicks.
**Bedding**
Select bedding materials that are dry, soft, and highly absorbent, such as rice husks, sawdust, and crushed straws. This can keep the floor of the chicken coop dry, prevent the chicks' abdomens from getting cold, and reduce the occurrence of diseases. The bedding should be replaced regularly to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.
**Temperature**
Chicks have poor thermoregulatory capabilities and need a suitable and stable temperature environment. For chicks that are 1 - 3 days old, the brooding temperature should be maintained at 33 - 35°C. For those 4 - 7 days old, it should be kept at 32 - 33°C. After that, the temperature can be decreased by 2 - 3°C per week until the chicks can adapt to the outside environmental temperature.
**Humidity**
In the early stage of brooding, the indoor relative humidity should be kept at 60% - 65% to prevent chicks from dehydration. As the chicks get older, the humidity can be gradually reduced to 50% - 55% to prevent the occurrence of diseases like coccidiosis.
**Lighting**
Reasonable lighting can boost the growth, development, and metabolism of chicks. For chicks 1 - 3 days old, 24 - hour lighting can be used to help the chicks get familiar with the environment and learn to feed and drink. For those 4 - 7 days old, the daily lighting duration is 20 - 22 hours. After that, the lighting time is reduced by 2 - 3 hours per week until it reaches 10 - 12 hours per day.
**Ventilation**
It is of vital importance to keep the air in the chicken coop fresh. Good ventilation can expel harmful gases such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, and introduce fresh air at the same time, reducing the incidence of respiratory diseases. Ventilation openings can be set up on the top of the chicken coop, or equipment like exhaust fans can be installed.
**Stocking Density**
The stocking density should be appropriate. If the density is too high, it is likely to cause poor growth and development of chicks, as well as problems such as feather - pecking. If the density is too low, it will waste space and resources. Generally, 30 - 40 chicks are raised per square meter for 1 - 2 - week - old chicks, 20 - 30 chicks per square meter for 3 - 4 - week - old chicks, and 10 - 20 chicks per square meter for 5 - 6 - week - old chicks.
**Bedding**
Select bedding materials that are dry, soft, and highly absorbent, such as rice husks, sawdust, and crushed straws. This can keep the floor of the chicken coop dry, prevent the chicks' abdomens from getting cold, and reduce the occurrence of diseases. The bedding should be replaced regularly to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.
