AS-527
A Guide for Housing, Brooding, and Handling Chicks Safely
By Ryan Meunier and Dr. Mickey A. Latour
Knowledge of housing, brooding, and handling chicks safety makes raising
poultry a rewarding experience. Before deciding to raise poultry, or any
livestock, it is important to investigate local codes and/or city
ordinances. Information regarding local codes pertaining to livestock can
be found through visiting your county extension educator. You may also
consult with a local veterinarian or animal health supplier.
Poultry can be housed in a variety of locations. The most important
factors to consider when housing young birds are a) cleanliness, b) space,
c) availability to feed and water, and d) safety from predators.
Young birds are susceptible to environmental insult. In order to prevent
any possible problems, the first step is to remove old litter and
excretory materials from the house. The second step is to clean the house
and equipment with a commercial detergent that will remove all organic
matter. Follow this by disinfecting the house and all equipment. Next,
feeders and waterers should be placed in the house. The last step is to
make sure the house is sealed from predators.
The process of brooding is necessary during the early period of growth
(3-4 weeks) because chicks are not able to maintain their body temperature
without the aid of supplemental heat (Nesheim and Austic, 1990). One of
the most common problems in poultry flocks is improper brooding, which in
turn causes stress.
The guidelines for the three basic methods used to brood chicks are
outlined below (Smith, 1997).
- Localized brooding. The chicks have localized heat source and access
to a cooler, unheated area. This approach allows the chicks to determine
their own heating needs by moving from hot to cold areas and vice versa.
This method is known as spot brooding.
- Whole-house brooding. A large area around the brooders is warmed
to the same temperature with whole house. The chicks have no choice
between warm and cool areas.
- Partial-house brooding. Partial-house brooding is much like whole
house brooding, because the total brooding area is warmed. To save
energy, however, the brooding area is reduced to the minimum amount needed
for the size of chicks. As the chicks grow, the brooding area is
increased in accordance to their sizes. Good ventilation is essential
with all brooding systems, but especially partial-house brooding.
Brooding Recommendation
Under most circumstances, method number one is the easiest and most
effective method for raising chicks. A few days prior to receiving chicks,
a brooding area should be established. Corrugated cardboard makes an
excellent brooder guard and can be discarded when it becomes soiled.
During hot weather, hardware cloth or a similar mesh material may be used
instead of solid guard (Nesheim and Austic, 1990). Mesh material allows
for greater airflow during the summer months. It is important when using a
boundary material (cardboard or mesh) that it be arranged in a circular
fashion. Circular boundaries minimize huddling and loss due to
suffocation. As the chicks increase in age and size, the boundary should
continue to expand until it is no longer necessary. When brooding a small
number of chicks, (n < 20) a box may be used for the first few days of
life. A gooseneck lamp placed over the box will provide an adequate source
of heat when brooding a small number of chicks.
Waterers and feeders for chicks can be purchased from a local feed
supplier. These facilities have reusable plastic waters and feeders
specifically designed for this application. Chicks have a build-in
protection mechanism for food; that is, newly hatched chicks can survive a
couple days without food. However, in order to reach their full
potential, they need nourishment quickly, so they should be introduced to
feed and water immediately post-hatch. The same is true when chicks are
purchased from a hatchery; they should be introduced to feed and water
upon arrival.
Temperature is a major concern when brooding young chicks. Table I (seen
below) provides an age specific range of brooding temperatures that are
applicable to methods 1 and 3 of brooding. The schedule should be altered
during periods of stress or vaccination. At these times the temperatures
should be increased about five degrees. Environmental temperature should
be recorded approximately two inches from the floor directly under the
heat source. Chick behavior should be monitored carefully, specifically
noting chick panting or huddling. Panting is an indicator that the
environmental temperature is too high, while huddling indicates the
environmental temperature is too low. It is important for chicks to be
reared in their comfort zone (North and Bell, 1990).
Additional tips for the brooding process:
- Use dry litter material for brooding chicks.
- Check the accuracy of brooder thermostats and thermometers to
insure proper heating.
Handling Chicks Safely
Newly hatched chicks release droppings (excreta) after hatching. This
allows the newly hatched chick to rid its body of excess waste products
generated during the incubation process. Care should be taken when
handling live animals. More specifically, persons with open areas of skin
(cuts, sores, or rashes) should avoid animal contact with these open areas
when handling animals. Skin is a natural barrier to most environmental
insults, and open areas of the skin are susceptible to insults. After
handling any animal, care should be taken in cleansing your skin.
Specifically, all areas that came in contact with an animal should be
washed with soap and warm water. Remember, handling chicks is relatively
harmless; however, proper precautionary methods should always be
practiced.
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