The importance of brooding temperature
Ambient temperature is the key to raising chicks, especially for long-distance chicks, the temperature for baby chicks is very important, otherwise cold or dehydration will reduce the survival rate. Moreover, improving the survival rate is the top priority in chick farming, which is directly related to profits. Whether it is broiler or laying hen chicks, you can’t ignore the temperature.
Usually, the professional farmer controls the temperature of a chicken farm by controlling the light and ventilation with the poultry lighting system and the ventilation fans. Besides, the heat lamp for chicks is created to solve the farm temperature. The time, brightness, and distance of the heating lamp have a great influence on the temperature. Nowadays, the heat lamp for chicks has been the most common tool to control the brooding temperature.
The temperature for baby chicks at different growth stages
Under normal circumstances, during the brooding period, the appropriate temperature of the brooding room is: 1-2 days old, the temperature for baby chicks is 35℃; 3-7 days old, 32-35℃; 7-14 days old, 29-32℃; 14-21 Day-old, the temperature is 27-29 ℃; after 22 days of age, the temperature is 21 ℃. For the cold country, a heat lamp for chicks is necessary.
Of course, the appropriate brooding temperature varies depending on the method of brooding, season, brooder and breeds, etc. The most suitable temperature for baby chicks should be guaranteed to be around 32-34°C. Newborn chicks have poor ability to adjust their temperature, so it is necessary to manually control the appropriate temperature of the baby chicks, and keep the temperature at around 32-34°C. As the chicks continue to grow, the temperature should be lowered by 1-2°C according to the situation every week. The specific temperature adjustment should be determined according to the physique of the chicks. The chicks with a better physique will have a faster temperature drop, while the weak chicks have a slower temperature drop.
The temperature of baby chicks needs to be controlled above 35 degrees, because the body temperature of baby chicks is relatively high, which is always between 40.8-41.5 degrees. After the chicks have just hatched, their ability to adapt to the outside world is still very poor. In addition, the fluff of the newly born chicks is relatively short, and the cold resistance is relatively poor. It is necessary to ensure a relatively high temperature, and the temperature range should not change too much. It is necessary to control the temperature according to the mental state of the baby chicks. If the chicks do not pile up, distribute evenly, lively, and stretch their legs, the temperature for baby chicks is suitable. If the chicks are cluttering, chirping, close to the heat source, etc., the temperature for baby chicks is low. if the chicks are far away from the heat source and drink water desperately, the temperature for baby chicks is high.
The dangers of overheating
- Dehydration: High temperature may cause dehydration of chickens, thereby delaying the development of chickens, manifesting as thinness and lack of water. A serious lack of water will cause chickens to die.
- Fever: If the chick is in a high-temperature environment for a long time, the high temperature will destroy the tracheal mucosa of the chick, causing the chick to suffer from fever.
- Abnormal behavior: In the case of high temperatures, the heat of chicks is high and their behavior will be abnormal. There will be a series of behaviors such as open-mouth panting, rapid breathing, and frequent drinking.
The danger of too low temperature
- It is easy to make the chicks bunch together: If the temperature is too low, it is easy to cause the chicks to bunch up, and there is a danger of the chicks being crushed, disabled, and killed. In addition, the food intake of baby chicks will reduce.
- Causes respiratory diseases: The low temperature of the chicken house causes the cold air to stimulate the respiratory mucosa of the chicks and induce the symptoms of respiratory diseases.
- Indigestion: The temperature of the brooding house is low, coupled with the fact that the chicks do not like to move, drink less water, and weaken the function of the digestive system, resulting in a decrease in their digestive ability.
- Poor yolk absorption: Under low-temperature conditions, chicks are prone to poor absorption of yolk due to factors such as low activity, low feed intake, and weak endocrine function.
The danger of Temperature Instability
A sudden drop in brooding temperature can cause severe vascular reactions, circulatory collapse, and suffocation in chicks. When the temperature is low or the temperature fluctuates, the physiological metabolism of the chick is disordered, and the blood vessels around the egg bundle can be constricted, thereby preventing the chick from obtaining nutrients. Therefore, it is not only necessary to reasonably control the temperature in the chicken house, but also to ensure the thermal insulation function of the chicken house.
Solution of the chick farm temperature
- Breed selection: Select and breed varieties with a breeding and extension system, and the breed that can be introduced nearby is better.
- Selection of chicks: According to the time of hatching, select lively and robust chicks with breed characteristics.
- Grouping: The baby chicks should be grouped according to the specific situation, different varieties, strong and weak, and time.
- Feeding: Chicks start feeding 24 to 36 hours after hatching. Drink water first, then start eating, or start eating and drinking at the same time. In the first ten days, it is best to add 3% to 5% sugar water or 5% glucose and vitamin C to the drinking water to promote yolk absorption.
- Density: The density is high in winter and low in summer. At the same time, the density is determined according to the different breeds of chicks and feeding methods.
- Ventilation: Especially for caged chickens, where the stocking density is high, attention should be paid to the timely discharge of harmful gases and the speed of air convection. The open brooding room can open doors and windows at the appropriate time for regular ventilation; a closed brooding room needs to use the fan, vertical ventilation, to meet the requirements of fresh air.
- Prevent dehydration
Ways to prevent dehydration
1. The eggs used for brooding should not be too long. Generally, it should not exceed 7-10 days. Otherwise, the chicks will lose too much water, which will affect their physique of the chicks.
2. In the incubator for hatching chicks, relative humidity should be ensured, the relative humidity should be kept at 55-60%, and the humidity after the chicks are out of the incubator should be kept at about 70%, and the air should not be too dry.
3. In the process of transporting chicks, the transportation time should be shortened as much as possible, and the temperature in the chick box should be prevented from being too high.