Broiler Management

Pre-Brooding Management

Pre-heat the barn to chick placement temperature: Summer min. 24hrs. Fall/Winter min. 48hrs.
Litter should be a minimum of 29° (85oF) on the surface and 27° (80oF) below the surface within the brooding area.
Remove excessive moisture from the barn by running exhaust fans at minimum speed.
Level litter with particular attention to the brooding area and underneath nipple lines.
Flush water lines (1min/100ft) and allow fresh water to heat up in the lines to 27° (80oF).
Ensure all equipment is in good working order.

Barn air temperature within the brooding area should be 31-32° (87-89oF) for the first 3 days. Monitor behaviour for chicks being too hot or too cold.
Humidity range should be 50-70%.
Check feed form, be sure crumble is of correct size.
Use feeder trays at 1 per 100 –150 chicks.
Keep creep feed available for 5 to 7 days. Feeder trays should gradually be removed for complete removal by 10 days.
Do not allow feed to spill onto litter as this can encourage mold growth and litter picking.
Pan feeders should be on flood setting. Trigger to run often. If deep pans are used, dig out litter beneath them so they are as low as possible for chicks to gain easy access.
Run low water pressure in the nipple lines to ease chick activation.
1 nipple for 8-15 chicks is recommended.
For the first three days the nipples should be at eye level and then gradually raised so that chicks are drinking at a 45 degree angle at 7 days. Remember to check accurate nipple height over the entire length of the line.
Check water consumption regularly.
Maintain 20 lux of light for the first 3-4 days and 5 lux thereafter.
Try to keep chicks in brooding area for first 48hrs by the use of brood lights or partitions.

Temperature Guidelines (°C):

Temperature Guidelines (°F):